Rookie Analysis
Originally a four-star EDGE defender recruit coming out of high school, Cameron Latu signed with Alabama in 2018 and redshirted. During the latter half of the 2019 season, Latu navigated a position change from EDGE to TE. His first two seasons of statistics are, thus, left out of his collegiate production below. Latu played in 12 games as a reserve for the 2020 National Champion Crimson Tide but did not record any receptions. In 2021, he beat out Jahleel Billingsley and other highly-touted TE recruits to earn the starting TE position for the Tide. He started 14 in 2021, catching 26 passes for 410 yards and eight TDs (Alabama TE record). He started 11 games for Alabama in 2022, grabbing 30 receptions for 377 yards and four TDs.
It’s been some time since I put pen to paper per se, but I’ve been playing actor and director, focusing most of my energy on building up the Dynasty Football Factory YouTube page. So I’m dusting off the keyboard and dropping a few film-based dynasty rookie sleepers and fades.
Typically, draft capital provides prospects a great degree of insulation for playing time and job security. If there is one thing we know about the Shanahans and running backs, they will give anyone a chance if they can play.
Zach Evans was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, becoming the 15th Running Back and 215th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Sean Tucker went undrafted, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a UDFA.
Will McDonald IV was drafted by the New York Jets, becoming the fourth Edge Rusher and the 15th overall player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jonathan Mingo was drafted by the Carolina Panthers,, becoming the fifth Wide Receiver and 39th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Devon Achane was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, becoming the sixth Running Back and 84th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Tyjae Spears was drafted by the Tennessee Titans, becoming the fifth running back and 81st overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the seventh Edge Rusher and the 31st overall player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Nathaniel Dell was drafted by the Houston Texans, becoming the ninth wide receiver and 69th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft. Nathaniel “Tank” Dell put up video game numbers for the Cougars. In his sophomore year, he posted 1329 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his junior year, he exploded for 1398 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 21.1 career college fantasy points per game were second in this class. He also posted excellent results in key predictive metrics for future fantasy success like receiving yards per team pass attempt (2.90) and college-weighted dominator (36.2%).
Andrei Iosivas was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the 26th wide receiver and 206th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft. Iosivas posted 703 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. He followed that up with 943 yards and seven touchdowns his senior year. Iosivas’s level of competition was poor but he did put up solid predictive metric results. He had a 40.8% college weighted dominator to go along with a 2.70 receiving yard per team pass attempt. Both are in the top 10 in this class.
Marvin Mims was drafted by the Denver Broncos, becoming the eighth Wide Receiver and 63rd overall player in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Luke Musgrave was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, becoming the fourth Tight End and 42nd overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Lukas Van Ness was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, becoming the third Edge Rusher and 13th overall player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Luke Schoonmaker was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, becoming the fifth Tight End and 58th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Sam LaPorta was drafted by the Detroit Lions, becoming the second Tight End and 34th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Nolan Smith was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the sixth Edge Rusher and 30th overall player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Josh Downs was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, becoming the 12th wide receiver and 79th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Keaton Mitchell went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he was quickly signed as a UDFA by the Baltimore Ravens.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he was quickly signed as a UDFA by the New York Giants. Originally a three-star recruit from North Carolina, Ford-Wheaton is a former track star that ultimately chose a football career when he arrived at West Virginia University in 2018. After redshirting the 2018 season, the speedy receiver made an immediate impact in his seven games played in 2019. Although he didn’t receive a ton of opportunities, he did produce a solid 16.8 yards per reception rate throughout the season. After a couple seasons, where he improved throughout, Ford-Wheaton turned some heads during his Senior season. He hauled in 62 receptions for 675 yards and seven touchdowns. His seven receiving touchdowns were tied for second in the Big 12. Ford-Wheaton also finished third in the conference in total receptions and 10th in receiving yards.
Anthony Richardson was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, becoming the third Quarterback and fourth overall player in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Kenny McIntosh was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the 18th Running Back and 237th overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Will Mallory was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, becoming the 11th Tight End and 162nd overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
DeWayne McBride was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the 16th Running Back and 222nd overall player in the 2023 NFL Draft.