Football fans across the world got a much-needed break from the current state of affairs in the world as the NFL completed its first-ever, fully virtual NFL Draft. For three straight days dynasty football degenerates like myself parked themselves in front of the television for hours on end to see where the stars of tomorrow would begin their NFL careers. Now, I’m going to go round-by-round and give you my key takeaways on the guys you will be targeting in your upcoming rookie drafts.
Check out my breakdown of previous rounds here:
Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Rounds 5 – 7 & Top UDFAs
Round 4, pick 112 – Joshua Kelley – RB – Los Angeles Chargers
Joshua Kelley was the first of four intriguing RB prospects selected in the 4th round of the draft, speaking to just how deep of a draft class this was at the position. Kelley will battle it out with Justin Jackson for the leftover touches Austin Ekeler leaves behind. Kelley is a battering ram style runner that can catch a pass or two along the way. I believe he lacks the wiggle and elusiveness to ever become a true three-down back, but I do think he could turn into a solid power runner in a committee with a guy like Ekeler in time. He’s shown a nose for the end zone and could be very effective near the goal-line. I’m grabbing Kelley as a project RB in the 3rd round of rookie drafts.
Round 4, pick 115 – Harrison Bryant – TE – Cleveland Browns
Harrison Bryant finds himself in a crowded situation in Cleveland, as he will start the year third on the Tight End depth chart behind the newly signed Austin Hooper and David Njoku. This may be a blessing in disguise as it will take the pressure off Bryant and allow him to use his rookie season to learn the ins-and-outs of playing the TE position at the NFL level. The water could get a little less murky for him if the Browns trade or let Njoku walk after this season, as well. Bryant is balanced enough as a blocker and pass-catcher that you can envision a role for him someday, but it will take some development on Bryant’s part. I’m only really interested in drafting Bryant in deeper Tight End premium leagues and can’t see myself drafting him anytime in the first four rounds of a rookie draft.
Round 4, pick 118 – Albert Okwuegbunam – TE – Denver Broncos
Albert Okwuegbunam, or Albert O for short, was the final weapon the Broncos added to their revamped offensive attack. Okwuegbunam is a freak athlete that has the necessary size/speed combination to make plays in the middle of the field and create headaches for defensive coordinators. Albert O will find himself behind another freak athlete in Noah Fant on the depth chart, but it’s clear the Broncos wanted to put as much playmaking speed as possible around Drew Lock so you can easily envision them using their fair share of two-TE sets with Okwuegbunam. Like most rookie TEs, Albert O will need a few seasons to marinate before he turns into a fantasy contributor, but he’s worth the shot in the 4th round of rookie drafts. In TE-premium leagues I’m looking at him around the 3rd/4th round turn.
Round 4, pick 120 – La’Mical Perine – RB – New York Jets
La’Mical Perine landed in an excellent situation for his long-term dynasty prospects, as he heads to New York to rock the green and white. Perine is a dual-threat RB that had 40 catches in his final year in Florida, and he now will get the chance to play alongside and study film with one of the more skilled pass-catching backs of his time in Le’Veon Bell. The Jets invested a ton into their offensive line this offseason and could be an offense on the rise. I’m grabbing Perine near the end of the 3rd round in rookie drafts.
Round 4, pick 122 – Jacob Eason – QB – Indianapolis Colts
Jacob Eason’s arrow is definitely trending up some post-draft, as he now finds himself as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. Phillip Rivers is the starting QB in Indy but will turn 39 and is playing this year out on a one-year deal, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see a changing of the guard at the position as soon as next season. Eason has a big arm that can make every throw at the NFL level but has shown questionable judgement and decision making that gives me some pause. He isn’t adept at moving in the pocket to extend plays and takes too many sacks. While the opportunity will be there, I’m not convinced that Eason is guaranteed a starting job after this season. He’s a raw prospect and while I’m comfortable grabbing him in the fourth round of rookie drafts, him turning into a fantasy producer is far from guaranteed.
Round 4, pick 124 – Anthony McFarland Jr. – RB – Pittsburgh Steelers
Anthony McFarland is a prototypical one-cut zone runner that has shown playmaking ability as a receiver in the passing attack, and I believe he finishes the year with the second-most RB touches on the Steelers. From a scheme and playstyle standpoint, McFarland and incumbent starter James Connor’s should combine to form an explosive and versatile RB timeshare. Coach Mike Tomlin has hinted at wanting to split RB carries moving forward and Connor has battled injuries the past few seasons, making McFarland a really interesting pick near the 2nd/3rd round turn in rookie drafts.
Round 4, pick 125 – James Morgan – QB – New York Jets
I’m partly convinced the Jets made this pick solely because of the pre-draft report that came out about the Patriots being a fan of this guy. Sam Darnold will be the starting QB here moving forward, and I’m not looking to use a rookie pick on Morgan. Leave him on waivers and monitor from afar.
Round 4, pick 128 – Gabriel Davis – WR – Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills used their 4th round selection on a solid vertical threat in Gabriel Davis. Davis has the speed to stretch the field and get behind defenses and the ball-tracking skills to go up and make big plays in traffic. He isn’t a super polished route runner at this time, lacks elite after the catch skills, and is buried on a suddenly deep WR depth chart. I’m looking at Davis in the 4th round of rookie drafts and would be more inclined to draft him in a best-ball format.
Round 4, pick 133 – Colby Parkinson – TE – Seattle Seahawks
I’m not going to waste a ton of time on Colby Parkinson as he joins an extremely crowded Tight End room in Seattle, and is likely 2-3 seasons away from seeing enough snaps to even warrant consideration in fantasy leagues. I am leaving Parkinson on waivers in everything except the deepest of deep Tight End premium leagues.
Round 4, pick 136 – Brycen Hopkins – TE – Los Angeles Rams
Brycen Hopkins landed in a pretty good spot, joining a Rams squad that loves to deploy multiple Tight End sets regularly. He’s currently behind Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett, but Everett is on an expiring deal and the Rams could get out of Higbee’s contract after the season if they choose to, as well. While I count on Higbee coming back, I don’t think the same can be said for Everett. Hopkins projects to be a quality receiving threat at the next level and could develop into a nice TE option in deeper leagues. I’m grabbing Hopkins in the 4th round of rookie drafts with the expectation of zero production as a rookie.
Round 4, pick 142 – Antonio Gandy-Golden – WR – Washington Redskins
Antonio Gandy-Golden has been one of “My Guys” this draft season. I’ve consistently been higher on him than anyone I’ve seen in the pre-draft process and fully believe the Redskins just found their WR2 with a compensatory pick in the 4th round of the draft. Gandy-Golden is 6’4” with a 36 inch vertical and boasts a ridiculous catch radius. He’s sneaky quick for his size and has enough wiggle to make a defender miss after the catch. I believe Gandy-Golden still has another level to grow physically, and am excited to see what he looks like after spending a season in a professional-level workout and training program, no slight intended to Liberty University. I’m grabbing Gandy-Golden at the end of the 2nd round in rookie drafts, ahead of guys like Van Jefferson, and Devin Duvernay.
Round 4, pick 144 – DeeJay Dallas – RB – Seattle Seahawks
DeeJay Dallas is a really nice pick for Seattle from a real football perspective, as he’s far-and-away one of the best pass blockers in his draft class and has chops running near the goal line and in short-yardage situations. I think he will struggle to find consistent playing time early in his career and could be a guy who’s fantasy production doesn’t quite mirror his real-life impact on the game. I’m looking at Dallas as a lottery ticket in the fourth round of rookie drafts.
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