2021 NFL Draft

“Hard Knocks” Premiere: Micah Parsons Shines

I’ve long been a huge fan of the HBO series “Hard Knocks” since its premiere in 2001. Outside of the expected silliness ranging from former Jets’ HC Rex Ryan’s “let’s get a snack” quote to Vince Wilfork’s “naked overalls” episode with the Texans, the show always does a fantastic job of hyping me up for the NFL season. So when the Cowboys were chosen for this year’s series, I mildly cringed at the idiocy that was inbound. And, spoiler alert, Mike McCarthy delivers in droves via an Austin Powers movie clip and fake bravado that brought on a mild panic attack. Yes, it’s insulting to the viewer but even more so to Mike Meyers who’s probably on the line with Jerry Jones negotiating compensation as I write this.

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Navigating Your Rookie Draft- 2021 Running Backs

Dynasty Build or Dynasty Maintenance?: Najee Harris

The building or maintenance of a dynasty team can be such a fragile project. One early missed pick can quickly change the direction of your team. Such as using a second-round startup pick (1QB) or the 1.01 in rookie drafts on a player who doesn’t project to be worth the price. I am talking about Najee Harris.

Harris was selected 24th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers who were lacking any sort of production from their backfield. But the bigger part of this is that he became a first-rounder, the 19th running back to do so since 2010. This is great for Harris because between 2010 and 2019, 43.8% of first-round running backs achieved at least an RB5 finish, and 75% achieved at least an RB12 finish.

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Post-Rookie Draft Waiver Targets

Each season in dynasty leagues there are post-rookie draft waiver targets that provide a tremendous value for owners who were savvy or lucky enough to find them on their roster. Some provide an immediate “home-run” return like James Robinson did last season. Others make great taxi squad stashes that provide value later and might be tradeable for better assets (think Boston Scott, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Preston Williams, Collin Johnson, etc.). The majority will fall flat as expected.

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DFF Draft Coverage: Jermar Jefferson to the Lions

Jermar Jefferson broke out as a true freshman in 2018 as he garnered Freshman All-American, Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and honorable mention all-conference honors with 1,380 rushing yards and 12 scores on 239 carries (5.8 per attempt). Jefferson also caught 25 passes for 147 yards that season, displaying his competence as a receiver. The following season, an ankle injury stunted his sophomore campaign limiting him to six starts in nine games played as he compiled 142 carries, 685 yards, and eight touchdowns. Jefferson rebounded in 2020, earning first-team All-Pac-12 accolades by ranking fourth in the FBS with 143 rushing yards per game and ninth with 159.5 all-purpose yards per game. He did miss one game due to COVID-19 protocols.

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DFF Draft Coverage: Tamorrion Terry signs with Seahawks

Tamorrion Terry had 118 receptions for 2,221 yards in his three-year college career at FSU. Terry entered college on the older side as a 21-year-old redshirt freshman but made an immediate impact once he got on the field. He caught 35 receptions for 744 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman but truly broke out as a sophomore catching 60 passes for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns. Terry’s 2020 season was cut to just four games to a knee injury he underwent surgery for in October leading to him inevitably opting out. For that reason, we will focus on his 2019 season in teams of production. In 2019 he accounted for 32.20% of his team’s offensive production and 2.94 adjusted yards per team pass attempt. For context, Jerry Jeudy accounted for 2.98 adjusted yards per team pass attempt in 2019. 

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DFF Draft Coverage: Gregory Rousseau to the Bills

Gregory Rousseau is a part of the enormous list of players that hurt their draft stock by opting out. Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons were the only two players whose opt-outs didn’t affect their draft capital.  Unfortunately, our man Gregory Rousseau made a bad decision. Your author wrote about this back in September in the weekly seasonal “Draft Stock Watch” series. There is no arguing Rousseau’s superior athletic ability and speed around the edge. The DE out of Miami trailed only 2020 number two overall pick Chase Young in total sacks in the entire FBS in 2019.

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DFF Draft Coverage: Jaelon Darden to the Buccaneers

Jaelon Darden is one of your annual small-school stories where an incredible athlete, who was overlooked by large programs, emerges. Darden was a high school QB, so he possesses basic knowledge about reading coverages and finding openings in the defense. He played in all 14 games as a backup WR during his true freshman season compiling 281 yards and three TDs on 32 receptions, while also contributing as a punt and kick returner. While he still returned punts, Darden focused on offense as a sophomore, hauling in 48 receptions for 575 yards and four TDs. 

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DFF Draft Coverage: Brevin Jordan to the Texans

Brevin Jordan has been a consistent and big-time contributor in the Hurricanes’ offense the past three seasons. He started as a true freshman after entering Miami as the number one TE recruit in the nation. Jordan finished this past covid-19 adjusted season with his best numbers, compiling 38 receptions for 576 yards and seven TDs. He did miss three games with a shoulder injury.  

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DFF Draft Coverage: Nick Bolton to the Chiefs

Nick Bolton played in all 13 games as a true freshman where he recorded 22 tackles, one sack, and one TFL. He developed from promising up-and-comer to SEC defensive star in 2019, earning first-team all-conference honors after leading the league with 8.9 tackles per game (107 total, 8.5 for loss), intercepting two passes, and breaking up eight others in 12 starts.

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