Featured Articles

Cam Akers is a devy-leaguer favorite, in part because he was highly coveted during college recruiting wars. He was the No. 1 running back prospect in 2017 despite being a dual-threat quarterback in high school. He proved deserving of his heavy recruiting and demonstrated phenom potential as a freshman at Florida State. His 18.2 Breakout Age is tied with Rico Dowdle for No. 1 in the 2020 NFL running back draft class.

Akers checks all the boxes of a future fantasy darling. He has prototypical NFL bell cow back size, elite speed and respectable burst. Plus, he was a blue chip prospect that produced in both the rushing and receiving games at the collegiate level. With draft capital and team fit as the only remaining mysteries on Akers’ pristine profile, he is locked in as a Top-5 overall player in PlayerProfiler’s Rookie Rankings.

From a physical performance standpoint, tape grinders gush at Saquon Barkley’s elusive footwork and unmatched ability to stop on a dime and spin away from defenders. Although this is what makes him great, dare I say generational, it’s also what bolsters the argument for potential re-injury. Every time he plants and spins, he’s forcibly cork-screwing his lower leg down into the turf, which is half of the recipe for a high ankle sprain.

The dagger in the heart when it comes to Evan Engram’s on-field performance and longevity is this most recent Lisfranc injury for which he had surgery. Preliminary data shows that despite an 83-percent return to play rate, Lisfranc injuries reduce offensive players’ on-field performance. Even if he doesn’t miss another one to two games with a concussion or another three to four games with yet another MCL sprain, there’s a chance he simply won’t return to full form when he’s on the field.

CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy did enough to maintain their draft stock at the combine. Michael Pittman had the most underrated combine performance.

Laviska Shenault was far from 100% at the NFL Scouting Combine. Hoping for more from Devin Duvernay and Brandon Aiyuk.

Say it with me, and say it like you mean it. DENZEL MIMS IS THE TRUTH. While Mims comps to a number of stud wide receivers, Chris Godwin is his closest comp and his best-case scenario. A full appreciation of Denzel Mims post-Combine also propels Michael Pittman, who was the second-most impressive wide receiver at this year’s Senior Bowl.

Film grinders perpetually overvalue tackle breaking and undervalue athleticism, and Zack Moss personifies this flawed evaluation process. Pass on this less-impressive David Montgomery in rookie drafts and insist on more upside.

Statistically speaking, Tyler Johnson is the most prolific wide receiver in the 2020 draft class. A 21-year-old senior from Minnesota, the 6-2, 206-pound Johnson brings a 57.2-percent (98th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) College Dominator Rating to the table. What separates his prospect profile from that of other past mega producers is his 19.0 (90th-percentile) Breakout Age.

Seemingly headed towards a Round 3-5 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Johnson’s ability to be an immediate fantasy producer is hindered. Though it’s important not to overrate draft capital, it remains a predictive indicator of a prospect’s chance at being awarded playing time. Should he land in a favorable situation tethered to an above-average quarterback, he makes for an appealing late-second round selection in dynasty rookie drafts.

What’s the best word to describe Henry Ruggs the NFL prospect? Enigmatic? Polarizing? Unicorn? Regardless, there’s a copious amount of buzz surrounding him after his performance at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. The obvious headline-stealing number was his 4.27 (100th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) 40-yard dash, which gave him a 110.0 (90th-percentile) Speed Score.

Ruggs’ rare speed and projected draft capital will keep him firmly planted among the top-five rookie receivers and makes him a lock to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. The quarterback-friendly abilities he’ll being to whichever team drafts him make it hard to find a bad landing spot. Whether it be the chalk in Philadelphia, the more recently-popular mock draft destination in Denver, or anywhere in between, he’ll fit into any offense.

Phillip Walker ($12,00) is still the unquestioned best fantasy passer, posting 29.5 points weekly. Week 4 was a season-low for him and he still topped 20 points. Walker leads the XFL in attempts (146), yards (987), and touchdowns (12). He’s a certainty each week, no matter his opponent or game-script. Injuries and slow reactions to changes in usage have kept enough value at other positions that Walker continues to be viable in cash.

Keenan Reynolds ($6,500) has been targeted 6.5 times per game through four weeks but targets mean nothing when they’re coming Brandon Silvers’ misguided arm. B.J.  Daniels may not be an elite passer but based on Silvers’ dismal performance, he would at least be a minor upgrade. His rushing would also help extend plays, allowing all of Seattle’s receivers to find some open space.

Why Buffalo should sign A.J. Green. Philip Rivers can help unlock Parris Campbell in year 2.

Why Denzel Mims is the Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk is the Hakeem Butler of this class.

XFL DFS might actually be solved already. Jamming in Phillip Walker ($12,00) seems to always be the right move. His 32.2 DraftKings points per game are more than ten points ahead of the next closest player. There’s enough value on the slate to pay up for him and his price will be prohibitive enough to keep some people from rostering him.

We’re three weeks into the XFL’s inaugural season. No running back has hit the century mark in a game on the ground and no back has three scores on the season. Lance Dunbar’s ($6,700) 7.7 targets per game are worth more than any traditional back’s carries.

The NFL Combine will be going Primetime for the first time ever. The new format will have the Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, and Quarterbacks taking the field Thursday night from 4-11 p.m. ET, and conclude with Safeties and Cornerbacks on Sunday afternoon after they run, jump, and workout for NFL GMs, coaches, and scouts.

Which running back will run his way into the Top 5 conversation going into the NFL Draft?