2021 NFL Draft Sleepers
Being able to find sleepers in the 2021 NFL draft that are going overlooked in dynasty leagues is a trademark characteristic of any successful team manager. This past draft saw many rookies fall further than most. This year is a breeding ground for dynasty sleeper prospects.
Indicators when looking for value could be that they played in an inferior conference, slipped due to injury concerns, wound up on noncompetitive NFL teams, or end up behind incumbent players who have shaky confidence from the coaching staff to name just a few. In this article I am going to provide examples of finding value, at each skill position, with minimal risk exposure.
QUARTERBACK
JAMIE NEWMAN, U.D.F.A
APPEAL: TRAITS, DEPTH CHART
This is as deep and low risk as it gets at the quarterback position. Standing at 6-5, 230 pounds, Jamie Newman signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a U.D.F.A. after the Eagles went through all seven rounds without addressing the quarterback position. After it was over, the only remaining viable quarterbacks on the Eagles’ roster were Jalen Hurts and Joe Flacco. Of all the depth charts to land on, this is one of the most desirable in the entire league.
Jamie Newman played his only full season in 2019 at Wake Forest where he threw a 60.1 completion percentage for 2868 yards, 28 TD’s, and 11 INTs over a 12 game span. In addition, he ran the ball 180 times for 574 yards and 6 TD’s. I like to call Newman “Discount Trey Lance” simply because of their similarity in build, rushing, and shared affinity for the deep ball.
In 2020, Newman transferred to the University of Georgia to start for the Bulldogs but instead opted out. This led to him falling out of favor with NFL scouts. He was even ranked as the QB6 in the nation last September by Todd McShay.
STRENGTHS
Newman is more raw than refined but not by much. Of his strengths, the most noticeable are his deep ball throws which are a direct result of his throwing mechanics. The man is built tough and durable. He is not afraid to step into pressure during his throws and is welcoming of contact during runs. Sometimes that contact is unnecessary due to his drop back technique but none the less. The man possesses size, athleticism, and strength.
WEAKNESSES
Newman’s largest deficiencies are his ability to process pre and post snap reads and throw accurately at times when pressured. His anticipation in the short game is hit or miss because of his shoddy footwork during drop backs. If he were to start today, he would do well in a spread or RPO offense that emphasized the deep ball.
It’s safe to assume the Eagles are confident in Hurts judging by the way they went through the entire draft. Either that or they are trying to save face. Hurts undoubtedly has plenty of upside due to his rushing but it isn’t a debate that he is not yet a fully developed passer.
PRESEASON IS CRUCIAL
Should Newman show well during the preseason, he would plant the seed of confidence and potential with the Eagles coaching staff. Fantasy football is won during those crucial final few weeks of the season. If Hurts is faltering, Newman should get the start and could prove to be a league winner. Either way, Newman can become a starter in this league. Be sure to stash him as a cheap quarterback with long term starter potential. If not for the Eagles, then for other quarterback needy teams in 2022.
RUNNING BACK
KENNETH GAINWELL, FIFTH ROUND PICK
APPEAL: COLLEGE PRODUCTION, SKILL SET, DEPTH CHART
https://twitter.com/ZKantzFF/status/1369138210421411840?s=20
Another Philadelphia Eagle! Kenneth Gainwell has immediate fantasy value out of the gate but the potential beyond 2021 is what keeps me up at night.
Gainwell fell multiple rounds in the draft as he was selected in the fifth round. Most analysts had him going as late as round three. Like most of the running backs not taken in the first round, Gainwell’s outlook, at first glance, seems muddy. Gainwell finds himself behind incumbents. Miles Sanders and Boston Scott. Both have been serviceable.
However, what makes Gainwell distinct from his rookie peers is his dual skill set as a pass catcher and runner. Gainwell was a massive producer at Memphis. Like many players, he opted out of the 2020 season. In 2019, he was the starter over Antonio Gibson, he rushed for 1459 yards and 16 TDs on 231 attempts. Additionally, he caught 51-of- 61 targets (83.6 percent catch rate) for 610 yards and 3 TD’s. He commanded a 13.8 percent target (highest among any running back drafted this year by a wide margin) while averaging 12 yards per reception.
HOW GAINWELL GETS AHEAD
With Nick Sirianni coming on as the new Eagles head coach, it’s not out of the question that they cut Boston Scott before the start of the season. Scott is due $920,000 this year. If he is cut, or traded before June 1st, the Eagles would take no hit against the cap. Even if Scott does stay on, I can all too easily envision Scott being supplanted this year.
Miles Sanders is supposed to be entering the prime of his career and his contract will be up in two years. He missed 4 games in 2020 and was regularly relieved by Scott during games due to lingering knee issues dating back to college.
In the meantime, Gainwell will be playing on a team devoid of any real wide receiver talent outside of Devonta Smith. While at Memphis, Gainwell played outside plenty of times and burned his fair share of corner backs. I expect him to eat, split out wide, often this year.
WIDE RECEIVER
CORNELL POWELL, FIFTH ROUND PICK
APPEAL: TRAITS, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, DEPTH CHART
Another hidden gem. Former Clemson wide receiver Cornell Powell was drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs in round five of the draft. I don’t have to tell you that this is one of the most pass happy, high octane, juiced up offenses there is in the NFL. On the Chiefs, Powell finds himself among a group of wide receivers who do not have a play style like him. Yet, it is one the Chiefs have been searching for.
Ever since their acquisition of Sammy Watkins, it was apparent that the Chiefs were hungry for a physical receiver with yards after the catch abilities. That is precisely what Powell is.
Powell is not an overly twitchy receiver. His strengths are in his physical style of play. He excels in beating jam press off the line, uses techniques such as the swim technique to deflect hands during his releases, constantly killed defenders with back shoulder catches, and smoked his coverage downfield. He is also a highly underrated route runner and yards after the catch receiver. When he’s beat on routes, he’s aware of his faults and uses that knowledge to psychologically exploit his defenders.
With only 53 receptions last year, Powell put up 882 yards and seven TD’s. Powell is going from playing with the top college prospect last year, to the top quarterback in the NFL. His ceiling is a highly productive WR2 in Kansas City. I would love to get him in the second or third rounds of my rookie drafts.
TIGHT END
KENNY YEBOAH, U.D.F.A
APPEAL: TRAITS, DEPTH CHART, NEW COACHING REGIME
Kenny Yeboah is an immediate threat to New York Jets incumbent Chris Herndon. As a U.D.FA., Yeboah was signed and guaranteed $200,000. A substantial amount of money considering that he holds no draft capital. Yeboah broke out in in 2020 at Ole Miss during a seven-game season which was cut short due to Covid. Had he played a full season, he may have been the second or third tight end off the board.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Yeboah spent four years at Temple University where he had an up and down tenure. In 2016 he only started one game. He was convinced by then head coach, Matt Rhule, to switch from wide receiver to tight end. Because of the lack of focus on the tight end position in Temple’s offense, Yeboah’s production was limited. He really took off when he committed to Ole Miss.
Yeboah played only seven games at Ole Miss before shutting it down due to Covid concerns. During that time, he caught 27-of-37 targets for 524 yards and 6 TD’s. That is 14 yards less than all his yards combined during his four-year tenure at Temple. He had 73 percent catch rate and averaged 19.4 yards per reception. Even with limited exposure at Ole Miss, he was able to showcase his potential in the receiving and blocking game.
MEASURABLES AND TRAITS
As a 6-5, 250 pounds, former wide receiver, Yeboah can scoot. We don’t have any official 40 times, but I’m putting him in the mid 4.6’s. He has a massive catch radius boasting an 81-inch wingspan. For reference. Kyle Pitts has an 83-inch wingspan.
Yeboah is both a vertical threat and run after the catch talent across the middle of the field. He can run routes split out wide, in the slot, in line, and out of the backfield.
Yeboah is well versed as both a pass and run blocker and has proven to be reliable as a sniffer in split zone, drive blocks, and sealing the edge. He can also line up in the slot and block on wide receiver screens.
Yeboah still has his weaknesses. He needs refinements with his release. He can keep pace and break away with linebackers, but faster defensive backs can catch up to him quickly. If he wants to make up for his lack of athleticism, he’ll have to improve his route running nuances.
DEPTH CHART IS WIDE OPEN
Yeboah now finds himself on a tight end depth chart with one pass catching who hasn’t put up any good tape for some time now. Chris Herndon has flashed promise as a productive tight end, and yet, he has not delivered. Last year, Herndon failed to produce meaningfully despite being on a team devoid of any real receiving talent. The year before that he missed the entire year due to injury. The last time he produced was his rookie year when he went for 502 yards on 39 receptions and 4 TD’s. Even if Yeboah does not get the number one tight end spot, Saleh’s system utilizes two pass caching tight ends.
The depth chart behind Herndon is comprised of blocking tight ends like Ryan Griffin and Tyler Kroft. They pose no real threat to Yeboah.
Yeboah is not far off from becoming a complete tight end. If he locks up the starting role, he’ll be playing for a quarterback in Zach Wilson who threw 12 TD’s to his tight end last year. Keep your eye ono him in training camp and the preseason. If no hype builds with him before your rookie drafts, you may be able to pick him for free off the waiver wire.
