If you’re looking for saviors in fantasy football from this year’s draft class, you may be severely disappointed.
The 2019 draft class is void of many generational talented offensive players. The top talent is on the defensive side of the ball, meaning that players like Saquon Barkley, Baker Mayfield or Phillip Lindsay won’t pop up in 2019 for the rookies.
However, that doesn’t mean there can’t be some surprises. While this draft class doesn’t have near the depth or talent as past years for offensive players, there are some players I’m going to watch in the 2019 fantasy football season.
Here’s three wide receivers who will be drafted in the 2019 NFL draft that may make a mark in the fantasy football season.
Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma Sooners
Brown is my favorite sleeper candidate in this year’s draft. While everyone is drooling over DK Metcalf, of Mississippi, the smarter teams are looking at Brown.
Metcalf is a workout warrior, who struggles to run crisp routes. Sure, he may eventually become a weapon in the red zone, but I would be extremely nervous about his lack of in learning how to run correct routes. The best wide receivers run impeccable routes, so Metcalf won’t reach what many see after his unbelievable combine.
That leads me to Brown, who is a solid route runner with tremendous speed. That is a lethal combination.
He’s undersized, but he can fit in a system right away with his explosiveness. Don’t be fooled by Metcalf. Brown offers the better opportunity as being a more consistent wide receiver starting on day 1.
A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi Rebels
While many will go with Metcalf, I’m actually more excited about Brown’s potential.
Do I think he’ll be a WR1 in fantasy football? No, but he offers some potential to be in the mix this year in fantasy football. Unlike Metcalf, Brown doesn’t struggle catching the ball or running routes. Brown was the more targeted player when they played together, which should tell you something.
Brown doesn’t have the ability to create a mismatch with every defensive player lining up against him, but he has enough qualities that I appreciate in my wide receivers who can make a mark. He has enough speed to make him dangerous and he can be a possession receiver. Don’t expect anywhere near Randy Moss-like numbers, but he could be a waiver wire add at some point this season.
Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State Cyclones
If you want an ultimate sleeper, keep an eye on Butler at some point.
He’s a big bodied wide receiver, who can be a mismatch at the NFL level.
If he’s lucky, he’ll be a day 2 pick in the NFL draft, so he may not get much playing time right away. However, his size should get him some playing time for the right team. He could very well be a solid red-zone threat during his career, which could be beneficial even in the coming fantasy football season.
He’s not a draftable fantasy football player, but he could eventually work his way onto the waiver wire.
