Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: Benny Snell, RB PIT

Bruce Matson

Name: Benny Snell

Position: Running Back

Pro Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

College Team: Kentucky Wildcats

Draft Status: Round four, 122nd overall

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

COMBINE REVIEW

  • Height: 5’10’’
  • Weight: 224 pounds
  • Arms: 31’’
  • 40-Yard-Dash: 4.66
  • Bench Press: 16
  • Vertical Jump: 29 ½’’
  • 3-Cone Drill: 7.07
  • 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.33

STRENGTHS

  • Has excellent vision and instincts that allow him to find the open running lanes
  • Very decisive and doesn’t waste any time finding the hole
  • Allows his offensive line to set up their blocks before making his move
  • Nimble footwork allows him to be elusive in one-on-one situations
  • Runs with good power and can easily break arm tackles
  • Had a productive collegiate career with three 1,000-yard seasons

WEAKNESSES

  • Lacks home run hitting speed
  • Has trouble accelerating and regaining speed after making his cut
  • Doesn’t have the short area quickness to evade defenders in close quarters
  • Below average athlete
  • Wasn’t used much as a receiver out of the backfield

OPPORTUNITIES

Snell finished his career as Kentucky’s all-time leading rusher with 3,873 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was productive in a tough SEC conference with 19 games with over 100 yards rushing. Despite being one of the most productive running backs in this year’s draft class he still fell to the fourth round. He might not be a world class athlete, but he does have some traits that could allow him to produce at the NFL level.

The Steelers have been very successful at generating fantasy producers at the running back position in recent years. They passed the litmus test last season when the team had to rely on James Conner to handle the load. From an organizational standpoint, Snell is in great hands and will get every opportunity to be successful if he can see the field.

The team didn’t need to draft Snell in the fourth round. They already had Conner and Jaylen Samuels on the roster, but the fact that they stood their ground and still selected Snell in the fourth means the team must have valued him higher than his current draft position.

THREATS

There’s a lot of quality competition for touches out of the backfield in Pittsburgh. Conner is going to lead the charge. From there, Samuels shows promise carrying the ball and catching passes out of the backfield.

Don’t forget the running backs on the backend of the depth chart. Ralph Webb was productive during his tenure at Vanderbilt, and Travon McMillian appeared to be a promising devy prospect three or four years ago after breaking out as a freshman with 1,043 rushing yards and seven touchdowns for Virginia Tech.

Competition will bring the best out of these players, but it also makes it tough for a player to climb their way to the top of the depth chart. Snell was just a fourth-round draft pick. The team doesn’t have much draft capital invested in him which means they don’t have to stress about getting him on the field right away.

SHORT-TERM EXPECTATIONS

He should easily make the 53-man roster. He will hang out as the team’s RB3, waiting for his time to shine. He might receive a couple touches per game spelling Conner and Samuels, but he’s not likely to see much of a workload early in his career.

Unless the injury bug infests the locker room, Snell’s usage is likely to be limited during his first couple of years in the league. Projected to be the third-string running back in a crowded backfield, expectations should be capped.

From a fantasy perspective, Snell might not be on the radar of many dynasty owners. Once the season starts, don’t be surprised if you’re seeing him as a throw-in during trade negotiations. Since he won’t consistently be on the field, he will be out of sight and out of mind for many dynasty enthusiasts. Mid-season might be the perfect time to buy him on the cheap, where his value is more in accord with anticipated fantasy production.

LONG-TERM EXPECTATIONS

We should see him work his way up the depth chart by the end of his third season in the league. It will be very worrisome if he doesn’t earn more playing during this time span. He’s no Saquon Barkley, but he’s talented enough to carve out a role and be productive if given the opportunity.

He’s either going to be a journeyman backup running back or get a stretch of games where he’s a potential flex starter. The length of that stretch could vary between a handful of outings to a season and a half. His subpar athleticism will likely prevent him from being a long-term asset in dynasty.

NFL PLAYER COMPARISON

Snell is a slower-bigger version of Alex Collins. Both running backs can grind between the tackles and churn out tough yards. Neither have home run hitting speed, but they make up for it with grit and determination. Like Snell, Collins also had three 1,000-yard seasons in the SEC playing for Arkansas.

I can see him having a similar career arc compared to Collins. He might start out as an afterthought but could make headway for a limited time if given the opportunity. However, like Collins, Snell’s run in the league will be in jeopardy due to his below average athleticism.

PROJECTED ROOKIE DRAFT RANGE

Per DLF Rookie ADP, Snell is being selected in the middle of the third round of rookie drafts with a 30.70 ADP. On average, he’s being selected as the eighth running back off the board. He and Alexander Mattison share the same ADP. He’s also getting selected right before Bryce Love, Rodney Anderson, Darwin Thompson, and Ryquell Armstead.

His draft position in rookie drafts makes him a cheap insurance option for team owners rostering Conner. If you have a share of Conner in dynasty, Snell might be in consideration as early as the later portion of the second round.

After putting everything into focus, Snell is being drafted in the right location when compared to his NFL draft position, initial opportunity, and talent. He’s a player that could pay dividends for your dynasty team in the next few years if he gets the chance to be the lead back for the Steelers.

bruce matson