2018 DRAFT RECAPS - 2ND PICK - KEV

Number 2: JacksON Jacks-OFF owned by Kevin O’Connell

First Five:  

For the first time in the history of our league, Kev drew a top 2 pick in the draft. Looking back to 2011, this is actually the first time he’s picked higher than 5. That’s insane. Anyways while he couldn’t get Todd Gurley, LeVeon Bell was a nice consolation prize. Bell hasn’t reported to the team yet and didn’t attend training camp, but we all know he’ll show up and be a force. Assuming full health and his usual obscene workload, Bell will be a Top 3 RB. In 2017 he had 15+ carries in 11 of the 15 games he played and 20 or more carries in 8 of those 15. Think about that…. He gets 20 carries 50% of the time. On top of that he caught EIGHTY FIVE passes last year. All in all he scored more than 106 points purely based on volume – just carries and catches. That is nuts and I guess a reason to revisit the points per carry rule at some point……

Kev took receivers with 3 of his next 4 picks and built a very solid WR group. I’d say it might be the #2 group behind Frader, but don’t hold me to that. Mike Evans was his 2nd pick at 19 overall – not bad for a guy who universally went in the top 10 last year. Evans had a “down year”, but still caught 71 passes for 1,000 yards and 5 TDs in 2017. Boo friggin hoo. AJ Green in the 3rd round is just straight up stealing – a consistent top 12 WR every single year, his offense actually got better since 2017. He’ll easily meet or exceed the 75/1000/8 he scored last year (WR11). Jarvis Landry was the star of Hard Knocks and will hold down Kev’s FLEX to start the year. The fifth round pick probably won’t score 9 TDs again this year, but the 100 catches 900+ yards is absolutely within reason.

 Kev took a QB early once again this year (last year was Rodgers). Tom Brady with the 39th pick is definitely high, but it’s actually lower than his ADP across all ESPN leagues (33rd). I’m a little concerned by the lack of weapons, but comeon…. This is TB12. He’ll be a top 5 QB and will have some monster weeks along the way.

Next Five:

Kev built some RB depth in the middle rounds and paired that with his 4th WR, a TE and a defense. Marshawn Lynch aka Beast Mode was his 6th round pick and should be a productive RB2 on Kev’s team. The Raiders offense was a mess last year, but Lynch still finished as RB19 (900 yards 7 TDs). I think top 25 is definitely within reach for him if not Top 20. Marky Mark Ingram & the Funky Bunch is suspended for the first 4 weeks of the season, but he was good value in the 7th round. I expect the Saints will lean on him heavily the second half of the fantasy season in an attempt to ease Kamara’s workload. He won’t get 1,500 total yards and 12 TDs, but 1,000 and 8 are reasonable to expect.

Kyle Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer was Kev’s 8th round pick and will be his starting TE. Rudolph may be the most boring TE in the league, but he’s guaranteed to finish in the top 10 at his position. He has 20 combined TDs over the past 3 seasons and Kirk Cousins likes to use his TEs. Alshon King Jeffrey Lannister was the 9th round pick for Kev – what a steal. Despite missing 2 games he was WR20 last year. He’s going to miss 2-3 weeks to open the year, but like Mark Ingram he will be heavily involved when he returns.

Last but not least was the Eagles D in the 10th round. They were the 3rd defense off the board, but should finish as a top 5 unit once again. I’m a little worried about the Eagles offense given the injuries, but their defense will keep them in games.

Last Five:

Kev took a kicker and filled out his bench in the remaining rounds. Kev and Justin Tucker will forever be linked in our league, so it’s only fitting that he took him in the draft (13th round). The Ravens Kicker finished as K4 last year and a top 5 season is likely once again.

We stay in the AFC North for Kev’s 14th rounder – Tyler Eifert. Eifert has been injured 2 years in a row, but by all accounts he’s healthy and will start for the Bengals in Week 1. He’ll be a good bye week fill in for Rudolph or a matchup based streamer.

Kelvin Benjamin was Kev’s 11th round pick and I feel meh about it. I’d feel a little better if Josh Allen was starting for the Bills and not Nathan Peterman, but Kelvin does have some upside. I imagine the Bills will throw a lot because they stink and that could mean garbage time points. Dak Prescott was Kev’s 12th rounder and this is another “meh” pick. Not bad, not good. I’m assuming Dak will be the first person Kev drops when he needs a bye week/injury fill in.

Last but not least was James Conner – now THIS is how you handcuff. There is a tiny tiny tiny chance LeVeon Bell doesn’t play this weekend and if he doesn’t, Conner enters Top 20 RB territory. Even if he does play, it’s a nice safety net for Kev if LeVeon were to go down….. that would be if he was mortal at least. Regardless it’s a safe move and I approve this message.

Grade:

I give Kev a B+/A- on his draft, easily his highest grade ever. He definitely researched this year and it really showed. LeVeon Bell gives him an automatic bump, but he had a solid draft otherwise. I don’t see any major reaches and I see a lot of value picks sprinkled in as well. All in all very good draft.

Prediction:

Kev will finish 7-6 and lose in the first round of the playoffs. While I love his team, Kev has yet to get any substantial luck in this league. On paper he could definitely win, but he does have some question marks on the roster (Bell’s durability, Lynch’s age, Ingram’s role when he returns, Alshon Injury, TB12’s weapons, etc etc etc).