Week 9 is upon us, and after releasing the Full Big Board, it's time to return to our Dynasty roots and explore the players who will actually score us fantasy points. I have good news and bad news: both are that RB and TE are getting deeper, and not everyone will get a great landing spot. I'll give you a Super Flex Board, three rising prospects to keep your eye on, a faller to mark with a red flag, and the cost of doing business with a draft pick at the halfway point of the season.
Rising Prospects
RB D.J. Giddens (JR - Kansas State) 6-1, 212 lbs
D.J. Giddens has been a popular crowd favorite and for good reason.
In what is shaping up to be loaded RB class, @KStateFB senior D.J. Giddens (6001v, 216v) is being slept on. Giddens popped on tape last fall when @seniorbowl was watching Ben Sinnott. Physical put-together draftable back that bounces off contact.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™? pic.twitter.com/yDx7gBxgaN
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 7, 2024
The Kansas State Junior has a rare breed of size and twitch that reminds me more of an elite pass-rusher as much as a runner. The best players understand how to transition from speed to power, and the best athletes have what we call "bend." A term that describes the ability to dip and move with hip fluidity despite being 6-1. Giddens increases the difficulty of ranking this position because he checks every box for elite NFL production in a Power-5 conference and should be on everyone's radar.
TE Harold Fannin Jr. (JR - Bowling Green) 6-4, 230 lbs
Everyone would be talking about Harold Fannin Jr. if he weren't at Bowling Green.
Harold Fannin Jr. is on pace for 99 receptions/1421 yards/9 touchdowns in the regular season. Current TE record for a full season is Jace Amaro in 2013 (1352) pic.twitter.com/fvR3GHc0pp
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 28, 2024
I don't mean to put the draft community on the endless cycle of "He's a unicorn" but Fannin has all the traits and production to be just that. Whereas Bowers was most of the offense for Georgia, Fannin has been all of it albeit in the weaker conference. The NFL has nearly become "positionless" for the tight ends due to their versatility, and we're looking at an X wide receiver who could be a 1st round TE in April.
QB Drew Allar (JR - Penn State) 6-5, 235 lbs
Folks have already put Allar as their QB1. I'm not there yet, but he deserves the praise regardless.
Drew Allar through two games:
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) September 10, 2024
Completed 24 of 37 pass attempts (65%)
420 yards passing (11.4 yards per completion)
5 touchdown passes against 1 int
52 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown
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Allar doesn't have the gaudy stat lines or the Heisman-Hopeful tag like others, but he does have every prototypical trait you want for an NFL-Hopeful. Penn State's pro-style offense has done enough to showcase the touch he's developed as a passer, and his size gives him the easy mechanics for the velocity at all points on the field. The cherry on top is he can move at that size and won't be a liability when play extensions are necessary.
There are few things to knock on Allar's game beyond the lack of consistent "eye-popping plays" and level of competition for the sample of Coaches' tape we currently have available. But don't be surprised to hear his name called in the Top 10.
Faller
QB Jalen Milroe (RS JR - Alabama) 6-2, 202 lbs
Jalen Milroe is an elite college player, but he's not an elite NFL prospect.
"I think Jalen's an elite runner and his ability to throw gives him the opportunity to be truly special. But the reality is, in the NFL...you've gotta be elite throwing the ball...I don't think Jalen's flipped that just yet." - @danorlovsky7 on Alabama QB Jalen Milroe pic.twitter.com/Nq15O1hNzw
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) October 31, 2024
What should make you feel good is that Milroe is a much faster Jalen Hurts at this stage of his career and that points to upside. He needs to polish his mechanics to be a consistent passer and may need time to truly see the field. The real question lies in if a team is willing, and more importantly capable, of realizing that potential.
2025 Draft Pick Values
So let's say you're a rebuilding roster, have an excess of positional value, or just straight-up love to hoard draft picks like all the random cables that you swear you'll need one day and want to buy picks. What are prices going for in this economy? Well I scrolled through values on Keep Trade Cut and listed them for you (because I care.)
Early 1sts
- Kyler Murray QB, Cardinals (Smash Buy)
- Jayden Reed WR, Packers
- Drake Maye QB, Patriots
- James Cook RB, Bills
Mid 1sts
- George Pickens WR, Steelers (Easy Buy)
- Christian McCaffrey RB, 49ers (I'm cutting my losses and selling)
- Ladd McConkey WR, Chargers
- Bo Nix QB, Broncos
Late 1sts
- Kyle Pitts TE, Falcons
- Keon Coleman WR, Bills
- Tank Dell WR, Texans
- Brandon Aiyuk WR, 49ers
2nd Rounders
- Anthony Richardson QB, Colts (Yikes)
- Travis Etienne Jr. RB, Jaguars (I'll buy at cost)i
- Romeo Doubs WR, Packers (Do this)
- Diontae Johnson WR, Ravens
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