Rookie Player Profile: Cameron Artis-Payne

Brian Malone

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Combine Review

Height: 5’10”
Weight: 212 pounds
Hands: 8.875”
Arm Length: 29.625”
40-Yard Dash: 4.53 seconds
3 Cone Drill: 7.13 seconds
Vertical: 36.5”
Broad: 118.0”

Highlights

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Strengths

Artis-Payne has many NFL-quality traits, but nothing that jumps off the screen. He has above-average speed and measured explosiveness for his size, but not enough to differentiate him. He’s a competent receiver out of the backfield, but he’s no threat to become a pass-catching specialist. He’s sure handed—losing only three fumbles in almost 400 attempts at Auburn and he has the build and instincts to run between the tackles.

Despite a lack of eye-popping measurables, Artis-Payne led the SEC in rushing his senior season. And his back story shows why he should not be underestimated. Out of high school, Artis-Payne’s academic record prevented him from capitalizing on his Division I-level talent. At age 20, he was out of shape and working a minimum-wage job assembling lawn tools in his hometown in Pennsylvania. But a former coach tipped him off that a junior college in California was looking for a running back, so he flew out for a visit. Within three years, he was dominating touches at Auburn. With a near career-death experience under his belt, Artis-Payne will arrive hungry and ready to work in the NFL.

Weaknesses

From an NFL perspective, Artis-Payne has no glaring weaknesses. But he also doesn’t excel (by NFL standards) in any respect. He needs to improve in pass protection, so don’t expect him on the field much early on. Due to his unconventional path to the NFL, he is one of the oldest rookie backs in this draft, turning 25 in June.

Opportunities

Opportunity is the key to Artis-Payne’s fantasy value. If he can improve in pass protection, he may be Jonathan Stewart’s primary backup by September – Stewart also hasn’t played more than 13 games in a season since 2011. Even if Stewart stays fairly healthy, DeAngelo Williams’ departure leaves room for another back to step in and take about 100 carries.

That said, Carolina running backs haven’t produced high-end fantasy numbers for several years. With Tolbert and Cam Newton vulturing attempts and touchdowns, the weekly ceiling is not very high.

Threats

The Panthers’ depth chart is overflowing with running backs, but none should strike fear in the heart of an Artis-Payne owner: Mike Tolbert, Fozzy Whittaker and Jordan Todman are his primary competitors for touches, though only one of Whittaker and Todman is likely to make the 53-man roster. Todman still has some sleeper appeal, but overall this is a great depth chart for a running back to enter.

Short-term Expectations

The odds are good that Artis-Payne will have a few 10-plus carry games this year. However, I don’t expect him to be anything more than an injury fill-in or low-end RB2 for fantasy purposes, even when such opportunity arises. If you have Artis-Payne and Stewart goes down, I’d recommending trying to sell for a small profit before the following week.

Long-term Expectations

Artis-Payne fits the mold of a valuable NFL player—likely one who contributes to several NFL teams over the course of his career—but not likely a valuable dynasty asset. He’s talented enough that he could be a viable short-term RB2 if he finds himself in the right situation, but he is not worth rostering in shallower leagues until that opportunity arises.

NFL Comparison

There are many NFL backs who fit Artis-Payne’s profile of an above-average athlete who doesn’t really “pop” on tape. I’ve seen him compared to a lesser Ben Tate, but Tate was more of a size-speed guy. Matt Waldman puts him on the Shonn Greene/Rudi Johnson spectrum, but Artis-Payne has better receiving skills than those backs demonstrated. My pick would be Tashard Choice—similar frame, similarly competent and similarly uninspiring as a dynasty asset.

Rookie Draft Advice

Artis-Payne is being drafted, on average, in the early fourth round of rookie drafts. I have not seen anyone reach for him earlier than the late third in an actual draft, but he went at 3.01 and 3.02 in two of DLF’s rookie mocks. I’m not willing to draft him until the fourth round at the earliest, and even then only with the intention to flip him should an opportunity arise in-season (or if Stewart suffers a preseason injury).

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brian malone
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