Last week, the essentials were provided. Both Jeff Mans (Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings) and I (Rookie Dynasty Rankings) posted Dynasty Rankings, and also, a Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft. If your rookie draft was last week, that should’ve been able to provide a great baseline. HOWEVER, I know there’s a lot of folks out there who want some context on these prospects, and so, that will be provided. Each fantasy-relevant position will be evaluated, and important information pertaining to prospects as both college players and their team fit will be broken down.
Of the 25 RBs drafted, there’s 16 in this ranking that I feel deserve a write-up. Even that is generous. On an average draft class, there are seven to eight RBs that will make a reasonable impact. Considering the relative weakness of the 2019 class, that should give you an idea of just how many RBs don’t end up coming to fruition in the NFL. If you want to learn more about the nine unlisted prospects (and more), I wrote about all of them in this piece previewing RBs that received a combine invite.
- Josh Jacobs, Oakland Raiders
The 2019 NFL draft was an enormous win for Jacobs. Not only was Jacobs the first RB selected, but he was also drafted in round one to a team that has a huge hole in their RB depth chart. With little competition for targets, and a team that in the midst of a rebuild, there should be a significant amount of touches available for Jacobs in his first couple of seasons. Jacob’s is arguably the biggest round one RB outlier in NFL history, as he failed to achieve 1,000 yards from scrimmage (YFS) in any season. This was the first time that’s happened, and it’s unlikely to happen again for a very long time. Jacobs has legitimate excuses for the lack of usage, and clearly, the Raiders viewed them as legitimate reasons. Playing at Alabama doesn’t tend to open up touches to many, especially at the RB position. Over the last three seasons, Alabama has used a three-man committee, and especially over their final two seasons. Jacobs was a big part of things, along with 2019 New England Patriots third-round selection RB Damien Harris and former top recruit in the country RB Najee Harris. Despite the small sample size, Jacobs displayed potentially special ability in the receiving game and between the tackles. Jacobs didn’t end up testing out at the combine, but obviously, that didn’t end up mattering.
As far as the fantasy breakdown goes, Jacobs is the clear 1.02 in 1QB rookie drafts, and some folks are willing to take him 1.01. There is no player in the class with higher year one upside, and (barring health) there’s an amazing fantasy opportunity for Jacobs over the next three to five seasons. In Superflex (SF) rookie drafts, things get a little more complicated, as Cardinals QB Kyler Murray and Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins are consensus top four selections and players that muddy up the ADP waters. It would be extremely rare for Jacobs to go 1.01 in SF formats, but 1.02 or 1.03 is where the sweet spot has been.
- Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Sanders is in a significantly different situation than Jacobs. Despite being drafted in the second round by the Eagles, Sanders doesn’t have a direct path to a featured role in year one of his career and could struggle to be a consistent fantasy factor. Sanders is an athletic RB whose name really started to heat up around the combine. Between a 4.49 40-yard dash at 211 pounds (76th percentile speed score) along with solid jump and change of direction testing (76th percentile burst score and 83rd percentile agility score), Sanders has a well rounded athletic profile. Add onto this his fantastic final season production at Penn State, and it makes sense why a team would invest in him in the second round. Much of Sanders’ college career was marred by being stuck behind the legendary prospect that was Saquon Barkley. Considering Barkley was arguably the best RB prospect of the last 40 years (Yes, really), there’s real reasoning behind why Sanders didn’t get early career opportunity. The good news is, in 2018, Sanders filled the box score, producing 1,413 YFS on 244 touches. The Penn State offense relied heavily on Sanders late in the season, specifically when starting QB Trace McSorley got injured and wasn’t able to run successfully anymore.
From a fantasy perspective, as mentioned above, it could be a weird first season for Sanders in Philadelphia. Between the Eagles trading for Jordan Howard and their insistence on using committees over the last decade (specifically of late since Doug Peterson took over as head coach), it’s tough to project Sanders into anything more than a 10-12 touch a game role to start the season. This brings back shades of RB Ray Rice, RB LeSean McCoy and RB Jamaal Charles in first seasons. All were relatively high investments (Rice and McCoy were second-round picks, Charles a third), but there was no emphasis to throw them into the fire in year one. It’s no secret how all of those players worked out, and Sanders could see himself having similar results if he can stay healthy. Considering the high-quality offense Sanders is joining, despite being a RB, his dynasty value is very stable. And even with low usage in year one, he should sprout into, at the very least, a top five-to-six startup ADP range by this time next year. Sanders is landing in the 1.03-to-1.06 dynasty rookie draft range, almost regardless of format. He checks all the boxes, and that type of investment won’t be dissuaded here!
- David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
Montgomery has been a favorite of many throughout the draft process and even prior in his early career at Iowa State. After a mediocre combine and some concerns he may slip, Montgomery landed in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. While the third round may be viewed as a “middle round” selection by many, that’s actually a really solid indicator of future success, and the fact the Bears traded away RB Jordan Howard and invested in Montgomery is a great sign there’s a big role in mind for him. Montgomery ended up as an average athlete at the combine (50th percentile speed score, 55th percentile agility score), which is by no means a negative indicator and certainly not something that will inhibit what he does well. BUT, the lofty comparisons to big RBs of the last decade like Le’Veon Bell loss a lot of steam when the athletic testing came. Regardless, the Bears head coach Matt Nagy has been one of the most innovative play callers in the NFL of late and should be able to optimize Montgomery. Tarik Cohen is certainly a player that will demand a role, but considering his weight and him being best optimized in the open field, it would make sense to once again team him up with a player who thrives between the tackles.
Montgomery is landing somewhere in the middle of the first round of all rookie drafts (SF and 1QB). His instant role and year one upside as a contributor creates a weird window for contending teams to buy a young player now and potentially slot him into a starting lineup. With that said, considering the offense he’s going to and Tarik Cohen’s presence, long term role upside has to be in question, at least compared to some of the wide receivers and tight ends being selected after him. Players like WR Parris Campbell, WR Marquise Brown, WR D.K. Metcalf, TE T.J. Hockenson and TE Noah Fant all appear to have reasonable odds to end up as featured weapons for many years to come. This is worth noting when pondering mid-first round selections. Montgomery very closely resembles former New York Jet RB Shonn Greene, from both an athletic profile, college production and NFL draft position perspective. Greene had two seasons with 1,200+ YFS in his first four seasons before fizzling out.
- Damien Harris, New England Patriots
Harris is one of the weirder prospects to have tracked throughout the process. Despite getting drafted in the third round of the NFL draft (as mentioned above, a positive indicator) to one of the most run-heavy offenses in the NFL (Patriots), Harris has been left for dead as a dynasty asset and has dropped in ADP to the mid-to-late second round of rookie drafts. Harris was a three-year leader of a committee at Alabama, which in the Nick Saban era is a very good indicator of future success. While he never fully received feature touches, Harris thrived in his role and was consistently efficient per touch (career 6.6 yards per touch). Harris enters what some would consider a crowded NFL depth chart. Between RB James White, RB Sony Michel and RB Rex Burkhead, there doesn’t appear to be a big fantasy role open for 2019, but that doesn’t mean Harris isn’t valuable. Michel and White will get his touches, but Burkhead has not been able to stay healthy and is very expendable, despite having displayed talent. The Patriots have displayed time and again that their system can produce fantastic fantasy results, and there are only one or two injuries keeping Harris from getting featured touches in an explosive offense. Harris tested out well at the combine (60th percentile speed score, 77th percentile burst score) and also displayed solid ability in the receiving game in his final season (9.3 yards per reception on 22 receptions)
As mentioned, Harris is cheap. Too cheap. He’s falling like a rock in the late second round, sometimes even landing in the early third. The perceived lack of opportunity is driving this stock drop, and it’s unwarranted. This is prime value range for savvy drafters, and trading into picks to draft Harris is advisable. As a third-round NFL draft selection, history is in favor of Harris becoming successful (at least compared to most rounds). 40% of 3rd round RBs have had a season with 1,000 or more YFS since 2000, and 24 percent have had two. If I was told a late second round rookie pick had a 40% chance at that type of season, I’m doing whatever I can get some shares of that player in my dynasty leagues.
- Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
Henderson had one of the weirder RB landing spots to evaluate over the last five NFL drafts. Henderson is an explosive weapon who thrives in space and on the outside. Henderson had a lot of open holes at Memphis against lesser competition, but averaging 8.9 yards per attempt over two seasons IS incredibly special. Henderson was a third-round selection by the Rams and comes into a very volatile situation. There’s no doubting RB Todd Gurley has the talent. Gurley has been one of the most explosive, powerful and all-around special RBs the NFL has seen in the last two decades, but the Rams super bowl run, where Gurley was conspicuously absent from many important snaps, raises some SERIOUS red-flags. Gurley has been reportedly having issues with the knee he tore his ACL in at Georgia, and there are rumors it’s of the degenerative variety. What does this mean for Gurley and his NFL future? It’s really tough to tell. But one thing is for sure; the Rams are paying him a lot of money over the next couple of seasons and will do whatever they can to keep him healthy. The idea Gurley is “done” as a featured NFL runner is far-fetched, but in an already hyper-efficient Rams offense, there could be a lot of opportunities moving forward where they limit his touches in situations that aren’t imperative. Henderson will likely spend year one in a third down and off-the-bench role. Some fantasy relevant weeks could be expected, but barring an injury to Gurley, Henderson will likely be an insurance policy.
As far as rookie drafts are concerned, Henderson is landing almost directly in the 2.04-to-2.08 range of all drafts (SF and 1QB). While some players have high variance in these types of situations, it seems the public and sharps are aligned on where Henderson should be valued. Henderson’s upside in what will be an exciting Rams offense is appealing, but he’s a handcuff for the time being. It’s pretty straight forward from there. Gurley owners can put a little more emphasis on where they take Henderson in rookie drafts, but overall, reaching too high is not advisable considering the players you’d have to take him over.
- Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Mattison was not expected to be drafted this early, but the Vikings clearly saw a player who could plug into the role RB Latavius Murray left behind. Mattison is a bruising RB out of Boise State, who thrived between the tackles in a high volume role. Mattison was the fourth consecutive Boise State RB to get drafted, after RB Doug Martin, RB Jay Ajayi and RB Jeremy McNichols. The program has done a great job of developing talent, and Mattison is simply the latest example. Mattison’s career culminated in a 329 touch, 1588 YFS and 17 touchdown 2018 season, which obviously is heavy usage. Mattison didn’t run a great 40-yard dash (37th percentile speed score) at the combine but did show solid burst (75th percentile burst score) and average agility testing (47th percentile agility score). In terms of film, Mattison makes some exciting plays but ultimately left me unexcited. However, the Vikings investing this much in him suggests they see a solid future asset.
Mattison is heading to a depth chart with a similar situation to new Rams RB Darrell Henderson. Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is unquestionably a top talent at the position, but through two NFL (and three college) seasons, has yet to show any ability to stay healthy. Cook has been consistently banged up or injured since his freshman season at Florida State, and it’s time to wonder if this is how his career is going to result. Amazing highs combined with missed games and ultimately leaving everyone wanting more. Regardless, Mattison has a very high upside handcuff opportunity. Murray had 393 touches in 2017 and 2018 combined, which included 37 receptions and 14 touchdowns. If Mattison can find himself in a similar role, hindsight may see his rookie draft ADP as a significant value. Mattison isn’t going off rookie draft boards until the mid-to-late third round, and that’s a fantastic value range.
- Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills
After a terrible combine, it appeared as though Singletary’s stock as a prospect had fallen off a cliff. At only 203 pounds, Singletary ran a 4.66 in the 40-yard dash, posted an 18th percentile agility score and a 47th percentile burst score. Of RBs that were viewed a top 15 in this class heading into the combine, it could be argued Singletary performed the worst. With that said, the Bills took him in the third round, so here we are. Much like most of the RBs in this class, Singletary walks into a crowded depth chart for year one of his career, and it’s unlikely he’ll be served any type of fantasy-relevant role, barring injuries. However, the future would appear bright for the Florida Atlantic alum. RB LeSean McCoy and RB Frank Gore are on their last legs as NFL players (They have to be, right???), or at the very least, won’t be on the Bills for much longer, and RB T.J. Yeldon would never be confused for a featured runner. Singletary is coming off one of the more volume-heavy college careers in CFB history, accumulating 4,684 rushing yards and 67 touchdowns in just three seasons. Despite his height, Singletary is a sturdy runner who displayed a lot of power and ability to run between the tackles. There certainly are scenarios where 2019 rolls around and Singletary is the Bills starting RB.
Singletary is going in a similar range to Mattison and is very similar in market value. Both players have similar upside, and if playing in multiple leagues, are worth getting exposure to both. Singletary and Mattison are also the last crusade of RBs who have optimistic draft position probability odds. As mentioned with Harris, both players have a 40% chance at a 1,000+ YFS season and a 24% chance at two. After this, it’s all fourth, fifth and sixth round selections, which have very little to bordering-on-zero chance of sustaining a fantasy-relevant role in the NFL. Considering that, this is where the first big tier drop appears at the RB position.
- Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Hill had a fantastic combine, and while he did slip to the fourth round of the NFL draft, provides intriguing upside behind a 30-year-old featured RB. Mark Ingram hasn’t dealt with brutal workloads throughout his career. In fact, Ingram has only seen above 250 touches twice in his eight-year career. From a 30-year-old RB perspective, he’s a spring chicken. HOWEVER, he’s still 30 years old, and as the saying goes, father time is undefeated. Hill is only listed at 198 pounds, and it’s unlikely he’ll ever find himself in a featured role, but as smaller RBs like Tarik Cohen and Dion Lewis have shown in recent years, the amount of touches doesn’t always matter if the player is efficient. Hill blew away the combine, posting a 4.40 40-yard dash (81st percentile) and 95th percentile burst score. Explosiveness will never be an issue for Hill and will be a very welcomed addition to a Ravens offense that was severely lacking playmakers in 2018. A special dump-off option for QB Lamar Jackson could become a highly equitable fantasy situation in a hurry for Hill, especially if Jackson struggles out of the gate with deep passing, as he did in 2018. Hill was a solid producer in college, ending his three-year run with Oklahoma State at 3,843 yards from scrimmage and 31 touchdowns in a pass-heavy offense.
Hill is going in the mid-to-late third round of rookie drafts, and while that’s about right considering his draft round, there’s certainly room for upside here. Hill’s ceiling is capped based on a full career perspective, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility he can provide 2018 Phillip Lindsay type numbers in his career, at some point.
- Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have taken the moneybag approach to RBs over the last couple of years, and with RB Tevin Coleman moving onto San Francisco, they’re going to need one of their late-round selections to step up. RB Brian Hill was a fifth-round selection a few seasons ago and made a few nice plays late in 2018, but it’s worth noting he was released midway through his rookie season (2017) and then went back to Atlanta after being released by the team who picked him up (Bengals). RB Ito Smith would be the other competition behind RB Devonta Freeman. Smith produced only 467 yards from scrimmage on 117 attempts in 2018 and didn’t provide very many highlights for a player known for his big play ability. The big point here is Ollison’s road to touches is not far. Freeman is the clear starter when healthy, but that hasn’t been something to count on over the last two seasons, and considering he’s entering his age 27 season, there are real concerns his body is entering “always hurt” status. Despite all the chaos, the Falcons fantasy RB situation remains special, and any of these RBs could succeed with enough volume.
Ollison had a strange college career at Pittsburgh. In his Freshman season (2015), he had a full breakout year, producing 1,198 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. It appeared as though Ollison was set for prolific career, but then incumbent RB James Conner recovered from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, returned to his old self and reclaimed the featured job he left behind. There’s no knock on Ollison ceding duties here. Conner was a future third-round selection who has since shown high-end NFL caliber ability. Ollison stumbled around in 2016 and 2017, struggling to regain a featured or consistent role. Finally, in 2018, things turned around. Ollison finished off his career with 205 touches, 1,279 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns. While his career didn’t go as expected, there were clearly some things to get excited about from a prospect perspective. Ollison weighed in at the 2019 combine at 228 pounds and turned in a 4.58 40-yard dash (76th percentile speed score). Ollison isn’t a perfect prospect, but in the fourth or fifth round of a rookie draft, there are multiple avenues for him to succeed in Atlanta.
- Jordan Scarlett, Carolina Panthers
Scarlett came to Florida as a highly touted high school recruit, and overall, he ended up coming to fruition. While Scarlett’s college career didn’t go as he likely planned it, he received enough volume and displayed enough ability for the Carolina Panthers to feel confident in his ability. Between crowded depth charts, legal issues, along with an absolutely pitiful offensive line and quarterback play, there were a lot of factors working against Scarlett in his time at Florida. Despite that, though, there were two seasons (2016 and 2018) where Scarlett got a chance to display NFL potential. Scarlett produced 912 (2016) and 860 (2018) yards from scrimmage in those two seasons and showed he could handle a significant role in an offense while also displaying NFL athleticism and skills.
Scarlett posted erratic athletic testing, running fast in the forty (4.47) but struggling badly in agility and jumping drills (11th percentile burst score, 5th percentile agility score). When it was all said and done, and Scarlett ended up as a fifth rounder to the Carolina Panthers, it’s fair to say he’d take that. Scarlett enters a Carolina depth chart that has a clear workhorse RB in Christian McCaffrey. Barring a major injury, there’s really no need to have a backup RB on the roster, as McCaffrey played essentially every snap in 2018. The good news for Scarlett is there isn’t much, if any, competition for the backup job. RB Cameron Artis-Payne is still around but hasn’t displayed much of anything special in his limited opportunities. RB Elijah Hood is around but has no investment behind him. There’s an avenue to not only a roster spot for Scarlett but potentially a big role if anything were to ever happen to McCaffrey (Please, no). Scarlett is currently in the late-round-to-undrafted range in rookie drafts and will be easily had on most dynasty waiver wires after the rookie drafts have concluded.
- Darwin Thompson, Kansas City Chiefs
Rarely, if ever, would a sixth-round selection land in the top 15 of a positional group ranking, but the Chiefs offense is undeniable. Even before 2018, before Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs offense was a fantastic destination for RBs from a fantasy perspective. Between RB Jamaal Charles, RB Spencer Ware or RB Kareem Hunt, it was clear Andy Reid’s system blessed whichever RB was in the backfield. With Hunt’s release in the middle of 2018 due to domestic violence issues, there were a lot of questions surrounding the future of the position in Kansas City. RB Damien Williams answered some of those questions with his solid performances in the Chiefs playoff run to end 2018, but ultimately, leaves a lot of question marks. Thompson was a spark plug for Utah State in 2018 and brought a super explosive element to the table. On just 176 touches, Thompson accumulated 1,395 YFS on 7.9 yards per attempt. While it was a mid-major, those are still impressive numbers. Thompson tested out well at his pro day (91st percentile burst score, 68th percentile agility score) and showed he has NFL caliber athleticism and size (listed at 5 foot 8 and 198 pounds at pro day).
As far as dynasty rookie drafts are concerned, Thompson’s ADP isn’t really relevant. It’s going to be all over the map. There’s going to be some drafts where someone takes him in the early third round, and there’s going to be others where he doesn’t get picked until the late fourth. Owners of Williams could put a slight extra emphasis on this pick, just to lock up the backfield, but it’s not a “must” by any means. At the end of the day, Thompson was a sixth-round selection.
- Dexter Williams, Green Bay Packers
Williams was one of the more intriguing prospects to emerge in the 2018 regular season. Notre Dame was in dire need of a featured runner, and while the combination of Tony Jones Jr. and Jafar Armstrong were certainly viable, Williams added an extra layer of juice that boosted the Notre Dame running game to a new level. It also helped they shifted to a better QB, but for this exercise, we’re giving credit to Williams! While weighing in at only slightly above average (listed at 212 pounds at the combine), Williams runs with a lot of power and burst, pushing piles and blasting through holes. Williams finished 2018 with 1128 YFS on 174 touches (6.5 yards per touch). It was a great year for Williams, but it was also his only season above 43 touches. Between injuries and a tough depth chart (Josh Adams and C.J. Prosise), Williams only had 2018 as a resume builder, and that’s likely a huge reason he slipped to the sixth round. RB Josh Jacobs is the exception to the rule when it comes to NFL teams ignoring lack of college role. On the brighter side of things, Williams went to the combine and put together a great athletic profile. An average speed score (52nd percentile), along with special burst (86th) and agility (78th) scores puts him in a position to potentially become an outlier. The Packers have the top two spots on their RB depth chart pretty solidified with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, but neither of those players has truly locked in featured role duties through two seasons. Jones certainly has the look of a special playmaker, but injuries have been a significant issue for him in both his college and NFL career. Williams would need a few things to go right for him to see an opportunity, particularly in year one, but there’s enormous upside in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense.
Williams is similar to Thompson. There are going to be some drafts where an owner REALLY wants to believe in Williams hitting a lucky opportunity in Green Bay. Quite honestly, I don’t blame them. If you’re one of those people, good on ya. Williams has all the makings of a potential difference-maker if given the opportunity. With that said, he’s not a player I’d personally take before the late third to early four round of a rookie draft (1QB or SF).
- Bryce Love, Washington Redskins
There’s no secret Love had a special 2017 season. In terms of all-time single-season performances for a RB, Love’s prolific 2,118 rushing yard on 263 attempt (8.1 per attempt) season has an argument as the best of all-time. Love used his speed, quickness and shifty ability behind a solid Stanford offensive line to break off big run after big run, at what seemed like an unsustainable rate. After that year, it was generally assumed Love would cash in on his once in a generation season and enter the 2018 NFL draft. To the shock of many, he chose to return to school for his Senior season. While regression was inevitably coming in 2018, the season hit harder than expected. Not only did Love’s efficiency fall off the map, but there were a plethora of injuries Love suffered (likely hindering his ability and stats), most important of them all being the torn ACL he suffered on the final play of his college career. It was a terrible way to go out for such a promising prospect, and without being able to test athletically at the combine or participate in pre-draft activities, Love’s stock took a nose dive. In the 2019 draft, Love eventually got his name called in the fourth round, to a team that drafted a high-end RB prospect just a year ago in the second round. RB Derrius Guice is coming off a torn ACL of his own, but it would be shocking if a healthy Guice were to be unseated by Love. Long term, at least for his rookie contract, Love’s best case scenario (barring Guice completely falling apart from a health perspective) is to emerge as a third-down specialist who may be able to grow into a Chris Thompson type of player.
Love is going in the late third round of rookie drafts, and that might be a little early for my liking. It’s almost a sure thing Love will be redshirting his rookie season, and who knows what the Redskins depth chart will look like in 2020. He’s certainly worth an upside shot, but we’re far removed from the once very rosy picture that was painted in 2017.
- Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
RB Ezekiel Elliott isn’t going anywhere, and there isn’t a soul on this earth that’s convinced otherwise. However, as a late round rookie pick, Pollard is an interesting proposition as an insurance policy. Pollard is known for being an all-purpose weapon at Memphis behind the aforementioned RB Darrell Henderson. The Memphis system opened up tons of efficiency for all parties involved, and with Pollard’s lack of actual RB usage throughout his career, he was a tough sell before the combine. However, Pollard ended up testing out solid across the board at the combine, and being drafted in round four to a team that needs a backup is appealing. Pollard accumulated only 243 touches in his college career, and only 139 of them were rushing attempts. But also, he averaged 9.2 yards per attempt for his career and displayed real WR ball skills in the process. Despite tipping the scales at 210 pounds, Pollard profiles as a pure third down back and a player who may never see more than a few opportunities a game between the tackles. Could there be more to his profile than meets the eye? I’d lean doubtful (sorry), but being one injury away from 15 touches game (at least) behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL is enough to make Pollard a draftable asset. Pollard should be available in the final rounds of rookie drafts and is worth taking as a flyer.
- Ryquell Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars
Armstead was a big-time combine riser, posting the fastest speed score (94th percentile) of the 2019 RBs. Before that time, Armstead was not viewed as a top prospect in the 2019 draft, and there were real questions if a combine invite was coming or not. Luckily for Armstead, it did. Armstead ran with the opportunity (literally) and found himself as a fifth-round selection on draft day. The Jacksonville Jaguars don’t technically have a need at RB. Despite suffering through an injury-filled and all around disappointing 2018 season, RB Leonard Fournette should be back at full strength for 2019. But, as has been a theme in his first two years in the NFL and in his final season at LSU, injuries have followed him. The big difference for the Jaguars between this year and the previous is RB T.J. Yeldon is no longer there to backup Fournette. If all things go as planned, that will be Armstead’s role. Armstead was a significant contributor to the Temple offense for his final three seasons, accumulating 602 touches in his four years. The Temple offense was very limited as a whole, and Armstead’s modest efficiency (5.0 career yards per touch) can be directly linked to the lack of passing game and inconsistent offensive line play. Armstead is a cheap handcuff who can be had in the fourth or fifth round of rookie drafts.
- Benny Snell, Pittsburgh Steelers
After a crazy past couple years, the Steelers finally have some peace and quiet surrounding the RB position. After playing well last year in a featured role, RB James Conner is locked in as the featured guy. Beyond that, RB Jaylen Samuels emerged as a player last year who can hold the fort if something were to happen the Conner and provide solid depth as a third down and pass-catching weapon if he remains healthy. The Steelers have arguably been the best at drafting skill position players over the last decade, and that should make everyone think twice when they draft a four round RB. Snell had a very productive career in the SEC and was a player who carried an offense over multiple seasons. In his three year career, Snell topped 1,100 YFS every year, and he finished his career with 4,089 YFS and 48 touchdowns. It wasn’t always pretty, especially against some of the best defenses, but his ability to thrive in heavy volume should be valued. Snell was looking solid heading into the combine, but mediocre athletic testing brought up some red flags on how well his game was going to translate to the NFL. Going in the fourth round isn’t a death knell to his career, but the situation seems like a tough one for him to breakthrough barring injuries. Especially considering how the Steelers tend to use their featured RBs, it’s unlikely Snell will see the field in the first couple years, again, barring injuries. If Conner and Samuels go down then Snell will have RB1 upside in that scheme, but that’s a lot to count on going right. Snell is a solid value in the fourth or fifth round of rookie drafts.
