The Baltimore Ravens have drafted former UNC wide receiver Devontez Walker with the 113th pick in the NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens have drafted former UNC wide receiver Devontez Walker with the 113th pick in the NFL Draft. The 6’2” 193 lbs former UNC wide receiver played 8 games for the Tar Heels in 2023 after transferring from Kent State. In those 8 games Walker went off for 41 receptions for 699 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Walker’s mixture of size and speed will give the Ravens an immediate deep threat option that they have been lacking in recent years. Walker needs to improve upon his route running and expand his route tree in order for him to be more than a one dimensional outside perimeter player.
The Cleveland Browns have drafted Louisville Wide Receiver, Jamari Thrash, with the 156th pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Thrash brings crafty route running, speed, and reliable hands to the Browns. At the NFL level, he’ll need to work on becoming more strong at the catch point in order to find long term success. Thrash showed the ability to be a number one receiver at Louisville, and will have the opportunity in Cleveland to battle for a role as a rotational receiver that can stretch defenses.
The Browns selecting Thrash is the second move they’ve made to upgrade their receiver room this offseason, in addition to trading for and extending former 1st rounder, Jerry Jeudy. The investments in Jeudy and Thrash indicate they may not be fully satisfied with Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman as complementary receivers behind Amari Cooper.
For Fantasy Managers, it’s officially time to start panicking if you own David Bell or Cedric Tillman. Even Elijah Moore has uncertainty introduced to his role going forward with the addition of Thrash and Jeudy. Fantasy Managers should look at the cloudiness in the Browns receiving room as an opportunity for Thrash to emerge as a player who can carve out fantasy relevance down the road.
Speedy defensive lineman, Brandon Dorlus, out of Oregon looks to add much needed pass rush ability to the Atlanta Falcons unit.
Brandon Dorlus was a 3 year starter in his 5 seasons with the Oregon Ducks. He earned 1st and 2nd team all-conference honors in all three seasons as a starter. He finished his career with 108 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 14 pass defensed. Dorlus ran a 4.85 second forty at his 6’3″ 283 pound frame, making that the 90th percentile in the forty time for defensive linemen.
The Atlanta Falcons selected Dorlus in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He pairs along with fellow draftmate defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, adding much needed youth and speed to the Falcons defensive line room. The Falcons have had no sense of pass rush since the days of Jon Abraham. Dorlus can be a good pass rushing specialist if utilized correctly, he has great speed and power to the quarterback.
The Seattle Seahawks take UConn Guard, Christian Haynes, at 81st overall in the NFL Draft.
The Seattle Seahawks draft UConn guard, Christian Haynes, at 81st overall. Haynes is experienced as a four-year starter and team captain with the Huskies. He will bring his power, intelligence and ferocity to the Seahawks. He can immediately contribute to the Seahawks O-line while protecting Geno Smith/Sam Howell and opening up run lanes for Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.
Haynes is smaller at 6’3″ 317 lbs but certainly does not play small. He is a solid prospect and his tenacious approach to move opponents and complete blocks will translate well to Seattle. However, there are some concerns with his length in pass pro and hand technique. The Seahawks were looking to upgrade their line after a 2023 season full of protection challenges and they found a good value in Haynes, who could immediately compete for a starting role.
Former Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson was selected by Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Roman Wilson broke out during the Michigan Wolverines championship season by leading the team with 48 receptions, 789 receiving yards (16.4 per) and tied for ninth in the FBS with 12 receiving TDs. What Wilson lacks in size at 5’11” and 185 pounds, he makes up for in speed and explosive plays.
Roman Wilson is a great addition to the Steelers wide-out room, as he can draw coverage deep to take heat off of fellow wide receiver George Pickens. Whether it is Russell Wilson or Justin Fields under the helm, both have the deep ball skills to take full advantage of Roman Wilson’s deep speed. Expect him to see immediate playing time due to his explosiveness.
Roman Wilson is a great target in your rookie dynasty league drafts. If he hits, he’s the type of player to explode with big plays. He is a good late round flyer in all other formats as he could potentially be slow out of the gates as a rookie.
The San Francisco 49ers have drafted Arizona Wide Receiver, Jacob Cowing, with the 135th pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Cowing is an undersized receiver who boasted tremendous production at multiple schools during his collegiate career. Now, he’ll head to the San Francisco 49ers where he’ll face an uphill battle to see the field as a rookie under the current circumstances.
On Thursday night, the 49ers took another wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall, with the 31st pick. The 100+ discrepancy in picks between him and Cowing signify that Pearsall will be prioritized to get on the field behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Jauan Jennings is another member of the 49ers wide receiver room who will be on the field after he put together a solid season last year and excelled as a run blocker.
For Fantasy Managers, Cowing is only worth a late-round dart throw in rookies at this point. He’s an undersized player who will need to earn his way onto the field in the slot, which is a position that Deebo Samuel and Ricky Pearsall can both play. Keep an eye out on whether the 49ers trade Aiyuk, as that could change Cowing’s fantasy outlook.
