This article is part of our NFL Draft series.
Here's a look at the skill players selected during Day 2 of the 2015 NFL Draft, held Friday night in Chicago.
While most of the hoopla naturally surrounds the players selected in the first round of the proceedings, Day 2 is often where some of the best fantasy values are to be found, in particular at running back.
T.J. Yeldon, JAX (RB, Alabama) 6-1/226
Rd. 2 pick, No. 36 overall
Although Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart remain in the Jaguars' backfield mix, the selection of Yeldon at No. 36 overall confirms that identifying a reliable lead back was an offseason priority for the organization. He has had fumbling issues, but Yeldon has the frame and skillset to seize the opportunity to open the season atop the Jags' RB depth chart. GM Dave Caldwell suggested that the latest highly regarded Alabama RB prospect has "the size of Eddie Lacy and the feet of Mark Ingram."
Devin Smith, NYJ (WR, Ohio State) 6-0/196
Rd. 2, pick No. 37 overall
The Jets' goal of securing more viable targets for QB Geno Smith was accomplished with the trade for Brandon Marshall and the selection of Smith. With Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley also in the team's wideout mix, abundant targets may not be in the cards for the speedy rookie initially, but Smith's big-play potential as a deep threat provides an immediate asset to the team's passing attack.
Dorial Green-Beckham, TEN (WR, Missouri) 6-5/237
Rd. 2, pick No. 40 overall
Here's a look at the skill players selected during Day 2 of the 2015 NFL Draft, held Friday night in Chicago.
While most of the hoopla naturally surrounds the players selected in the first round of the proceedings, Day 2 is often where some of the best fantasy values are to be found, in particular at running back.
T.J. Yeldon, JAX (RB, Alabama) 6-1/226
Rd. 2 pick, No. 36 overall
Although Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart remain in the Jaguars' backfield mix, the selection of Yeldon at No. 36 overall confirms that identifying a reliable lead back was an offseason priority for the organization. He has had fumbling issues, but Yeldon has the frame and skillset to seize the opportunity to open the season atop the Jags' RB depth chart. GM Dave Caldwell suggested that the latest highly regarded Alabama RB prospect has "the size of Eddie Lacy and the feet of Mark Ingram."
Devin Smith, NYJ (WR, Ohio State) 6-0/196
Rd. 2, pick No. 37 overall
The Jets' goal of securing more viable targets for QB Geno Smith was accomplished with the trade for Brandon Marshall and the selection of Smith. With Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley also in the team's wideout mix, abundant targets may not be in the cards for the speedy rookie initially, but Smith's big-play potential as a deep threat provides an immediate asset to the team's passing attack.
Dorial Green-Beckham, TEN (WR, Missouri) 6-5/237
Rd. 2, pick No. 40 overall
After drafting franchise QB Marcus Mariota in Round 1, it's no surprise that the Titans are looking to add young pass-catching talent to the mix. Green-Beckham brings a tremendous blend of size and speed, but off-field issues are a concern. Assuming no further negative developments on that front, improved route-running is Green-Beckham's ticket to NFL success. Initially, he might find targets hard to come by, though, with the likes of Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter, Hakeem Nicks and Harry Douglas also on the roster.
Devin Funchess, CAR (WR/TE, Michigan) 6-4/232
Rd. 2, pick No. 41 overall
The Panthers moved up 16 spots to draft Funchess, so they clearly have significant plans for the big receiver, who is something of a TE/WR hybrid. However he is utilized by Carolina, Funchess gives QB Cam Newton another big-bodied target to work with in tandem with last year's first-round pick, the 6-foot-5, 240, Kelvin Benjamin. On paper, this looks like a matchup nightmare for defenses, with the selection of Funchess, at the very least, bolstering the size and depth of a wideout corps that also includes Jerricho Cotchery, Ted Ginn Jr.and Corey Brown.
Ameer Abdullah, DET (RB, Nebraska) 5-9, 205
Rd. 2, pick No. 54 overall
Abdullah, an explosive back with receiving upside, helps fill the void in the Detroit backfield created by the departure of Reggie Bush. He's not the biggest back around and fumbles have been an issue for Abdullah, but at a minimum, he provides a nice complement to incumbent starter Joique Bell and third-year back Theo Riddick. With a break or two, it's not hard to envision the Nebraska product making a fantasy splash in 2015.
Maxx Williams, BAL (TE, Minnesota) 6-4/249
Rd. 2, pick No. 55 overall
With the free-agent departure of Owen Daniels and the uncertain status of Dennis Pitta, Williams -- considered the top tight end in this year's draft -- fills a big need for the Ravens and should see his share of work from the get-go. That makes him worthy of a late-round dart in most formats to see how his chemistry with QB Joe Flacco develops.
Clive Walford, OAK (TE, Miami) 6-4/251
Rd. 3, pick No. 68 overall
The Raiders wisely brought in offensive weapons to work with second-year quarterback Derek Carr, with Walford joining first-round wideout Amari Cooper. A wait-and-see approach is in order from a fantasy perspective, but the Miami product is versatile tight end who should challenge returnee Mychal Rivera for targets.
Tyler Lockett, SEA (WR, Kansas State) 5-10, 182
Rd. 3, pick No. 69 overall
The small wideout bolsters the Seahawks' wideout depth, but look for most of his initial impact to arrive as a kickoff and punt returner, while he breaks into the NFL in a run-heavy offense. Lockett will compete for snaps with wide receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Ricardo Lockette, Paul Richardson, Kevin Norwood and Chris Matthews.
Jaelen Strong, HOU (WR, Arizona State) 6-2, 217
Rd. 3, pick No. 70 overall
Strong looks a steal for the Texans in the No. 70 slot, though initially he'll compete with veterans Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington for work opposite DeAndre Hopkins in the absence of Andre Johnson, who signed with the Colts. Down the road, it's not hard to imagine Strong settling into the team's No. 2 wideout gig, an assignment that carries deep-league utility.
Tevin Coleman, ATL (RB, Indiana) 5-11/206
Rd. 3, pick No. 73 overall
With Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers no longer in the mix, Coleman bolsters an Atlanta backfield that also includes second-year back Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith. What has the makings of a time-share to begin with, could end up tilting in Coleman's favor, though, given his burst. As long as he's not over-drafted in fantasy formats, Coleman could end up being as much of a bargain for fantasy owners as he appears to be for the Falcons.
Garrett Grayson, NO (QB, Colorado State) 6-2/213
Rd. 3, pick No. 75 overall
Grayson gives the Saints a signal-caller to groom for the future, with starter Drew Brees 36 heading into the 2015 season. It's worth noting that NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock compares Grayson's game to that of Brees', but for now, the Colorado State product is well off the re-draft radar.
Chris Conley, KC (WR, Georgia) 6-2/213
Rd. 3 pick No. 76 overall
Typically, receivers drafted in the range of Conley take some time to develop, but with no clear-cut No. 2 option behind Jeremy Maclin, Conley -- who boasts a nice blend of size and measurables -- could push the likes of Albert Wilson and Jason Avant for targets in the Chiefs' offense, sooner than later.
Duke Johnson, CLE (RB, Miami) 5-9, 207
Rd. 3, pick No. 77 overall
Johnson, who draws comparisons to the Bengals' Giovani Bernard, figures to earn his share of pass-catching snaps as a rookie, but with Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West still on hand for early down duty, there isn't an open path for Johnson to see significant carries right away.
Tyler Kroft, CIN (TE, Rutgers) 6-5/246
Rd. 3, pick No. 85 overall
With Jermaine Gresham still unsigned, Kroft gives the Bengals some needed tight-end depth behind starter Tyler Eifert. The position was an obvious priority for the team in the draft, with C.J. Uzomah later tabbed by Cincinnati in the fifth round.
David Johnson, ARZ (RB, Northern Iowa) 6-1/224
Rd. 3, pick No. 86 overall
Johnson gives the Cards a big back to pair with Andre Ellington, who is on track to remain the team's top backfield option. Based on coach Bruce Arians' post-draft comments, though, in the event of an Ellington injury, Johnson appears to be next in line for the team's carries.
Sammie Coates, PIT (WR, Auburn) 6-1, 212 –
Rd. 3 pick No. 87 overall
Another receiver with the coveted blend of size and speed, Coates -- who has struggled with drops at times -- figures to combine with red-zone threat Martavis Bryant to deflect attention from Antonio Brown, who led the NFL in catches last season.
Sean Mannion, STL (QB, Oregon State) 6-6/229
Rd. 3, pick No. 89 overall
A QB with prototypical size, Mannion gives the Rams a backup signal-caller to groom behind new starter Nick Foles.
Jeff Heuerman, DEN (TE, Ohio State) 6-5/254
Rd. 3, pick No. 92 overall
Following the free-agent departure of Julius Thomas, the Broncos re-stocked at tight end, signing Owen Daniels and James Casey and then drafting Heuerman. As long as Peyton Manning is the team's QB, there's some fantasy intrigue with regard to his preferred TE option, but at this stage Heuerman has plenty of competition for targets, with Virgil Green and Dominique Jones also in the mix.
Ty Montgomery, GB (WR, Stanford) 6-0/221
Rd. 3, pick No. 94 overall
Montgomery joins a wideout corps that is strong at the top, led by Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, but he should make an immediate impact with Green Bay as a kick returner.
Matt Jones, WAS (RB, Florida) 6-2/231
Rd. 3, pick No. 95 overall
With Roy Helu having left in free agency, Jones is a big back who provides Washington with a sturdy backfield alternative in the event of an injury to Alfred Morris.
