Anthony McFarland: 2020 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Position: RB
School: Maryland
Class: Redshirt-Sophomore
Date of Birth: May 4, 1998
Height: 5-8 Weight: 208lbs
Athletic Testing
40-Time: 4.44
Speed Score: 107.0 (85th-percentile)
Burst Score: 108.2 (8th-percentile)
Bio
Heading into his senior season at DeMatha Catholic high school in Hyattsville, Maryland, Anthony McFarland was the third ranked running back recruit in the nation after combining for more than 2,000 scrimmage yards over his sophomore and junior seasons. But a broken leg in a preseason scrimmage forced him to miss his senior season and caused a drop in the rankings. Still, he was a four-star recruit and received offers from Georgia, Penn State, Alabama, and Miami but chose Maryland to stay close to home. McFarland red-shirted in 2017 to continue his recovery.
See Where Anthony McFarland Lands In Our 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
He was back strong in 2018, rushing for 1,034 yards and four touchdowns on 131 carries (7.9 YPC) in 12 games (five starts). He added 73 yards on seven receptions. The impressive season earned him second-team All-Big Ten and Freshman All-American recognition. McFarland battled a high-ankle injury for the majority of 2019 and his production and efficiency suffered because of it. While splitting backfield work with Javon Leake, McFarland rushed 114 times for 614 yards and eight touchdowns. He saw his receiving production increase to 17 receptions, 126 yards, and a score.
McFarland’s Combine performance was a mixed bag. He impressed with a 4.44 40-time and 85th-percentile Speed Score but he finished near the bottom of the class in the explosion drills which translated to an 8th-percentile Burst Score.
College Stats
Anthony McFarland College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com
Positives
+4.44 Speed; 107.0 (85th-percentile) Speed Score
+31.6 (80th-percentile) BMI
+298 rushing yards in OT loss to Ohio State in 2018
+A home-run threat
+7.9 YPC in 2018
7.6-percent Target Share
Negatives
-22.4-percent (42nd-percentile) Dominator
-5.4 (45th-percentile) YPC in 2019
-Leg and ankle injuries going back to high school
-2.77 yards after contact per attempt
-Drop in production and efficiency from 2018 to 2019
-108.2 (8th-percentile) Burst Score
-5-percent Reception Share
-21-percent TD share
-Backfield mate Javon Leake out-produced him on fewer carries
Highlight Reel
Best Comparable Player (PlayerProfiler): DeAndre Washington
NFL Draft Projection: Day Three
Bottom Line:
McFarland’s best comparable player via the PlayerProfiler database—which aggregates physical attributes, college production, and workout metrics to find the closest comparison—is former Raiders running back DeAndre Washington. It’s a perfect comp as that’s exactly the type of role I envision McFarland sliding into. He’s not a bellcow and he’s not particularly dominant in any area. But, he brings solid receiving skills to the table and a nose for long runs. He may not carve out a significant role early on, but his long-term prospects are as a satellite or breather back that can step into a temporary starting role in a pinch. The ceiling here is Devonta Freeman but draft capital will have to be in his favor and I just don’t see that happening. McFarland will likely come off the board on Day Three, restricting him to an upside third round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, NFL.com, PFF
