Redraft Rookie Outlooks: Darrynton Evans, Eno Benjamin, JK Dobbins
by Alan Seslowsky

Fantasy players view rookie prospects in a wide variety of ways when it comes to drafting. Some fantasy players get enamored with the “shiny new toy,” and don’t mind reaching ahead of ADP to get rookies on their team — especially in keeper leagues. More disciplined players proceed with caution as there are many unknowns on how rookies will perform at the NFL level. Though we can only project rookie production at the next level, RosterWatch believes it is fine to draft rookies when they present value on draft day and when you are armed with the right knowledge. 

Darrynton Evans (RB Titans) ADP 206 RB61

Evans has not yet had the offseason hype bring attention to the particularly good situation he landed in. The Titans drafted him in the third round, which is traditionally adequate draft capital for a running back. He is already listed as the RB2 on Tennessee’s depth chart. Evans caught over 20 passes in 2019 at Appalachian State, which isn’t elite but shows he is capable of filling the “3rd down” role available since the Titans let Dion Lewis walk in free agency. As it stands now, Evans is a Derrick Henry injury away from assuming a large workload and could have stand-alone value no matter what. Evans is not drafted in most 16-round, 12-team drafts. He is a player RosterWatch is interested in, especially when The Ultimate Draft Cheat Sheet steers us to draft Derrick Henry. 

Eno Benjamin (RB Cardinals) ADP 236 RB73

During the pre-draft process, no running back prospect experienced more of a perception roller coaster ride than Eno Benjamin. Eno was being touted as a top RB in a loaded class but took a value hit at the Senior Bowl when he weighed in at 195 pounds, a weight perceived as too small to play at the NFL level. At the NFL combine, he bulked up to over 205 pounds and was back on the scouting radar. The perception damage was done, though, and Eno wasn’t drafted until the seventh round. Eno landed in a good spot in Arizona. Presumed starter Kenyon Drake hasn’t displayed full-season durability to this point of his career and backup Chase Edmonds has had issues staying healthy himself in his first couple of seasons. There is a plausible path to relevance on a Cardinals offense we are projecting to be potent with high volume across the board. Eno’s pass-catching ability lines up well with what Arizona is trying to do offensively. He is well worth drafting in dynasty but as far as redraft, he will likely end up one of the running backs everyone is making big bids for during the season should injury occur to Drake.

 

JK Dobbins (RB Ravens) ADP 70 RB29

Dobbins was a consensus top four RB throughout the whole pre-draft process. His landing spot with Baltimore is one of the best in the NFL from a long-term perspective. When you are running next to the best running QB the NFL has ever seen, you are going to have better efficiency and overall production. Redraft leagues are where JK Dobbins is a gamble. His current ADP is late round six. The upside is obvious, but there are significant roadblocks to immediate playing time. Grizzly veteran RB Mark Ingram had a career season in 2019. Ingram is entering his age 31 season, which traditionally can be a “fall off the cliff” age-area for most running backs. When reviewing 2019 Mark Ingram film, it is clear and obvious he is running at full speed. Ingram did have a late-season injury which caused the Ravens to be noticeably less effective on offense. This underlines the importance of Ingram to the offense. Dobbins clearly needs an Ingram injury to reach his potential ceiling in 2019, but even then, veteran Gus Edwards would presumably take on some of the between the tackles responsibility. When the stakes are high RosterWatch believes Dobbins is a risky investment at his current ADP, but certainly has the upside to pay off. We recommend getting some Dobbins in your drafts, but fantasy owners need to understand the floor is low for redraft based on projected snaps. Get all you can of him in dynasty.