2018 Rookie Landing Spots: WR Part 2
Editor’s Note: Read Part 1 for wide receivers and check back for all Rookie Landing Spot articles as they become available.
Anthony Miller to Chicago Bears
Round 2, Pick 19 (51st overall)
College Production:
2018 Competition:
1) Allen Robinson
2) Taylor Gabriel
Analysis:
The Bears continue to surround second-year QB, Mitchell Trubisky, with playmakers this off-season. They added Anthony Miller out of Memphis in the second round, who is an exciting playmaker with the ball in his hands. He runs clean routes and displays quickness in the underneath passing game. Miller should have the opportunity to push Gabriel for a starting spot behind Allen Robinson, and is worthy of a late round pick in 2018.
James Washington to Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 2, Pick 28 (60th overall)
College Production:
2018 Competition:
1) Antonio Brown
2) JuJu Smith-Schuster
Analysis:
The Steelers created a void at their WR3 position by trading away Martavis Bryant for a 3rd round pick and then immediately filled that void by selecting James Washington out of Oklahoma State. Washington is built like a running back, but he’s great at stretching the field and attacking the ball in the air. He should begin the season as the third option in the Steelers prolific passing attack and will likely have a few weeks of fantasy relevance in 2018, though he may be tough to trust on a week to week basis.
D.J. Chark to Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 2, Pick 29 (61st overall)
College Production:
2018 Competition:
1) Donte Moncrief
2) Marqise Lee
3) Dede Westbrook
Analysis:
D.J. Chark made himself some money during the 2018 NFL Combine, posting a WR-best 4.34 40-yard dash. He’s a fast player who adds a nice vertical option to for the Jaguars, but he joins a crowded wide receiver corps in Jacksonville alongside the likes of Donte Moncrief, Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, and Keelan Cole. It will be tough for Chark to find fantasy relevance in 2018 in the Jaguars’ run-first offense.
Michael Gallup to Dallas Cowboys
Round 3, Pick 17 (81st overall)
College Production:
2018 Competition:
1) Allen Hurns
2) Terrance Williams
3) Cole Beasley
Analysis:
After cutting Dez Bryant earlier this month, Dallas had a major need at the wide receiver position. They fill this need with Michael Gallup in the third round out of Colorado State. Gallup is a nice all-around receiver who is a tough player with strong hands. He is great at making contested catches and actually received the highest grade among wideouts from Pro Football Focus. Gallup should have the ability to push Terrance Williams and Allen Hurns for playing time, but his usage in 2018 is unclear at this time. He’s a player to watch during training camp. If he can manage to earn a starting role, he would be an interesting option for fantasy owners.
Tre’Quan Smith to New Orleans Saints
Round 3, Pick 27 (91st overall)
College Production:
2018 Competition:
1) Michael Thomas
2) Cameron Meredith
3) Tedd Ginn
Analysis:
Tre’Quan Smith out of UCF is a big bodied receiver, who can go up and get it. He’s got good speed (4.49 40-yard dash), making him an intriguing deep threat in the Saints offense. Smith possesses big-play potential, as indicated by his 19.8 yards/reception average – wow! With Michael Thomas as the team’s possession receiver, the Saints could use a big play threat moving forward. However, Ted Ginn is likely to secure that role once again in 2018, making Smith irrelevant for fantasy this season. If New Orleans moves on from the aging Ginn next season, Smith could see more playing time in 2019.
Other WRs Drafted:
Keke Coutee to Houston Texans
Round 4, Pick 4 (103rd overall)
Antonio Callaway to Cleveland Browns
Round 4, Pick 5 (105th overall)
DaeSean Hamilton to Denver Broncos
Round 4, Pick 13 (113 overall)
Jaleel Scott to Baltimore Ravens
Round 4, Pick 32 (132 overall)
J’Mon Moore to Green Bay Packers
Round 4, Pick 33 (133 overall)
Justin Watson to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 5, Pick 7 (144 overall)
Daurice Fountain to Indianapolis Colts
Round 5, Pick 22 (159 overall)
Jordan Lasley to Baltimore Ravens
Round 5, Pick 25 (162 overall)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to Green Bay Packers
Round 5, Pick 37 (174 overall)
Damion Ratley to Cleveland Browns
Round 6, Pick 1 (175 overall)
Deon Cain to Indianapolis Colts
Round 6, Pick 11 (185 overall)
Ray-Ray McCloud to Buffalo Bills
Round 6, Pick 13 (187 overall)
Dylan Cantrell to Los Angeles Chargers
Round 6, Pick 17 (191 overall)
Russell Gage to Atlanta Falcons
Round 6, Pick 20 (194 overall)
Equanimeous St. Brown to Green Bay Packers
Round 6, Pick 33 (207 overall)
Cedrick Wilson to Dallas Cowboys
Round 6, Pick 34 (208 overall)
Braxton Berrios to New England Patriots
Round 6, Pick 26 (210 overall)
Javon Wims to Chicago Bears
Round 7, Pick 6 (224 overall)
Marcell Ateman to Oakland Raiders
Round 7, Pick 10 (228 overall)
Richie James to San Fransisco 49ers
Round 7, Pick 22 (240 overall)
Auden Tate to Cincinnati Bengals
Round 7, Pick 35 (253 overall)
Austin Proehl to Buffalo Bills
Round 7, Pick 37 (255 overall)
Trey Quinn to Washington Redskins
Round 7, Pick 38 (256 overall)
Editor’s Note: Read Part 1 for wide receivers and check back for all Rookie Landing Spot articles as they become available.