Welcome back to Part IV of the series, where I will highlight guys that should be added to your supplemental draft queues. Today’s theme: Hero RBs
I will try to lay out some expectations and roughly where I would target the player in the supplemental draft (assuming it’s the standard 15 rounds). As a devy analyst, I will try to give an honest perspective on their NFL aspirations. It would be best if you, the reader, kept in mind when these articles are written that the players who are partially driven by opportunity could quickly lose that variable with a transfer portal addition. They must be rostered in 25% or under in Fantrax leagues to qualify for this article. I know some of these guys will be obvious, but I hope to give you some deeper names.
RB Justin Marshall, CSU
- 5’11” / 175 lbs.
- Entering his 2nd year
- NFL Projection: None
- Rostered: 3%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 5-10
Marshall is a true freshman WR converted to RB; hence he has a very slender frame. I do think he’s bigger than 175 lbs., I would not vouch for him hitting 200. Marshall only played in three games this year, the final three games. Marshall took over lead back duties during the win against San Diego State and has averaged over 100 yards a game.
During this span, he forced 28 missed tackles on only 58 carries, that’s the most in the entire FBS during that small period. His receiving profile only saw two receptions on five targets, but given his WR background, I would assume the passing game work will come with time.
This rushing offense was rotating through different inefficient running backs throughout the season. This budding offense at CSU should have its lead RB in Marshall without a transfer coming in. Don’t miss out on the next Rasheen Ali in C2C; take the shot on drafting Marshall, the potential to have an anchor RB for the next 3-4 years. Add him to the queue.
RB Quali Conley, SJSU
- 5’10” / 207 lbs.
- Entering his 5th year
- NFL Projection: None
- Rostered: 5%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 5+
San Jose State had a daring out-of-conference schedule. and played their tougher opponents in the first half of the season, finishing on a 6-0 run. You wouldn’t believe who saw the bulk of his carries during the final six weeks. You guessed it, Conley.
Conley ran for 91-580-5, a modest showing, but also posted 4.84 yards after contact and 36 MTF, both among the top metrics in the FBS. He also saw 35 targets on the year, 3.5 targets a game during that final stretch of weeks 7-13. These are all good numbers, not great, but good. The RB1 for San Jose State was Kairee Robinson, and he is out of eligibility.
Conley and Kairee together combined for 87% of the rushing share. The entirety of the vacant target will not go to Conley, but it’s safe to assume this workload will increase. He was never listed as a starter and is stepping up to take over lead duties.
I expect an increase in his raw numbers, and the efficiency should normalize, but the current sample size shows that he is ready to take the next step. Conley is one of the most talented G5 RBs, and the possibility of a transfer coming in over him is minimal. I believe he only has one year left of eligibility, cash in while you can. Add him to the queue.
RB Chip Trayanum, Kentucky
- 5’11” / 233 lbs.
- Entering his 5th year
- NFL Projection: Mid-Late Day 3
- Rostered: 3%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 3+
Death, Taxes, and Kentucky RB1s. Trayanum transfers for his third team with a very scenic collegiate career. He started his career off by splitting a backfield with NFL RB Rachaad White at ASU. Then he transitioned to LB for Ohio State before they were hit with injuries at the RB position and needed help.
Chip won the RB2 position at Ohio State briefly before injuring himself against Purdue, leading to a rotating backfield until TreVeyon Henderson came back to full health. Kentucky has always been a run-first team and has been a factory at churning out Day 3 power backs for the NFL that are reliable college producers:
- 2016 Benny Snell
- 186-1091-13 / 2-39-0
- 2017 Benny Snell
- 262-1333-19 / 10-72-0
- 2018 Benny Snell
- 289-1449-16 / 17-105-0
- Drafted 4th round
- 2019 Lynn Bowden (QB/WR/RB) – This was a weird (and sad) year
- 185-1468-13 / 30-348-1
- Drafted 3rd round
- 2020 Chris Rodriguez (Covid year, 9 games played)
- 119-785-11 / 1-12-0
- 2021 Chris Rodriguez
- 225-1379-9 / 13-61-3
- 2022 Chris Rodriguez (8 games played)
- 175-904-6 / 5-41-0
- Drafted 6th round
- 2023 Ray Davis
- 186-1063-13 / 28-318-2
- Drafted: TBD (I project late day 3)
Is this a list of NFL studs? No. Is this a list of reliable college producers? Yes. That’s what I want to present. Trayanum will not be a sexy draft pick, but barring injury, it’s hard to not believe in Kentucky power backs producing on a college fantasy level. Also, it is scarce for an NFL RB to complete a full season, so even with Day 3 DC, you have a shot at using him at least once on your NFL side. Add him to the queue.
