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DeVonta Smith – Alabama – 6’1″ 175 lbs. – 11/4/98 (22 years old)

Quite possibly the most divisive wide receiver in the 2021 class. Those of you who watch college football have already seen DeVonta Smith and may wonder how a Heisman Trophy winning wide receiver could be divisive. Well, in the dynasty football community, there are the numbers people and the film people, and never shall the 2 meet. No, that’s a lie, hopefully everyone is using a good mix of both, but everyone has their leanings. The numbers people will tell you that he’s too light for his height (BMI), and they don’t like his 3rd year breakout or that he returned for his senior season. Meanwhile, the film community (myself included) see so much football goodness on tape that we can’t understand the concerns.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Louisiana State University – 5’7″ 207 lbs. – April 11, 1999 (21 years old)

  • Short area agility is the standout feature for Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
  • Ability to fake or jump laterally helps him avoid tacklers and in route running.
  • Neither acceleration nor top speed is overly impressive, but can use his tools to set guys up and make them miss. 
  • Uses blocks downfield and sees the cut back lanes open up.
  • Times where he will put his head down when running the interior and run into the back of his lineman.
  • Please, blog, may I have some more?

Henry Ruggs III – University of Alabama – 5’11” 188 lbs. – January 24, 1999 (21 years old)

SPEED, and not with Keanu. Ruggs can absolutely fly. Lace up his PF Flyers and let’s go baby! Ain’t no Dawgs catching him.
Absolutely a terror when he is working short crosses and slants. Anything that allows him to pull away and get into open space.
Does a good job working parallel or back to the QB when working on the intermediate or deeper crosses.
Breaks aren’t overly sharp on slants. Can get delayed in his route trying to shake defender at the line.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Justin Jefferson – Louisiana State University – 6’1″ 202 lbs. – January 16, 1999 (21 years old)

  • Instinctual downfield threat. 
  • Good fake step to get past DBs. 
  • Times his acceleration well to create separation. 
  • Locates the ball well in the air and great body control to adjust.
  • Uses hands well and times his body adjustment to clear space at the point of reception.
  • Please, blog, may I have some more?

Laviska Shenault Jr. – University of Colorado – 6’1″ 227 lbs. – 10/5/1998 (21 years old)

  • Can shake defenders at the line with moves or physicality. 
  • Understands where to sit against zone coverage. Will take advantage of loose coverage by sitting down quickly and then using his ability to make yards after the catch.
  • Route running will require some refinement.
    • Doesn’t get to his spots at times.
    • Had a difficult time creating separation against tougher corners.
    • Speed doesn’t flash in short and intermediate routes like it does down the field.
  • Something in his running style looks awkward at times. Upright, arms kind of lock into position at his side, and doesn’t look fluid in shorter areas.
  • Occasions where he doesn’t time his route to be able to body the defender to go up and fight for it. Some of his timing issues could be fixed by a more accurate and on time QB at the pro level.
  • Please, blog, may I have some more?

The draft won’t take place in Vegas, and there are conflicting reports out there about whether it will be suspended or not. Regardless, now is as good a time as any to try and get some more profiles out. 

Jalen Reagor – Texas Christian University – 5’11” 206 lbs. – 1/1/99 (21 years old)

Inconsistent quarterback play and the emergence of Taye Barber cut into his workload in his junior season, but Reagor brings an impressive open field ability and glimpses of greatness.

  • Good long speed and strong initial burst can put corners in a chasing position early. 
  • Got work on sweeps and screens to get the ball in his hands and let him work.
  • Ability to take well defended screens and burst outside for 10+ yards and a first down. 
  • Worked on kick off and punt returns. Averaged 20.8 yards per punt return his junior year and the touchdown you see below. 
  • Please, blog, may I have some more?

Cam Akers – Florida St. – 5’10” 217 lbs. – 6/22/99 (20 years old)

Fair warning up front, I’m a ‘Noles fan. And yes, it’s been a terrible few years. For the duration of Akers time at FSU, the Seminoles were a mess from scheme to play calling to the offensive line, and just general motivation. However, Akers was one of the few bright spots of these teams. He doesn’t have the highest top end speed or the best acceleration, but he brings a combination of balanced running with explosive play ability along with a natural receiving ability. Donkey Teeth recently ranked Akers #18 overall in his top 20 dynasty running back rankings and Alfred ranked him #4 among rookie running backs in his post combine running back rankings. Here’s what I saw from Akers in my film review:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

J.K. Dobbins – Ohio State – 5’9″ 209 lbs. – 21 Years Old (12/17/98)

Dobbins is a big play waiting to happen. He presents a combination of interior and exterior running ability with clear promise in his receiving ability.

  • Dobbins ran a decent mix of looks ranging from run pass option to traditional power running. 
  • Both the top end speed and acceleration are excellent. I don’t care that he didn’t run the 40 at the combine. Both, his acceleration and speed, are clearly evident. The questions with Dobbins has nothing to do with either. 
  • Along with the acceleration, Dobbins can stop and go on a dime whether it be laterally in a cut or straight line stop and go.

Acceleration to hit the hole and break through the LB and safety merging. Then, the jets to take it to the house. Giddy up!
Side note: I could’ve chosen any number of many clips to show you his breakaway speed. He’s done it against every level of opponent.  

Please, blog, may I have some more?

CeeDee Lamb – Oklahoma – 6’2” 191 lbs. – 4/8/99 (20 years old)

If Jeudy is the Toolbox, Lamb is the Natural. He doesn’t have elite top end speed or acceleration. He’s not an OBJ open field threat or a Michael Thomas route runner, but he does all of it well.

  • Lamb is a smooth operator, from the way he glides down field to the way he sets up defenders down field while the ball is in the air. In fact, if Lamb has a carrying trait, it lies in his abilities while the ball is in the air. 
  • Here’s a clear out for Lamb where they isolate him on the corner. The safety is covering the middle and won’t be able to get over to help. Lamb moves the defender up the field, turns and locates the ball, and gives himself the space to make the grab.
Please, blog, may I have some more?

Football season is ov…never ends! Next up is the combine (2/24-3/2) where grown men watch other grown men work out. Then, we get free agency (3/18) where billion dollar entities tell us they don’t have any money to spend. Finally, we’ll get to the draft (4/23-4/25) where talented 20+ year olds who were earning millions for a university will finally make some money for themselves.

Please, blog, may I have some more?