Team Fit: Pierce routinely powers through the first tackle attempt
and leaves multiple defenders in his wake. However, he is more
than just a bulldozer. He is patient when he needs to be and urgent
when he needs to be, all the while showing enough juice to pick
up a decent chunk of yardage. He lacks the elite explosiveness
that allows him to score from anywhere on the field (of his 206
carries in 2020 and 2021, only two resulted in a play of at least
25 yards). His biggest issue: why did Florida never give him more
than 23 snaps in a game?
What does it mean in redraft? Pierce figures to immediately become
the thunder to Marlon Mack's lightning and, at worst, take over
as the goal-line option in Houston. Mack has never lasted a full
season, while Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale have no business
leading a backfield. Thus, Pierce can be considered as an RB5
with RB3 upside should Mack go down once again.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: San Diego State focuses so heavily on the run that
it can be hard to tell sometimes if the Aztecs have any receiving
talent. Bellinger posted a 31-357-2 line last year and flashed
some ability to attack the seam. As a tight end who runs a 4.63
at 250-plus pounds, he is a very good athlete who has some upside
as a receiver. He has already proven can block better than most
college prospects. On the downside, he did not show much of an
ability to produce after the catch and already has his share of
durability issues.
What does it mean in redraft? Bellinger joins a tight end room
occupied by Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Akins. He might be the
most well-rounded one of the group, so he has a chance to start
early. Like most rookie tight ends, he probably will not be fantasy-relevant
in Year 1.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Is Vegas preparing for life without Josh Jacobs? "Zeus"
was the thunder to James Cook's lightning at Georgia, and he'll
be expected to add the same thump to the Raiders with a body and
playing style perfectly suited to be an inside runner. White is
mostly a one-track runner - contrary to what his Combine testing
would suggest - who did not do much in the passing game in college.
Despite the power element he brings to the table, White's upside
is probably limited to being Jacobs' primary backup.
What does it mean in redraft? Especially given new HC Josh McDaniels'
history of using committee backfields, White's upside is probably
limited even if he ends up being Jacobs' handcuff in 2022.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts?
Check back on the website later this week.
Team Fit: The Chargers' long search for Austin Ekeler's complement
is likely over. What Spiller lacks in jaw-dropping ability, he
makes up for in being very balanced in many important areas for
a running back. He boasts near-ideal size for the position (6-0,
217). He also has very good hands (zero drops in 2021) and was
trusted to pick up rushers and blitzers on a much more regular
basis than many of today's college backs. Spiller's biggest shortcoming
might be his average athleticism for his position (as his Combine
numbers would indicate) and ball security (eight fumbles on 615
career touches).
What does it mean in redraft? Spiller should be an instant upgrade
over Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III. Given the team's desire
to keep Ekeler's touches in check moving forward, Spiller is well
worth a bench stash. Consider him a strong handcuff in redraft.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Few (if any) running backs in this draft class offer
the kind of explosiveness Strong does. His career 7.2 yards per
carry mark on 631 attempts is good even after the fact he played
most of his games against FCS competition is factored into the
equation.) Strong's 4.37 speed gives him a chance, as do his vision
and instincts. Ironically, Strong does not run with much power
and is more of a one-cut runner than make-you-miss back. Ball
security was also an issue in 2021 (five fumbles).
What does it mean in redraft? Strong is likely being viewed as
back-of-the-roster competition for J.J. Taylor, although there
is a chance the team keeps both if James White's hip needs more
time to recover. If White is ready by camp, Strong can be ignored
in 2022 as long as Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson stay
healthy.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: At 228 pounds, few backs in this draft class made more
sense for Tennessee than Haskins. The Michigan product consistently
falls forward upon contact and did not fumble in 476 career touches,
making him a great backup to Derrick Henry. On the downside, he
does not possess breakaway speed (only three of his 270 carries
in 2021 resulted in runs of 25 yards or more) and likely will
not do much as a receiver out of the backfield.
What does it mean in redraft? Haskins is the rare fourth-round
runner who only has one obstacle in his way before he could be
fantasy-relevant. He should emerge as Henry's handcuff immediately
after D'Onta Foreman bolted for Carolina in free agency.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Green Bay addresses receiver for the second time this
weekend, this time with another player who should stretch the
field, although it is more likely Doubs will push for return duties
right away with the Packers. Doubs has dependable hands, is quick
off the line of scrimmage and displays very good body control
to adjust to off-target throws. He is not a great route-runner
and lacks the kind of functional strength he needs to hold up
in the NFL on a full-time basis right now, however.
What does it mean in redraft? Although Green Bay does not have
a great receiver room at the moment with Allen Lazard, Christian Watson, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers and Sammy Watkins projected
to be the top five options, it remains to be seen whether Doubs
can make one of the veterans expendable.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: A departure from what Pittsburgh usually does at WR
in terms of size (5-7), Austin was likely attractive to the Steelers
as a Ray-Ray McCloud upgrade. Austin may be small, but his 4.32
speed, suddenness and route-running feel should make him a quality
fourth receiver on this roster. Despite his small stature, he
worked almost exclusively on the perimeter for Memphis in 2021.
That seems unlikely to happen in the NFL with Diontae Johnson,
Chase Claypool and George Pickens hogging most of those reps.
As such, he will likely be limited to a part-time role as a field-stretcher
and jet-sweep option.
What does it mean in redraft? As the fourth receiver (at best)
in a Mitchell Trubisky-led (or Kenny Pickett) offense, Austin
is a longshot to be a redraft option at any point in 2022.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Fellow fourth-rounder Charlie Kolar is the more prototypical
tight end, but Likely offers mismatch potential that should lead
to a more fantasy-friendly role at some point since Kolar would
likely need an injury to Mark Andrews to be relevant. Likely is
surprisingly quick and loose-hipped for a player of his size,
and he possesses much more experience in running a full route
tree than one might expect from a Sun Belt player. At 245 pounds,
he is stuck in a bit of a no man's land because he is too light
to be a traditional tight end and does not block well enough to
be a fullback.
What does it mean in redraft? Likely profiles as a mismatch weapon
who could fill in for Andrews if the Pro Bowler goes down, although
he would likely share snaps with Kolar in that scenario. He could
play an H-back role for one of the league's more unique offenses,
however, which could help him push for 20-30 catches as a rookie.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Thought to be a high first-round pick entering the
season, Howell lasted until the 144th pick in 2022 because his
production fell off the table as a passer after Michael Carter,
Javonte Williams, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome moved onto the
NFL last spring. Howell transformed his game and became more of
a rushing threat. The pick could end up being a steal for Washington,
especially given Howell's ability to throw the deep ball. Howell
could use some time to develop, however, as he needs to tighten
up the overall operation of his drop-back and work on moving past
his first read as a passer. Carson Wentz enters this season as
the clear starter, but his recent struggles have been well-documented.
What does it mean in redraft? With only Taylor Heinicke and the
enigmatic Wentz in front of him, Howell has a chance to start
as a rookie - especially given his ability to throw the deep ball.
It seems unlikely, however. If he does start at some point, he
is enough of a threat as a runner that he could fall into low-end
QB2 value at some point.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Shakir has a rare motor and can do a bit of everything
on offense. (He logged snaps out of Wildcat, at running back,
on jet sweeps and as a returner for Boise State.) His concentration
is particularly impressive in contested-catch situations. His
38 1/2-inch vertical jump shows up on film, but he rarely looks
like he is moving like a receiver capable of running 4.43 (as
he did at the Combine). As such, he may be limited to a possession
receiver role in Buffalo.
What does it mean in redraft? Shakir will not threaten Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis or Jamison Crowder this year, but he could
surprise a bit if one of those three gets hurt.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: A bit of a James Conner clone, the 224-pound Allgeier
possesses above-average (if not very good) power and runs through
most contact (70.9 percent of his yardage in 2021 came after initial
contact). He complements his power well by running with patience,
vision and discipline. Allgeier has good enough hands and showed
enough attention to detail in the passing game at BYU that he
has the upside to be a three-down back. Ball security was a bit
of a problem in 2021 (four fumbles) though and he does not always
run through defenders when he should.
What does it mean in redraft? Allgeier may have the best shot
at rookie-year fantasy relevance of any Day 3 running back. Cordarrelle Patterson's role is unlikely to change and only Damien Williams
remains after Mike Davis was released following the draft.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: While Badie might only weigh 197 pounds, he runs tough
and does not fumble (none since his sophomore season). Perhaps
most importantly, he is a very capable receiver out of the backfield
on a team that needed to turn to Devonta Freeman after J.K. Dobbins
and Gus Edwards went down with ACL tears last summer. Working
against him is the fact Baltimore is neither a heavy passing team
nor a team that looks to throw to its running backs very often.
If Badie learns to play with better vision, his 4.45 speed (and
receiving ability) gives him a chance for some change-of-pace
work with the Ravens.
What does it mean in redraft? If Dobbins and Edwards can return
from their injuries without incident, Badie will not be a noteworthy
name for redraft purposes as more of a receiving back on a heavy
run team. If not, he could easily find his way into early playing
time as a complementary back.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
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.
