Rookie SWOT: Kenyan Drake
Editor’s Note: As our coverage of the 2016 NFL Draft and its impact on fantasy football continues, we bring you our 2016 Rookie SWOT series. These articles will feature video highlights, combine reviews, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, short-term expectations, long-term expectations and rookie draft advice for over 30 of the best dynasty league prospects from this year’s draft. We’ll follow that up with team-by-team draft reviews because, you know, that’s kind of what we live for.
Make sure you’re ready for your dynasty league rookie draft by staying up on all these articles, checking out our rookie draft guide, rookie rankings, rookie draft cheat sheet and mock draft rooms. There are simply no better resources out there for dynasty fantasy football enthusiasts.
Name: Kenyan Drake
Age: 22 years old (01-26-94)
Position: Running Back
NFL Team: Miami Dolphins
College Team: Alabama
NFL Draft Pick: Round three, #73 overall
Video Highlights
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Combine Review
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 210
Hands: 9 ¾”
Arm Length: 31 ¾”
40-Yard Dash: 4.45
10-Yard Split: 1.64
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.21
3 Cone: 7.04
Vertical: 34.5”
Broad Jump: 10’ 3”
Bench Press: 10 reps
Strengths
-Good feet: Allowing him to change direction quickly to make defenders miss, make tough cuts to find the hole and maintain his balance.
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-Explosive: Drake gets to top speed in a hurry and can outrun defenders.
-Playmaker: Shows good instincts and made big plays for Alabama. Culminated by a game-sealing kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the National Championship game.
-3rd down back: Threat out of the backfield as a receiver with his route running and athleticism.
-Toughness: I was more impressed by his willingness to fight for yardage than I thought. Not a power guy, but not afraid to run inside.
Weaknesses
-Drops: Drake drops easy passes as he’s trying to move without securing the football.
-Fumbles: Only fumbled one time his senior season, but fumbled six times earlier in his career.
-Injuries: Broken and dislocated ankle his junior season. In his senior year had a cracked rib, sprained ankle, concussion, and a broken arm.
-Suspensions: 2012 violation of team rules and 2014 following an arrest for obstructing governmental operations.
Opportunities
The previous starter, Lamar Miller, left for greener pastures in Houston. Also, Adam Gase is the new head coach in Miami and they have a new front office. When a new coaching staff comes to town, opportunities are wide open because they don’t have ties to players left by the past regime. I see this entire situation as wide open..
Threats
Considering it’s 2016 and not 2012, I don’t see Daniel Thomas and Isaiah Pead as threats anymore. Damien Williams caught a few passes out of the backfield, but is more of an afterthought with Drake in town. Jay Ajayi is the biggest threat to Drake’s playing time. He was a workhorse in college; setting an FBS record with over 1800 rushing and 500 receiving yards his junior season at Boise State. A good athlete for his size, Ajayi seemed destined for a high NFL Draft pick. But rumors came out about a knee condition and he fell to the fifth round. Ajayi only had 56 touches his rookie season at Miami and produced average results.
Short-term Expectations
Many are considering Kenyan Drake as a change of pace, 3rd down back, and returner in 2016. However, not many expected Jeremy Langford (also a thin running back with speed) to get as much work as he did his rookie season in Chicago. Adam Gase promotes competition and will let the best back win the job for 2016. Drake will most likely produce RB3 numbers as this committee works itself out.
Long-term Expectations
The Dolphins have been surrounding starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill with weapons. Leonte Carroo, Jakeem Grant, Thomas Duarte in the NFL Draft were added to Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, and Jordan Cameron already on the roster. If it still isn’t clear what Miami wants to do, they drafted the best pass protecting left tackle in the draft in Laremy Tunsil. I don’t see a high ceiling for any Dolphins running back in the short term or long term. Both Ajayi and Drake can run and catch the football well. I see this as a committee for the next few years until Miami adds another back with more pedigree.
Rookie Draft Advice
The rookie ADP has Drake slotted in the mid to late second round. But honestly, the late first to late second is one big tier for me. I think Drake has a better shot than people realize to take over the starting role, but I still wouldn’t place a large bet on it happening.
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Nick can be found on Twitter at @_NickWhalen
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