The Draft starts in Mobile, Alabama. Over the past two seasons, the player who has won Senior Bowl MVP honors was selected early in the first round of the NFL Draft. In 2019, that was Daniel Jones going sixth overall to become the New York Giants franchise quarterback. In 2020, Justin Herbert scorched the Senior Bowl, earning MVP honors and being selected sixth overall to the Los Angeles Chargers. Herbert went on to set rookie quarterback records and is one of the most valuable Superflex dynasty quarterbacks and players overall. Since 2014, there have been a number of players to play in the senior bowl and go on to become very good NFL players and correspondingly very valuable fantasy assets.
This year was one of the most talented groups of players to ever attend the Senior Bowl. This opinion is not just our own, but also the opinion echoed by the Todd McShay’s and Daniel Jeremiah’s of the world. There were a number of players that attended the Senior Bowl that had already earned first-round draft grades. Also, there were a handful of others that skyrocketed up draft boards, becoming potential first-round picks or other highly valuable capital in the upcoming draft. In this article @DocFFFN and @dynastydiagnos1 are going to put their devy brain trust together to give you actionable insights garnered from this year’s Senior Bowl game. In the next article, we will cover players that increased their stock during practice.
The First-Rounders
Headlined by the Bama boys, DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones, and Najee Harris, there were a number of players to attend the Senior Bowl who already had earned first-round grades. Even though they did not play on Saturday, their presence in Mobile we felt. Whether it was Matt Rhule’s or Brian Flores’ coaching staff, there were rave player reviews for these studs. The Bama boys were joined by an ascending Kadarius Toney, the electric slot receiver from Florida, and Aaron Robinson the uber-skilled safety from UCF as players that were being mocked in the first-round prior to their performances during Senior Bowl week.
In this article, the DFF Devy Team, @DocFFFN and @dynastydiagnos1, will take you through the Senior Bowl performances and highlight players who increased their draft stock with their game performances. We will also present you with insights through a fantasy football rookie draft perspective and lead you to build a championship-caliber fantasy team. Building a championship-caliber fantasy football team starts with the foundation of making good draft picks, thus we will give you our expert opinion on which players to draft at current rookie pick value, and which players to let fall to your opponents.
Michael Carter – RB UNC
Evaluation
Carter concluded his “draft me!” 2021 campaign with the exclamation point on Saturday. The senior RB looked largely un-tackle-able against the American squad, as he churned out 60 rushing yards and a TD on just eight rushing attempts. He tacked on an additional two receptions for another 15 yards. Carter should have been named the game’s most valuable player.
One year ago today, scouts may have had Carter on their radar as a priority UDFA in 2021. Since that time, he’s done nothing but dominate ACC competition and legitimize his chances to become drafted. Though he is undersized, he is arguably the most explosive RB in the draft class and certainly offers the best escapability in close quarters.
Diagnosis
Michael Carter broke the breakout age threshold as a true freshman in 2017 making up 18% of North Carolina’s offensive production. Though breaking out on the 3-9 Tar Heels was not as impressive, once Mack Brown arrived, Carter’s production skyrocketed. He surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark as both a junior and a senior. He capped off his career with over 1,500 scrimmage yards and 11 TDs in 2020. These performance metrics were indicative of the impressive Senior Bowl performance.
Outlook
No individual player was more impressive than Michael Carter at the Senior Bowl. He portrayed strong vision, burst, and power in his performance, even looking like Clyde Edwards-Helaire on a few of his jump cuts behind the line of scrimmage. There is no doubt in our mind that an NFL franchise will fall in love with Carter and draft him as early as Day 2.
@DocFFFN: Draft
@dynastydiagnos1: Draft (early and often)
Demetric Felton – WR/RB UCLA
Evaluation
After concluding his collegiate career at RB, the diminutive Felton (5’9” 189 lbs.) made the move to WR the past week in Mobile. Felton commanded cushion from opposing DBs and looked comfortable running the routes he was asked to run. He finished the game with just two receptions for 28 yards, but he did score a TD.
Felton’s positional versatility may render him more opportunities in a pro offense, with the right coordinator who will move him around the formation. His ability to handle rushing attempts from the backfield only increases his value.
Diagnosis
Felton was much improved as a running back in 2020 averaging 111 yards per game as a senior, compared to just 27 as a junior. What I noticed about Felton during the Senior Bowl game was that he caught the ball similar to Lynn Swann, what is termed a body catch. While wide receiver coaches emphasize catching the ball with your hands, and arms fully extended, there is still value to be had by letting the ball come to you and embracing contact. As a smaller player, Felton will have to improve his techniques on most routes, but when asked to go over the middle and make a catch and embrace contact he will be adept.
Outlook
Felton has skills and the profile of a Nyheim Hines or Tarik Cohen style of player, who should excel with quick hitters near the line of scrimmage and as a special teams returner. He may have moved himself from a round six or seven pick to a round four or five this April. While there is a role for what Felton offers in the NFL it is a niche role and it is unlikely that he will ever be the first, second, or even third option within an offense.
@DocFFFN: Fade
@dynastydiagnos1: Fade
Amari Rodgers – WR Clemson
Evaluation
After finally recording that breakout, 1000-yard season as a senior, Amari Rodgers completed his year with a strong performance last weekend. Rodgers grabbed four passes for just 23 yards but scored an impressive TD. On the play, he caught one of Kellen Mond’s better throws on the day between two defenders, absorbing contact and completing the catch in the endzone. He also caught a 2-point conversion later from Mond in which he beat his defender on a crossing route and came down with a high, uncontested ball.
Rodgers entered Clemson in 2017 as a four-star recruit but had to wait his turn behind a host of other receivers that are now pros. Additionally, Rodgers tore his right ACL in the middle of his career, which was an understandable setback. He finally had his opportunity to shine this season and made the most of it. Rodgers should be a day three pick, but with his stout build and run-after-catch ability, he is an underrated prospect that may hear his name called in the third round this April.
Diagnosis
Amari Rodgers was the main beneficiary of Tee Higgins moving on to the NFL and Justyn Ross missing the season due to injury. He became Trevor Lawrence’s security blanket early in the season and was personally fortunate that none of their highly recruited young receivers took advantage of the opportunity. Regardless of how the opportunity presented itself, Rodgers made the most of his 2020 season. Rodgers cracked the breakout threshold with a 23% dominator rating, earning an age 21 breakout.
Outlook
Rodgers, like all of these seniors, is very landing spot dependent, however, Rodgers has done the most of this group to increase his draft capital. We are looking to acquire Rodgers so long as the price is right.
@dynastydiagnos1: Draft
@DocFFFN: Draft
Kellen Mond – QB Texas A&M
Evaluation
Kellen Mond had a nice game in the Senior Bowl, throwing for 173 yards and two TDs on 13-of-25 passing. He also converted two separate two-point plays to help bring his team within three points of a comeback. Mond was named the MVP of the game but probably should not have been. He made a few nice throws with good velocity but also missed some throws early in the game. As a disclaimer, I watch a lot of SEC football, and over four seasons Mond has not done much to jump off the page and impress me.
Mond has the prototypical build (6’3” 215 lbs.) and look of a professional QB, and has worked at becoming a good steward of the football over his collegiate career. His mobility is decent, but he’s not going to run away from anyone or make any huge plays with his legs. Mond will be drafted on day three of the draft but should be a run-of-the-mill backup QB at best at the next level.
Diagnosis
Mond’s struggles started early in the Senior Bowl game on Saturday. On his first third-down play he missed an open Cornell Powell on a go route, with the ball landing out of bounds, luckily for Mond he was bailed out by a questionable flag. Mond’s accuracy issues persisted as Trevon Grimes broke open, and had to adjust to make a contested back-shoulder catch on what could have been a long touchdown strike, he then missed Kylin Hill on a swing pass.
Heading into the second quarter I questioned if Kellen Mond could throw the ball more than 25 yards. Mond then found his groove making a number of downfield strikes, when targeting players between the hashes, capped off by a very impressive Amari Rodgers touchdown catch.
Outlook
Mond has the physical tools to be a run of the mill backup-level quarterback in the NFL, however, it’s unlikely that he will be a successful starting quarterback.
@dynastydiagnos1: Fade
@DocFFFN: Fade
Shi Smith – WR South Carolina
Evaluation
Another senior out of the SEC, who was also a former four-star prospect, Shi Smith had a nice performance on Saturday. His game was highlighted by a sliding snag on a low Mond throw on a deep in-route. Smith finished the afternoon with three receptions for 57 yards, leading the American squad in receiving. This meaningless game was probably a welcome addition for a big-play WR who suffered from poor QB play throughout his collegiate career.
Smith profiles as a slot receiver at the next level, but did display a newfound ability to win jump-balls and make contested catches in 2020. In addition to this, his stand out skill is the ability to win at the line of scrimmage with his releases, as he is not a superior athlete. Like many WRs on the Senior Bowl roster, Smith appears to be a day three pick as a developmental receiver. He will most likely work in the slot at the next level.
Diagnosis
Smith is a player who never accounted for over 700 yards in his four seasons within the confines of the South Carolina Gamecocks offense. For the first three seasons, he never accounted for over 18% of the team’s receiving production. However, Smith experienced a late breakout in his senior season, cracking over 40% of South Carolina’s receiving production and a very impressive 2.14 adjusted yards per team pass attempt.
Smith continued his success during his season into Mobile proving that with adequate quarterback play he can be a threat to opposing defenses. Smith did make one very nice play in the senior bowl going down to the ground, hauling in the low-pass, and maintaining control through contact. Smith showed a keen ability to make catches while making a move downfield. His one “drop” came on a play where the defender got his helmet on the ball while it was coming in and it takes transcendent talents to make a play like that.
Outlook
Smith will be a productive slot receiver at the NFL-level, but his fantasy value will always be closely tied to his supporting cast and quarterback.
@dynastydiagnos1: Fade
@DocFFFN: Draft (late)
Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR Louisville
Evaluation
Louisville WR Desmond Fitzpatrick led all players in both receptions and yards. It was a nice performance for the senior, whose career has been steady but unspectacular. Admittedly, like Smith, Fitzpatrick has suffered from poor QB play since superstar Lamar Jackson went pro. Fitzpatrick finished the game with six catches for 90 yards. While he dropped a pass, he ran some nice routes and made a nice toe-drag catch on the sideline, as well as a beautiful high-point on a short fade route.
Fitzpatrick is not going to run away from anyone or break many tackles. He does play with good physicality and runs good routes. If he makes it to the next level, he will need to continue to develop his craft as a physical, technical possession receiver. Expect Fitzpatrick to be drafted in the final rounds of the draft, and his landing spot and new WR room will go a long way toward dictating his opportunities in his early years.
Diagnosis
Fitzpatrick had his best season statistically in his freshman season in 2017 playing with future NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. In that season, Fitzpatrick had 45 catches for 699 yards and nine TDs. When Jackson left for the NFL Louisville was brutal, finishing 2-10 and effectively ending Bobby Petrino’s coaching career. However, Fitzpatrick impressively maintained over a 20% dominator rating that season, as he did all four of his seasons.
In the Senior Bowl game, Fitzpatrick continued his production from his four seasons at Louisville, albeit he didn’t turn many heads in terms of explosiveness. The stat line that he put up was impressive enough to support his draft stock in a very deep wide receiver class. Where Fitzpatrick wins is with his route running savvy and by sticking to the fundamentals. This came to fruition when he plucked an errant pass down the seam practically right out of the defensive back’s hands.
Outlook
Fitzpatrick is not likely to increase his draft stock at the Regional Combine or Pro Day testing, so it’s going to come down to interviews and his tape. His best-case outcome is to follow the shoes of Jarvis Landry and try to carve out a role of the undersized and not incredibly athletic mover of the chains.
@dynastydiagnos1: Draft
@DocFFFN: Fade
In Closure
This concludes the 2021 Senior Bowl players of the game. While @DocFFFN and @dynastydiagnos1 do not completely agree on every prospect covered, they do provide valuable insights on what you should do with these players. We hope you enjoyed this mind-meld of two analysts with different perspectives on approaching fantasy, as we enjoyed working together on this piece. Follow @DocFFFN for his expert devy and IDP perspective, as well as his ability to put you in situations to win fantasy leagues early and often. Also, please follow @dynastydiagnos1 for his devy perspective and long term value approach to dynasty leagues.
