Will Shipley | Clemson 5’11”, 209 lbs. 08/29/02 (21)
Will Shipley was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the 7th running back and 127th overall player in the 2024 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Will Shipley got to work early, going for 739 rush yards his freshman year. His sophomore season cemented his pedigree as an NFL prospect, as he rushed for 1182 yards and 15 touchdowns. Shipley was first-team All-ACC in three categories: running back, all-purpose, and return specialist, showcasing his versatility on the football field. His junior season was underwhelming to fans’ expectations but still respectable, as he rushed for 827 yards and five touchdowns.
FILM
He consistently makes the first tackler miss. His athleticism excels in the open field, leading to broken tackles, which is excellent. Clemson used Shipley as a pass catcher, primarily out of the backfield on dump-offs. He is not an elite between-the-tackles runner, but he can make up for it outside the tackle box. Most of his big plays come from shotgun formation and when he gets the ball in space.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Will Shipley measured 5’ 11” and 206 lbs. at the combine. He checked in with an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.42, a three-cone time of 6.81, and a 4.11 in the shuttle drill. 38.5 vertical jump and 10.2 broad jump. This led to an overall relative size-adjusted athletic score of 9.58 out of 10, which is elite, ranking 81 of 1903 RBs that have tested from 1987 to 2024.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Average
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Poor
Will Shipley was selected with the 127th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Shipley will be sitting behind Saquon Barkley, who just signed a three-year deal with $26M guaranteed. Shipley will only have contingent value for the foreseeable future.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
I have Shipley ranked as this class’s number seven running back for projected future dynasty value. With fourth-round draft capital and all-pro RB Saquon Barkley under contract for the next three seasons, there isn’t any opportunity for Shipley to start in this backfield soon. Kenneth Gainwell projects to be the backup RB to start the season, so don’t expect fantasy relevance for Shipley for 2024.
Will Shipley should be a dart throw selection in the mid-late fourth round to plan on stashing in your taxi squad. Because of his pass-catching production, I prefer adding Shipley in PPR leagues.
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