Kelley joins Justin
Jackson as a highly productive college runner in the backfield
behind new starter Austin
Ekeler. The UCLA product surprised with 4.49 speed at the
NFL Combine and only fumbled three times on 454 carries over the
last two seasons. Kelley didn't see a lot of work in the passing
game, but Bruins HC Chip Kelly admitted that the only reason that
was the case in that he was doing his best to give his workhorse
a bit of rest. For fantasy purposes, he's the perfect add to the
Chargers in that he has the potential to be a productive NFL runner
but is unlikely to push Ekeler or Jackson for work when everyone
is healthy.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts?
4.05. He's my 14th-ranked rookie running back.
4.09 - TE Harrison Bryant, Browns
Height/Weight: 6' 5"/243
College: Florida Atlantic
NFL Comp: Mark
Andrews
Byrant was my top-ranked tight end of the five I studied in-depth.
When he is on his game, he looked every bit like the "Gronk of
Conference USA" that league personnel labeled him as from time
to time. To that end, he is among the best in this draft class
(at tight end) at forcing missed tackles (12 in 2019, per Pro
Football Focus) and contested catches (13). On the flip side,
he was credited with eight drops on 73 catchable throws last season.
He has a great chance of being a value pick in the draft after
his combine numbers (4.73, 32.5 vertical, 9' 2" broad, 7.41 three-cone)
suggested he is an average athlete at 6-5 and 243 pounds.
The tape suggests that he could have been a bit nervous in Indy,
as he was the Owls' preferred option in the slot, quite capable
of getting open all day on slants and posts and very difficult
to bring down after the catch at times. Much like Andrews, it
would be wise if his new team focuses on his contributions in
the passing game while bringing him along as a blocker. Unfortunately,
he lands in a situation where he'll be stuck behind Austin
Hooper and David
Njoku for the foreseeable future.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? 4.08. He's
my third-ranked rookie tight end.
4.14 - RB Lamical Perine, Jets
Perine never ran for 1000 yards for Florida, but his stellar
showing at the Senior Bowl had to open the eyes of Jets' personnel.
At 5' 11" and 216 pounds, he has the size to hold up to a
fairly heavy workload and he runs with the authority, as Pro Football
Focus credited him with averaging 3.7 yards of his 5.1 YPC this
season coming after contact. With so little behind Le'Veon Bell
at running back on the depth chart, Perine has a realistic shot
of being the handcuff of choice in New York.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? 4.06. He's
my 15th-ranked rookie running back.
4.18 - RB Anthony McFarland, Steelers
McFarland is the latest in the line of running backs in this
draft who find a soft landing spot in terms of a potentially meaningful
role as a complementary back early in their career but lack the
overall game to put much immediate heat on the starter. He does
have a decent albeit unlikely chance of emerging as the starter
down the road, however, especially if the Steelers choose not
to extend James
Conner at the end of the season. McFarland boasts 4.4 speed,
giving the Pittsburgh backfield an element of explosiveness it
didn't have. The problem with McFarland is that he is a bit more
straight-line for a 208-pounder and has dealt with his fair share
of injuries. Nevertheless, he should be able to give Jaylen
Samuels and Benny
Snell a run for their money as Conner's handcuff if he can
stay healthy.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? 3.12. He's
my 11th-ranked rookie running back.
4.36 - WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, Redskins
Height/Weight: 6' 4"/223
College: Liberty
NFL Comp: Brandon Coleman
Outside of sporting a 3.5-inch advantage in the vertical jump,
Gandy-Golden and Coleman are remarkably similar in terms of their
combine measurements. It shows up on the field as well, as both
players boast a huge catch radius but are not as physical as one
would expect from big-framed players with significant strength
(22 reps of 225 pounds, in the rookie's case).
Gandy-Golden can be a load to bring down on occasion (as
Buffalo found out last season), as Pro Football Focus credited
him with at least 15 broken tackles in each of the last two seasons.
PFF also charted him with 78 deep targets over the last two seasons
- nine more than any other receiver in college football - and
that will likely be how Washington will try to get the most out
of him as well. While he was able to win at the short, intermediate
and deep levels in college, he just doesn't appear to have the
twitch to be much more than a deep-ball and/or red zone specialist
anytime soon.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? 3.07. He's
my 19th-ranked rookie receiver.
4.38 - RB Deejay Dallas, Seahawks
The Seahawks were almost obligated to take a running back in
this draft with Chris
Carson (hip) and Rashaad
Penny (knee) uncertain for the start of next season. The 217-pound
out of "The U" is just the kind of back one would expect Seattle
to be interested in, as he runs with great balance and good power.
An added bonus: he is one of the best in this draft class in terms
of pass pro. It's unlikely he has much long-term value, but the
aforementioned injury situations means Dallas only has to beat
out Travis Homer
(and maybe C.J.
Prosise) if the Carson and Penny aren't ready to start the
season.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? 4.07. He's
my 16th-ranked rookie running back.
Doug Orth has written for FF Today since 2006 and been featured in USA Today's Fantasy Football Preview magazine since 2010. He hosted USA Today's hour-long, pre-kickoff fantasy football internet chat every Sunday in 2012-13 and appears as a guest analyst on a number of national sports radio shows, including Sirius XM's "Fantasy Drive". Doug is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.