It may only be May but the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft presented an opportunity for fantasy football owners to prepare for the upcoming season. There were a few picks in the first round that should have been of interest to fantasy owners. Here are three players in particular that should have owners very excited.
1. Sammy Watkins- Bills
Watkins goes to a Buffalo team where he will play with second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel and fellow Clemson grad C.J. Spiller. Watkins is going to be the top option for Buffalo in 2014 in all likelihood and with that brings a great chance that he can help out fantasy teams this coming season right away. If he does indeed become the No. 1 wide receiver for Buffalo, he could find himself with 60-70 catches and around 800-900 yards. Those are solid numbers for a WR2 or 3 on a fantasy roster and if he can develop a connection with Manuel early, those numbers will go up. Here’s Watkins playing at Clemson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Kjkh3yV8YA
2. Mike Evans- Buccaneers
Evans is going to be the No. 2 option in Tampa Bay behind Vincent Jackson but with most teams paying attention to Jackson at least to start with, Evans has sneaky fantasy value. He is 6-5 as well and has the potential to turn into a Calvin Johnson-like receiver in time using his height to jump over defenders. He may only get 50-60 catches in his first season with Jackson getting more looks from whoever is starting for Tampa but don’t forget about Evans as a possible bench player who could be helpful later in the year. A look now at Evans during his time at Texas A&M.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr3I_CbwoXY
3. Odell Beckham Jr.- Giants
Beckham goes into a system and a team that has lost some wide receiver talent lately which should allow him to become an immediate threat on fantasy rosters. The team let Hakeem Nicks go in free agency and Beckham could be starting from day one in New York with his speed and athletic ability. He may not turn into a fantasy superstar right away but Beckham is someone who will improve as the season goes on and may be the perfect player to have when the fantasy playoffs get underway. Here is what Giants fans can expect from Beckham.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jZbGUMevcI
There are obviously some other candidates out there like Eric Ebron with the Lions and Kelvin Benjamin with the Panthers but Watkins, Evans and Beckham appear to be the best bets to help out fantasy teams at this point in time going into the 2014 season.