Searching for the Next Phillip Lindsay: UDFA Rookie Mock Draft (2020 Fantasy Football)

Searching for the Next Phillip Lindsay: UDFA Rookie Mock Draft (2020 Fantasy Football)

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With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, and a lion’s share of the undrafted free agents now signed, searching for the next Phillip Lindsay or Preston Williams has begun in earnest. Finding that diamond in the rough can be extremely rewarding, and often comes at a relatively low cost or risk. The majority of the UDFA’s from this year’s rookie class can be had in the fifth round, or via waivers following your rookie draft. 

However, identifying the next UDFA to hit can be tricky. With that in mind, I invited three industry experts who are not only well versed in all of this year’s rookie class but who are adept at projecting roles and translatability of skill sets. David Willsey (@willson8tor) of Dynasty League Football and Unique RB Analytics, Marc Mathyk (@masterjune70) of Player Profiler and FantasyPros, and @thedraftgenius of Breakout Finder, Dynasty Nerds, and the Sleeper Wire Show joined me for a one round, 12 team, superflex UDFA only rookie draft. Marc will take picks 1, 5, and 9. David will make selections at picks 2, 6, and 10, DraftGenius at 3, 7, and 11, while I take 4, 8, and 12. Let’s dig in.

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1.01 – Thaddeus Moss (TE – WAS)

“92.2% Catch Rate; Bloodlines; Incredible Landing Spot” – (@masterjune70)

Thaddeus Moss going undrafted was surprising, but when the fact that he had a Jones fracture in his right foot is taken into consideration, it makes more sense. NFL teams were unable to have their own medical staff get their hands on injured prospects like Moss, a fact that caused players to drop, sometimes a few rounds, and sometimes out of the draft altogether. Randy Moss’ son found a perfect home, as Washington has moved on from both Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis. He will only have to beat out Jeremy Sprinkle, Caleb Wilson, and Richard Rodgers for the starting job. Moss is someone to start thinking about in the fifth round of your rookie drafts and has the type of sky-high upside to warrant a very hard look. 

1.02 – Michael Warren (RB – PHI)

“Michael Warren is my highest graded UDFA RB. I had 15 draft locks projected, and Warren was the only one not selected, but one of the first to land a job post draft. He found a great spot in Philly for backs as we have seen. He is not the most athletic but could provide Jordan Howard lite value in some games if he makes the roster.” – (@willson8tor)

It is almost criminal that Michael Warren was not drafted at some point of the 2020 NFL Draft. A tough and physical runner who can catch the ball, Warren rushed for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in two straight seasons. He did not run at the 2020 NFL Combine, something that likely hurt his stock in the eyes of some NFL front offices. It is not his fault that Pro Day’s were canceled, but it may very well have led to teams considering other perhaps less talented options. Warren has move the pile power and good contact balance, but success rate issues make him more of an ideal number two than someone a good team wants as their long-term starter. In Philadelphia, he will not be asked to carry the load due to the presence of Miles Sanders but could contribute flex2 worthy production if given the snaps. Boston Scott remains on Philadelphia’s roster, but Warren has the talent to work his way into the power back role in the Cowboys offense. He is someone to consider in the fifth round, or as a free agent off waivers following your rookie drafts. 

1.03 – Anthony Gordon (QB – SEA)

“Anthony Gordon ranked second in the percentage of accurate passes (69.4%) per PFF. This trailed only Joe Burrow in this stat. He has the size and skills to be Russel Wilson’s backup and be a serviceable QB for Seattle if called upon.”- (@thedraftgenius)

I waited all draft for the New England Patriots to draft Anthony Gordon. Yes, his numbers were enhanced by the Air Raid offense, but after Gardner Minshew’s success in the NFL coming out of the same school, there seemed to be hope that at least one NFL team would view him as a potential flier worth kicking the tires on. A 36th round pick by the New York Mets in the 2015 MLB Draft, Gordon’s baseball player arm talent is evident in his deep ball, his ability to complete sidearm passes, and his ability to throw off-platform. Seattle is not an ideal landing spot for his dynasty value, but he gives the Seahawks a highly competent backup who will be more than capable of handling spot start duties if it ever comes to that. In deeper superflex leagues, he is worth a stash for Russell Wilson owners who may be missing a solid injury replacement type of depth option. He will be available for free off waivers and is someone to at least be considered where needed. 

1.04 – Jeff Thomas (WR – NE)
Jeff Thomas is a talented receiver who was maligned by off-field troubles as a member of the Miami Hurricanes. He consistently flashes on tape, but when he ran ‘just’ a 4.45 at 5’9, 170 lbs, his off-field troubles made him too big of a risk for any team to stomach on day three. He clashed with both of his head coaches at Miami, character issues that were a major red flag for teams worried about team chemistry. New England may be the perfect landing spot in that regard, as the ‘Patriots Way’, and the presence of legend Bill Belichick should help to keep him focused on football. Thomas will help fill the speed receiver void left by Phillip Dorsett, and as such, he could find his way to significant snaps as a rookie. He figures to start the season behind N’Keal Harry, Julian Edelman, and Mohamed Sanu, but the latter will need to prove that his slow adjustment to the Patriots scheme was more mental than physical. Thomas is an interesting draft and stash candidate that should be considered at the tail end of rookie drafts with five or more rounds. If he lasts to waivers, he should be prioritized. 

1.05 – JaMycal Hasty (RB – SF)

“Matt Breida replacement? Great hands; compact; Shanny loves his UDFA RBs” –  (@masterjune70)

JaMycal Hasty found himself a solid landing spot, one that is especially kind to UDFA runners. The Shanahan family has a long history of finding gems post-draft, and Hasty may be another name to add to the growing list. He has displayed good burst and is an exciting open-field runner who could earn some touches in the backfield when/if the 49ers clear their self imposed logjam at running back. Expanded game-day rosters and Hasty’s ability to contribute on special teams bodes well for his chances of sticking on the roster, but he will be low on the depth chart as a rookie. He has the talent and ability to carve a weekly role on passing downs, but will have to explode to ever be considered anything more than the third active back who sprinkles in on passing plays, and logs heavy special teams snaps. Hasty has some depth chart climbing to do, but is a name to keep an eye on, and is even worth a stash in deeper leagues.

1.06 – Kalija Lipscomb (WR – KC)

“Landing spot. Landing spot. Landing spot.” – (@willson8tor)

As David suggested, Kalija Lipscomb found himself a great landing spot. The Chiefs are in need of a true number three receiver, and Lipscomb, who plied his wares versus SEC corners, may fit the bill. Mecole Hardman is not going away, so there is no clear path to heavy snaps, but there is a scenario where Kalija ranks third on the team in wide receiver snaps in different weeks throughout the season. It came as a surprise that he was not drafted, but the lack of the opportunity to improve upon his 4.57 40 time likely did him no favors. He is going to struggle with press, but showed enough against LSU’s corners to suggest he can uncover against both zone and man. Lipscomb has the talent to be a solid contributor in the Chiefs offense, so dynasty owners should put him on watch lists. Those in deeper leagues may even want to consider him in rookie drafts that go five or more rounds. 

1.07 – J.J. Taylor (RB – NE)
J.J. Taylor is an exciting 5’5 pocket rocket who will, of course, draw some comparisons to Darren Sproles. Despite Taylor’s size, he is able to run between the tackles with surprising physicality. He has plus vision, and if all he could do was run, he would still have a potential future as a change of pace back. One of the top receiving backs in this draft class, it comes as no surprise that he appealed to the New England Patriots. Yet another rookie whose draft prospects suffered due to the lack of a Pro Day, his 4.61 40 time did him no favors. He was much better in the 20-yard shuttle where he recorded the second-best time at 4.15, behind only Jamychal Hasty’s 4.03. His short-area quicks and cutting ability are evident on tape and provide something for fantasy owners to be excited about. James White is in the last year of his contract, so if Taylor impresses enough to make the expanded 55 man roster, he may take over his role in 2021. His ability to contribute on special teams only increases the chances he makes New England’s roster.

1.08 – Omar Bayless (WR – CAR)
The Carolina Panthers may have gotten a steal in Omar Bayless. One of the most productive FBS receivers in the nation this past season, he had the most yards per game, was second in overall receiving yards, third in touchdowns, ninth in receptions per game, and third in receptions on 20 yards or more. He is limited athletically but is adept at winning contested-catch situations. It may seem that Bayless has an arduous path to snaps in Carolina, but with teams calling on Curtis Samuel’s availability, Bayless could be thrust into a battle for the number three receiver role. He is more of someone to target off of waivers in deeper leagues but is well worth a flier due to his production profile. 

1.09 – Marquez Callaway (WR – NO)

“Love the talent and landing spot; maybe he can be what we hoped Tre’Quan Smith would have been” – (@masterjune70)

Marquez Callaway is a talented downfield receiver who doubles as a red-zone weapon. He does not have elite size, but he plays faster than his 4.55 40 time. He is a plus athlete who can win in contested catch situations due to his 38 inch vertical and strong hands. He is not the most nuanced as a route runner, but luckily in New Orleans, he will likely be asked to do what he does best: go deep and return punts. Ted Ginn Jr. is now a member of the Chicago Bears, leaving the depth chart behind Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders wide open. Callaway could fight his way into being a year one contributor in a Drew Brees led passing attack, something that is enticing enough to stash him on rosters post rookie drafts. If you do not currently have the roster flexibility, be sure to keep an eye open for OTA and training camp reports if/when they get started.

1.10 – James Robinson (RB – JAX)

“Fournette does not have the greatest history of health, and although much more heavily used, two of Robinson’s closest comparables in my model are Mike Gillislee and Chris Carson who have both been fantasy relevant. Carson has obviously been moreso, but Gilli had some games in 2016″ – (@willson8tor)

A tough, physical runner, James Robinson, surprised with his athleticism at the 2020 NFL Combine. He posted a shocking 40 inch vertical for a 5’9, 219 lb man, and tied for the third-best 20-yard shuttle at 4.19. His 40 time was nothing to write home about (4.66), but his game has never been about winning with speed. If the Jacksonville Jaguars can find a taker for Leonard Fournette, James Robinson could enter the mix for one of the top two spots in the committee. Chris Thompson is there to soak up the targets on passing downs, but the Jaguars will still be in need of an in-between the tackles bruiser. He will have some competition from players like Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo, and Jeremy McNichols, but has impressive enough tape (albeit against FCS competition) to suggest that he could win that job. Robinson is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues. 

1.11 – Hunter Bryant (TE – DET)
Another shocking undrafted free agent, Hunter Bryant was PFF’s number one rated tight end. He recorded the most yards per route run since PFF started charting the stat, and looks like he has the makings of a starter-level move tight end. His blocking skill needs a lot of work, but the John Mackey award finalist not even being selected was a major surprise. The Lions were a surprising landing spot for the talented tight end to choose, especially when tight ends like Noah Togiai and Nick Bowers received higher guarantees. Bryant is too talented not to carve out a role in the NFL, but his undrafted status coupled with the potential lack of an offseason may cause him to be a practice squad candidate as a rookie. He is talented enough to boast borderline TE1 level upside as a starter, but due to being stuck behind T.J. Hockenson, he is not projected to see many snaps until he passes Jesse James and Issac Nauta on the Lions depth chart.

1.12 – Darius Anderson (RB – DAL)
Darius Anderson is a do it all type of running back from TCU, who can run the ball, operate as a receiver, and play on special teams. Quicker than fast (4.61 40 time at the 2020 NFL Combine, but the third-best 20-yard shuttle at 4.19), Anderson has NFL starter size, but will probably top out as a number two. He has some competition to make the Cowboys, but he received the highest guarantee of any UDFA running back, so it appears he may have the inside track on a roster spot. Dallas is not an ideal landing spot from the perspective that he will have no shot at even competing for a starting role. However, with only Tony Pollard behind Ezekiel Elliott, he has the chance to become the preferred handcuff in an explosive offense. He is someone to consider in deeper leagues. 

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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.

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