After watching some of the top seniors in the country this week down in Mobile, Alabama, here are eight NFL prospects we need to put on the fantasy radar throughout the draft process. From the quick release and accuracy of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield to the deep-ball ability of Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington, these prospects flashed some legit pro traits during Senior Bowl workouts.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Mayfield has a smaller frame for the position (6-foot, 216 pounds), but he displayed the skill set to fit in the modern pro game. I'm talking about the surgical ball placement, the anticipation to attack throwing windows and that quick release in the pocket. That's why he can attack tight coverage or drop the ball in the bucket with a touch pass. Mayfield also brought some serious energy to the practice field, and the mobility to get outside of the pocket is there, too. He can create. Put him in a system with the quick game, play-pass, RPOs and calculated deep shots? Mayfield will thrive. The former Sooner should be targeted by managers in dynasty leagues, and I believe he will have starting value in two-QB leagues as a rookie if he lands in a system that caters to his talent. Don't sleep on Mayfield's ability to climb the weekly ranks in 2018 if he gets the opportunity to run the offense as a rook.
James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
At Oklahoma State, Washington lit up Big 12 defenses. I'm talking about deep shots. Run the top of the vertical route tree and get six. But with that 5-foot-10, 210-pound frame, I wanted to see Washington beat press-man while showing me more within the route tree. Let's see that entire skill set. In Mobile, Washington did display the lateral quicks to shake coverage at the line of scrimmage, his route running was much cleaner than I expected, and he knows how to get over the top. Stack and go. Use that long speed. Washington was the top wide receiver during Senior Bowl workouts, and he could put up some WR3/flex numbers as a rookie if he lands in the right situation.
Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
At 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, Ballage has the frame of a big back who can get downhill and push the ball between the tackles. But I was more impressed with the extra wiggle to his game and the burst to pop the ball outside. Ballage showed the ability to skate to daylight, and he can get to the edge. The ASU product played fast all week. Plus, Ballage can expose linebackers in coverage. Stick that foot, set those boys up and separate underneath. With that frame and the athleticism to contribute as a versatile back, Ballage is a prospect we all need to watch. He could have an RB2/flex type of season as a rook if he lands with a team that ups his usage in the passing game.
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
With that big-boy pro frame (6-foot-5, 237 pounds) and the ridiculous arm talent that jumps on every throw, Allen has the natural tools at the position. He can absolutely sling that rock. Throw the deep out, strike down the field or thread the ball inside of the numbers. Rockets. But with that velocity in his right arm and the movement skills to make throws on the run, Allen also showed us some of the same inconsistencies that mesh with his college tape at Wyoming. He had some misses in Mobile, lacked touch at times and his footwork can be cleaned up with pro coaching. Now, I think Allen's ceiling is ridiculously high. Tons of raw talent. But there are also going to be some bumps in the road during his rookie season. That's why he's a prime target for dynasty managers who can benefit from the first-year development of Allen as he grows into the position at the pro level.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
Gesicki (6-foot-5, 243 pounds) is that "move" tight end in NFL offenses with the ability to flex out from the formation. Think matchups here. Gesicki has the body control to create leverage to the ball and he can go up and get the rock on 50/50 throws. The route running is on point, too. During practice sessions, Gesicki consistently created separation within the route stem and at the break point versus both linebackers and safeties. He's pretty smooth. And given how the tight end is now utilized at the pro level, Gesicki can be that big, slot target as a rookie. Put him in an offense that features the tight end as a "joker" to create those matchups all over the field and Gesicki could be a streaming option for fantasy managers early in his career with TE2 ability.
Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa
With a 5-foot-10, 188-pound frame, Wadley doesn't project as a No. 1 back with the ability to tote a massive workload on downhill runs, but I see upside here for mangers in PPR formats because the former Hawkeye has some electric ability in space. Wadley consistently shook linebackers in coverage down in Mobile. That's the quick feet and the short-area speed to run the option route, angle route, burst to the flat or separate on the inside seam. Plus, Wadley displayed his ability to create in the screen game. He's elusive with the vision to find open pockets of turf. Think of Wadley as that third-down back who can impact the passing game, grab some carries versus nickel fronts and provide some flex value as a rookie.
DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
Hamilton (6-foot-1, 202 pounds) put on a route-running clinic during Senior Bowl workouts. Start with that release versus press. Nasty stuff. Beat the defender off the jump, get into the stem and go. And when defensive backs played off-man, Hamilton weaved through the stem to generate a bunch of separation on inside cuts. Yes, we will need to get a 40 time on Hamilton to measure his top-end speed, but the ability to get open is key in the pros. And I loved how Hamilton competed in Mobile. Let's see how the rest of the draft process unfolds for Hamilton, because he could be a solid WR3 with more upside in PPR formats.
Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
As the week progressed in Mobile, Thomas flashed his ability to get open on middle-of-the-field throws. With that thick frame (6-foot-3, 256 pounds) and fluid running ability, Thomas worked the underneath routes and also pushed up the field to win on the seam, deep dig (square-in) and corner route. I see him more as a "Y" or "on-the-line" tight end who can use that frame to shield defenders from the ball. If the Indiana product can land with a team that prioritizes two-TE sets to attack inside of the numbers, Thomas could bring some upside as a TE2.