JFS171
Footballguy
Can’t find a thread for him, though he’s been mentioned a few times elsewhere. Had himself a very nice game on Sunday with 17 total opportunities, carrying 10 times for 67 yards and adding five receptions for another 28 yards.
He seemed to be ignored on waiver wires, at least in my leagues. So who is this guy? In 2016, he came out of Jacksonville State at a shade under 5’8” and 205 lbs. His pro day numbers (no combine invite) show a lack of top-end speed (4.55 40 per draftscout), but good strength with 25 reps, good explosion with a 10’ broad jump and 35” vertical, and incredible change of direction with a 6.87 3-come and a 4.21 short shuttle.
Pope played with the Seahawks in 2016 preseason, later being cut in a roster crunch and landing with the Jets. In 2017, he was with the Colts in the preseason And making plays, but again a crowded depth chart limited his chances, and he bounced around practice squads for a few years. In 2019, he was on the Chargers’ roster for 14 games but understandably didn’t get much opportunity behind Gordon and Ekeler. I’m assuming he was largely a special teams maven.
Now, Pope has an opportunity as Ekeler has been injured, Kelley has been disappointing, and Jackson isn’t a bell cow. Per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer for the site:
In a chat on The Athletic’s site, Popper later added, “Lynn is going to ride the hot hand. If Pope keeps producing, he will get touches.”
Maybe this is nothing. Or maybe this is Raheem Mostert all over again and Pope becomes the Melvin Gordon complement to Ekeler down the road (whenever Ekeler returns - IF Ekeler returns). Mostert was also an old rookie, also undrafted, also bounced around several teams, and also worked primarily on special teams before finally getting a chance to play. Mostert has more speed, but Pope is thicker and a little more shifty than Mostert.
It feels like fantasy managers in redraft and dynasty could do a lot worst with the last bench spot on their rosters.
He seemed to be ignored on waiver wires, at least in my leagues. So who is this guy? In 2016, he came out of Jacksonville State at a shade under 5’8” and 205 lbs. His pro day numbers (no combine invite) show a lack of top-end speed (4.55 40 per draftscout), but good strength with 25 reps, good explosion with a 10’ broad jump and 35” vertical, and incredible change of direction with a 6.87 3-come and a 4.21 short shuttle.
Pope played with the Seahawks in 2016 preseason, later being cut in a roster crunch and landing with the Jets. In 2017, he was with the Colts in the preseason And making plays, but again a crowded depth chart limited his chances, and he bounced around practice squads for a few years. In 2019, he was on the Chargers’ roster for 14 games but understandably didn’t get much opportunity behind Gordon and Ekeler. I’m assuming he was largely a special teams maven.
Now, Pope has an opportunity as Ekeler has been injured, Kelley has been disappointing, and Jackson isn’t a bell cow. Per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer for the site:
In a chat on The Athletic’s site, Popper later added, “Lynn is going to ride the hot hand. If Pope keeps producing, he will get touches.”
Maybe this is nothing. Or maybe this is Raheem Mostert all over again and Pope becomes the Melvin Gordon complement to Ekeler down the road (whenever Ekeler returns - IF Ekeler returns). Mostert was also an old rookie, also undrafted, also bounced around several teams, and also worked primarily on special teams before finally getting a chance to play. Mostert has more speed, but Pope is thicker and a little more shifty than Mostert.
It feels like fantasy managers in redraft and dynasty could do a lot worst with the last bench spot on their rosters.
