Dan Hindery
Moderator
For whatever it's worth, here's my top 50 dynasty prospect heading into the draft with a quick note on each. I like to do this each year about a week before the draft after soaking in all of the knowledge and scouting reports from all the experts. I then adjust a bit after I see the landing spots.
I absolutely love the depth of this class and think all the way down to the 16-18 range you are going to be able to get guys who would be 1st round draft picks most years. That to me is where the real strength of the class lies is in the crazy depth at both RB and WR. One of the things that make this RB class special for PPR dynasty is just how many of the backs are good in the passing game. None of the top backs are like Andre Williams and some other past rookie runners whose fantasy upside was always a bit limited.
I'll do a very quick writeup for the top 25 and may come back and edit in comments for the rest when I have time.
1. Todd Gurley- A once in every 5 year RB talent that I will like as the top guy no matter where he lands.
2. Amari Cooper- There's a belief that maybe his upside isn't through the roof due to his average size, but we've seen Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham, Jr. and others blow holes in that way of thinking.
3. Melvin Gordon- I bump him just a bit past White because I think he's a more scarce commodity in a league starved for young talent at RB and bursting at the seams with talented young WRs.
4. Kevin White- His athleticism and production is undeniable. I'm a little leery of WVU WRs as that scheme puts them in a lot of advantageous matchups, but he should translate well.
5. Devante Parker- The clear #3 WR and I think there's just a little bit of a tier drop for me after the top 5.
6. Ameer Abdullah- Absolutely love this guy and think he'll translate beautifully to the NFL. Landing spot will be interesting but I think he can be a 200 carry, 50 reception guy early in his career. Already on most my MFL10/MFL25 rosters.
7. TJ Yeldon- Landing spot will be a big key, but I see a little bit of Michigan St. Le'Veon Bell in Yeldon with the quick little burst he has and lateral agility. Potential to be a real workhorse like Lacy. Value could really sky rocket if he lands in the right spot.
8. Dorial Green-Beckham- Boom or bust and I would be scared as an NFL franchise to draft him. But in dynasty, you have to roll the dice at this point in the mid-late 1st because the upside is so extreme.
9. Nelson Agholor- May need to land in a prolific offense to be a fantasy star because I think he is probably an elite 2nd WR at the NFL level and not a true #1. Safe pick but with real PPR upside as well.
10. Breshad Perriman- The physical package and production is really enticing. Love him late in round 1.
11. Jaelen Strong- Strong needs to go to a team with a good QB who can nail the back shoulder throws. If he does, I love his upside as he is still very young and still growing into what he'll eventually be. A personal favorite of mine.
12. Tevin Coleman- As football fast as any RB who has come out in recent years as his burst is pretty special. Will need to land with a team that has a good OL because his make you miss ability isn't great.
13. Duke Johnson- I love RBs from the U and Johnson is going to be a good one. Question is if he's more of a committee guy or if he can shoulder a big load. Either way, he'll have PPR value.
14. Philip Dorsett- Perfect fit for today's NFL and if he ends up with an elite QB, could be a star.
15. Jay Ajayi- Flashes some great talent and is an example of a guy who would easily be a 1st round rookie pick most years but may slide into the 2nd.
16. Javorius Allen- The forgotten guy in this RB class but he has all the attributes to develop into a lead back for some team. Good at everything and really dominated some games over the last couple years at USC.
17. Maxx Williams- Didn't test off the charts but he just makes plays. Very good after the catch as well. Another who might be a late 1st if the RB/WR depth wasn't so exceptional.
18. Devin Funchess- Has gone from way overrated to way underrated now in some circles. He's still a physical specimen with some real upside, even if the chances of him busting are pretty high as well.
19. Tyler Lockett- I like his fantasy upside more than most because he could develop into a PPR monster.
20. Devin Smith- As a Buckeye fan, I was one of the first pointing to him as a day 2 prospect during the season but now I feel the hype has gone too far for him in PPR. Not really sold on him ever being more than a 50-60 catch guy, but he should still do a lot of damage on a per catch basis.
21. Marcus Mariota- Landing spot will be key. If Kelly finds a way to get him, I'm in and would consider him late 1st. If he ends up in Cleveland or Tennessee...mid-late 2nd.
22. Jameis Winston- He has Evans, VJax and ASJ which will help. But without any rushing impact, he'll have to put up huge passing numbers for any real fantasy impact.
23. Jeremy Langford- An underrated guy who has great play speed. Question is if he'll be able to pound it inside at NFL level.
24. David Johnson- His receiving upside is exciting and to get a guy with his physical attributes and skill set this late in a dynasty draft is why 2015 is such a fun year to have as many picks as possible.
25. David Cobb- A very tough, physical runner who should find his niche for somebody. The main issue for fantasy is how much upside he really has. Not going to catch a lot or break many long runs.
26. Rashad Greene
27. Sammie Coates
28. Cameron Artis-Payne
29. Mike Davis
30. Justin Hardy
31. Stefon Diggs
32. Chris Conley
33. Tre McBride
34. Karlos Williams
35. Malcolm Brown
36. Zach Zenner
37. Clive Walford
38. Tyler Kroft
39. Ty Montgomery
40. Jamison Crowder
41. Dres Anderson
42. DeAndre Smelter
43. Brett Hundley
44. Matt Jones
45. John Crockett
46. Josh Robinson
47. Braylon Heard
48. Vince Mayle
49. Antwan Goodley
50. Darren Waller
I absolutely love the depth of this class and think all the way down to the 16-18 range you are going to be able to get guys who would be 1st round draft picks most years. That to me is where the real strength of the class lies is in the crazy depth at both RB and WR. One of the things that make this RB class special for PPR dynasty is just how many of the backs are good in the passing game. None of the top backs are like Andre Williams and some other past rookie runners whose fantasy upside was always a bit limited.
I'll do a very quick writeup for the top 25 and may come back and edit in comments for the rest when I have time.
1. Todd Gurley- A once in every 5 year RB talent that I will like as the top guy no matter where he lands.
2. Amari Cooper- There's a belief that maybe his upside isn't through the roof due to his average size, but we've seen Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham, Jr. and others blow holes in that way of thinking.
3. Melvin Gordon- I bump him just a bit past White because I think he's a more scarce commodity in a league starved for young talent at RB and bursting at the seams with talented young WRs.
4. Kevin White- His athleticism and production is undeniable. I'm a little leery of WVU WRs as that scheme puts them in a lot of advantageous matchups, but he should translate well.
5. Devante Parker- The clear #3 WR and I think there's just a little bit of a tier drop for me after the top 5.
6. Ameer Abdullah- Absolutely love this guy and think he'll translate beautifully to the NFL. Landing spot will be interesting but I think he can be a 200 carry, 50 reception guy early in his career. Already on most my MFL10/MFL25 rosters.
7. TJ Yeldon- Landing spot will be a big key, but I see a little bit of Michigan St. Le'Veon Bell in Yeldon with the quick little burst he has and lateral agility. Potential to be a real workhorse like Lacy. Value could really sky rocket if he lands in the right spot.
8. Dorial Green-Beckham- Boom or bust and I would be scared as an NFL franchise to draft him. But in dynasty, you have to roll the dice at this point in the mid-late 1st because the upside is so extreme.
9. Nelson Agholor- May need to land in a prolific offense to be a fantasy star because I think he is probably an elite 2nd WR at the NFL level and not a true #1. Safe pick but with real PPR upside as well.
10. Breshad Perriman- The physical package and production is really enticing. Love him late in round 1.
11. Jaelen Strong- Strong needs to go to a team with a good QB who can nail the back shoulder throws. If he does, I love his upside as he is still very young and still growing into what he'll eventually be. A personal favorite of mine.
12. Tevin Coleman- As football fast as any RB who has come out in recent years as his burst is pretty special. Will need to land with a team that has a good OL because his make you miss ability isn't great.
13. Duke Johnson- I love RBs from the U and Johnson is going to be a good one. Question is if he's more of a committee guy or if he can shoulder a big load. Either way, he'll have PPR value.
14. Philip Dorsett- Perfect fit for today's NFL and if he ends up with an elite QB, could be a star.
15. Jay Ajayi- Flashes some great talent and is an example of a guy who would easily be a 1st round rookie pick most years but may slide into the 2nd.
16. Javorius Allen- The forgotten guy in this RB class but he has all the attributes to develop into a lead back for some team. Good at everything and really dominated some games over the last couple years at USC.
17. Maxx Williams- Didn't test off the charts but he just makes plays. Very good after the catch as well. Another who might be a late 1st if the RB/WR depth wasn't so exceptional.
18. Devin Funchess- Has gone from way overrated to way underrated now in some circles. He's still a physical specimen with some real upside, even if the chances of him busting are pretty high as well.
19. Tyler Lockett- I like his fantasy upside more than most because he could develop into a PPR monster.
20. Devin Smith- As a Buckeye fan, I was one of the first pointing to him as a day 2 prospect during the season but now I feel the hype has gone too far for him in PPR. Not really sold on him ever being more than a 50-60 catch guy, but he should still do a lot of damage on a per catch basis.
21. Marcus Mariota- Landing spot will be key. If Kelly finds a way to get him, I'm in and would consider him late 1st. If he ends up in Cleveland or Tennessee...mid-late 2nd.
22. Jameis Winston- He has Evans, VJax and ASJ which will help. But without any rushing impact, he'll have to put up huge passing numbers for any real fantasy impact.
23. Jeremy Langford- An underrated guy who has great play speed. Question is if he'll be able to pound it inside at NFL level.
24. David Johnson- His receiving upside is exciting and to get a guy with his physical attributes and skill set this late in a dynasty draft is why 2015 is such a fun year to have as many picks as possible.
25. David Cobb- A very tough, physical runner who should find his niche for somebody. The main issue for fantasy is how much upside he really has. Not going to catch a lot or break many long runs.
26. Rashad Greene
27. Sammie Coates
28. Cameron Artis-Payne
29. Mike Davis
30. Justin Hardy
31. Stefon Diggs
32. Chris Conley
33. Tre McBride
34. Karlos Williams
35. Malcolm Brown
36. Zach Zenner
37. Clive Walford
38. Tyler Kroft
39. Ty Montgomery
40. Jamison Crowder
41. Dres Anderson
42. DeAndre Smelter
43. Brett Hundley
44. Matt Jones
45. John Crockett
46. Josh Robinson
47. Braylon Heard
48. Vince Mayle
49. Antwan Goodley
50. Darren Waller