Five 'Must Draft' Rookies

Well since the NFL Draft has officially come and gone, it’s probably a good time for me to start doing my job for the guys at Blitzed. If you haven’t read me before, I’m Hank Mardukas and I supply the fantasy good times for this great team. Today, we’re going to start out pretty basic. I’m going to be taking a look at five players drafted last week that could and should have fantasy value for next season. Some will be obvious (hello, Josh Jacobs) and a few could be under the radar options. I’ll be looking at these players as though we’re just doing a redraft league and not dynasty. Thanks for reading. Let’s get to the motherlovin’ show.

Kyler Murray, QB Arizona Cardinals
​Yeah sure, maybe it’s a cop out to start this article with the 1st overall pick, but also, I don’t give a shit. If there’s one rookie QB who is going to have value next year, it’s the Heisman winner from Oklahoma. New coach and aspiring male model Kliff Kingsbury all but told Josh Rosen to GTFO so he could have his guy in Murray to run his Air Raid offense. He better hope it works out or his ass is gonna be on the street in a couple of seasons. Despite height concerns, Murray should have value from Day 1. He’s a unique talent with a great arm and terrific mobility. That mobility should help combat some of the potential height problems and provides a huge upside in fantasy value (see: Wilson, Russell). The Cardinals spent the draft upgrading their weapons with rookie WRs Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler and Kesean Johnson being added to a receiver group that includes Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. It might not be pretty next year in the desert, but Murray has the ability to sneak in the Top 12 of fantasy QBs in his rookie season.

Josh Jacobs, RB Oakland Raiders
​Anybody who looked at a mock draft leading up to the event could’ve predicted Jacobs’ landing spot. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock didn’t exactly disguise their love for the RB from Alabama and decided to make him the only back drafted in the 1st round by taking Jacobs 24th overall. And he couldn’t be stepping into a better situation. Marshawn Lynch just retired and newly signed Isaiah Crowell tore his Achilles in practice this week. The Raiders want to run the ball and their offensive line is a decent run blocking unit that should open up some lanes for the 220 pound bruiser from the Crimson Tide. Not only does Jacobs have a bruising running style, he has flashed some receiving ability which is something that we as fantasy owners always like to see in our backs. Oakland has added some elite weapons this offseason (fuck you AB. Sorry, Steelers fan here) and as long as Derek Carr is competent, Jacobs could finish with some high-end RB2 value.

David Montgomery, RB Chicago Bears
​This 3rd round pick out of Iowa State has me feeling all kinds of ways. And the way that I’m feeling the most lately about him when I think about his fantasy value is turned on. The Bears traded up in the 3rd round to land this potential three-down back and there’s plenty of opportunity for him to step in and produce for this up and coming offense. Jordan Howard, who runs like his feet are permanently entrenched in quick sand and has hands made of granite is no longer in the picture in Chicago, which leaves Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis as the two running backs on the roster who could present Montgomery some potential issues. But if you’re like me, you’re not exactly fearing Mike Davis. "DMont" (trademark it here, unless that’s his actual nickname already) has drawn comparisons to Kareem Hunt and not for his tendency to be a lowlife, piece of shit, but for the tendency to be able to do it all out of the backfield. I like Montgomery a lot. Target him in drafts this season.

N’Keal Harry, WR New England Patriots
​It pains me to have to bring praise to anyone who plays for the Patriots or catch Tom Brady’s balls (except Gisele, she can have some praise), but Harry has landed in a perfect spot for fantasy purposes. This 6’5 receiver out of Arizona State can sky and will provide Brady with a terrific red zone option – one that he desperately needs with 69 lover Rob Gronkowski’s retirement. Outside of Julian Edelman, there isn’t really anything set in stone for the Patriots’ passing attack. Demaryius Thomas? Old. Phillip Dorsett? Fuck off. Josh Gordon? Still suspended and presumably on the weed. Scouts have compared the 32nd pick to Allen Robinson. You might think Robinson isn’t anything special, but if you put him in an offense like the Pats with a QB like Brady, I think your mind would change pretty quickly. Someone like Dirty Harry should be able to step in and produce from the get go for New England.

Mecole Hardman, WR Kansas City Chiefs
​Let me be clear on this: Tyreek Hill is a gigantic piece of shit and the fact that the Chiefs haven’t cut him yet is disturbing to say the least. I’m putting Hardman on this list with the assumption that either Kansas City management or the NFL will finally do the right thing and suspend or cut him. The 2nd round pick out of Georgia was surely drafted with the fact that KC is planning for life without Hill. And if that’s the case, then this pick is perfect because this cat can fuckin’ scoot. At the combine, Hardman ran a 4.33 40 yard dash, which in case you’re not sure or just don’t understand how time and distance works, is fast as shit. And entering the Chiefs’ offense led by MVP Patrick Mahomes should be a dream come true for Hardman. Mahomes can bomb it, and Hardman can go it. Keep an eye on this situation as the offseason progresses.