Rookie Report Card: Devin Singletary and Jakobi Meyers
Each week throughout the season, I’ll cover at least two rookies in the Rookie Report Card and try to always include the biggest performers from that particular week. On top of reviewing my expectations for each player coming into the league and how well he’s lived up to those expectations at the NFL level to this point, I’ll grade the player in three categories. Those categories are performance to date, 2019 potential and long term upside.
The series continues this week as we take a close look at rookies Devin Singletary and Jakobi Meyers.
Devin Singletary, RB BUF
Week 12 Stats: 21 carries, 106 yards, one reception, 8 receiving yards (two targets)
After finishing up a brilliant three year college career at Florida Atlantic where he ran for 4,287 yards and 66 touchdowns, many dynasty owners were enamored with Singletary, especially his explosiveness with the ball in his hands. Watching him in college, he appeared to be just as skilled as a between-the-tackles runner as he was on the perimeter despite his 5’-7”, 200 pound frame. Known for his smooth slide step and for slipping through the smallest of running lanes, he profiled as a potential early down runner. With good awareness to find open areas in the passing game along with solid hands, many felt he had the upside to become a three-down tailback at the next level.
Then the combine happened.
He had what was seen by most to be an awful showing in Indianapolis. His 4.66 second 40-yard dash was that of a fullback and the 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle portrayed a player that lacked burst and explosiveness. The narrative surrounding Singletary changed from smaller school prospect with big upside to a player that only looked fast because of the competition he was playing with and against in college.
Unfortunately, far too many dynasty owners fell for his lackluster combine as he was regularly being selected in late parts of the second round of dynasty rookie drafts, even with the Bills selecting him as the fifth running back off the board and having only veteran running backs in LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore and TJ Yeldon on their depth chart.
Since that point, he has overcome a hamstring injury, blasted past those veterans on the depth chart and after posting 64 carries for 318 yards over the last four weeks, has dynasty owners everywhere questioning if they should have had the rookie so low in their rankings over the off-season.
While the jury is still out on that, there are certainly signs that he could be one of the best running backs in the 2019 class.
Already one of the most explosive backs in the league, he has the best breakaway percentage (12.7%) according to the advanced efficiency metrics at www.fantasydata.com, which calculate the percentage of opportunities a player turns into a 15-plus yard gain. He also has the leagues seventh-best juke rate (30.4%) which isolates a running back’s on-field elusiveness and tackle-breaking power by dividing the total number of evaded tackles by the total number of touches.
Recently, the Bills have appeared determined to highlight Singletary as their primary running back, out carrying Gore 20-11, 8-5, 15-11, and 21-15 in the last four weeks. The only problems for fantasy owners over that stretch is that he hasn’t found pay dirt and wasn’t involved heavily in the passing game, catching just eight passes in those four games and 17 on the season. Fortunately for dynasty owners however, there is reason to believe those two things will change.
As stated above, Singletary was known as a good route runner with above average hands in college. Perhaps even more importantly, contrary to his small stature he was also known for playing above his size – particularly at the goal line. His nose for the end zone and ability in the open field as a pass catcher were clear strengths during draft season and should translate to the Bills’ offense soon enough. When they do, a big spike in fantasy production should follow.
With the exception of Josh Jacobs, there is a case to be made that Singletary could be seen as the premiere running back to own in dynasty out of the 2019 class over names like David Montgomery, Darrell Henderson and even Miles Sanders – all drafted in front of him. His lack of touchdowns and production in the passing game could make him an affordable trade target but that may not last long. With mid RB1 upside, the time is now to make a move for the Bills’ future full-time running back.
Jakobi Meyers, WR NE
Week 12 Stats: four receptions, 74 yards, (nine targets)
Coming out of North Carolina State, Meyers was overlooked by most dynasty owners despite posting 92 catches for 1,047 yards and four touchdowns in his final season with the Wolfpack. Perhaps it was that he was overshadowed by Kelvin Harmon, or maybe it was his lackluster combine performance that included a 4.63 40-time that made Meyers an afterthought during early rookie drafts. After landing in New England as an undrafted free agent, however, he began sneaking into the fourth round on some draft boards.
Meyers entered training camp with the Patriots as a dark horse to make the roster, but news out of Foxboro painted the picture of scrappy possession receiver that had the eye of the coaching staff. With a college career full of contested catches over the middle and toughness to take hits from linebackers and safeties, it was no surprise that Bill Belichick liked the 6’2” 200 pounder.
Although his time as a professional has shown his limited athleticism and he hasn’t yet proven he can handle physical corners in bump-and-run coverage, Meyers has taken advantage of his opportunities to this point. Already with 19 catches for 253 yards and coming off his best game (four catches, 74 yards) in week 12, he appears to have the trust of Tom Brady as he was second on the Pats behind only Julian Edelman with nine targets against the Cowboys.
It should be pointed out the recent uptick in playing time for Meyers was likely out of necessity due to injuries to Mohamed Sanu and Phillip Dorsett as well as the slow development of N’Keal Harry, but Brady’s history is full of former unknowns that came out of nowhere to make a fantasy impact, so he should remain on dynasty owners’ radars nonetheless.
Meyers is owned in all but the shallowest of dynasty leagues, but at this point he is nothing more than a player to monitor as the season (and post-season) progresses due to his limited speed and separation ability. While Dorsett is scheduled to become a free agent in 2020, Edelman, Harry and Sanu are entrenched in the New England offense for multiple years. It’s unlikely Meyers becomes anything more than the player dynasty owners drop next spring when they make their next rookie draft pick.
- League Tycoon: Dynasty Salary Cap Fantasy Football - December 15, 2023
- Final Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Wide Receivers, Part Two - March 22, 2023
- 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Offensive Player Dynasty Review - March 10, 2023
