Fantasy football player analysis tips and advice – Page 2

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

Polk worked his way up to starting in the 2023 National Championship

Ja’Lynn Polk committed to Texas Tech as a freshman but was just a part of a revolving committee for wide receivers and transferred to Washington the next year. He injured his clavicle on his first play and missed nine games, while Rome Odunze (41-415-3) and Jalen McMillen (39-470-3) were the top receivers.

In 2022, Michael Penix Jr. took over as the starting quarterback and the Husky passing offense instantly flourished. While both Odunze and McMillen were still the top receivers, Polk started to exert his potential with 41 catches for 694 yards and six scores.

Polk finally came into his own as a senior, logging 69 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. That was still second to Odunze (92-1,640-13), but Polk overtook McMillen as the No. 2 receiver in Washington’s high-powered passing offense that reached the National Championship.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 203 pounds
40 time: 4.52 seconds

Along with the rest of the Huskies’ passing offense, Polk enters the NFL draft and is expected to be a Day 2 selection.

Table: Ja’Lynn Polk NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Rush	Yards	TD
2020	Texas Tech	10	28	264	9.4	2	0	0	0
2021	Washington	3	5	114	22.8	1	0	0	0
2022	Washington	13	41	694	16.9	6	1	15	0
2023	Washington	15	69	1159	16.8	9	4	32	1

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Versatile and equally effective in the slot or on the outside.
Big-play receiver with a 17.1 YPC on his 115 catches with the Huskies
Large catch radius along with top ball-tracking skills
Precise route runner who consistently tacks on extra yards after the catch
While slender in build, has the strength and size to compete for the ball and superior hands that will not drop or fumble

Cons

Occasional lapses in concentration
Needs more experience in expanding route tree and competing against press coverage after playing as one of several talented receivers in a pass-heavy offense
Marginal blocker

Fantasy Outlook

Polk is a natural receiver that has responded well when given a higher volume of targets. He can fit into any offense in any receiving role, and while he may not be truly elite in any single area so far, he’s very good in everything and has no real weaknesses. If he lands in a pass-heavy offense, he is at his best when facing man coverage.

He’s big enough to be a red-zone weapon, fast and strong enough to do damage from anywhere on the field. A lack of top-end speed may limit him from being a common deep threat but Polk is a solid target with burst and strength.

He’s like a Round 2 selection which means he’ll end up with a team looking to add him immediately into the receiving equation. He’s potentially linked to the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and New England Patriots. If the Cards skip on taking Marvin Harrison Jr. with their first-round pick, Polk is a likely option and would land him in an offense with an above-average quarterback.

Polk may never be a Top-10 fantasy wideout, but he brings plenty of talent and upside to any NFL team and should become a fantasy starter if only eventually.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Emani Bailey, TCU

Emani Bailey cashes in his fine senior season in search of an NFL job

After a sterling career at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, Emani Bailey signed with the University of Louisiana where he was never more than the No. 3 running back for two seasons. Bailey transferred to TCU as a junior but played behind Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado that year. He finally had his shot as the primary back in 2023, when he led the team with 1,393 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns.

He projects as a Day 3 selection in the draft due mostly from his smaller stature, lack of experience, and a slower 40-yard dash time.

Height: 5-7
Weight: 202 pounds
40 time: 4.61 seconds

Table: Emani Bailey NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2020	Louisiana	5	10	60	6.0	0	0	0	0
2021	Louisiana	11	102	642	6.3	8	15	153	0
2022	TCU	14	31	250	8.1	2	7	43	0
2023	TCU	12	223	1209	5.4	8	25	184	1

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Decisive North-South rusher that always falls forward
Tough competitor
Patient runner that waits for his blockers and the vision to see the cutback lanes and then find the clear space for big gains
Excellent burst that translates into being able to navigate traffic and break into the open
Elusive with superior footwork and acceleration
Minor experience in receiving but has always been sure-handed with sharp routes
Plays faster than his 40-time thanks to burst and top-end gear

Cons

Pass protection needs improvement
Will run wide looking for big play and give up the shorter but certain yards inside
Smaller size will challenge even more on inside runs in the NFL
Lack of long speed will be more apparent in the NFL

Fantasy outlook

Emani Bailey only produced one notable season in college and that took four years and two schools to get there. But he was a tough, competitive runner that could slice his way through the Big 12 as the best weapon for TCU last season. But his 40-time at the NFL Combine was a 4.61 for the fourth best time among running backs and each of the slower runners carried 15 to 20 more pounds.

History has not been kind to 5-7 running backs either.

Bailey had many impressive runs last year and he has a place in the NFL as a depth player or in a committee, but he’ll need to show up with impressive plays in the preseason to expect much 2023 fantasy value. As with many of the deeper drafted players, his production will rely heavily in the backfield situation that he lands and some luck in having the depth chart shaken up enough by injuries to allow Bailey the opportunity to produce as a rookie.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: TE Cade Stover, Ohio State

Stover is a high-upside choice for teams employing a West Coast offense.

Ohio State tight end Cade Stover heads into the 2024 NFL Draft as one of the more fascinating players at this rather thin position after converting from the other side of the ball. He was a high school basketball star, too, and some of those traits can be found in how he attacks the rock in contested coverage.

Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 247 pounds
40 time: 4.65 seconds

A former linebacker who was moved to defensive end before a conversion to tight end as a Buckeye, Stover is still learning the nuances, so his best football may be yet to come. He made the full-time switch to his current position in 2022 and blossomed, going for five scores over 36 grabs. As a redshirt senior, Stover set personal bests in receptions and yardage while appearing in a dozen contests.

Table: TE Cade Stover, Ohio State (2019-23)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
*2019	Ohio State	Fr	1	0	0	—	0
*2020	Ohio State	rFr	2	0	0	—	0
*2021	Ohio State	rSo	13	5	76	15.2	0
*2022	Ohio State	rJr	13	36	406	11.3	5
*2023	Ohio State	rSr	12	41	576	14.0	5
Total			41	82	1,058	12.9	10

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)

Pros

Natural hands catcher who is reliable during key situations and in contested situations
Can exploit linebackers in man coverage on wheel routes and has a good feel for exploiting soft spots against zone
Extremely versatile with room to grow — played tight end full time for only a couple of years
Makes late adjustments to uncover and create just enough separation to matter
Three-level receiving outlet — can catch TE screens and rumble, work the intermediate field, or down the seam
More of a slot option over being an inline blocker but has the potential to develop into a more well-rounded option
Exceptional work ethic and dedication — blue-collar farmer who understands what it takes to get a job done
Physicality to go through defenders and elusive enough to get around them
Has upside to grow into a three-down TE
Does a fine job at selling blocks prior to releasing into space

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Cons

Has a long way to go before becoming a complete tight end, especially as a blocker
While we’ve seen him operate across all three levels of the route tree, his route diversity lacks experience
Career longevity? Turns 24 in June and may need several seasons to fully mature as a player
Undeniably benefited from the attention paid to slowing Marvin Harrison Jr. — not his fault, but it may not give a true representation of his ultimate potential if he enters a less potent passing attack

Fantasy football outlook

Ideally chosen by a team using a West Coast offense, Stover’s landing spot will drive his short-term fantasy worth more than most of the top tight ends in this class. He has legit TE1 potential by Year 3 in the right setting. The problem is he may not be a long-term solution for dynasty leaguers given his age and continued onfield maturation requirements.

In 2024, it’s unlikely gamers find a great deal of utility from him, regardless of where Stover calls home. We’ll revisit this one after his drafting, because he has enough raw talent as a receiver that there’s a slim chance someone invests the kind of selection to ensure Stover will have a Day 1 starting gig.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Jalen McMillan, Washington

Jalen McMillan is a slot-receiver searching for a team

Jalen McMillan only managed a single catch as a freshman but began to work his way into the receiver rotation as a sophomore when his 470 receiving yards led the Huskies, including the 415 yards by fellow second-year player Rome Odunze who is expected to become one of the first wideouts selected this year. McMillan is more likely to be a late Day 2 pick.

McMillan operated more as a slot receiver in college while Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk handled the outside roles. McMillan peaked in 2022 with 1,098 yards and nine scores when quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took over. Odunze also saw a marked increase, heading the team with 1,145 yards.

As a senior, Penix blew up with 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, but those primarily went to Polk (69-1159-9) and Odunze (92-1640-13), while McMillan dropped to 45 catches for 559 yards and five scores. He was limited to only seven games due to a knee injury in Week 4.

All three wide receivers – Odunze, Polk, and McMillan declared for the NFL draft, along with quarterback Penix.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 197 pounds
40 time: 4.47 seconds

Table: Jalen McMillan NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Rush	Yards	TD
2020	Washington	3	1	16	16.0	0	2	14	0
2021	Washington	11	39	470	12.1	3	0	0	0
2022	Washington	13	79	1098	13.9	9	1	2	0
2023	Washington	7	45	559	12.4	5	3	30	1

Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Speed and burst are exceptional; nice fit into a vertical scheme
Strong and reliable hands meet the ball away from the body and almost never drop the catch
Polished route running with great speed control that adjusts to the pass, at his best with in-breaking routes
Understands how to influence defenders and create separation
Valuable deep threat thanks to his burst and top-end speed
Agility and fluidity makes him dangerous when in the open
Deadly receiver over the middle – gets open, catches in traffic and doesn’t let the ball get away from him
Tough and dedicated with solid instincts

Cons

Slender build and history poses durability concerns
Lack of physical bulk and strength impacts yards-after-catch when inside congested areas
Lacks elite balance and often tackled on first contact with defender
Likely limited to the slot in the NFL

Fantasy outlook

McMillan does offer a lot to an NFL team, even if it falls short of elite difference-making. He had the benefit of playing at Washington with a great quarterback who also benefitted his two fellow Husky receivers, who are both projected to be selected ahead of McMillan.

He’ll almost certainly be a slot receiver in the NFL and with that no better than their No. 2 receiver, if not their No. 3. But he has a valuable role to play on any team, and likely going in the third round, will be available to any team looking for a technician that can run precise routes and help create holes where the quarterback is throwing.

That means he’ll likely fall short of reliable fantasy value as a rookie but could show up as a starter in the right situation. He won’t be the No. 1 guy for an NFL team or a difference-maker in fantasy football, but he has solid NFL value as a piece of a larger passing puzzle.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

One word best defines Wright’s game: explosive.

A three-star prep footballer and sprinter, Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright enters the NFL after three promising seasons.

He finished his FBS career with a hearty 7.4 yards-per-carry average and an increased role as a receiving outlet, but Wright’s scoring rate drastically plummeted. It’s not entirely his fault as the Air Raid design saw Wright take every single one of his 137 carries from shotgun formation. Wright’s 1,154 offensive yards ranked eighth in the SEC last year, and his 10 ground scores as a sophomore finished fourth in the conference the prior season.

Height: 5-foot-10 1/2
Weight: 210 pounds
40 time: 4.38 seconds

To bolster a strong junior year, he is coming off a showing at the NFL Scouting Combine that only confirmed his elite athleticism. Wright posted a ridiculous 11-foot-2 broad jump to go along with a blistering 40-yard time and a 38 1/2-inch vertical. The 15.18 mph speed at the 5-yard mark of his 40 was the fastest burst among all backs at the combine over the past two events, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Table: RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee (2021-23)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds
*2021	Tenn	Fr	9	85	409	4.8	4	6	22
*2022	Tenn	So	13	146	875	6.0	10	2	8
*2023	Tenn	Jr	12	137	1,013	7.4	4	22	141
Total			34	368	2,297	6.2	18	30	171

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)

Pros

Elite explosiveness and breakaway ability — his short-area burst jumps off the screen, and Wright has a second year in the open field
Quality contact balance and the ability go through in addition to around defenders
Hardly any mileage on his odometer and enters the NFL after freshly turning 21 years old — plenty of upside for growth and years of starting-level contributions
Drastically improved his ball security after four fumbles in 2022 — only one lost ball this past season while setting a personal high in touches (159)
Can’t teach Wright’s patience and feel for the play unfolding
Despite being known for his big plays, he’s a capable banger up the gut and has been effective in this way
Better receiver than the stats suggest — natural receiver and looked smooth during an increased aerial role in 2023

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Cons

Limited experience in diverse rushing designs after playing in an Air Raid system — so many runs out of shotgun inherently results in facing thin defensive fronts
Far too many fumbles per touch in 2022 — as mentioned above, he cleaned up his act in 2023 but it’s worth keeping an eye on
Not adept at stacking moves and isn’t all that loose in the hips — more of a one-cut-and-go type
Could refine his technique and identification in pass protection
Mostly inexperienced as a route runner

Fantasy football outlook

An absolute nightmare if he gets into the secondary, Wright excels in a zone attack, particularly on stretch plays. He has three-down potential at the next level but may be eased into that kind of role as the lightning in a one-two punch. An interesting landing spot would have been Washington to pair him with new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in partnership with a bulldozing Brian Robinson Jr., but the Austin Ekeler signing throws that out the window. Drafting Wright makes sense for Denver, Baltimore, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minnesota, New York Giants, and the Los Angeles Chargers, among others.

All of his positives point toward a Day 2 selection in April’s 2024 NFL Draft. Regardless of where Wright ends up, his long-range outlook tops out as a fringe RB1 or strong No. 2 in fantasy, and his floor is somewhere in the short-term utility neighborhood. Should he get a chance to immediately challenge for a starting spot, there’s legit RB3 or better value in 2024 fantasy drafts.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: QB Michael Pratt, Tulane

Tulane’s Michal Pratt enters the NFL draft

Michael Pratt became a freshman starter at Tulane after three games that season and remained there for the next three years. He enters the draft as one of the most experienced quarterbacks. Pratt was relatively durable, missing only a couple of games because of a sprained knee to start the 2023 season. He played in 11 games but never appeared totally healthy, even though he led them to the AAC Championship game for the second straight season.

Pratt ended his time with Tulane as their all-time passing leader and opted out of their bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. He’s improved during his four years as a starter. But he’s also entering the NFL draft in a year considered to have a very strong quarterback class. Pratt is expected to hear his name called on Day 3 when teams want to add to their depth.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.65 seconds

Table: Michael Pratt NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	TD	Pass	Complete	Yards	Avg.	TD	Int
2020	Tulane	10	115	229	8	254	140	1806	12.9	20	8
2021	Tulane	12	105	154	5	329	190	2390	12.6	21	8
2022	Tulane	13	129	478	10	338	215	3009	14.0	27	5
2023	Tulane	11	98	286	5	283	185	2406	13.0	22	5

Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Solid build for a pocket passer
Capable scorer at the goal line with 28 rushing touchdowns at Tulane
Superior mechanics when he throws, even when passing off-platform
Quick feet and solid balance makes him hard to sack
Adequate arm strength to hit all short, intermediate and sideline passes
Tough player and highly competitive – was unquestioned team leader for the last three years.

Cons

Some inaccuracy on deeper throws and outside of the numbers
Lacks elite arm strength
Plenty of rushes in college, but lacks the quickness and change-of-direction to be a true dual threat
Intelligent, but played in an offense that wasn’t that sophisticated or required him to make rapid, high-level decisions so he’ll face more complexity in the NFL
Tended to hold onto the ball too long and needs work on knowing when to get rid of the ball

Fantasy outlook

Pratts is only expected to be an NFL backup and while he’s been good in almost all areas, he hasn’t been elite in any of them. But he’s been solid at Tulane playing within their system, and he could continue to improve in the NFL.

His best quality is that he can step in and help an NFL team, and as a deeply drafted quarterback, he’ll come at a very low price. He’ll remain well outside of immediate fantasy value, and will need to continue to grow and land in the right spot for his future to become brighter.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Corley has all of the tools to develop into a strong NFL contributor.

Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley is an intriguing prospect who will have little trouble finding interested NFL franchises, and his style of play means he’ll have a spot in the fantasy football conversation perhaps as early as Week 1 of his rookie season.

A two-way star in prep football, Corley played cornerback with physicality but opted to move full time to wide receiver at Western Kentucky. The senior heads to the NFL as one of the most dangerous yards-after-catch weapons in the draft class. He’s somewhat raw in the precision areas of the game, which presents room for growth, and you can’t teach his athletic prowess.

Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 215 pounds
40 time: 4.46 seconds

Corley was highly productive at WKU, going for a touchdown every 8.2 catches the past two seasons combined. He has untapped potential as a rusher and even as a special teams returner. Corley’s body of work, physical tools, and remaining unrealized ceiling should find him a home as early as the late second round, though the third stanza seems to be a more likely landing spot.

Table: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky (2020-23)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds
*2020	W. Kentucky	Fr	9	6	65	10.8	0	0	0
*2021	W. Kentucky	So	14	73	691	9.5	7	1	-6
*2022	W. Kentucky	Jr	14	101	1,295	12.8	11	11	87
*2023	W. Kentucky	Sr	12	79	984	12.5	11	4	11
Total			49	259	3,035	11.7	29	16	92

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)

Pros

Powerfully built bowling ball in the open field who can run through arm tackles and create yardage for himself after the catch
Quality hands with late deployment to help keep defenders at bay
Having played cornerback at a high level helps him diagnose coverages presnap
Dangerous chain-moving outlet in short- and intermediate-area passing zones — at his best when schemed into touches around the line of scrimmages, allowing him to pick his way through blockers
Has the potential to be utilized as a gadget-play runner and even a special teams return man
Impressively productive in college and a prolific scorer in recent seasons — has shown the ability to put a passing game on his back
Not a bad route runner even though his experience isn’t where NFL coaches would like it to be after four years of college ball
Functionally solid blocker

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Cons

Punishing style opens him up to increased injury risk and, potentially, a shorter career
Too many concentration drops on tape, especially in congestion, despite being overall a quality pass catcher
Limited system fit and needs manufactured touches to be at his best, which can take the wrong style of offense out of rhythm
Needs to further develop his route tree
One could argue his production came vs. lesser competition

Fantasy football outlook

What happens if he doesn’t actually continue to grow as a traditional downfield weapon? Corley’s long-term outlook is exceptionally difficult to project from that aspect alone. Should he never develop into more than a quick-hit target who weaves through traffic, he won’t ascend to a WR1 in fantasy. Defenses will figure him out in a hurry and game plan against him, driving his efficiency down and eventually leading to his offensive coordinator to get away from him.

That’s not to say won’t have a role in such a scenario, but think Laviska Shenault as a floor if Corley cannot grow his game.

With all of that laid out, the near-term outlook is remarkably favorable if Corley lands in a favorable system, ideally a creative West Coast offshoot. Think of someone like Deebo Samuel, for example. While it’s not a perfect comparison from a player-to-player perspective, picture how he can catch five or six short passes, rack up 80 or so yards, and quickly post WR2 numbers in PPR — even if he doesn’t score a TD. Then tack on the potential for a handful of rushing attempts and he threatens WR1 placement any given week.

That would be the best-case outlook for Corley’s early career. Samuel has diversified his route tree and can attack from anywhere on the field. That’s the hopeful path for Corley. Provided he can become more well-rounded, expect a No. 1 ceiling to be within reach.

The third possible outcome — and least likely of the scenarios — is he could get moved to running back at some point in his career, much like Cordarrelle Patterson, which wouldn’t be the end of the world.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

Ainias Smith brings a versatile and dangerous set of skills to the NFL

Ainias Smith committed to Texas A&M after filling many roles at high school in Sugar Land, Texas. He was used equally as a running back and wide receiver, plus returned kicks and punts and even threw 27 passes along the way. He also played some free safety and cornerback as one of those talented players that prompt coaches into saying, “how else can we use this guy?”

Smith played minimally as a freshman while playing in a dual role. In 2020, he was officially switched to being a running back where he was given five to ten carries in most games, along with three to five receptions. His 43 receptions, even as a running back, led the Aggies.

He switched back to being primarily a wideout as a junior when his 47 catches again paced the team. He then fractured his right leg after five games in 2022 and missed the rest of the season. He accounted for more than a quarter of the Aggies total offense at the time he was injured.

The fifth-year senior again led the team in receiving last year but was limited to only five carries. He wrapped up his career as a versatile weapon for the Aggies while playing through injuries and contending with inconsistent play from their quarterbacks.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 190 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds estimated

Smith’s measurements at the NFL Combine saw him even smaller than the Aggies had stated. He weighed in ten pounds less at 190 and was only 5-9. He was also diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left shin and held himself out of all of the drills. He is expected to be a Day 3 selection.

Table: Ainias Smith NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Rush	Yards	TD
2019	Texas A&M	12	22	248	11.3	3	7	54	0
2020	Texas A&M	10	43	564	13.1	6	49	293	4
2021	Texas A&M	12	47	509	10.8	6	8	26	0
2022	Texas A&M	4	15	291	19.4	2	3	11	0
2023	Texas A&M	12	53	75	15.0	2	5	21	0

Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Versatile play-maker for the Aggies who can fit into an NFL offense looking for a special weapon. Very coachable and can do anything.
Excellent vision in open field – homerun ability when he has the ball.
Diverse talent set allow him to contribute in many ways. Can run, receive, and return. Likely will be an immediate return man.
Adequate pass protection and willing run blocker who is better than most his size.
Shifty and elusive. Superior start-stop ability aids yards after catch.

Cons

Seemed to lose top-end acceleration after his broken leg in 2022, but hopes that he’s completely recovered for 2024. Stress fracture at the combine doesn’t help.
Smaller size and injury history prompts durability concerns.
Small catch radius
Quicker than fast
Lacks the size and strength to land contested catches

Fantasy outlook

The rookie prospects for Ainias Smith are limited. He’s a player that will have much more NFL value for his team than reliable fantasy value. As with most players that enter the NFL with a diverse set of skills, Smith may not fit into a specific role enough for the volume needed to matter in fantasy.

Smith is worth tracking and is likely a Day 3 pick, so he could land anywhere. Until his role is clear and proven on his new team, he’ll be hard pressed to show up much as a rookie, though his ability to return kicks and punts could make him much more valuable.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jase McClellan, Alabama

Jase McClellan led the Alabama backfield last year.

Jase McClellan spent all four seasons with the Crimson Tide, trying to break through the well-stocked backfield. As a freshman, he was behind Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.. He gained steam to start his junior season with Harris gone and Robinson sharing the load but tore his ACL after five games.

When he returned for his junior season, he was second only to Jahmyr Gibbs and ended that year on a higher note with a string of 12+ carry games including 156 yards and two scores against Austin Peay. He finally led the backfield as a senior in 2023 when he ran for 890 yards and gained 137 yards as a receiver. He was still a part of a committee with his 180 rushes, along with Roydell Williams (111). Quarterback Jalen Milroe also ran the ball 161 times.

Height: 5-10
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds

McClellan didn’t do anything to set himself apart in the NFL Combine and declined running the 40-yard dash where he was expected to turn in a 4.5-ish timing. He’s the right size for the position and carries the cachet of being from Alabama, but is expected to be picked up in the final rounds of the NFL draft by a team seeking to beef up their backfield depth with a chance of gaining a committee member.

Table: Jase McClellan NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2020	Alabama	12	23	245	10.7	2	1	1	0
2021	Alabama	5	40	191	4.8	1	10	97	3
2022	Alabama	13	112	655	5.8	7	14	174	3
2023	Alabama	13	180	890	4.9	8	15	137	0

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Determined runner that gets all the yardage that was blocked and finishes runs to pick up the extra yards
Excellent vision combines with smart running to pick the right lanes and can cut through traffic. Good fit for a one-cut rushing scheme
Patient runner that follows the blocks to daylight
Capable receiver with the biggest hands among running backs at the NFL Combine
Has the size and strength to be a power rusher that can break tackles and handle inside rushing
Tough runner not afraid of contact

Cons

Lacks explosiveness, more of a power runner through contact than a speed rusher looking for long gains
Pass protection still needs work, needs more aggression as a blocker
Work as a receiver was limited to very basic routes from the backfield
Durability concerns after a torn ACL and other dings in college

Fantasy outlook

McClellan offers an intriguing set of skills later in the draft. As with all ‘Bama backs, assessing them is harder since they benefit from a dominant O-line and yet compete for carries against other elite backs in the ever-stocked backfield. While impacted by injuries, he had to wait for his turn as the primary until he was a senior.

He can add to any NFL roster and with an expectation of being taken sometime in Day 3, he is available to any NFL team seeking to bolster their depth. McClellan will need to work his way up the depth chart before he can offer any reliable fantasy value, but in the right situation, he can become a weekly contributor. He’s not expected to become the primary back for a team, but has enough skills and potential that he is worth tracking.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama

Will Burton expand his game into more than a deep threat?

After two seasons at Georgia, wide receiver Jermaine Burton transferred to Alabama and showed steady growth throughout his FBS career.

A four-star recruit out of California, Burton may have his best football ahead of him. At Georgia, he was used sparingly as a true freshman before seeing his role ramp up in Year 2. He didn’t need extra time to develop following the transfer, and finding a similarly good fit in the NFL will help fast-track his continued development.

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 196 pounds
40 time: 4.45 seconds

In 2022, following a loss to Tennessee, Burton appeared to strike a female Volunteers fan, raising concerns about his character. Head coach Nick Saban vaguely addressed the situation by saying the public wasn’t aware of the details without further elaborating and that Burton wouldn’t face a suspension. He also contested reports that the receiver had entered anger-management treatment.

Make no mistake, any NFL team interested in Burton will have done its research into this issue to better understand the scope of the situation. Aside from a few immature moments of on-field gloating, Burton has behaved himself in recent time.

Table: WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama (2020-23)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Rush att	Yds
*2020	Georgia	Fr	10	27	404	15	3	4	50
*2021	Georgia	So	14	26	497	19.1	5	0	0
*2022	Alabama	Jr	13	40	677	16.9	7	0	0
*2023	Alabama	Sr	13	39	798	20.5	8	0	0
Total			50	132	2,376	18	23	4	50

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)

Pros

Vertical weapon who uses plus speed and excellent burst to create separation both off the line and in stride with a legit second gear
Tracks the ball well over both shoulders and is a natural hands catcher with big mitts (9 7/8 inches)
Decent enough route runner with room to grow through more experience and strong coaching — shows flashes of advanced traits, such as varying his footwork cadence to better sell underneath routes
Has enough physicality to develop into more than just a deep threat — functional strength to get off press-man jams, take a few lumps in the middle of the field, and outmuscle smaller corners
Fearlessly works over the middle and in traffic
One of his most impressive skills is delayed route control — does a tremendous job of positioning himself to make late moves to generate space to make the catch
Highly efficient scorer — a TD every 5.7 catches is tough to ignore, even if partially a product of his narrow role
Offers the potential for a special teams returner but isn’t experienced as such

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Cons

Needs to improve sharp-angled cuts during his routes — far too many rounded breaks on tape
Relies far too much on speed and burst to create yardage for himself — lacking to varying degrees when it comes to body fakes, using leverage against receivers in tight quarters, and hand fighting
May never develop into more than a downfield weapon if he cannot hone his route-running skills and learn a robust route tree
Lacks multi-role experience — rarely utilized as a rusher and has no track record in the return game, despite having some intriguing traits in these areas
Maturity issues that deserve a closer look
Doesn’t display the best boundary awareness — more one-foot landings than one would like to see

Fantasy football outlook

Burton has the ceiling to be a real-life No. 2 in the NFL but may never expand his game beyond the deep-threat role. From a fantasy perspective, think of someone, like Gabe Davis, in terms of being occasionally useful, sometimes exceptionally great, and mostly frustrating to trust from week to week.

In the best-cast scenario, he winds up offering a weekly utility as a No. 3 or flex in virtual lineups, but that will take time to develop. He makes plenty of sense as a complementary piece in several offensive designs and won’t be limited exclusively to one style of offense. No one should doubt his upside, but Burton will need pro-level coaching and more discipline to achieve his full potential.