Post-Combine Superflex Rookie Rankings: Round Three
With the NFL Scouting Combine over, the rookie pecking order is beginning to take shape and settle as draft capital expectations are known. It is a waiting game for the NFL Draft to finally know the landing spots as well, but a pre-draft ranking that takes into account the process can help formulate rookie rankings after the draft.
We will finish up with round three.
3.01. Devontez Walker, WR North Carolina
The NCAA not allowing Walker to play the first four games of the season stunted his development and may have robbed us of another top-tier wide receiver prospect. Walker transferred to North Carolina from Kent State, but was ruled ineligible for much of the season. When he was able to play again, there was an instant connection with Drake Maye allowing Walker to excel from the slot. In only his second game for the team, Walker found the end zone three times against Miami. His speed and footwork are excellent, while the routes and hands are still a work in progress. After struggling at the Senior Bowl, he bounced back for a good Combine. He could be a target hog in an offense that wants to create quick slants off of the snap.
3.02. MarShawn Lloyd, RB USC
When you watch Lloyd, it is easy to see why he was a former five-star recruit out of high school. Not only is he a solid athlete, but his balance through contact and ability to wiggle around potential defenders is NFL-caliber. He really got to shine finally at USC this past season as a major focal point of the offense due to his elusiveness. The skill set of an NFL contributor is there, but Lloyd has suffered multiple leg injuries including an ACL and quad injury in his college career. He also has never topped 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. He is worth a shot in the third round of rookie drafts, but unless he gets top-100 capital or is in a good situation, he may end up a touch overrated.
3.03. Xavier Legette, WR South Carolina
Legette will be the ultimate test of breakout age analytics vs film. For South Carolina this year, he was dynamic. He dominated top SEC corners with his size and speed. Becoming an RB after the catch, Legette can run over defenders or around them. He is impressive. But, it is questionable that he did almost nothing until his fifth year in college at nearly 23 years old. That generally doesn’t spell NFL or fantasy success. He will be polarizing, but worth a shot when everyone else passes due to the late breakout age.
3.04. Ja’Lynn Polk, WR Washington
Coming into the 2023 season, Polk was an afterthought for the 2024 draft. With Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan as his WR teammates for Washington, it seemed like there would not be enough for the slot WR to make a dent. We were all wrong. Polk was second on the Huskies in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. His sure hands and explosiveness off the line were consistent for the entire year. He may not end up a volume WR, but could be a solid fantasy bench player who has a spike game or two every season.
3.05. Bucky Irving, RB Oregon
It’s hard not to watch Irving and be impressed. He is shot out of a cannon with great speed and even better agility to avoid defenders in space. Perhaps the best pure receiving RB in the draft, Oregon relied on Irving in every type of situation last year. His lack of physicality is a question mark, especially with the jump in competition likely to bring more traffic. He is also one of the worst run-blocking RBs in the draft, which could mean less playing time early. If Irving gets on the field, he is sure to haul in some catches and big plays though. The draft capital will be key.
3.06. Audric Estime, RB Notre Dame
Estime will only be 20 years old when he is drafted, and he has already accomplished so much in his college career, with two straight double-digit rushing TD seasons including this past year when he ripped off 1,341 yards rushing with 6.39 yards per carry. He is a big power back who runs you over while still having some good burst to accelerate through the line. The downside with Estime is not being a receiving threat while also struggling to run outside. How valuable is a between-the-tackles, downhill runner for fantasy? Not enough for me to consider Estime at his current ADP.
3.07. Will Shipley, RB Clemson
The new offense for Clemson relegated Shipley to a split-time RB who never quite fulfilled the five-star potential he had coming out of high school. As a sophomore, he showed he can excel as a zone RB while also playing a major receiving role. With underrated toughness between the tackles to boot, Shipley can do a bit of everything. The offense at Clemson never was able to prop him up, but he should be a solid NFL backup who could provide a few catches a game. In fantasy, Shipley going to a place like the 49ers or Colts as a backup who could step into a three-down role would be the best-case scenario. If he gets a shot, the upside is there.
3.08. Jacob Cowing, WR Arizona
Perhaps the best pure route runner in this class, Cowing knows how to get open easily. He is small and thin, but glides across the field making him difficult to cover. Starting at UTEP and then transferring to Arizona, Cowing has had multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons in college and found a niche this past year as a red zone target. I’m intrigued by the skillset as someone who can get open in tight spaces like the red zone could be a huge asset, but the lack of physicality makes Cowing nothing more than a dart throw.
3.09. Spencer Rattler, QB South Carolina
In the late third round of rookie drafts, it is advisable to start looking at the next tier of QBs to try and find a hidden gem. Rattler stands alone in this tier for 2024, but the upside to develop into an NFL starter exists. The former five-star recruit struggled at Oklahoma, but found new life for South Carolina. Despite a poor offensive line and a scheme that often held him back, Rattler took over games with good touch and velocity. He certainly is toolsy and showed at the Senior Bowl that he can be accurate at throwing into tight windows. If Rattler is selected by the mid-fourth round of the NFL Draft, he is worth a taxi squad stash, especially with so many NFL teams looking for that franchise QB.
3.10. Ricky Pearsall, WR Florida
High football IQ is an underrated trait in potential NFL prospects, but Pearsall’s ‘FBI’ was on display weekly at Florida. His ability to read defensive coverage and use his footwork to outduel the DB across from him was marvelous. He has great body control too, and was underutilized for the Gators. A great route runner always has a chance in the NFL, so even though Pearsall profiles more as a #4 option on an NFL team, he is worth the shot.
3.11. Isaac Guerendo, RB Louisville
The most athletic RB in over 20 years, Guerendo’s Combine certainly opened some eyes. Running a 4.33 at 221 pounds is insane, let alone his 41.5 vertical jump. Don’t let the numbers fool you into Guerendo being a one-trick pony though, he was productive for Louisville this year and Wisconsin before that. Averaging over 6 yards a carry, he showed off that athleticism on the field. If he can develop the vision and stacking ability, the sky’s the limit. Most RBs this athletic end up with some type of playing time throughout their careers.
3.12. Johnny Wilson, WR Florida State
It is tough to come to strict conclusions on Wilson. At over 6’6 and 231 pounds, he has such a unique build at the position, can he be fantasy-relevant? The Combine showed Wilson’s athletic upside, but he has struggled with focus drops and route running in college. He was used as a deeper target down the field, but could see a role in the red zone in the NFL. Take a shot late on the absolute upside, but it is possible that Wilson flounders to find a role.
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Dynasty Rookies In The Top 100 - April 14, 2024
- Post-Combine Superflex Rookie Rankings: Round Three - March 8, 2024
- Post-Combine Superflex Rookie Rankings: Round Two - March 7, 2024
