Here’s our fantasy take on all the offensive players taken in the first round.

 

#2 | St. Louis: Greg Robinson, T, Auburn

St. Louis has certainly invested plenty in skill position players the last handful of drafts, Sam Bradford being the highest profile of the bunch. The former Oklahoma product looked like he figured a few things out in 2013 before a knee injury cut his season short. Enter Robinson, who is an investment to protect the Rams’ investment. This doesn’t do a ton for any St. Louis receiver, but Bradford’s sleeper status is solidified with this pick.

 

#3 | Jacksonville: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida

Bortles has all the measurables, but playing against “lesser” competition at a smaller school and joining a less-than-dynamic offense doesn’t bode well for Bortles in the short term. You’ll need to be in a fairly deep dynasty league or two QB league for Bortles to be on your rader in 2014.

 

#4 | Buffalo: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

This Buffalo offense is coming together nicely. Injuries slowed the Bills and rookie QB EJ Manuel down in 2013, but a healthy Manuel plus Watkins, Robert Woods and Stevie Johnson makes for a nice foundation. This certainly elevates Manuel, and I think Watkins immediately becomes the best real life and fantasy receiver in Buffalo. When the dust settles on 2014, Watkins’ stats will show a WR2.

 

#6 | Atlanta: Jake Matthews, T, Texas A & M

The first five picks broke well for Atlanta, which desperately needs to keep Matt Ryan protected for that dynamic Falcons offense to reach its potential. Ryan was sacked more than all but two QBs last season. Matthews is the first step to remedying that problem—keeping Ryan in the top 10 among fantasy QBs.

 

#7 | Tampa Bay: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A & M

I like what Tampa’s doing here, I’m just not sure from a fantasy standpoint if I’m fully on board with Evans as a 2014 regular contributor. Yes, Evans plus Vincent Jackson is basically mirroring what the Bears did with their big receivers, but it took Alshon Jeffery time to figure things out. I think Evans is in the same boat. Or pirate ship. He’ll have a couple very nice games, but will be too inconsistent to use in average sized fantasy leagues.

 

#10 | Detroit: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Finally! I don’t have to pull my hair out watching Brandon Pettigrew drop touchdown passes any more. Matt Stafford has put up good numbers thanks to Calvin Johnson by himself, and already had begun going away from Pettigrew with the emergence of Joseph Fauria. But Fauria was basically end zone or nothing, and Ebron can help the Lions move the sticks. That helps Stafford stay on the heels of the big three fantasy QBs. As for Ebron—I Iike him, but I think Fauria sniping touchdowns likely keeps him from being a fantasy contributor in 2014.

 

#11 | Tennessee: Taylor Lewan, T, Michigan

Tennessee wasn’t good in pass protection last year, but wasn’t terrible, either. That said, its never a bad idea to add a foundation piece at tackle, which could help Jake Locker become a regular fantasy contributor. The 2011 No. 8 overall pick, Locker showed flashes before his season was cut short due to injury. With Lewan keeping him upright, Locker could sneak into the top 15 among fantasy QBs in 2014.

 

#12 | NY Giants: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU

Obviously Beckham has talent—you don’t get taken in the first round without it—but this is a long-term play for fantasy owners. Reuben Randle emerged last season and will take center stage now that Hakeem Nicks is gone, settling in as Robin to Victor Cruz’s Batman. With Jerrel Jernigan and Mario Manningham also in the fold, it’s gonna be tough for Beckham to get on the field, let alone get targets.

 

#16 | Dallas: Zack Martin, T, Notre Dame

Kudos for Dallas skipping by Johnny Manziel—I didn’t think Jerry Jones had it in him. Tony Romo’s coming off surgery and isn’t getting any younger. By adding Martin, the Cowboys add a likely starting guard to their line this season who can move to tackle when needed, helping Romo continue to be a serviceable fantasy QB.

 

#19 | Miami: Ja’Wuan James, T, Tennessee

Certainly no surprise that Miami added a tackle after Ryan Tannehill was sacked more than any QB in the NFL last season. Tannehill has shown flashes, but James and the rest of that Dolphins O-line has to prove it before I predict anything better than a top 20 fantasy QB finish for him.

 

#20 | New Orleans: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.

That’s the fourth wide receiver to go in the first 20 picks. The Saints, for being such an explosive offense, don’t really have a lot to love at the WR position. Yes, Marques Colston is solid, but he’s not getting younger. Kenny Stills showed some flashes last season, but Nick Toon and Robert Meachem could be leapfrogged. Still, there are a lot of…ahem…cooks in the kitchen, so I don’t expect Cooks to be a fantasy contributor in 2014.

 

#22 | Cleveland: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A & M

The wheeling and dealing Browns now have a quarterback competition. Brian Hoyer looked capable before blowing out on knee on Thursday Night Football, and it’ll be Hoyer and Manziel battling to chuck it to Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. If Manziel wins the job he’ll most certainly be draftable, but as a lotto ticket QB2.

 

#28 | Carolina: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.

Cam Newton was probably ready to give his job to that kid warming up his arm. But now he’s got a weapon who can go up and get the ball. At 6-foot-5, Benjamin adds a different dynamic to the Carolina passing game. He’s the fifth WR off the board this round, but right now probably a coin-flip with Evans for No. 2 behind Watkins in terms of 2014 fantasy contributors.

 

#32 | Minnesota: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Quite the exciting way to end the first round, no? Minnesota, after passing on a quarterback twice (by trading back once), jumped up and snagged Seattle’s pick and took Bridgewater, who was the consensus No. 1 QB on the board when the college season ended. Tough to say how this will play out in terms of his 2014 value, as Bridgewater could be on the bench for the entire season, but the Vikings have the weapons to support a viable fantasy QB.