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

Bradley Ylitalo

My personal favorite of all dynasty teams, it’s you guys, the rebuilders. So much potential for change and hope for the future, it’s oddly, my favorite stage a team goes through. With rookie drafts growing closer and closer, it’s a terrific time to begin narrowing down the list of targets you want for your specific team. Through a list of seven prospects, we’ll go through everything from high upside quarterbacks to an intriguing long-term tight end. That’s enough talk. Let’s break down some prospects for rebuilders!

(Expected draft range in parentheses.)

Courtland Sutton, WR Southern Methodist (1.03-1.06)

A bit of an enigma; I’ll be extremely interested to see where Sutton lands in both the NFL draft and rookie drafts. A prospect I have as a first-round talent in both respects, I think it’s safe to say I’m excited about the Mustang’s upside. With both a frame and athletic ability that are well above average, Sutton has a chance to be a consistent double-digit touchdown threat. His route running and hands still need developing, so I wouldn’t expect immediate starter production, but he’s still well worth the early to mid first rounder.

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Ronald Jones II, RB USC (1.05-1.11)

Regardless of position, I think Ronald Jones is a top-five athlete in this class. And as we know with pure athletes, sometimes their feet are moving so fast, it takes them a while to find their footing. Someone who will make his fair share of headlines at the combine, don’t be surprised to see Jones get a bit of a rankings bump before your rookie draft. A fine receiver with impressive blocking skills for his 200 pound frame, when the Trojan figures it all out, he’s going to be really special.

Josh Adams, RB Notre Dame (2.07-3.01)

After the kind of season Josh Adams just had, he’s made himself impossible to overlook. Physically imposing at 6’2, 225 lbs with long range speed to finish off big runs, I’m incredibly interested to see where Adams fits in the NFL. His pad level and agility aren’t exactly what you look for, but look at his patience, vision, and power and you’ll quickly forget about your concerns. Someone who will most likely go late in round three or early in round four in the NFL draft, Adams could find himself in a position to earn some snaps in year one.

Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State (2.12-3.06)

Still very much an unknown to the dynasty community, I don’t expect that to last much longer. Garnering nearly 3,000 receiving yards, and two All-American honors in his time as a Jackrabbit, I don’t care if it’s FCS, that’s just absurd. A solid 6’4 frame with terrific athleticism, Goedert will certainly look like he belongs at the next level. Given that tight ends already have it hard enough transitioning to the NFL, and the fact that Goedert hasn’t faced a lot of high-end talent, I wouldn’t expect him to be a quality starter in year one.

Auden Tate, WR Florida State (2.12-3.06)

One word to describe Auden Tate? Raw. Two words to describe Auden Tate? Really raw. All kidding aside, this kid has a lot of intriguing talent. A 6’5 frame with NFL level athleticism and strong hands, I can’t wait to see how good he’ll end up being. While the Seminole couldn’t total 1,000 yards in final two seasons in Tallahassee, his 14.7 yards per catch and 16 touchdowns are tantalizing, to say the least. A classic boom or bust prospect, Tate is worth taking a chance on at the round two-round three turn.

Josh Allen, QB Wyoming (3:03-4.02)

Say what you will about Josh Allen, but it’s looking increasingly clear that he’s going to be a high-end pick in April, and if you’re asking me, it’s for good reason. A gunslinger through and through, Allen is a player I’m targeting in the third round in every rookie draft I’m a part of. There’s a good chance the Cowboy isn’t a starter in year one, and maybe not even in year two, but when this kid’s in his prime, a lot of dynasty owners may be looking at this draft wishing they had taken a chance on him. Hardly anyone is willing to pin their reputation on Allen, but just about everyone agrees his upside makes him special.

Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville (3.05-4.04)

I mean, why not? No better fit in this class than Lamar Jackson to a rebuilder, feel free to indulge your need for big-name players with the former Heisman winner. A 211 lb frame, mechanics, and spotty accuracy are all concerns for me, but when looking at his long-term prospects, his strengths make him unbelievably enticing. Great pocket presence paired with his otherworldly athleticism will make him worth his weight in gold as a runner, and with the tools he has, he’s got what it takes to be a dangerous passer as well.

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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