The fantasy season is over and there are many reactions from dynasty owners. Some are drowning their sorrows in playoff challenges or DFS playoff lineups. Others are smack talking about their championships and lording their trophies over their league mates or wallowing in their grief about start decisions gone awry. But mostly, we’re looking forward to next season. No matter where you fall on the spectrum of outcomes, you want to start thinking about the future. In that vein, we will help you in every phase of the offseason process.
As I look at mock drafts, my eyes naturally gravitate towards fantasy-relevant players which led to the idea for this series. I decided to attack the needs of each team from top to bottom. This is the first article and covers the teams picking in the top five of the NFL Draft. Obviously, free-agency acquisitions will make a major difference as to who teams will draft. These predictions and needs will therefore change as we acquire more information. However, many are of the thinking that it’s better to supplement with free-agency and build through the draft. Teams want to get young assets and have them develop cohesion with the team. Therefore, the draft is often more predictive of a team’s long-term confidence in a player.
For these mental exercises, I’m assuming no trades on or before draft day. As unlikely as that is, wading into that water makes everything much more complicated. All contract information comes from spotrac.com.
1.01 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Needs: QB, TE, WR
The Jaguars are on the clock and I’m definitely not bitter about Gardner Minshew not starting the last few weeks. Not at all. As is true for most teams picking at the 1.01, the Jags are in need of a quarterback. I guess. Again, not bitter. The consensus has them taking Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick, and I won’t contest that point. Assuming there is no shakeup at the very tip-top of the draft, let’s look to the rest of their needs.
Undrafted free agent running back James Robinson was a steal last year for Jacksonville. Since he’s a super-cheap option at a replaceable position, I doubt they pay up either in the draft or free agency for another RB. They have a couple of options at wide receiver with DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault. However, Chark is going into the final year of his rookie contract and Chris Conley and Keelan Cole are impending free agents. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a move at that position. There are some good options in free agency, but the 2021 draft class is pretty stacked. Jacksonville could take a WR with their later first-round pick or an early second-rounder to grow with Lawrence.
Although he hasn’t done much in two years mostly due to injury, Josh Oliver is still a very young tight end. Speaking of injury, their current starting TE is Tyler Eifert, who is also a $6.125 million cap hit. If the Jags cut him and aren’t set on Josh Oliver, look for them to draft a replacement, possibly with one of their two third-round picks.
1.02, New York Jets – Needs: Yes
The Jets Gased their way out of the first overall pick. If they had that, it’s unlikely that they would have passed on Lawrence. Without that option, I think it’s equally likely that the Jets keep Sam Darnold and that they draft a QB, probably Justin Fields, at the 1.02. Whichever route they choose to take, there are plenty of other needs for this team.
Surprisingly, overpaying Le’Veon Bell for two years bore little fruit, and Frank Gore is, well, Frank Gore. So RB is definitely a need for the franchise. Denzel Mims hasn’t done much this season, but he’s still young with plenty of time to develop. Jamison Crowder has the opposite problem. He’s also a $10.5 million cap hit with only $1 million in dead cap money. Therefore, WR is also a high priority. And Chris Herndon’s flash sputtered this year. Will all of these players blow up as so many others have after escaping the clutches of Adam Gase? It’s possible, but it’s also very likely that the Jets address these needs early. With two first-round picks, a second, and two thirds, new options with high or decent draft capital is definitely in the cards.
1.03, Miami Dolphins – Needs: WR, RB
The Dolphins were gifted the third-overall pick from the Texans, and if the Jets and Jaguars take QBs one-two, they will have their pick of any other position. The majority of the needs for Miami are not (directly) fantasy-relevant, but they could use a new WR for Tua Tagovailoa. And with a WR class like this one, it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibility that they use the third or 18th-overall pick on one. Myles Gaskin performed well for Miami this year, but they may not see him as the long-term answer. After the RB free agent market seemingly dried up with all the signings, look for the Dolphins to make a significant move with one of their five picks in the first three rounds.
1.04, Atlanta Falcons – Needs: QB, RB
The Falcons clearly need the most help on the defensive side of the ball. However, with a pick this high, it may be hard for Atlanta to pass on a replacement for Matt Ryan. There are also speculations that they try to trade the aging franchise QB, and if that is the plan, then taking a new signal-caller fourth-overall seems extremely likely. Todd Gurley of late has not looked like the Todd Gurley of old, so expect them to move on from the free agent, possibly on day two. The more likely outcome is that they hammer defense often, leaving the RB position to a late pick or by just sticking with their current roster.
1.05, Cincinnati Bengals – Needs: TE, WR
The Bengals have their QB of the future and locked up their workhorse RB. That leaves WR and TE as needs for Cincinnati. WR might not seem like a need at first glance, but AJ Green and John Ross are free agents. Also, Drew Sample doesn’t seem like the dynamic TE of the future. They will probably use their highest picks on offensive line and defense, but look for them to make moves WR and TE.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this, please stay tuned for more articles similar to this one. Also, if you have a question or comment, you can find me on Twitter @DFF_sbt1030. Thanks again!
