Fantasy: Which Day 3 picks will make the biggest impact?
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theScore's Justin Boone breaks down the most important fantasy-relevant offensive selections from Rounds 4-7 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Fantasy analysis
- Ranking the top rookie RBs
- Round 1 analysis and projections
- Updated depth charts with rookies
- Fantasy podcast: Round 1 reaction
Star potential: a...a...a...a...a
James Conner's proven he can produce at a high level, but injuries have limited his availability and - at times - his effectiveness. So, prior to the draft, the Steelers were open about their plan to bring in competition at running back.
They waited until the fourth round before selecting McFarland Jr., who stood out in college thanks to an extra gear that sees him run with violence and scrap for every yard. He identifies defenses well and has the agility to change directions while maintaining his speed around the line of scrimmage. The 22-year-old is also very comfortable as a receiver out of the backfield and is dangerous when he gets some room to operate.
The rookie makes for an excellent complementary option and has three-down ability to possibly take over if Conner ends up injured again or if the Steelers let him walk when his contract ends after this season. McFarland Jr. will be high on my list of backup RBs with upside to target late in redraft leagues and warrants consideration as early as the second round in dynasty rookie drafts.
Stock Up: Anthony McFarland Jr.
Stock Down: Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snells Jr.
Star potential: a...a...a...a...a
The Jets have very little depth behind Le'Veon Bell, so Perine fills an immediate need and gives the team a legitimate No. 2 rusher behind its high-priced star.
Perine was destined to be one of my favorite Day 3 picks since he reminds me so much of a more physical Lamar Miller. You might not think much of Miller, but he had five straight seasons with at least 1,100 yards from scrimmage prior to missing 2019 due to injury. Perine has a similar skill set as a straight-line runner and decent pass-catcher who makes the most of his slightly above-average skills.
He's now a Bell injury away from becoming a real-life and fantasy starter. It's also worth noting that Bell wasn't nearly as productive in his first year with the Jets. Though his receiving stats remained intact, he was held to 789 rushing yards with just four total touchdowns and a 3.2 yards per carry average - more than a yard below what he averaged during five seasons with the Steelers. Some of that can be blamed on a weak offensive line, which the team has attempted to address this offseason. However, it's safe to wonder if we've already seen the best of Bell as he enters his age-28 season.
You should be looking to roster Perine as another lottery-ticket backup RB in redrafts and someone with sneaky dynasty upside as a third-round rookie pick.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Trenton Cannon, Josh Adams, Kenneth Dixon
Star potential: a...a...a...aa
Austin Ekeler silenced all his doubters early last season when he produced RB1 numbers with Melvin Gordon holding out. Now that Gordon's in Denver, Ekeler has the lead role all to himself, but you still shouldn't expect a bell cow-type workload for him. The Chargers will almost certainly keep another ball carrier involved, whether it's Justin Jackson or their latest rookie addition.
At 5-foot-11 and 212 pounds, Kelley has a more prototypical running back frame than either Ekeler (5-foot-10, 200 pounds) or Jackson (6-feet, 199 pounds). He's a no-nonsense north-south runner with decent speed who performed well with the limited pass-catching opportunities he received at UCLA. A bad offensive line hindered his production and he wasn't able to create much on his own, making his future as a pro difficult to determine.
If Kelley wrestles the primary backup spot away from Jackson, he'll have a clear path to early touches and perhaps flex value. He's just unlikely to ever emerge as the top back in an NFL offense.
Stock Up: Joshua Kelley
Stock Down: Justin Jackson
Star potential: a...a...a...aa
A quick look at the Seahawks' RB depth chart would lead you to believe Dallas isn't fantasy relevant - he's trapped behind Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. However, injuries to both backs make this situation more interesting.
Penny suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 and Carson fractured his hip in the finale, leaving their availability unknown for the start of the season.
Dallas came across as more of a developmental prospect after making the transition from quarterback and receiver to running back. But there's plenty of room for him to grow. He runs hard and invites contact; we'll need to see if he can learn the nuances of the position.
While he'll likely be given a chance to contribute on special teams early on, it's possible Dallas gets thrown into the mix sooner than expected on offense if Carson and Penny aren't back to full health by September.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Travis Homer
Star potential: a...a...a...aa
Everyone will be excited about a rookie receiver joining the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers, but Johnson joins a team that already features Chris Godwin and Mike Evans at receiver - it'll be an uphill battle for playing time and targets.
His skill set is also a bit redundant in this offense as a possession-style slot receiver with a basketball background. He has reliable hands, but lacks the speed this offense needs to stretch the field. There should also be serious doubts about his ability to create separation at the next level.
Johnson's a nice depth piece who could work into four-receiver sets, but will need a wave of injuries to hit before he enters the fantasy conversation.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Justin Watson
Star potential: a...a...a...aa
The Redskins are an intriguing landing spot for a late-round receiver thanks to an unsettled depth chart behind Terry McLaurin. Washington's quarterback play is still a work in progress, but targets are up for grabs if Gandy-Golden can beat out last year's sixth-round pick Kelvin Harmon on the outside.
Gandy-Golden - 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds - was a three-year producer while playing at a smaller school. How much of his production was due to lower level of competition is hard to gauge, and his uneven performance at the Senior Bowl didn't provide much clarity. What we do know: Gandy-Golden has outstanding hands mixed with great ball skills. When you combine that with his size, you have an alluring talent. My biggest knock on him was that he didn't have the "my ball" mentality you want from a top receiver, and that's not something you can normally teach.
Even with opportunity in Washington, we're still a long way from investing in Gandy-Golden in redraft leagues. He's a player to put on your watch list for the preseason and an upside option in the third round of dynasty rookie drafts.
Stock Up: Dwayne Haskins
Stock Down: Kelvin Harmon
Star potential: a...a...a...aa
Eason is a project quarterback with an outstanding arm who landed in an ideal situation - he can spend a season or two learning behind Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett.
Hopefully that'll be enough time to correct some of the flaws in his game. Despite his throwing power, Eason is slow to progress through his reads. His default setting is to play it safe, which leads to far too many sacks. He also struggles under pressure and doesn't extend plays outside the pocket, so fantasy owners should view him as a long shot to reach starter status.
I'm mentioning him here because the Colts can provide him with excellent coaching, quality mentors, outstanding blocking, and plenty of incubation time. If he's going to reach his full potential, Indy is the place he can do it.
Stock Up: Jacob Eason
Stock Down: Chad Kelly
- Joe Reed, WR, Chargers (151st)
- Quintez Cephus, WR, Lions (166th)
- Eno Benjamin, RB, Cardinals (222nd)
- Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Broncos (118th)
- Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears (173rd)
- Gabriel Davis, WR, Bills (128th)
- Collin Johnson, WR, Jaguars (165th)
- Jake Luton, QB, Jaguars (189th)
Fantasy analysis
- Ranking the top rookie RBs
- Round 1 analysis and projections
- Updated depth charts with rookies
- Fantasy podcast: Round 1 reaction
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