Wednesday, May 08, 2024

Fantasy Football

Dynasty Rookie RB: Post Draft Analysis Part Two

The RB position was changed quite a bit over the past few seasons. Teams want to bring in RBs and run them to death and not pay them. Being an RB in this league right now is a tough position. This draft class of rookie RBs is quite deep and many landed in good spots. I’ve already broken down the first half of the my Dynasty Rookie RB targets. Now I give you a dynasty breakdown of the second half of rookie RBs selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. I address both SuperFlex and standard league value. This list is not a ranking but more of a breakdown of the 2020 NFL Rookie RB class. The players below would be considered later round options for Dynasty Rookie RBs.

Check out my Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Analysis on other positions here : QBRB Part One, RB Part Two

Check out my Pre-Draft Dynasty SuperFlex Rankings

Zack Moss

The Buffalo backfield is quite interesting to me. They seem very non-committal with Devin Singletary despite him being one of the brighter spots of their offense in 2019. I mean cmon, why are you giving the ball to Frank Gore in the 4th quarter of your playoff game against the Texans? Devin Singletary missed about half of the season in 2019 with injury, but when he came back he was electric and provided a spark to the Bills’ offense. Moss was one of the rookie RB I had my eyes on going into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Zack Moss fell way too far in the 2020 NFL Draft, and I feel the Bills now have their style of back here. Moss ran for over 1,400 yards in 2019 and also added 28 catches. Moss is a powerful between the tackles runner but also provides insurance in the passing game. The Bills are looking for a major improvement on the offensive side of the ball in 2020. I see Moss and Singletary operating as 1A/1B going forward. Moss will be drafted in the 2nd round in most SuperFlex rookie drafts and standard rookie drafts.

Darrynton Evans

Dec 7, 2019; Boone, NC, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs after a catch against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the first quarter at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Unable to agree on a deal to sign Derrick Henry long term, the Titans knew they would have to draft a rookie RB. They were lucky enough to find a great compliment to Henry and someone that can take over the role if Henry leaves this next offseason. Derrick Henry bulldozed his way through defenses and led many owners to fantasy championships. It is hard to value Henry’s dynasty value right now. Should you sell high, or ride the wave? I would continue riding on the back of Henry, much like the Titans did to the AFC championship.

The Titans wanted to bring in a guy that could play on all 3 downs and contribute in the passing game. Another key for them was to find a guy that could help with the return game. Evans checks all those boxes and on top of it has great speed. Evans ran a 4.41 40 at the combine. Darrynton will be a great change of pace to Henry. I can very much see this being more of a timeshare in 2020. However, if Henry leaves, Evans has the potential to be a top 15 fantasy back in my eyes. Mike Vrabel‘s offense will always run through the RB and I can very much see Henry leaving. Evans goes in the late 3rd to 4th round in SuperFlex rookie drafts. His standard rookie draft position is around the mid 2nd to mid 3rd round.

Joshua Kelley

Joshua Kelley grabbed some attention after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl. After walking on at UCLA, Kelley set tons of records for the Bruins. One of Kelley’s most impressive games comes against cross-town rival USC when he carried the ball 40 times for 289 yards and secured a huge victory for the Bruins. With Gordon now in Denver and Justin Jackson struggling to stay healthy, the Chargers needed a “hammer” in the RB room.

Austin Ekeler will still be the starter and I have no doubts about that. Ekeler is capable of running between the tackles and is an excellent threat in the receiving game. Anthony Lynn will work to get the zone running game working again for the Chargers with new rookie QB Justin Herbert at the helm. Joshua Kelley will get carries because of his bruising stature. When watching his college tape he looks so similar to what Gordon used to offer. Kelley and Ekeler will have to rely on each other to form a great committee backfield. Joshua Kelley will go around the 4th round in SuperFlex rookie drafts and the mid 3rd to 4th round in standard rookie drafts.

Lamical Perine

Lamical is very similar to Le’Veon Bell. Both are very patient runners and both possess the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. So why would Adam Gase bring a back that is that similar to Bell? Well, Gase has never been a fan of Bell. Starting shortly after signing him in 2019 offseason, Gase went vocal about his feelings about his new RB. Bell had a very disappointing year in 2019, one of the worst in his career.

You have to believe that Gase brought in Perine in hopes to replace Bell. I think Perine has the tangibles to replace Bell. Bell is still a very talented runner but his attitude and age are a concern. He sat out a whole year because of a contract dispute and was sluggish on the field this past season. A young athletic Perine may finally push Gase to trade Bell for nickels and dimes. I hope Gase gets fired here soon because he is hurting all of the offensive youth for New York. If Bell is shipped, Perine will be the next man up. Perine goes in the mid 4th to 5th round in SuperFlex rookie drafts. Perine’s current draft position in standard rookie drafts is around the late 3rd to late 4th round.

Anthony McFarland

Anthony McFarland was one of my favorite backs coming into this draft. He did suffer some injuries at Maryland that hurt his draft stock. However, I don’t think McFarland could have landed in a better spot for him. He just feels like he should be a Pittsburgh Steeler. In 2018 against Ohio State, McFarland ripped off touchdown runs of 81 and 75 yards and totaled 298 yards rushing. McFarland adds a dimension to the Steelers backfield that we haven’t seen since Bell.

James Connor battled injuries throughout the 2019 season and even when he was on the field it wasn’t very pretty. Without Big Ben, the Steelers had one of the most lackluster offenses in the NFL. With Big Ben returning and the electricity of McFarland, they can do big things in 2020. James Connor will be the day one starter but if he goes down with injuries again, McFarland will snatch this job and never give it back. I really like this kid and believe he is the future of the Steelers backfield. I would grab McFarland in the mid to late 3rd round in SuperFlex rookie drafts. You should be tempted to take McFarland as soon as the early 3rd in standard rookie drafts, as he has one of the best potential of the rookie RB.

DeeJay Dallas

This is one of my favorite rookie draft targets. With Rashaad Penny likely starting off the 2020 season on the PUP list, Dallas should be slotted into the role that Penny already owns. Now, also take in the fact that Carson has had season-ending injuries the last two seasons and his availability for Week 1 is still up the air. What if I told you that you can grab Dallas in the last round of your rookie drafts? Wow, his current draft position is a steal. I would expect that to change over the next few weeks. Dallas has soon become of my favorite rookie RB.

However, Dallas has been praised for his elusiveness. Dallas has struggled to get anything going in the passing game. Seattle has never used their RB in the passing game despite Carroll wanting to commit to more passing work for Carson going into the 2019 season. Chris Carson is one of my favorite fantasy backs because of his workload in Seattle, however, he will demand some money and his fumbling issues are a concern. Keep Dallas on your radar as I think he has great potential. DeeJay Dallas goes in the late 5th round in SuperFlex rookie drafts. His current draft position in standard rookie drafts is the same. If he goes undrafted, be sure to pick him up.

Eno Benjamin

Eno Benjamin was a Day 2 pick for most people but it didn’t surprise me one bit to see him fall to Day 3. Eno was one of the last rookie RB to be taken in the 2020 NFL Draft. Benjamin won’t have to move very far as he will be playing pro ball only 26 miles away from where he played college ball. After a blockbuster trade to send David Johnson to Houston, Kenyan Drake stands atop of the RB group. Drake fits the Kingsbury scheme and will be a very good fantasy back in 2020. Eno fits in as a very tough reliable runner for Arizona.

Kingsbury tried to recruit Benjamin while Kliff was at Texas Tech, so this isn’t their first conversation. Drake will play on the transition tag in 2020, and if he plays well, I have no doubts that Arizona will pay him. However, if Drake goes down with an injury, Eno should be able to step right in and take over. I don’t think this will be much of a timeshare. More likely Eno will only see five carries a game. Benjamin is a worthy handcuff to own if you have the roster space. Benjamin goes in the 5th round in both SuperFlex and standard rookie drafts.

Here, check out my previous TE Rankings: 40-3130-2120-1110-1

Check out my Rookie Mock Draft 1.0 , 2.0 and Dynasty Rookie WR Rankings

Check out my Top 10 Dynasty RB & Top 10 Dynasty WR as well!

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