next phase of our NFL365 coverage. During the offseason, we will be bringing subscribers dynasty rankings, rookie prospect profiles and NFL Draft analysis. I will be kicking off our NFL365 draft coverage by introducing four prospects in the NFL Draft that I am partial to and will likely have Fantasy relevancy as soon as they are selected in both redraft and dynasty leagues.
Devin Singletary, Running Back, Florida Atlantic University
Singletary (pictured above) will not be the highest drafted running back in this class but he really fits the mold of a productive college runner who will go on to be a serviceable NFL running back. He is a shorter running back, standing only 5-7 but he was very good at FAU. He ran for 66 touchdowns in his three seasons and averaged six yards per carry on 714 attempts. A fairly large negative in his profile is that he caught only six passes his final season at FAU and generally, NFL teams want running backs who are capable of being successful rushers and pass-catchers at the next level. If Singletary tests well at the combine, I expect that he will be a third round pick; he is the type of quick, powerful runner that essentially needs no adjustment time to the NFL. He could help a team like the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the New York Jets
Kyler Murray, Quarterback, Oklahoma University
If Kyler Murray was two inches taller or hadn’t already been drafted by the Oakland Athletics to play baseball, there would likely be no question that he would be a Top Five selection in the NFL draft. Murray started eight games as a freshman at Texas A&M before transferring to Oklahoma and serving as Baker Mayfield’s backup before starting in 2018 and winning the Heisman Trophy. He listed at 5-10 but some scouts do think it is possible that he is a bit shorter than that. If he is closer to 5-8 then there are legit concerns about his ability to be a quarterback at the NFL level. It takes a truly transcendent talent like Russell Wilson or Drew Brees to excel as a short quarterback. Murray averaged 13 Yards Per Adjusted Attempt in his final season at OU to go along with 1,001 rushing yards and 54 total touchdowns despite sitting in several blowout victories. There are going to be plenty of varying opinions about Murray but as draft season starts, he is my QB1 of this class and I sincerely hope he doesn’t go to the New York Giants to fix their QB problem.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Wide Receiver, Stanford University
One of the most interesting wide receiver prospects of this entire class is Arcega-Whiteside. He plays wide receiver almost like a power forward, which fits in with Stanford’s power running game. He had only 63 receptions in his final college season but turned 14 of those into touchdowns. Arecega-Whiteside had almost 50% of his team’s total receiving touchdowns and averaged almost 15 yards per reception. From an analytics perspective, it really does not get more pure than his profile. Players that profile like Arcega-Whiteside, with great production in their final season to go with more than adequate size generally go on to be starters in the NFL. If he tests well in long and short area speed at the combine, he has a chance to be a Top Three wide receiver in this class.
T.J Hockenson, Tight End, Iowa University
One of the most common refrains that you will hear while indulging in NFL Draft content this offseason is that the tight end position is absolutely stacked. That analysis is certainly correct and it is aided by T.J Hockenson’s decision to leave Iowa for the NFL. Hockenson’s teammate Noah Fant is also a highly rated draft prospect and will likely be selected before Hockenson. However, Hockenson had better stats than Fant did their final year at Iowa, posting a 49-760-6 line, compared to Fant’s 39-518-7. Hockenson has ideal NFL tight end size, standing 6-5 and weighing 250 pounds. All scouting reports indicate that he is an elite run and pass blocker, almost like having a third tackle out on the field on offense. I am generally of the opinion that finding a player like Hockenson who can translate to the next level in the NFL is one of the few true advantages an offense can find in the draft. He will be extremely high on my draft board in April.
Featured Image:Bobak Ha’Eri
