Players Worth a Late Round Shot in your Fantasy Drafts
Jerick McKinnon RB 49ers
When Kyle Shanahan starts drawing up plays for a player before he's even on his team, you know Shanahan has a vision for him. We were supposed to see what that was for Jerick McKinnon two years ago, but after two torn ACLs we haven't seen it yet. Since he's been out for two years, people have forgot about him, but Shanahan hasn't. Jerick McKinnon looks like he's in the best shape of his life and has been tearing it up at 49ers training camp. The 49ers have a great linebacker core and they haven't been able to guard McKinnon as a receiver out of the backfield. Jet looks like he's going to have a big impact in San Francisco this year and he's worth a late round flyer for your fantasy teams.
Chase Claypool WR Steelers
Chase Claypool was one of my favorite players in this entire draft and he landed in the perfect spot. He has the potential to surpass both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson as the number one receiver in Pittsburgh. He's been going crazy in training camp and I see him being an instant impact player. In most of my mock drafts he's been going undrafted and if you want a rookie to root for he's a good pick. Claypool is a big target that Ben Roethlisberger hasn't really had since Plaxico Burress. Claypool should be a monster in the red zone and I see him snagging at least 8 touchdowns in his rookie season.
Michael Pittman Jr. WR Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. was awesome in college and was one of the most underrated receivers to come out of the 2020 NFL draft. In the past two years TY Hilton has been banged up a lot and he is thirty years old. Not to say that he's completely washed, I think he's going to be an impact player but I see Pittman taking over that role as the number one receiver. Not to mention, Pittman is the perfect compliment for Philip Rivers. We know that Philip Rivers likes to take risks and throw 50-50 balls, Pittman is a big body who can come down with those passes. Like Claypool, Pittman should be a big red zone target with the potential to be the best receiver coming out of the 2020 draft. Pittman is worth a late round flyer.
Antonio Gibson RB WFT
I thought Antonio Gibson was a super unique prospect coming out of college last season. I scouted him as a receiver, but he's playing running back for Washington. He's extremely physical and is gifted after the catch. He does a really good job at running through contact and turning up field after he catches the ball. The WFT has a lot of young talent, I don't see them being at a playoff caliber level, but they have their foundation. Gibson can be a spark for them and can be a guy who takes a lot of stress away from Dwayne Haskins against a blitz. He's going to be a big time receiver coming out of the back field. With Derrius Guice getting cut and Chris Thompson signing with Jacksonville, a lot of targets are available in this offense. The only thing that worries me about Gibson is his competition with Bryce Love. Love was one of the best running backs in college football just a few years back and could take a lot of carries away from Gibson. Both backs have done amazing in training camp and he's worth a late round flyer in either a 12 or 14 team draft.
Randall Cobb WR Texans
Randall Cobb was a huge consistent piece for the Cowboys last season. With Deandre Hopkins being traded to the Cardinals there are a lot of targets available in the Texans offense. Deshaun Watson is a top five quarterback in the NFL and Cobb has the potential to be his number one receiver. Will Fuller hasn't shown that he can stay healthy for a full 16 games and Brandin Cooks is coming off an injury. Cobb has experience and he is really good at extending a play after it seems to have broken down. He should have a handful of touchdowns this year and could be a solid flex play vs a favorable opponent!
