Dynasty NFL Draft Team Needs: AFC

Apr 14, 2021

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With less than three weeks before the NFL Draft, it’s safe to say we know which positions teams are still mining for talent and depth. In many cases, it translates to possibilities amongst fantasy-relevant positions with the potential for prominent roles and/or early contributions by rookies. This is a two-part series covering each team and where they might be looking in the NFL Draft for rookie help. Our own Anthony Staggs has you covered in this department from a real-life draft perspective. Justin Edwards went over the NFC.

Each team will be dissected by the position(s) of biggest need with a quick look at their current depth chart and some fantasy-relevant information heading into the NFL Draft. There is also a “Rookie Score” that will very scientifically combine the depth chart talent, chance for immediate opportunity and the potential for long-term production. Here’s a quick guide to my thought process with those scores:

The position where a team will likely draft early, have a productive role available right away and few challengers on the depth chart: 7-10.

The position where a team could draft early, the team has a productive role available right away or there are few challengers on the depth chart: 4-7.

The position where a team might draft a rookie, there isn’t a productive role available right away and/or the depth chart has top-end talent: 0-4.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Running Back

Current Depth Chart: Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, Matt Breida

Having names we recognize is not the same as having a strong depth chart at a position. None of these players have shown enough when given chances to be seen as more than a short-term option or committee member. The Bills may choose to bypass this position since they have Josh Allen and a good enough backfield but this might be their biggest need on offense after interior linemen. Rookie Score: 2.5/10

Tight End

Current Depth Chart: Dawson Knox, Jacob Hollister, Tommy Sweeney

Like running back, tight end could be serviceable enough for the Bills to roll with this group into 2021. Allen didn’t target the tight end group much in 2020, barely 10% of the time, but that was likely due to positional absences and better options elsewhere. Even if they pick a player, it will be speculative, like the Knox pick a few years ago. Rookie Score: 1/10