Second-Year Players on the Fence

As we inch closer to the 2023 NFL draft, some players we all had hoped for in the 2022 NFL draft may fade out on dynasty rosters. I’m not saying they will be droppable, but the value could drop due to the NFL Draft impact. Teams could end up drafting players that offer more talent that put these players onto the back burner. Moving off these players before their values tank into the ground may be wise.

Malik Willis, QB TEN

The most polarizing quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft is on the brink of losing most of his dynasty value. Willis came in as a prospect with elite mobility and a canon of an arm attracting many fantasy owners. He also was wildly inaccurate and had issues processing his reads in the passing game. After having a first-round buzz, he fell into the third round of the NFL draft to the Titans.

In three starts last season, Willis averaged less than 100 passing yards and did not throw a passing touchdown. The Titans simplified the offense and allowed Derrick Henry to be the game plan. He ran for 40 yards in two games, showing off that mobility. When Ryan Tannehill went down, instead of turning to their rookie quarterback, they elected to start Joshua Dobbs. A journeyman quarterback, in a critical winner-take-all-division game in week 18. The Titans knew that Willis was not ready, nor had they progressed in taking over essential games for them.

Tannehill is returning to be the starter when the Titans could have probably cut Tannehill and saved some money. Also, the Titans have been rumored to jump up in the draft to select one of the top rookie quarterbacks in the 2023 draft. Willis’s dynasty value has already taken a hit. If the Titans use a top pick on the quarterback, then Willis will not have much to any value in dynasty. The best bet is to sell off for a late third-rounder now, if possible.

Isaiah Spiller, RB LAC

My former RB3 prospect in the 2022 NFL draft is in danger. When he went to the Chargers in the fourth round, I thought it was a fantastic landing spot for him. Spiller did suffer a Grade 1 ankle sprain that put his rookie year off to a slow start to gasp the offense. He would eventually see some action mid-season, where he averaged a terrible 2.3 YPC in five games. He would be inactive over the season’s final three games in favor of veteran Joshua Kelly.

Spiller was an exciting prospect with a bruiser of a back who could be an excellent complement to Austin Ekeler in LA. While he still has a chance to turn it around, it seems more of a long shot. There have been coaching rumors about them liking Joshua Kelly as the backup. There have been mock drafts with the Chargers taking a shot at Bijan Robinson in the first round. Spiller may be more of a hold because of where he was drafted in rookie drafts last year, and it is hard to sell off now due to the incoming 2023 RB class.

Hassan Haskins, RB TE

Another fourth-round running back in the 2022 class, Haskins, is likely to lose his dynasty value. As of right now, it seems to be back up to Derrick Henry, but that could change in the upcoming draft. Haskins was a decent prospect out of Michigan who could have worked nicely with Henry in Tennessee. He didn’t get much work as a rookie, with Dontrell Hillard being the primary backup, and the Titans continue overworking Henry. Haskins played decently in Week 16 as the starter combing for 50 yards on 14 touches. The Titans have been rumored to take a running back in this draft which could hurt Haskins. You may still want to hold on to this, even with the rumors, as he could come out okay.

Romeo Doubs, WR GBP

Doubs was a good surprise in the 2022 season, as the fourth-rounder draftee wasn’t on many folks’ radar. In the first half of the season, Doubs had a few flash games where the Packers might have found themselves a steal in the draft. Doubs was profiled as solid yards after the catch receiver who didn’t scream upside in his game. He missed time due to an injury which allowed Christian Watson to explode in the second half of the season.

Now the Packers are turning to Jordan Love, and Watson will be the WR1 for the team. Doubs may end up as the WR2 of the team, but the Packers could elect to draft one of the top receivers and a more versatile pass-catching tight end as well. Those moves could hurt Doubs’s value, making him go from a dynasty WR4 to down the gutter. Doubs’ value right now is a late second-round pick, so it could be worth sending trade offers to obtain a second-rounder if you are a needy running back team since it is a deep RB class.

Jalen Tolbert, WR DAL

Man, I did love Tolbert in the 2022 NFL Draft. Tolbert showed excellent route running and speed to the receiver position. When the Cowboys drafted him, I thought his fantasy value had a ton of potential. In an A to Z sports report during the Senior Bowl, Tolbert explained that he was tasked to learn multiple positions, which limited his development. He expresses that he knows what he needs to do this offseason to make an impact at the NFL level. He has just two catches in 2022 and did not play many games.

Now the Cowboys have an elite receiver in CeeDee Lamb, a strong veteran in Brandin Cooks, and a lot of money tied to Michael Gallup; Tolbert seems like the odd man out. There are rumors that the Cowboys could take one of the elite pass-catching tight ends or grab another receiver in the draft’s second round. If the Cowboys do take a receiver early, that could plummet Tolbert’s value.

Bonus: Isiah Pacheco, RB & Skyy Moore, WR KCC

This may open such eyes for people because Pacheco had such a solid season for a seventh-round pick and looks like the starter for the Chiefs. Moore was a former second-round pick that fantasy experts like as a potential sleeper. While both seem unlikely to have their value drop, we could get a surprise during the NFL draft. It wouldn’t be out of the question if the Chiefs use their first-round pick on a wide receiver, turn around in round two or three of the draft, and select a running back. You should primarily be okay and feel good about them but keep your eyes on the Chiefs during the draft. Pacheco is a better sell-high player right now before the draft.

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