Dynasty Draftnik

Anthony Allen, RB, Ravens, 7th round. Ga. Tech: Very good size, quickness, explosiveness, and upper-body strength. Workhorse-type RB. Good speed for the size. Lowers shoulders very well when fighting for extra yards. Pops defenders back on impact and doesn’t get knocked back himself, always falling forward. Gives good effort at errant passes. Also plays special teams as a blocker. Suspect ball security. Worked out of B-Back position in school, so running from HB depth will be a learning curve similar to what Jonathan Dwyer had to go through with Steelers in 2010. Played in Senior Bowl. Enters talented backfield, and will never beat out Ray Rice, but should be team’s RB2 right away. If given the chance, should be a quality fantasy RB2.

Kendall Hunter, RB, 49ers, 4th round. Okla. St.: Short, but has adequate bulk for the size. Similar body type to Ray Rice. Very effective and tenacious at blitz pickup. Above-average speed. Can break tackles. Nice balance after contact. Quick, precise change of direction. Above-average upper-body strength. OK hands, but body catches too many. Also needs to work on routes. Willing run blocker. Played in Senior Bowl. May be Gore’s immediate backup ahead of Dixon because of his pass-protection ability and Dixon’s apparent move to FB. RB2 potential as Gore injury fill-in and eventual replacement.

Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots, 2nd round. Cal.: Average size. Very strong upper body and good stiff-arm. Above-average burst, concentration and hands. Experienced receiver. Average speed and quickness. Smooth runner, but doesn’t make precise cuts. Decisive as KR. Suspect ball security. Comes to decimated Patriots backfield, and should get a lot of work right away. May be 2012 starter if BJGE leaves via FA. Regardless, should be team’s RB2. Could be team’s new Kevin Faulk if BJGE returns. Long-term fantasy RB3 potential.

Roy Helu, Jr. , RB, Redskins, 4th round. Neb.: Good size, speed, burst and quickness. Bounces around well when behind the line to find creases. Tends to fall forward for extra yards. Hands catcher. Willing run blocker (though not great) and good pass blocker but needs to get more solid base to keep from getting bowled over. Having trouble picking up blitz in camp. Below-average vision. Very weak upper body. Suspect ball security — in Big 12 Championship, fumbled once and nearly fumbled again. Played in Senior Bowl. Enters crowded but not necessarily talented backfield and will compete with Torain, Hightower, Williams and fellow rookie Royster for touches. Should win the battle and be team’s starting RB right away. Nice future in this offense and his skills match nicely with team’s philosophy.

Delone Carter, RB, Colts, 4th round. Syracuse: Below-average height, but great bulk. Strong hands and upper body. Finishes runs with power. Very hard to tackle and often bowls over guys. Good pass blocker. Gets low and keeps legs churning in short yardage. Good wiggle even on wet turf. Good burst helps him get through even the smallest creases. Average speed. Reminds me of Maurice Jones-Drew. Tough as gunner on special teams. Enters backfield with only Donald Brown as real competitor for touches. Should have RB3 impact right away, and has the skills to become team’s number-1 RB by 2011.

Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins, 2nd round. Kan. St.: Very good size. Good speed, cutback vision, burst, and upper-body strength. Changes direction smoothly, without wasted lateral movement — always moving forward. One-cut-and-go runner. Patient and waits for blocks. Fair receiver and good after the catch. Was QB at community college before transferring to Kansas St., so may be a good Wildcat QB. After slowing down and having a knee injury late in season, was also a late scratch from Senior Bowl due to hamstring injury that lasted at least through March. Was injured off and on through college. Landed in perfect situation, on a Dolphins team that loves to run the ball and has no definite RB stars on roster. Watch his competition with Kory Sheets and potentially either R. Brown or Ricky Williams. Could have most immediate impact of any rookie, and falls here only because his injury history and running style limit his long-term potential.

Ryan Williams, RB, Cardinals, 2nd round. E. Car.: Slightly below-average size. Very good burst. Super-quick change of direction and above-average lateral movement. Average track speed, though seems fairly fast in games. Average upper-body strength. Keeps legs churning in short yardage — running angry in training camp. Keeps balance very well after contact. Willing blocker. R. Soph. who has declared for the 2011 draft. Reminds me of Clinton Portis coming out. With Beanie Wells as his only real competition, should at least share carries right away. Has solid RB1 potential.

Mark Ingram, RB, Saints, 1st round. Ala.: Slightly below-average height, but good bulk. Great burst and peripheral vision. Nice cutback runner. Runs very tough. Will bowl over DBs. Patient. Average speed. Has solid open-field moves. Below-average quickness. Inconsistent hands as receiver. Received degree a year early. Junior who has declared for the 2011 draft. Enters crowded Saints backfield, but is honestly the best of them already. Will have competition for touches, and this may limit his productivity in first year, but should be team’s number-1 RB by end of 2011.

Ricky Stanzi , QB, Chiefs, 5th round. Iowa: Very good size, though looks a little thin. Stands tall in pocket. Great touch and good accuracy short and medium. Runs pro-style offense. Moves well in pocket and is accurate on the run. Knows when to step up in pocket and is able to avoid rush. Knows when to throw the ball away. Keeps eyes downfield while moving. Tough — had ankle surgery late in 2009, but still started 2009 bowl game. Below-average speed and quickness. Inconsistent decision-making. Arm strength is an issue. A little slow to recognize open receivers. Stares down receivers a little too much when pressing. Likely to be immediate backup to Cassel and likely to see snaps during season as injury fill-in. Team’s heavy run emphasis limits his upside even as a starter. If he starts, has eventual fantasy QB3 potential.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Ravens, 6th round. Va. Tech: Slightly below-average size and has had a lot of passed batted in training camp. Excellent speed, quickness, and explosiveness for the position. Very strong arm — threw 75 yards in the air in 2009 bowl game. Great touch deep. Steps up in pocket well to find lane. Stays unfazed under pressure. Good mechanics, and sets up well on run. Fair accuracy. Looks off receivers and doesn’t stay locked on. Makes good decisions, even outside the pocket. Can throw it with touch or zip where needed. Seems even-keeled even when successful on field. Confident. Suspect ball security — carries ball in hand even through traffic. Compared often to Vick, though a more polished passer and less of a runner. Also taller than Vick. Will battle Cantwell for QB2 spot, but won’t start on team except as injury fill-in for Flacco. Has long-term potential once he gets comfortable in pro offense. May also get some work as Wildcat QB.