ESPN Fantasy's Mike Clay breaks down the fantasy impact of each skill-position pick from the second and third rounds of the 2018 NFL draft.
Click here for Clay's fantasy reactions on every offensive skill-position player selected in the first round.
Round 2
No. 35: RB Nick Chubb to Cleveland Browns
Chubb fell to the second round in a deep running back class, but he certainly has a massive ceiling as a rusher. The Georgia standout is a big, tough, bruising back at 5-foot-11, 227 pounds. He lacks speed (4.50 40-yard dash) and may not do much as a receiver (13 catches during his final three college seasons), but he's elusive and figures to excel between the tackles and at the goal line.
Chubb, who had a terrific combine, projects as a similar player to Jordan Howard. He'll need to compete with Carlos Hyde to replace Isaiah Crowell as Cleveland's primary early-down and short-yardage back, with Duke Johnson Jr. dominating passing-down work. Chubb's ceiling is low in this situation, but he'll be worth a late-round flier in the event that he eventually clears Hyde on the depth chart.
Rookie-season projection: 173 carries, 744 yards, 6 TDs; 21 targets, 15 receptions, 119 yards
No. 38: RB Ronald Jones II to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers entered the draft with one of the league's shakiest running back situations, but found themselves a new starter by adding Jones, who's one of the most explosive players in the class. The USC product is a bit undersized at a lean 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, which may limit his early-down and goal-line opportunities, but his landing spot in Tampa Bay will allow him a significant role out of the gate.
Jones figures to defer some passing-down work to Charles Sims and carries to Peyton Barber, but 250 touches during his rookie campaign is certainly attainable. Jones won't turn 21 until August and is the youngest running back in this year's loaded class. Because of his size limitations, which cap his ceiling slightly, Jones is best viewed as a back-end RB2 in 2018.
Rookie-season projection: 218 carries, 916 yards, 4 TDs; 40 targets, 31 receptions, 249 yards, 1 TD
No. 40: WR Courtland Sutton to Denver Broncos
The Broncos made a splash at wide receiver by selecting Sutton on Friday. The move makes some sense as both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are now in their 30s and 2017 third-round pick Carlos Henderson missed his entire rookie year with an injury. Sutton brings size to the passing game at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds.
The former SMU wideout was terrific at the combine and compares his game to Anquan Boldin's. He projects as a possession receiver with good run-after-the-catch ability. Barring an injury to Thomas and Sanders, Sutton is unlikely to make much noise in the box score as a rookie. He's a terrific dynasty stash, but worth no more than a late-round flier in season-long leagues.
Rookie-season projection: 40 targets, 23 receptions, 307 yards, 2 TDs
No. 42: TE Mike Gesicki to Miami Dolphins
Miami cut Julius Thomas during the offseason, leaving the Dolphins with a significant void at the tight end position. Enter Gesicki, who figures to step right in as the team's primary pass-catching tight end. Gesicki was one of the stars of the 2018 combine. He was best at the position in nearly every drill, posting the top mark in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, three cone, short shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. He stands 6-foot-5, 247 pounds and sports solid hands, but offers nothing as a blocker.
Gesicki is a sneaky bet to be "this year's Evan Engram" simply because he won't be asked to block and will essentially work as a slot wide receiver, but rookie tight ends often face a lengthy learning curve. He'll be worth no more than a late-round flier in season-long leagues, but is a strong dynasty stash.
Rookie-season projection: 60 targets, 40 receptions, 428 yards, 3 TDs
No. 43: RB Kerryon Johnson to Detroit Lions
The Lions are looking to get bigger at running back during the Matt Patricia era, as shown by the signing of LeGarrette Blount and Friday's selection of Johnson. The former Tiger is 5-foot-11, 213 pounds and lacks speed, but excels as a pass-catcher and blocker. Johnson's efficiency was underwhelming on a hefty 285 carries last year, but he did catch all but one of his 25 targets and averaged 12.8 yards after the catch.
Johnson could be a three-down back down the road, but he's likely to work from a timeshare along with some combination of Blount, passing-down specialist Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah in 2018. He's worth a late-round flier and is a fringe first-round target in rookie drafts. Set to turn 21 in late June, Johnson is the second-youngest back in this year's class.
Rookie-season projection: 114 carries, 462 yards, 3 TDs; 40 targets, 30 receptions, 243 yards, 1 TD
No. 44: WR Dante Pettis to San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers added another nice target for Jimmy Garoppolo on Friday. Pettis is on the small side (6-foot, 186 pounds) and lacks strength and top-end speed, but he's a good route runner with solid hands and separation skills. The Washington product also established a new FBS record with nine career punt-return touchdowns.
Pettis is a versatile complementary receiver and returner who will open his career behind Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin and slot man Trent Taylor. He doesn't figure to make a major fantasy impact in 2018.
Rookie-season projection: 35 targets, 20 receptions, 265 yards, 1 TD
No. 47: WR Christian Kirk to Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals entered the draft with a massive void at wide receiver in both the short and long term. Larry Fitzgerald is still around, but is now 34 years old, and the likes of J.J. Nelson, Brice Butler and Chad Williams are behind him on the depth chart. Enter Kirk, who stands 5-foot-10, 201 pounds and lined up in the slot on 94 percent of his snaps last season.
He projects as a short-area target and standout kick and punt returner in the pros. The Texas A&M product is explosive and tough with good hands and post-catch ability. He ran a strong 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine. Kirk's lack of competition in Arizona positions him for a significant rookie-season role and potential fantasy relevance if he's up to the task. He's a fine late-round target.
Rookie-season projection: 77 targets, 46 receptions, 557 yards, 3 TDs
No. 49: TE Dallas Goedert to Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lost Trey Burton to the Bears and released Brent Celek earlier this offseason, opening a massive void at the tight end position behind Zach Ertz. After trading down from 32nd overall, the Eagles spent their first pick as Super Bowl champions on Goedert, who is arguably the top TE in the class. Goedert is a good athlete with a 6-foot-5, 256-pound frame. He has long 34-inch arms with solid speed and good ball skills.
His fantasy value is absolutely crushed by the presence of Ertz, so he simply won't be worth your attention in all but deep dynasty leagues. Philadelphia had two-plus tight ends on the field on 30 percent of pass plays last year.
Rookie-season projection: 28 targets, 18 receptions, 197 yards, 2 TDs
No. 51: WR Anthony Miller to Chicago Bears
Chicago concluded its near-complete overhaul of the wide receiver position by selecting Miller in the second round on Friday. The Memphis product is 5-foot-11, 201 pounds, isn't particularly fast and has had struggles with drops (eight last year). On the plus side, he's a polished route runner with good quickness and post-catch ability. Miller lined up in the slot 38 percent of the time last season and also helped out as a ball carrier and returner.
The versatile Miller has drawn Kendall Wright and Sterling Shepard comparisons and is positioned for a massive rookie-season role behind Allen Robinson. Miller, who turns 24 this year, has a good shot at earning the No. 2 gig over Taylor Gabriel and Kevin White in what should be a pass-heavy offense under new HC Matt Nagy. Draft him late.
Rookie-season projection: 88 targets, 51 receptions, 657 yards, 3 TDs
No. 59: RB Derrius Guice to Washington Redskins
Guice was a popular choice for the Redskins at 13th overall in many mocks, but off-field concerns led to a free fall to late in the second round. Guice is a big, tough back at 5-foot-10, 224 pounds. The LSU product figures to do most of his damage between the tackles and after initial contact (only 13 percent of his rushes went for a loss last season). Guice may not add much as a receiver (18 catches last year), but his combination of size, toughness, speed (4.49 40-yard dash) and elusiveness supplies him with a massive ceiling as a rusher.
He's the heavy favorite for lead-back duties in Washington this year, but will certainly defer change-of-pace and passing-down work to Chris Thompson. Guice is immediately in the RB2 mix and has added value in non-PPR leagues.
Rookie-season projection: 232 carries, 984 yards, 7 TDs; 32 targets, 25 receptions, 208 yards, 1 TD
No. 60: WR James Washington to Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers traded Martavis Bryant to the Raiders for a third-round pick on Thursday and replaced him quickly by selecting Washington in the second round on Friday. Washington is built like a running back (5-foot-11, 213 pounds), but he's arguably the top field stretcher in the 2018 wide receiver class. The Oklahoma State speedster's 18.2 aDOT last season was second-highest among the 44 wide receivers at the combine. He averaged 20.9 YPR (third-highest) and 12.8 yards per target (third).
Expect Washington to step right in as Pittsburgh's No. 3 WR behind Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. He could be a sneaky bet for flex numbers, but is best viewed as a bench player with "handcuff" appeal in Pittsburgh's high-scoring offense.
Rookie-season projection: 70 targets, 39 receptions, 537 yards, 4 TDs
No. 61: WR D.J. Chark to Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars had already signed Donte' Moncrief during free agency, but made another move to replace Allen Robinson by selecting Chark in the second round. Chark is an athletic, albeit slim, 6-foot-3, 199 pounds with terrific speed (WR-best 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine). Chark also paced the position with a 40-inch vertical and tied for second with a 129-inch broad jump. He was limited to 40 receptions last year, but his 20.0 aDOT was highest among all wide receivers who attended the combine. He translated that to 21.9 YPR (second-highest) and 12.7 YPT (fourth).
Chark, who also figures to handle a few carries and returns, adds a vertical dimension to a wide receiver room that also includes Moncrief, Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole. He's unlikely to manage consistent targets as a rookie, especially in a run-heavy offense, but makes for a solid dynasty hold.
Rookie-season projection: 42 targets, 22 receptions, 320 yards, 2 TDs
Round 3
No. 71: RB Royce Freeman to Denver Broncos
Denver badly needed running back help after cutting C.J. Anderson earlier this month. The Broncos filled the void on Friday by selecting Freeman. With 5,621 yards during his time at Oregon, Freeman is the all-time FBS leader in rushing yards. He averaged 5.9 YPC (2.3 after contact) during his four seasons with the Ducks. Freeman is a very big back at 5-foot-11, 229 pounds and has pretty good speed (4.54 40-yard dash) for his frame.
Freeman's only competition for snaps in Denver will come from underwhelming third-year back Devontae Booker and 2017 sixth-rounder De'Angelo Henderson. He has limited upside as a receiver, but shouldn't be short carry opportunities in Denver's new-look offense. Freeman will begin his career as a fringe RB2 option.
Rookie-season projection: 236 carries, 999 yards, 6 TDs; 40 targets, 31 receptions, 246 yards, 1 TD
No. 76: QB Mason Rudolph to Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers took a step toward securing a successor to Ben Roethlisberger on Friday by selecting Rudolph. The Oklahoma State product flew under the radar throughout most of the draft process, but there's a ton to like. Consider Rudolph's efficiency last season: 65 percent completion rate (fifth-best among combine invitees), 10.0 YPA (second), 9.0 percent off-target rate (sixth), 170.6 QB rating (second), 84.9 total QBR (third) and 11.3 aDOT (second).
Rudolph sports a massive frame (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) and is an accurate thrower, but arm strength is a question mark. Rudolph is a pocket passer, adding little with his legs. Barring a Roethlisberger injury, he won't see the field in 2018 and is no more than a deep dynasty stash.
Rookie-season projection: None
No. 81: WR Michael Gallup to Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys made the shocking decision to release Dez Bryant earlier this month, leaving them with arguably the league's shakiest wide receiver situation. They took a step toward filling Bryant's 133 targets from last year by selecting Gallup in the third round. The Colorado State product is a solid all-around receiver, sporting a good combination of size (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) and speed (4.51 40 yard dash) to go with terrific toughness and tackle-breaking ability. His efficiency was much better in 2016 than it was last year, but Gallup still hauled in 100 of 165 targets for 1,413 yards and seven scores in his final season. He finished as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded wide receiver.
Dallas' wide receiver situation is very weak, but Gallup will still have work to do to overtake the likes of Allen Hurns, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley for consistent snaps. If he lands an every-down gig, Gallup will enter the flex discussion, but he's bench material in the meantime.
Rookie-season projection: 55 targets, 31 receptions, 402 yards, 3 TDs
No. 86: TE Mark Andrews to Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a history of drafting tight ends in bunches and did it again in 2018. After selecting Hayden Hurst in the first round, Baltimore picked Andrews in the third. The former Oklahoma Sooner is a converted wide receiver with -- go figure -- terrific speed and pass-catching skills. He caught 62 balls for 958 yards last year and scored seven-plus touchdowns during each of his three seasons at Oklahoma. Andrews is a non-factor as a blocker and figures to spend most of his snaps running routes from the slot.
With Hurst and veteran Nick Boyle likely to focus more on blocking, Andrews has a good shot to lead the Ravens' tight ends in targets this year and beyond. He's unlikely to join the TE1 discussion in 2018, but will play a similar role to the one that allowed Evan Engram a top-five fantasy campaign last year. Stash him in dynasty and two-tight end leagues.
Rookie-season projection: 56 targets, 37 receptions, 389 yards, 3 TDs
No. 91: WR Tre'Quan Smith to New Orleans Saints
The Saints will be relying on 33-year-old Ted Ginn as their primary deep threat in 2018, so it made sense to add a potential successor during the draft. They did exactly that by selecting Smith out of UCF in the third round. Smith is bigger than Ginn at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, but has good speed (4.49 40-yard dash), quickness, hands and blocking ability. He averaged 13.8 yards per target last year (tops among all 44 wide receivers at the combine) and caught 69 percent of his targets despite a high 15.1 aDOT.
Smith is buried behind Ginn, Michael Thomas and Cameron Meredith and figures to need an injury in order to find fantasy relevance as a rookie. Stash him in deep and dynasty leagues.
Rookie-season projection: 16 targets, 9 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD
No. 98: TE Jordan Akins to Houston Texans
Houston helped filled the void left by the retired C.J. Fiedorowicz by selecting Akins in the third round. The UCF product offers little as a blocker and is a bit short at 6-foot-3, but he's a quality receiver with playmaking ability. Akins is making the conversion from baseball and will turn 26 years old this year.
He's unlikely to make a quick impact with Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson also in the mix, but his receiving chops could get him on the fantasy radar down the road.
Rookie-season projection: 15 targets, 10 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD