3.01 – Anthony McFarland (Maryland – RB10)
5-8 1/8″ – 208 | Elusive is the word that comes to mind when watching Anthony McFarland. He is quick (4.44 40-yard) and can string together moves to make defenders slide off while showing high levels of contact balance. McFarland is not an inside of the tackles runner and has deficiencies at pass blocking. With only 139 carries in his career at Maryland, he needs reps and time to develop and show who he is as a player. If you take McFarland, a wait and see approach is needed.
3.02 – Michael Pittman Jr. (USC – WR13)
6-4″ – 223 | Michael Pittman has some of the best hands in this class. His ability to control his body and come down with contested catches is an elite trait. He can physically dominate cornerbacks at the catch point and rarely drops passes. Pittman committed only five drops in his college career. Whether he plays in the “big-slot” role or outside, he has WR2 upside and will be taken in the second or third round of the NFL Draft.
3.03 – Donovan Peoples-Jones (Michigan – WR14)
6-1 5/8″ – 212 | I’m going to pull back the curtain a bit on this pick. As a Michigan fan, watching Donovan Peoples-Jones at the NFL Combine just made me mad. Not because he didn’t perform well. Quite the opposite. He ran a 4.48 40-yard sprint, broad jumped 139″, and was a half-inch off the combine record in the vertical jump at 44.5″. It’s the fact he did it that annoys me.
Way too often in his career, Peoples-Jones was on the wrong end of suspect, at best, quarterback play and horrid play-calling that left a bad taste in the mouth of anyone who watched film. Far too often, he would be outshined by Nico Collins or Tarik Black on the field and then make some absurd play that made you realize how special he was but went criminally underutilized. Heck, Tyler Johnson put up more yards at Minnesota last year than Peoples-Jones has in his career.
Sorry, I am venting at this point and need to get off the soapbox. Donovan Peoples-Jones is a special athlete, and if he went to a better program or if Michigan had gotten rid of Pep Hamilton sooner, we would be looking at an early-second round pick. Aside from being a “homer” or looking at it through rose-tinted glasses, I want Donovan Peoples-Jones on every roster I can at this value. He is going to land somewhere and be a difference-maker. If not, well, I guess I am used to that after all of these years.
3.04 – Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona St. – WR15)
5-11 5/8″ – 205 | Brandon Aiyuk is a dynamic athlete with impressive movement and plenty of skills after the catch. His technique as a route-runner could be improved, but the explosiveness he brings to an offense should make him high in demand as a secondary option at the next level with WR2 upside in fantasy. The issue that I keep seeing in film is how often he gets tied up at the line of scrimmage. He lets a cornerback out physical him and gets tied up far too often. Now, this can be prevented in a bit by moving him into the slot at the next level. If that happens given his speed and prowess as a returner, this could easily end up being an absolute steal of the draft.
3.05 – Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma – QB4)
6-1″ – 222 | Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts is another quarterback who helped himself at the NFL Combine. After a stellar college career in which he scored 123 total touchdowns for the Sooners and the Alabama Crimson Tide, Hurts performed like an elite athlete in Indianapolis. He ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash at 4.59 seconds and measured in at 6’1″, 222 pounds. He shined in the interview rooms and showed improved footwork and delivery in the throwing portion. The closer we get to draft day, the louder the hype is seeming to build. I have even seen him going ahead of Justin Herbert since the NFL Combine.
At his pro day, Hurts continued to build on the momentum he created in Indianapolis. His throws were crisp and even his footwork under center looked improved. I started this process with Jordan Love ahead of him but I am on board with Hurts now. Between seeing him on the field with other quarterbacks and the clear love he is getting from NFL teams I am sold. I just wonder if when the draft comes you can still get him around this range.
3.06 – Harrison Bryant (Florida Atlantic – TE1)
6-5″ – 243 | The reigning first-team All-American and John Mackey award winner takes my top spot in this year’s class. While not the prospects we saw last year, such as Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson, Harrison Bryant shows a skill set that can translate very well to the next level. After eclipsing 1,000 yards in his senior year, Bryant ended his collegiate career with 148 catches for 2,137 yards (14.4 avg) and 16 touchdowns.
He still needs some work as a blocker, but as a receiving option, he is a matchup threat that we are looking for. Tight ends take time to develop, and we all know that. I always try to grab at least one in a draft, given the depth of the position in fantasy. Getting the TE1 in the third round creates a fantastic value pick to select and let develop on your bench.
3.07 – Antonio Gibson (Memphis – RB11)
6-0 3/8″ – 228 | Gibson is one of the late-round fliers you draft based on athleticism and see if he sticks with a team. We aren’t even entirely sure where he will play as he worked out with the wide receivers at the NFL Combine, but it looks like he could play running back. As a receiver, Gibson is dynamic, and his 4.43 40-yard run showed it. While limited on his carries to only 33 in his career, he showed rather advanced power and contact balance and could make the right read once in the second-level of the defense. Can he read block? I have no clue. Can he pass block? No idea, as he never did it a single time in Memphis. He is fast, has great size attributes, and can catch the ball. As far as late-round dart throws go, I’ll take a shot in a league or two.
The best fit for the Steelers of the speed back mold is Memphis RB/WR Antonio Gibson.
– 6’0″
– 4.39 40
– Versatility
– Kick and Punt Return experience
He’s a downright playmaker. Deadly in the open field with great contact balance and lateral agility. pic.twitter.com/T3WOMv3H15
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) March 9, 2020
3.08 – Brycen Hopkins (Purdue – TE2)
6-3 7/8″ – 245 | Coming into the season, Brycen Hopkins was my TE1 but slipped just a bit when comparing him against other tight end’s bodies of work in this class. He’s a work in progress as a blocker, but his speed, body control, and route-running abilities should allow him to see time on the field possibly split off the line a bit while he learns to become more physical and play to his size in the NFL.
3.09 – Jordan Love (Utah State – QB5)
6-3 3/4″ – 224 | One of the most intriguing quarterbacks is Utah State’s Jordan Love. While he did regress in 2019, much of that can be attributed to the wide-spread change in the coaching staff and as pass catchers. Love has prototypical size, measuring in at 6’4″, 224 pounds while running a 4.74 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He also dominated in the workout drills, showing off his elite athleticism with a 35½-inch vertical (tied for second among QBs) and 118-inch broad jump. Depending on where he lands, Love could rise up draft boards and be a steal while remaining outside of the top 3 consideration.
3.10 – Isaiah Hodgins (Oregon State – WR16)
6-3″ – 210 | Oregon State WR Iasish Hodgins is another player who I am looking at later in drafts. While not very fast (4.61), his 6’3″ size and 80″ wingspan makes him one of the longest guys in this class. For a bigger guy, his cuts and ability to sell a route to the defensive back are advanced. His concentration as well is fantastic as you see several one-handed catches even when contested. His lack of speed to create separation is the main detriment to his draft stock, but in the redzone where space is limited, his catch radius makes him a threat on any play.
3.11 – Darrynton Evans Appalachian State (RB12)
5-10″ – 203 | Darrynton Evans is an intriguing prospect from out of Appalachian St. He is coming off of two consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and a monster of a junior season when he posted 1,323 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns with 18 receptions for 193 yards and another five touchdowns. Evans has breakaway speed at 4.41 and shows off his lateral quickness and agility when watching his tape. Odds are he will get his first shot as a returner but can work his way into the backfield and carve out a role. It’s worth a shot regardless on your roster.
3.12 – Chase Claypool (Notre Dame – WR17)
6-4 1/4″ – 238 | Talk about changing the narrative. Before the NFL Combine, NFL scouts and executives were talking about wanting Chase Claypool to move to tight end due to his size. All he does is come in and lay down a 4.42 40-yard sprint and silence everyone. While he does not have the wiggle you like to see after the catch, he is a difference-maker in the red zone due to his large frame and wingspan (80 inches). Claypool became a household name in 13 starts during the 2019 campaign, as he was the team’s leading receiver, grabbing 66 passes for 1,037 yards (15.7 per) and 13 touchdowns. While it might take a year or two, Claypool will end up being a starter in the NFL.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for PFN covering Fantasy Football. You can follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.