Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook: Prospects to Target for Contenders

Bradley Ylitalo

So, you’re not going to get a shot at Saquon Barkley or Derrius Guice. Thankfully, you can still land one or two pieces that will help you immediately and only serve to widen your squad’s championship window. From a former minor league pitcher turned tight end to an all too unheralded running back, I’m going to provide you with seven prospects to keep a keen eye on as we grow closer to rookie drafts.

Championship contenders aren’t necessarily looking at adding long-term projects or prospects with unanswered question marks, so I’m here to give throw at you some names I see with a skill set that will make them potential fantasy starters as soon as year one. This should be fun. Let’s dig into some prospects for contenders!

(Expected draft range is in parenthesis.)

Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M (1.05-1.09)

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I would by no means plan on Kirk being available in the second half of your first round, but as with any draft, unexpected things happen. If everything lines up perfectly and he falls into your lap, don’t think for a second about other options. Kirk is the perfect fit for contenders.

Having put up 234 receptions, 2,800 yards, and 26 touchdowns in his time at College Station, it’s safe to say the Aggie knows how to produce. With a game centered around getting open with refined route-running and athleticism that scares even the most confident of corners, Kirk should have little trouble finding his footing in the NFL.

Michael Gallup, WR Colorado State (1.10-2.04)

A wideout I have as an early second rounder in both NFL draft and rookie draft standards, Michael Gallup is about as well-rounded as they come at this point of the draft. In just two years in Fort Collins, the unrated JUCO product made the most of his time at the Division I level.

Having collected 21 touchdowns, 176 receptions, and 2,690 yards, it’s easy to see why Gallup was a two-time First-Team All-Mountain West performer and 2017 consensus All-American. The Ram dominates opponents with a complete game centered around terrific top-end speed and an uncanny ability to create enormous amounts of space for his quarterback.

Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn (1.12-2.07)

What do you get when you mix a big-bodied back with an elite blend of patience, balance, and quickness? A damn good running back prospect. It’s as simple as that with Kerryon Johnson. He’s a legitimate, high-end talent and name you need to know. The 6’0 Junior compiled 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns on his way to earning 2017 SEC Player of the Year honors.

A hard runner and capable receiver out of the backfield, he should be a late first-round candidate in any format. Johnson should get his shot to be the starting back for whoever drafts him. And that means we could see him produce noteworthy and valuable numbers. The Auburn product will start to get more and more talk as we get closer to the draft. It’s time to think about getting on his bandwagon.

DJ Moore, WR Maryland (2.01-2.08)

52 receptions, 720 yards, four touchdowns. That doesn’t sound bad for a rookie, right? That was former Terrapin Stefon Diggs‘ rookie stat line. I think DJ Moore could do something similar. Why bring up Diggs? It’s not only the Maryland connection, it’s the play style and toolbox both of these young men possess. When watching Moore, I couldn’t believe how similar the two were, even looking outside of the uniform.

A quick athlete with strong hands and an impressive ability with the ball in them, he’s ready to slide in and contribute to an NFL offense. Moore may rise up as the draft process rolls on, so watch for his expected draft range to change.

Rashaad Penny, RB San Diego State (2.03-2.10)

The aforementioned “unheralded” back, Rashaad Penny will no longer be unheralded come draft time. The 5’11 senior gathered over 3,600 yards and 38 touchdowns through his career as an Aztec. He may not ever be confused with the Ronald Jones II and Saquon Barkleys of the class who have blinding speed, but he’ll make a name for himself with patience and vision you just don’t see from college kids.

Add in more-than-proficient short area quickness, and you have yourself a skill set you can build a star around. The odds he drops to the mid to late second aren’t great by any means, but if so, don’t hesitate to pounce on him.

Mark Walton, RB Miami (2.03-2.10)

Especially in PPR formats, do everything you can to make sure Mark Walton doesn’t slip through your fingers if you have a chance to scoop him up. With a productive freshman and sophomore season in his back pocket, Walton entered his Junior campaign in Miami with a chance to be an All-ACC player.

He performed exceptionally well through the first five weeks of 2017, but unfortunately missed the rest of the season with a right ankle injury. While that ankle will be a question mark NFL evaluators will have to answer for themselves, nobody will be questioning this kid’s talent.

With a scary good combination of agility, acceleration, vision, and receiving ability, offensive coordinators are going to dream up numerous ways to hammer in his toolkit to their offense. Someone who should be an immediate receiving back option, I like the prospects of Walton early in his career.

Hayden Hurst, TE South Carolina (2.08-3.04)

Not to sound alarms in the dynasty community, but I saw traits scouting Hayden Hurst that had me flashing back to watching Evan Engram. There are reasons Engram was a first-round pick and Hurst will most likely be a late second, but nevertheless, the similarities are there.

As you might expect, Hurst builds his game around rare athleticism. Not to be ignored, however, are his skills in route running and toughness while blocking in the running game. Having averaged nearly 600 yards a year in his final two seasons as a Gamecock, I think he’s ready for the NFL. The former pitcher needs refining in his game, but I like the instant impact he may be able to make.

Well, that wraps up this edition of “Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook”, please leave a comment or question about a specific prospect, or fit for your team, below. Feel free to shoot me a question on Twitter (@NFL_Drafthub), I’m always happy to interact with football fans. See you next time!

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