-2019 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2019 Draft Kit
Washington selected rookie receiver Kelvin Harmon in the sixth round of the NFL Draft from North Carolina State, and he could be a steal for the Redskins. Washington has a suspect receiving corps with Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn as the top options, and Harmon will compete with fellow rookie Terry McLaurin for targets. It would not be a surprise to see Harmon lead Washington in several receiving categories this season, and he's worth a late-round flier in deep seasonal leagues. He's worth selecting with a third-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
The Giants selected rookie receiver Darius Slayton in the fifth round of the NFL Draft from Auburn, and he will compete to be the No. 3 receiver in New York this year behind Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate. Slayton's competition will come from Corey Coleman, Cody Latimer and Bennie Fowler. While we don't expect Slayton to win that job, he's worth keeping an eye on in training camp. Don't plan on drafting Slayton in most seasonal leagues, and he's only worth a late-round flier in rookie-only drafts.
Seattle selected rookie receiver D.K. Metcalf from Ole Miss in the second round of the NFL Draft, and he's expected to compete for a starting job right away. With Doug Baldwin gone, Metcalf could earn a prominent role opposite Tyler Lockett. The star of the NFL Combine has a lot to prove before Fantasy players can trust him as a starter in seasonal leagues, but there's plenty of upside in an offense led by Russell Wilson, especially for a fast receiver who can make plays down the field. Metcalf is worth a mid-round pick in seasonal leagues, and he's a first-round selection in all rookie-only drafts.
Marquise Brown might have gotten the headlines for being the Ravens' top receiver drafted, but fellow rookie Miles Boykin has equally dangerous speed with much better size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds). The Notre Dame product smashed defenses for 15.7 yards per catch over three seasons, setting the tone as their best receiving threat last season along the perimeter of the field. Boykin doesn't quite play as physical as his size suggests, but the Ravens will try to coach him up on that. If he improves there, he has the potential to be a legit threat since he is already very good at tracking the deep pass and making defenses pay with his speed. Assuming he doesn't become a preseason sensation and rise in drafts, Boykin isn't a bad final-round prospect in seasonal leagues. Maybe he gets off to a good start. He's a much better selection in the later rounds in long-term formats and a solid second-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
Marquise Brown is a great fit for the scheme and design of the Ravens offense, but his Fantasy potential carries a lot of risk. A small, thin receiver, Brown has the difference-making speed and route-running skills to scare defenses into accounting for him on every play. Those traits helped him easily nail down back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Oklahoma, averaging 18.3 yards per catch with 17 touchdowns in 27 games. Lamar Jackson is certain to take deep shots with Brown, but he was generally inaccurate last season and struggled to connect with his wideouts on deep bombs. Additionally, the Ravens seem intent on running the ball a lot. The threat of Brown taking the top off the defense helps their run game because safeties can't crowd the line of scrimmage, but you don't get Fantasy points for that. And if that's not enough, Brown is working his way back from a broken foot suffered last December - anyone who drafts him must keep up with his training camp status. He's worth the risk at 100th overall or later in seasonal leagues as a bench receiver with inconsistent production. Expect him to go a little higher than that in dynasty startups and long-term formats, and with a choice between fourth and eighth overall in rookie-only drafts.
The Cardinals selected rookie receiver Andy Isabella in the second round of the NFL Draft from UMass, and he should compete for playing time right away. Isabella should be among the top four receivers in Arizona with Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk and fellow rookie Hakeem Butler, and coach Kliff Kingsbury is excited to use Isabella in a variety of ways. In 2018, Isabella led the nation in receiving yards (1,698) and finished his college career with 231 catches for 3,526 yards and 30 touchdowns, and he ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Keep an eye on his role in training camp, but Isabella is worth drafting with a late-round pick in all seasonal leagues. And in rookie-only drafts, Isabella is a second-round selection.
We don't know if the Chiefs are going to have Tyreek Hill or not, but if they don't Hardman profiles as exactly the type of receiver who could fill Hill's shoes. He's very good around the line of scrimmage and has the speed to get behind the defense. Those two attributes are enough to succeed with Patrick Mahomes.. Hardman is extremely raw and it's not like Hill was a gadget player made elite by Mahomes. He had improved greatly as a receiver since he joined the league and Hardman still needs that seasoning. The most likely scenario has him fourth in the pecking order behind Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins and whoever starts at running back
The 49ers selected rookie receiver Deebo Samuel in the second round of the NFL Draft from South Carolina, and he's expected to compete for a starting job right away. Samuel will compete with Marquise Goodwin to be the starter opposite Dante Pettis, but Samuel should be one of the top three receivers for the 49ers this season even if he doesn't start. With Jimmy Garoppolo coming back from last year's torn ACL, this passing game should have the chance to improve in a big way, with Samuel playing a prominent role. Now, obviously, George Kittle will also be a focal point, as will the running backs out of the backfield. But don't be surprised if Samuel is the best wide receiver in San Francisco this season or just behind Pettis. And he could be the best rookie receiver in 2019 given his clear path to targets in the 49ers' offense. He's worth a late-round pick in seasonal leagues and a potential first-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
The Cardinals selected rookie receiver KeeSean Johnson in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, and he will compete for playing time this year. He should open the season behind Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk and fellow rookies Hakeem Butler and Andy Isabella, but Johnson could find a way to get some targets in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. We don't recommend drafting Johnson in most seasonal leagues, and he's worth a late-round flier in rookie-only drafts.
Washington selected rookie receiver Terry McLaurin from Ohio State in the third round of the NFL Draft, and he will compete for playing time right away. It helps that he has a rapport with fellow rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins with the Buckeyes. Washington has a suspect receiving corps with Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn as the top options, and McLaurin will compete with fellow rookie Kelvin Harmon for targets. His seasonal value is minimal in most Fantasy leagues, but he's worth selecting with a third-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
Riley Ridley will provide depth for the Bears as a good-handed receiver with solid all-around skills. He didn't blow away defenses at Georgia but did average 14.7 yards per grab with 70 catches and 13 scores in 39 games. Nothing about him is unique but he's not bad in any one area, making him a better fit for the Bears than Fantasy lineups. That's why he's unlikely to get snagged in seasonal leagues but could be targeted late for depth in long-term formats and rookie-only drafts.
The Raiders selected rookie receiver Hunter Renfrow in the fifth round of the NFL Draft from Clemson, and he's expected to be a reserve this year. Oakland has a crowded receiving corps with Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, Ryan Grant and J.J. Nelson, and Renfrow will likely compete with Grant to be the slot receiver. He could win that job, which would increase his Fantasy value, but he's not worth drafting in most seasonal leagues. And in rookie-only drafts, Renfrow is only worth selecting with a late-round flier.
The Patriots selected rookie receiver N'Keal Harry in the first round of the NFL Draft from Arizona State, and he should be considered a potential starter for the receiver-needy New England offense. This offseason, the Patriots lost Rob Gronkowski (retired), Josh Gordon (suspended), Chris Hogan (Carolina) and Cordarrelle Patterson (Chicago), and Harry will likely compete with Phillip Dorsett for a starting job. Harry should at least be No. 3 on the depth chart, and he's worth drafting with a late-round pick in all seasonal leagues. In rookie-only drafts, Harry could be the first receiver off the board given his expected role in New England, as well as playing with Tom Brady.
Diontae Johnson isn't being held to the expectations of Antonio Brown, but he's going to have a shot to play in the same role with the Steelers. The swift, quick-twitch receiver out of Toledo was a monster in 2017 before settling into smaller numbers in 2018, totaling over 2,000 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns across those two seasons (27 games). He also succeeded on special teams, averaging over 20 yards per punt return and over 23 yards per kick return. Johnson doesn't have the strength to break tackles but does have the speed to take a short pass long distances and deep passes to the house. Kinda like Antonio Brown. And he is capable of lining up anywhere on the field. Kinda like Antonio Brown. Expect a steep learning curve for Johnson, but it doesn't mean he's not worth a late-round pick in seasonal leagues. Bump him up a bit in dynasty/keeper leagues as he'll be worth taking around Round 10 or 11. Also, he's a second-rounder in rookie-only drafts.