Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook: Early Top Five Dynasty Mock

Editor’s note: This article is written by our newest writer, Bradley Ylitalo. We welcome Bradley to the DLF team and look forward to seeing more of his work in the future!

Hello DLF readers, I’m the new kid on the block: Bradley Ylitalo. This “Scouting Notebook” is a series of notebook editions released bi-weekly to help you prepare for both your rookie draft and the NFL draft.

After a brief introduction, we’ll get into section one, where I’ll introduce you to the top prospects of a certain position group and let you know where they sit as both dynasty and NFL draft prospects. In the second section, I will break down the weekly fan question, which in today’s case, is an “early top five dynasty mock”. And lastly, I’ll give you three games to watch for the college football weekend for those who want to see their potential draft picks in live action. With that, welcome to my scouting notebook. Let’s begin!

We’re heading into week seven of the NFL season and I think we can begin to identify which teams will be making a run at Super Bowl 52, and who will be picking in the top ten come April. Speaking of Super Bowl contenders, I have absolutely loved what Kansas City has been doing week in and week out. Projecting right now, I think we could easily be looking at a Patriots-Chiefs AFC title game in Kansas City.

As for the NFC, as usual, title aspirations are much more wide open. The Rams have made great strides but I still like Seattle to pull out the West. The Lions and Vikings are good football teams, but I fully expect Green Bay to once again take the North. The Eagles are running away with the East so far, but I wouldn’t be counting out Washington just yet. And then there’s the South with Atlanta looking like perhaps the NFC’s most complete team, and the Panthers, with Greg Olsen coming back later this year adding to a well-rounded offense, could very well surprise some people with a playoff win or two.

The last thing I want to touch on before we begin breaking down this year’s running back class is the great years both Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are having. Lots of people, including myself, began to write off the Rams quarterback after an underwhelming campaign in 2016, but we have to remember that prospects often times take two or three years to figure out how to succeed at the NFL level. Considering both of their successes this season, I’m buying both Goff and Wentz right now.

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An Early Look at the Elites of the Running Back Class

You can’t talk about the 2018 running back class and not talk about Penn State’s Heisman frontrunner, Saquon Barkley. He has been the talk of NFL draft twitter thus far this season, and rightfully so. Barkley has put on an absolute show piling together over 1,000 all-purpose yards as he leads the number three ranked Nittany Lions. He is every bit as talented as Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette who both were drafted in the top five of their respective drafts, Barkley should follow suit as well. A ridiculous athlete even by NFL standards, the Penn State star should be considered the number one prospects for your rookie drafts unless something changes drastically.

Saquon Barkley has an elite combination of quickness and agility, can’t wait to see what he does this year! @saquonb21 #NFLDraft2018 pic.twitter.com/35yT83b3Wy

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) May 11, 2017

Barkley stands alone on tier one of backs if you ask me, while tier two consists Derrius Guice of LSU and Ronald Jones of USC. Let’s start with Guice, the consensus RB2. While Barkley is the prototypical three down, modern back, Guice is a bit of a throwback, capable of playing in today’s game. Much like his former LSU teammate Fournette, Guice will make his money with bruising power, straight line speed, and patience. I wouldn’t worry too much about his 2017 struggles gaining only 4.4 yards per carry (career average 5.8) because the talent is certainly there for him in full.

It takes a village to take down Derrius Guice! #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter #LSU @Ian_Johnson16 pic.twitter.com/ZKsL6TAUrm

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) September 16, 2017

Then there’s Ronald Jones. The USC back has Dalvin Cook type athleticism, I’m not hyperbolizing when I say that. Just like Cook, Jones has the ability to hit a hole with tremendous acceleration and breakaway speed to finish long runs. I’d like to see him become stronger and use his agility a little better, but overall, it’s easy to see franchise-back potential with Jones.

Ronald Jones is a Dalvin Cook type of athlete!! Late first round talent at this point! @DFF_Devy #DraftTwitter #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/cXJG7tk0SH

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) September 29, 2017

To sum it up, Saquon Barkley, Derrius Guice, and Ronald Jones are all backs I see going in the first round when April rolls around. For now, expect them to all land in the top five of your rookie drafts. Barkley should be considered a clear number one while Guice and Jones could go anywhere from 2-5.

Next edition we’ll break down the backs we may not consider elite, but definitely capable of sneaking into the first round of your rookie drafts.

Fan Poll Question: An Early Top Five Dynasty Mock

Alright NFL Draft twitter, which question should I address in edition 3 of my scouting notebook? #DraftTwitter #NFLDraft

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) October 10, 2017

The best part about being an “NFL Draft dynasty” writer? Mock drafts! Without further ado, let’s get into a top five mock.

PPR

1.01) Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State

Last year there was mass debate whether 1.01 should be Corey Davis, Leonard Fournette, or Christian McCaffrey. There should be no such debate this year. League type? Team Needs? Doesn’t matter, take Saquon Barkley. He is just as talented as Ezekiel Elliott or Leonard Fournette, and I believe has the highest ceiling of the three.

1.02) Derrius Guice, RB LSU

After Barkley, picks two through five were very tough to decide on. Despite my concerns with Guice in the passing game, I’d be comfortable drafting him at number two in a PPR league. The LSU superstar should take over the backfield of whoever lands him and produce multiple double-digit touchdown years over his career.

1.03) Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama

I’m split on whether to have Calvin Ridley or Courtland Sutton be my number one ranked wide receiver. From a PPR standpoint, however, Ridley should be given the edge. Ridley is a fantastic athlete and defined route runner who will be a perfect PPR fit. I can’t promise you he’ll ever become a red zone target, but he could easily become the next Brandin Cooks. The big negative you should know about Ridley before drafting him is his age, he’s only a Junior for the Crimson Tide but this December he will already turn 23.

1.04) Courtland Sutton, WR Southern Methodist

I think you’re landing the highest upside wide receiver in the class with Sutton here. The kid has an ideal 6’4 frame and freakish athleticism. From what I’ve seen, his hands and route running aren’t fantastic, but his floor is a red zone target with big-play potential. Can’t go wrong with Sutton at 1.04.

1.05) Ronald Jones, RB USC

Jones has been overshadowed by everyone’s obsession with Saquon Barkley’s athleticism, but he’s capable of some highlight reel plays of his own. An absolute burner, if Jones can improve upon his vision just a bit we could be looking at a multi-time pro-bowler.

*One to Consider Deon Cain, Wide Receiver, Clemson

Standard

1.01) Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State

Like I said earlier, doesn’t matter which league format, or what your team needs, Saquon Barkley is the pick at 1.01. From day one much like what we have seen from Elliott and Fournette, Barkley should step in and take over a backfield.

1.02) Derrius Guice, RB LSU

Guice is a very strong number two in standard formats. Much like the Jaguars are using Fournette this season, he should get a high percentage of goal-line touches and an opportunity for high yardage simply by volume of carries. Landing spot is going to be big for Guice.

1.03) Courtland Sutton, WR Southern Methodist

Just like I said with Ridley getting the edge in PPR, Sutton gets the edge in a standard format. I don’t know if Sutton will ever be a 90 reception guy, but he’s got a great chance to push for double-digit touchdowns more than once in his career.

1.04) Ronald Jones, RB USC

Jones gets the slight edge over Ridley simply because of his position. Both may become franchise guys at their respective position, and if that’s true, give me the running back. Like I said earlier Jones has a legit chance to become a star, so I’m very comfortable taking him here at 1.04.

1.05) Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama

Ridley slips in at number five simply because of his talent. Deon Cain, like Sutton, is a better standard fit but you can’t pass on the potential that Ridley contains. Although a tough choice, Ridley is the better bet to become a playmaker.

*One to Consider Deon Cain, WR Clemson

Well, that wraps up this week’s edition of “Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook”, feel free to shoot me a question on Twitter @NFL_Drafthub, I’m always happy to interact with football fans. Be on the lookout for next week’s poll as to which fan question we will cover! See you next time!

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