2018 Draft Recap
Kerryon Johnson, RB
1.10 (from Straight Laced via Michael Thomas trade)
The massive running back crop of 2018 finally gave the Horsemen an opportunity to infuse some youth into the position. The presence of Blount, Abdullah and Riddick on the Lions depth chart will limit his ceiling but it’s unlikely the defending champions will require his services for the first half of the season barring several significant injuries.
Cam Newton, QB
1.12
With a rare early quarterback selection, Cam Newton joins the Electric Horsemen. Not only does he have fantastic celebrations to pair with Le’Veon and Antonio, but he also has a figurine. It pained the team to move on from Ben Roethlisberger after a couple fantastic years, but Cam could be the piece that leads the Horsemen to an undefeated season. He has been a top 5 QB in 5 of the last 7 seasons.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR
2.04 (from Drunken Aces via Derrick Henry trade)
Once again, Manny will find himself a Horseman. Despite being on the team nearly every year, he has started only one game in the last 3 years after being an every week starter in 2014. Improved QB play in 2018 could boost Sanders back to the monster of years past.
Rex Burkhead, RB
2.10 (from Straight Laced via 2 for 3 & 6 trade)
Rex was a monster last year, scoring 8 TDs in only 10 games last year while splitting time with several other running backs. Dion Lewis left town and the Patriots spent a first round pick on Sony Michel – the NCAA leader in fumbles per carry. Burkhead should continue to see goalline work and could get an expanded role as Sony inevitably fumbles away his starting job. He will likely be buried on the Horseman depth chart.
Kyle Rudolph, TE
2.12
Rudolph started 4 games for the Horsemen last year before getting dealt away to Straight Laced in a package deal for Zach Ertz. He now joins Ertz and will likely compete for a starting position by year end. Kirk Cousins comes to the Vikings to replace Keenum and Rudolph should assume the productive role Jordan Reed saw in Washington – this should lead to more end zone success, as he has seen 15 TDs over the last 2 years.
Pierre Garcon, WR
3.02 (from Dangerous Angels via Demaryius Thomas trade)
Yes, he’s a 32 year old coming off a neck injury – but he should be Jimmy Garoppolo’s number one target in San Francisco. His veteran presence should be a factor in the locker room.
Isaiah Crowell, RB
3.12
The favorite to lead the awful Jets in carries. Many attempts were made to acquire him last year to no avail. And now he’s basically free.
D’Onta Foreman, RB
4.09 (from Bumpy’s Berries via Marshawn Lynch trade)
Foreman was challenging Lamar Miller for the starting role in Houston last year before tearing his Achilles and, should he be fully recovered, he may very well challenge for it again. The Horsemen sent off Lamar Miller and Michael Thomas in a trade to Straight Laced for Leonard Fournette and could very well have ended up with the starting running back for the Texans anyway. If not fully recovered, Foreman will likely head to IR to free up space for a week 1 defense.
Allen Hurns, WR
5.07 (from Extreme Baby Throwers via Darren McFadden trade)
Someone figures to have to catch the ball in Dallas, right?
Justin Tucker, K
7.07 (from Extreme Baby Throwers via 10, 9, 7, 6 for 7, 6 trade)
Tucker, already the franchise kicker leader in starts (33) and points (298), looks to extend his lead a little further. Justin was the team’s primary kicker in 2014, 2015 and 2017 but was dealt away mid season last year to make way for Greg Zuerlein.
