So day 1 of the 2016 NFL draft is in the books, and fantasy owners will want to know how this draft affects their draft. I’ll try and reserve my comments on how teams in the first round drafted, because reality and fantasy are two very different worlds. This draft was much more about reality, evidenced by the fact that only 8 of the 31 picks last night were offensive skill-positions. (QB, RB, WR) The 2016 draft will be remembered for it’s defensive depth, and going into the day 2 of the draft, there is still a ton of starting defensive talent out there.

 

With that said, we can let the NFL front offices worry more about their defense’s because in fantasy football, offense is the name of the game. The fantasy world just welcomed some new talent, and it’s never too early to start planning for your next draft. Here are some players that just got drafted and will change the fantasy landscape:

 

Ezekiel Elliot: RB Dallas Cowboys

 

This should be the pick that affects the top of fantasy drafts the most this summer. The last 2 seasons, the Cowboys have had the top offensive line in the NFL and have had Demarco Murray rush for over 1,800 yards and Darren McFadden rushing for over 1,000 yards despite not truly starting until about week 7. Elliot should fall somewhere between production-wise, as he is easily as talented (if not more talented) than both players. Running backs have arguably the easiest learning curve of any position transitioning from college, so my money has Elliot as a sure-fire first round fantasy option. He could easily be the top player in fantasy football from day 1 and for years to come. If Tony Romo stays healthy and keeps defense’s honest, Elliot should put up at least 1,500 total yards and his fair share of touchdowns. I would expect Alfred Morris to pilfer a few scores, and McFadden to give him a breather, but you don’t take a back 4^th overall without playing him as your full-time starter right out of the gate.

 

Corey Coleman: WR Cleveland Browns

 

Coleman is a bit raw, but very talented. Any highlight real will affirm his athleticism. The Browns need a lot of things, and without Travis Benjamin, receiver was definitely among primary needs. Credit Cleveland for trading back twice to get a gifted player and more draft picks because the fate of this team for the next decade arguably falls on hitting on at least 50% of the picks they have in the next 2 years. Back to fantasy: Coleman isn’t Josh Gordon (which is a good thing and a bad thing) but he will be their number 1 receiver from day 1. If Benjamin can put up 966 yards and 5 scores with Johnny Manziel, Josh McCown, and Austin Davis as his starting QB’s then I think Coleman can do at least as well with RGIII as the projected starter. I respect Hue Jackson more than any coach Cleveland has had in…well…maybe since they re-joined the NFL, so I trust that Coleman will be worth a mid-late round flier with high upside in your next draft.

 

Will Fuller: WR Houston Texans

 

The Texans took Fuller ahead of Josh Doctson and Laquon Treadwell. I think both are more complete receivers than Fuller, but that won’t stop Fuller from taking Houston’s offense to new levels. I don’t think it’s farfetched to compare Fuller to DeSean Jackson because of their size and speed. If the Texans think that last year’s third round pick Jaelen Strong can turn into a player comparable to Treadwell, then this pick looks like one that can propel the franchise into the thick of the AFC playoffs. Houston is set on Defense, and now it has its QB and RB of the future. Hopkins will finally have receivers that can move the chains if he is double-teamed. Jackson put up over 900 yards and a pair of scores his rookie season, and I think it’s fair to expect that Fuller can match that production as long as Brock Osweiler is up to that task. Personally, I hate players that rely on the big play in fantasy, and in his inaugural NFL season, I think that is where the Notre Dame product will find his niche. He is a boom-or-bust play, worthy of a waiver-wire pickup if he gets hot at any point and starts to prove he is a legit number 2 receiver. Don’t draft him with expectations greater than the occasional flex play.

 

Honorable mentions:

 

Even with the defensive heavy draft, there are some names that fantasy owners should keep in mind. The defenses of the Raiders, Jaguars, Giants and Bears got major face-lifts in free agency, and all 4 of these teams’ drafted top defensive players in round 1. All except the Bears got major upgrades to their back ends, and Chicago now has their most promising linebacker corps since Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher roamed the midway. Expect all 4 teams to have D/ST’s that are at least worthy of a streaming start, if not more.

 

I also don’t know how anyone is going to score points on the Cardinals this year. When you add Chandler Jones and Robert Nkemdiche to a team that will get a healthy Honey Badger back, you get a downright nasty defense. With the Broncos, Panthers, Patriots, and Seahawks all looking like teams making lateral movements at best since the season ended, the Cardinals are pushing to be Super Bowl favorites early. There really aren’t any major holes on this team, and they will likely take the best player available approach for the rest of the draft. Take their D/ST in the top 3 and start them every week. The league has been put on notice: Fear the red birds.

 

Laquon Treadwell and Josh Doctson are both very talented, but find themselves in situations where they will not be asked to succeed as soon as many first round picks are. Treadwell has #1 receiver talent, but with the presence of Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright, and Charles Johnson, the former Ole Miss Rebel will need to earn his spot on the depth chart. (Which really shouldn’t be a long-term issue) The more concerning problem is landing in a run-first offense with all-world running back Adrian Peterson and downfield-challenged Teddy Bridgewater. Even if Treadwell gets a top 2 spot on the receiver pecking order, expect his numbers to be reserved because of the offense he plays in, especially as a rookie. He is an interesting dynasty league option however as many scouts and draft analysts pegged him as the best receiver in the class with the potential to be a faster Alshon Jeffery.

 

Doctson has a better QB and a more pass-happy offense than Treadwell, but Washington already has 3 receiving threats (DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon) that will take priority over him. The Redskins needed defense, but Jackson and Garcon could both be gone in 2 years, so the Redskins saw a future need and a talented player to grab and develop. Don’t expect much in year 1 fantasy-wise.

 

Other notables:

 

Quarterbacks went 1 and 2 overall this year, as they did last year. Jared Goff will come in and start right away for the Rams. Los Angeles is a defensive team with arguably the most promising running back in the NFL. His job will be primarily to hand it off to Todd Gurley and make the best of one of the worst supporting casts in the league. Goff will be fantasy relevant one day…if the Rams ever find any receiving talent. Don’t bother drafting him until that happens.

 

Carson Wentz falls into an interesting situation. If the Eagles can throw a bucket of cold water on Sam Bradford and get him to stop crying like the overpriced baby that he is, the situation is actually set up very well for Wentz and the Eagles to succeed long-term. Bradford should start, and finish the year as the starter as long as he stays healthy. (which he hasn’t ever done) This would give time for Wentz to sit and watch how the pro-game is played, since he hasn’t even played against top talent in college. Then next year throw him out there with a young team on the rise with a supporting cast that could grow into something with more positive developments from players like Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz. This pick can’t even begin to be evaluated until probably 2018, and that is the earliest you should expect any fantasy returns.

 

As I live in Denver, I guess I should note that Paxton Lynch is basically Brock Osweiler, except several years developmentally behind. Not that the Broncos had great QB play during last year’s Super Bowl run, but I wouldn’t expect either Lynch or captain butt-fumble to earn a Super Bowl appearance even with the talent they still have on the other side of the ball. Lynch shouldn’t be drafted in fantasy for at least a year, and a year of starting would help his learning curve on a team that will not need to rely on offense to win every week.

 

The draft slide of Laremy Tunsil was the story of last night, and while it could reportedly cost him about $13 million, it wasn’t as bad as the slide of La’el Collins last year who went from first round lock to undrafted. The Dolphins got one of the best tackles the draft has seen in a decade, and with a solid mentor or two, he could set his mind right and become a future hall of famer. He’s that good. The problem is he is young, obviously has a horrible agent, and no head between his shoulders. Living in a state where marijuana is legal, and players like Von Miller can be caught smoking weed yet still can win a Super Bowl MVP a few years later, this looks like a great steal for the Dolphins as long as they can get him on the straight and narrow for his playing career. This should benefit Ryan Tannehill the most who has been under siege from pass-rushers since being drafted in 2012. If the Dolphins can find and correctly utilize a running back, this offense could finally take off under new coach Adam Gase. Watch the next few rounds tonight, because it could very well propel this team to new heights.