7 DRAFT DAYS - DAY 1 - THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

 

In this first article we asked six GM's from our league, plus The Commish, to profile seven players outside of the usual talked about draftees who they expect to cause a few waves in the NFL.

These are The Magnificent Seven:

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Murf - GM, Bristol Trojans (BFFL West)

NAJEE HARRIS

RB - ALABAMA

Every player in the NFL Draft has a story. Lot’s of prospects come from excellence achieved through opportunities given to them. Lot’s have to navigate hardship and diversity. Few prospects would have had to suffer the same journey Harris took on his way to being the elite NFL Prospect he has become. And on draft night on 30th April, his dreams and ambitions will have been achieved.

Harris had to navigate an abusive father, homelessness, moving from city to city, and barely having a childhood. He spent Christmas’ in shelters as a child, nights in a van and relying on food from a soup kitchen. However, as his mother was finally able to get her education and get her medical degree, Harris was able to have more stability and finally settle in school. It was there he found football. 

Moving to Alabama was a risk. But for Harris it was a risk worth taking. After sharing a backfield with Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs in 2017 and 2018, Harris came to the forefront of the rushing attack in his Junior year. After touching the ball 236 times for 1,528 scrimmage yards and 20 total Touchdowns in 2019, many felt he would come out and try his luck in the NFL draft in 2020.

However, a decision to go back to school, finish his degree and aim to be the best he could be drove Harris to have an even better year in 2020. In 2020 he touched the ball 294 times for 1,891 yards and 30 Touchdowns in the hardest conference in America, as he was crowned a National Champion for the second time.

Harris holds a lot of school records for Alabama. He is the all-time leading rushing in Alabama history with 3,843 yards on 638 carries. He scored 46 rushing touchdowns which is also a record. Harris also holds the records for most yards from scrimmage with 4,624 and total touchdowns with 57. 

He is a complete Running Back who is just as good with receiving work as he is running with the ball in his hands. If he has one weakness, it is that he doesn’t possess that home run threat, big play ability that his predecessor Derrick Henry has for example. However, outside of that, Harris is the most complete back in this class. He will go as the first Running Back off the board (unless somebody pulls a major shock), and will probably go on to have the best career of the Running Backs in this 2021 class.

Whilst this class isn’t deep, Harris has the hunger, desire, skill, size and speed to be a success in the NFL. And his motivation is more than most. 

Therefore, if you are a fantasy football player, feel comfortable selecting Harris wherever he lands, early in your rookie drafts. He is a very special talent and will be the next great NFL Running Back to hail from the Nick Saban production line.

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Jess - GM, Carlisle Titans (British Bulldog)

GREGORY ROUSSEAU

EDGE - MIAMI (FL)

ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Second highest sacks in the country in 2019 (behind Chase

Young, and we all know how that turned out) - and he’s still only 21 years of age. For me, he has

the potential to be the best edge in the draft. The only reason I see him falling slightly is due to him

not playing last year and therefore the body of work isn’t there. I do believe he will go in the first

round - I have only seen him fall in one mock this year.

He also needs work, he’s not the finished product - due to COVID, Rousseau only played one full

season in Miami so whilst all the physical aspects are there (83” wing span and Pro Day stats

including Vertical jump of 30” and Broad jump of 9’7”), there are many technical areas of his

position that he needs to learn - this does mean teams can coach him up and unleash his

undoubted potential.

From a fantasy perspective, for me he is one for Taxi Squads if you have them. I have no doubt

that, with the right coaching, he has the potential to be a star on the Edge however I don’t see him

making an immediate impact this season as he has much to learn.

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Paul - GM, Suffolk Eagles (BFC East)

MICAH PARSONS

LB - PENN STATE

Before the Suffolk Eagles, I knew very little about IDP and in fantasy terms saw defense as a necessary evil that was there to get your offense back on the field.

The NFL is heavily tilted in favour of offenses. Player safety has taken the power away from what used to be known as the 'hard hitters' and rightly so. The game is still pretty dangerous enough.

Add to this the non-reviewable pass interference calls and it's understandable that it is hard to get too excited about the IDP players.

This was until my first year in the BFC. My every down linebackers saw us in the playoffs, outscoring anyone bar Rodgers on my offense, despite there not being one stud between them.

I am no expert on rookies, or the draft of the linebacker position. My opinion of Micah Parsons is such that I don't need to be an expert. Sure, he's missed a year citing Covid, but his stock doesn't slump because Penn State capitulate without him. He's called selfish and not a great teammate. I don't see that as a weakness going to the top level. So many of the great players could be perceived as arrogant or even divisive.

Even if the perceived weaknesses turn out to be relevant, Parsons will be a three down linebacker. It doesn't matter where he lands, he will immediately be a difference maker, regardless of who takes him. His floor is a three down linebacker who will make 80 tackles, a handful of sacks and if he gets his hands on the ball a defensive touchdown or two.

His ceiling can be almost double that, posting Devin White type numbers.

Yes please, I'm in, the Suffolk Eagles will be proud to have you on board.

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Simmo - The Commish & GM, Herne Bay Saxons (BFU East)

JOE TRYON

EDGE - WASHINGTON

Being a college fan, I was all too aware of Joe Tryon. Quick from the snap and explosive from the edge, very quick into gaps vacated by the linemen.

He had a tremendous 2019, posting 41 tackles combined and 8 sacks. His agility around the field is his big strength. He's a bit small for defensive end but has the potential to become a starting rusher for an NFL team with the right scheme fit. His versatility can see him play on the edge of any type of formation, his speed and pursuit of his prey gets him to where he needs to be.

Given the space to pick up his momentum in any play, he will be force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

In fantasy terms, he has a brilliant upside and, given the fact that I have just noted for the right team he could be an NFL starter, I think he would be one to keep on the big board for the BFFL drafts.

Joe Tryon is an intelligent player, he can create his own success on a play that with his burst of speed and agility I am convinced he can be a special player. Experts state that top pass rushers will go first round, but there are still players, like Tryon, who slip through the scouting networks and mocks for one reason or another. If this happens in the 2021 draft there is going to be one very lucky team to land this player.

I had seen previous mocks and projections of him going second round, but I genuinely believe that Joe Tryon is a first round prospect, it is just which team would be in that position at that time to take him.

But, in life as well as football, I have always studied people or persona and I like this young man. I like his attitude, his demeanour and he is polite and courteous. 

"I really don't mind where I'm drafted. It's an honor to be in this position in the first place. What I really care about is landing on a good team that is going to use me to my best advantage. It's not about how high I go. It's really the best place for me."

Do not let that quote from Joe Tryon fool you. That is not a lack of confidence in his own ability, rather a humility that with all the talent around him, he is comfortable and patient enough to wait his turn. 

Patience and comfort. If you add fierce and powerful to those, then the ingredients are already in place for the best result possible.

I like this player a lot.

If he was hanging around in the BFFL draft, would I take him? - You will have to wait and see.

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Paul - GM, Bonnyrigg Huskies (BFU North)

KADARIUS TONEY

WR - FLORIDA

Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, there are a number of teams who will be looking to provide more weapons for their new QB’s. We’re all familiar with the names by now Chase, Waddle & Smith, who are projected to go early in the 1st Round, but how about a receiver that can provide value further down the draft board. Look no further than Florida Gator’s Kadarius Toney. 

Toney is 5ft 11 194lbs and is a serious weapon. He is an athletic skill player who is coming off a tremendous senior campaign. Toney plays with outstanding balance and body control, possesses terrific speed and separates from defenders out of routes. He is thin in build but is freakishly elusive with absurd body control and contact balance which allows him to break tackles with ease.

2020 was his breakout season where he had 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 TD’s. He also produced on the ground, accumulating 19 attempts for 161 yards and a score. Toney’s efforts earned him recognition as one of 3 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s best WR.

Basically, whichever NFL team selects Toney will be receiving the ultimate versatile threat for it’s offense with special teams experience and skills as a plus. He’ll mainly work the slot position but can occasionally flex outside, but it’s best to keep him closer to the backfield in order for his offense to use him creatively. Whether he’s breaking across the middle of the field or into the flats, winning on the occasional deep route, taking handoffs or jet sweeps, or even throwing a pas, Toney fits the bill of an explosive weapon that most offenses would love to have.

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Harry - GM, Bromsgrove Boars (BFO North)

KENNETH GAINWELL

RB - MEMPHIS

As I pushed my work laptop back and booted up some Kenny Gainwell tape I'd heard rumours that I was

about to watch a human highlight reel, a RB capable of making jaws drop.

But what should we expect from the kid out of Yazoo County High County via Memphis and who kept

Antonio Gibson out of the backfield?

Much has been made of the fact that this year's RB class isn't up to the standard of recent years and that

outside of (and even including) the expected top 3 the rest is bland to meh. From what I've been able to witness, Gainwell could be an absolute steal in today's PPR or 0.5 PPR dominant formats, but he could still be more than useful in the non-PPR world of BFFL.

He appears to be a genuine 3 down back who can do it all – run between the tackles, make plays on

outside runs and be a genuinely dangerous receiving threat to name a few of his evidenced talents.

After understandably opting out of the 2020 season following some huge personal loss due to Covid,

there should be some real optimism that he will be able to enter the NFL ready, refreshed and able to hit

the ground running (quite literally!).

His college tape shows a player with fantastic balance, able to make ankle breaking steps off each foot

and while he's not the biggest player on the field, he most certainly plays with a determination and

commitment that belies his stature. He has no problem with trying to truck a DB. 

Gainwell possesses great vision, a clear ability to read his protection, pick a hole and execute. He is a willing north-south runner with speed to burn. There are legitimate concerns in respect of his size and lacklustre relative athletic score - 5.71 out of 10 (as a comparison Travis Etienne (9.14) Javonte Williams (8.80), Najee Harris (not scored)) – but Gainwell has every chance to be that rookie RB sleeper who could take your team over the top and push you on that Championship Run.

As with almost every player, landing spot is going to be crucial, so as we steam towards the draft Gainwell

is definitely a player to watch.

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Shane- GM, Derry Venom (BFA East)

RASHOD BATEMAN

WR - MINNESOTA

The best wide receiver, nobody is talking about.

Whilst all the pre-draft talk appears to be about the perceived top 3 Wide Receivers in the draft in Ja’Marr Chase, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, many are forgetting about another WR who should deservedly be tagged with a 1st Round projection. Rashod Bateman may not have played for the all-conquering powerhouse colleges of LSU and Alabama, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers wideout showed plenty to convince me that he can become a top receiver in the NFL. 

Bateman had 147 receptions for 2,395 Yards and 19 TD’s during his 3 seasons in college. 

The Metrics

College receiving stats: 

Age: 21

Height: 6-0 3/8

Weight: 190 lbs

40 time: 4.39 (Pro Day)

Vertical: 36 inches

Strengths

Bateman is an excellent route runner. He has been compared to Allen Robinson and Keenan Allen in the Pro’s and it’s easy to see why. His footwork is exceptional and gives him the ability to create separation with ease off the line of scrimmage. Bateman’s quick feet also give him the ability to transition in and out of cuts. He has RAC ability, often forcing missed tackles in the open field. Has shown good body control and can adjust to make catches. Whilst he projects as an outside receiver, Bateman also showed versatility to play in the slot last season. He is not a burner but has shown enough speed to separate and pull away from defenders, backed by his 4.39 timing in the 40-Yard Dash at his Pro Day.

 

Weaknesses

Bateman is smaller than the 6-2 and 210lbs he was listed as on the college’s official site and this does come across a little on film. He isn’t the most physically tough receiver and doesn’t show up much as a run blocker. His concentration can be suspect at times and has led to a few drops. 

Note: Bateman did have Covid-19 last summer and, whilst not a huge concern, the long-term health impacts of that are still relatively unknown. 

Conclusion

Overall the positives far outweigh the negatives. While he is not a likely top 10 pick, look out for Bateman to be a possible selection later in the first round. Bateman and LSU receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. both make it in to my Top 32 players along with the other top 3 receivers previously mentioned, and all have the ability to become top class receivers in the NFL. Whilst he has shown the ability to play in the slot, I expect Bateman to line up out wide on the majority of snaps in the NFL. I see Bateman as likely starting out as a #2 receiver on a team when drafted, but he has the talent to take over and become the star wideout for whichever franchise selects him on Draft Weekend. 

NFL Draft Projection: Late 1st to Early 2nd Round pick

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Those are "The Magnificent Seven", the players our seven GM's believe will be the late or special picks of the 2021 NFL Draft. 

It will be interesting to see where these players get selected.

Great thanks to the contributors to this piece.

The Commish

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