Dynasty Rookie Prospect Profile: Pierre Strong (2022 Fantasy Football)

Pierre Strong was met with little fanfare when he left McClellan High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, with the Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year award and 4,268 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns over his final two seasons. He was not a ranked prospect and received only minimal collegiate interest, with offers from South Dakota State, Central Arkansas, East Illinois, and Missouri State.

However, after redshirting in 2017, he wasted no time claiming the South Dakota State backfield in 2018, with 1,116 rushing yards on only 117 carries (9.5 yards per carry). The yardage factory never slowed down during his tenure at South Dakota State. With his 1,694 rushing yards last season and a blazing combine, Strong has put himself on the NFL’s radar.

He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash, and with the rest of his measurables, Strong finished with a 95th percentile speed score (per PlayerProfiler.com), 86th percentile burst score, and 75th percentile agility score. Strong is currently looking at possible late-round draft capital (his estimated draft position per Grindingthemocks.com is 151.6), so if he’s going to stick on a roster and earn touches, he’ll need to make some noise. Strong has several ways to beat the drum that we’ll delve into.

Pierre Strong 2022 NFL Draft Profile

* Recruit stars via 247Sports

Pierre Strong College Statistics*

* Player stats via Sports Reference

Pierre Strong Dynasty Fantasy Analysis

Strong is one of the best home run threats in this draft class. From the moment you flip on his film, his top-10 breakaway percentage among FBS and FCS backs in two of his four years is apparent. Strong is a threat to house any touch. Despite twice ranking fifth in Yards after contact per attempt, breaking swarms of tackles will not be how he wins in the NFL. Strong is a runway back. He's at his best when he's two to three yards past the line of scrimmage and sniffing the second level. This is where his explosive second gear and vision take hold.

When he's contacted at the line or behind it, he can make someone miss, but he's also had plenty of reps where he goes down easily. However, once he gets into space with a head of steam, he displays well-timed jab steps, cutbacks, speed, and a sixth sense in traffic. These are the best weapons in his arsenal, as you won't see a wide array of tackle-breaking techniques on film, such as spin moves or stiff arms.

Strong is tailor-made for a zone scheme. The coaches at South Dakota State agreed, as 63.9 percent of his carries were on zone concept runs (per PFF). In addition, he has a good feel for following his blocks, finding a crease, and getting quick and skinny through the hole.

While his pass protection needs work, he is a serviceable weapon in the receiving game. In 2019 and 2020, he finished 31st (1.29) and 49th (1.23) in yards per route run (per PFF, minimum 20 targets). In 2018, the coaching staff used him in the slot or out wide on 13.3 percent of his snaps. However, strong showed surprising moves when they lined him up as an outside receiver, running a few go routes with surprising nuance during the games I watched.

Strong has a versatile skill set and produced from a young age, albeit at a small school. However, his production is exactly what you want to see against small-school competition. Every running back depends on his offensive line to open up holes, but considering how Strong wins at this juncture, he will be a tad more dependent on scheme and blocking up front than some other backs in this class. However, if he falls into the right situation and someone in front of him is injured, he could make waves in his rookie season.

Player Comp

Joseph Addai with a home run swing

Strong won't see the same draft capital as Joseph Addai, a late first-round pick in 2006, but their skill sets are similar. Addai began his NFL career with two straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons because of his vision and speed. He finished his career with 2.36 Yards after contact per attempt (per PFF).

Landing Spot and Dynasty Outlook

Why Bill, why? This is why we can't have nice things. Pierre Strong landing in the running back roulette room that is Foxboro is nightmare fuel. Damien Harris is an unrestricted free agent in 2023, which offers some hope but not much. James White is under contract for the next two seasons, and last year's fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson is still hanging around. Strong landing in New England is also curious because he excels on zone runs which have not been a mainstay for this team. The Patriots have been a ground game rooted in gap and power concepts. Strong tumbled in my rankings and now only sits as a late-round dart option.