Fantasy football impact: NFL combine top performers
Cat Vasquez
cvasquez@statesman.com
It may not feel like it, but fantasy football season has started. Just because we're months away from the season kickoff doesn't mean we can't speculate on the impact of the rookie class about to join the fantasy talent pool.
That said, let's not get too crazy about the results of a single weekend of physical fitness tests. Need I remind you of the 4.22 40-yard dash time of John Ross last year? Ross scored negative fantasy points last season.
Lamar Jackson didn't run or jump at the combine for a reason. He wants to be a quarterback in the NFL and made that known by only throwing at the combine. Jackson had a few nice throws dropping it in the bucket, but his body of work shows he's a bit erratic through the air. Sam Darnold didn't throw, but that shouldn't hurt him too much. Josh Allen of Wyoming and Baker Mayfield looked sharp and impressive. Allen looks like a Wentz-like talent. Quinton Flowers, out of South Florida, ran a 4.64 and could end up playing another position.
Saquon Barkley was as good as advertised at the combine, recording the second-fastest time in the 40-yard dash at 4.40. He also had the best vertical at 41 inches and tied Georgia's Nick Chubb for most reps in the bench press at 29. It's clear Barkley will be the top back taken, but where he goes will be huge in determining if you draft him for your fantasy team. Recency bias has a lot of fantasy owners eager to take the hyped up rookie running back. The successes of Ezekiel Elliott, Jordan Howard, Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt have owners thinking rookie rushers can be big scorers. This is true, but the situation has to be right.
The fastest running back at the combine was Nyheim Hines out of N.C. State, who ran a 4.38. His size is a detriment to his fantasy value. Hines has been described as a poor man's Alvin Kamara. Don't get too excited, though. He's not Kamara, but he can see similar usage.
Chubb, who put up 29 reps in the bench alongside Barkley, is the kind of prospect that can go undrafted in your fantasy league. He's a solid back, but doesn't knock you out in any one area. Chubb would definitely have to drafted in a good situation in order to carry a decent amount of fantasy value.
Texas fans will recognize the second-best bench press performer, Chris Warren III. He decided to transfer after the 2017 season, but re-routed to enter the draft. Warren's strength is what got him noticed at Texas, but the staff underutilized him. He's the type of runner that can wear down defenses. Warren comes with question marks, but the talent is there. A shrewd offensive guru would find a way to use him well.
Bo Scarborough had the best broad jump at the combine at 129 inches. He looks a lot like Derrick Henry and if he finds a good landing spot he could outshine his predecessor. Scarborough won't play on third down, but if he ends up in an offense that utilizes more run than pass, he could have some fantasy relevance.
Calvin Ridley looked great during catching drills, which isn't a surprise since he's a first-round prospect. He'll be expected to contribute early, but you'll have to make sure he's put in a good situation with a solid quarterback.
D.J. Moore is projected to be a second round pick and looks like a good fit to play in the slot. He ran a 4.42 in the 40 and had the second-best vertical among wideouts. Moore also had the top broad jump among receivers and has the tools to contribute early.
D.J. Chark's 4.34 could send signals to teams that he's a play maker. The LSU receiver was the fastest wide receiver in the 40 at the combine. Receivers out of LSU tend to get better in the NFL when they have better quarterback play. See: Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. We'll see if that happens for the speedy Chark.
Christian Kirk out of Texas A&M could turn out to be a nice flex play before next season is over. He'll need to find a good fit, given that he'll most likely contribute as a slot receiver. If he enters a situation where he's the third option, he could end up having a productive year, winning against teams' lesser defenders.
James Washington ran just a 4.54 in the 40, but he impressed during catching drills. He's projected as a second-rounder and could possibly be a fantasy flex option if he ends up in a good spot as a team's No. 2 receiver.
Another receiving prospect who ran a 4.54 was Courtland Sutton out of SMU. The difference between Washington and Sutton is size. Sutton stands at 6 foot, 3 inches and in the right situation he could be a nice red zone target.
Deon Cain ran a 4.43 and has been compared to Kenny Stills. Where Stills has shown to be a semi-reliable WR2 or flex option, Cain could end up even better. The 6 foot, 2-inch receiver does a lot of things well and could start right away wherever he ends up.
Antonio Callaway is an interesting prospect. He may surprise if he gets his head screwed on straight. Callaway was suspended all of last season due to off the field issues. He ran a 4.41 at the combine so he definitely has the speed to be a game-breaker. Callaway is a good name to know for when you're looking on the waiver wire if he ends up on an NFL roster.
Another project is Robert Foster out of Alabama. He has all the measure-ables you look for, but wait and see if he can develop before hitching your wagon to this receiver.
Mike Gesicki out of Penn State had great day in non-catching drills. He was tops at the position in the shuttle and cone drills. He also had the fastest 40, the best broad jump and vertical at the position. His catching drills were a bit disappointing, however. That could just be the result of a bad day. He's got the skills to contribute, but he has to be on the field early.
It's important to note that tight ends hardly ever contribute early as rookies in fantasy football. Evan Engram's TE1 finish last season was more of an exception, not the rule.
That said, another name to note is Hayden Hurst. He's older than most other rookies will be, after he took a run at a baseball career. Hurst is well-rounded and sure-handed. Guys like that tend to make an impact for a while.
Another tight end who is more of a pass-catcher is Mark Andrews out of Oklahoma. He's 6'5″ and can play like a receiver. While he isn't well-rounded, he can be productive if put in the right situation.