Great at WRs, Awful at RBs: Draft Retrospective - RobbieK

In the second of the Draft Retrospective series, we look at Commissioner RobbieK's draft picks over the past 4 years. Which players were hits, which were misses, and who might yet contribute to a future dynasty?

2018 Draft

1.05: Kerryon Johnson - Miss

The first of many RB misses, Johnson flashed in his rookie year but never stayed healthy or stuck on a roster for any considerable length of time. Hopes were high for Johnson, but he never became a fantasy starter.

1.08: Royce Freeman - Miss

RobbieK hoped Freeman and Johnson would shore up their RB corps for years to come, but Freeman went the way of Johnson and never became a fantasy starter. Freeman is still in the league, but is firmly in the backup/relief RB tier.

2.4: Courtland Sutton - Hit

A consolation prize for an unsuccessful draft, Sutton was a great value at #16 overall. RobbieK was able to flip Sutton for Russell Wilson after Luck's surprise retirement, and is serving amccann well on their roster.

2019 Draft

1.10: Marquise Brown - Meh

Brown was the last of a long run of WRs in the 2019 Fantasy Draft, but was a great value at 10 overall. He hasn't blown up the NFL, but turned in a solid WR2 season in 2021. Bateman's drafting could cut into Brown's targets, but RobbieK shored up their chances by drafting Bateman as well.

2.11: Darwin Thompson - Miss

This was a hit-for-the-fences pick on a 6th round RB that never paid off. Even though Thompson played for the Chiefs, that does not a fantasy star make - a mistake RobbieK would make exactly one year later.

2.12: Diontae Johnson - Hit

Even though RobbieK valued Darwin Thompson ahead of him, Diontae was a great pick at 2.12. Having just turned in a WR1 season in 2021, Diontae has the tools to sustain a productive fantasy career for years to come.

3.12: Terry McLaurin - Hit

A pick gained by moving back slightly in the 2nd round, this may be the best late round pick in the history of the league. McLaurin has been solid from his rookie year despite inconsistent QB play, to say the least. RobbieK traded McLaurin for D.K. Metcalf, a good return for the last pick in the draft.

2020 Draft

1.01: Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Miss

A mistake many fantasy managers made, but one that is no less painful - espeically as RobbieK moved up to get him. Edwards-Helaire was the darling of fantasy circles that served as a reminder to look at more than just situation. All 4 RBs that went after CEH are arguably better fantasy players - most notably Jonathan Taylor, who RobbieK failed to pick.

2.02: Joe Burrow - Hit

After a Superbowl berth in 2022, Burrow is looking like a top 5 Dynasty player at QB, especially with his weapons. The first QB taken that year, Burrow may not have been as much of a value as Herbert that year, but is nonetheless a good pick.

2021 Draft - Note: Too early for draft grades

1.10: Rashod Bateman

Hedging with Ravens receivers, it was a similar story with Bateman as with Brown. RobbieK took a receiver that the Ravens drafted in the first round at 1.10, after he fell past other receivers drafted lower in the NFL draft. Bateman had an ok rookie season, and RobbieK will hope Bateman can live up to his draft pedigree and play ahead of his teammate.

3.03: Dyami Brown

Brown's rookie year was hardly inspiring - 12 catches for 165 yards - but all of the Washington receivers were a letdown. RobbieK will hope Brown doesn't explode, though, as he traded him away (along with Ty'son Williams) for Matt Stafford five months after drafting him.

3.10: Kylin Hill

Hill was injured all of 2021, and with his low draft pedigree is a long shot to be an impactful fantasy player, especially with Jones and Dillon on the roster. Given their history at drafting RBs, RobbieK shouldn't expect much.

Summary

4 hits, 4 misses, 1 meh