Welcome back to Part VIII of the series, where I will highlight guys that should be added to your supplemental draft queues. Today’s theme: Short Kings!
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. I can no longer tell which players are under 5% of rosters; Fantrax has rolled over the database to the next year.
WR Chrishon McCray, Kent State
- 5’10” / 163 lbs.
- Entering 3rd year
- NFL Projection: None
- Supplemental Draft Range: Round 10+
I am cray-cray for Chrishon McCray. Thank you for sticking through that pun. McCray was a truly uninspiring recruit and was the RB157 in the 2021 recruitment cycle. He’s made the full-time switch to WR this year and saw some insane production as a starter in weeks five through ten. He averaged about 11 targets and about six receptions with 97 yards a game. He has won most of the contested catch situations, which I imagine doesn’t stay constant, but it’s nice to see that his RB time made him tough at the catch point.
McCray played in the field stretching role for the Kent State offense, but the late transition to the position makes me feel like he has more room to develop. His breakout was cut short by a season-ending ankle injury from which he was carted off the field against Akron. I assume he’s a forgotten asset because of the injury, and the severity of the injury is a mystery to me. McCray’s breakout was on par to make him a top 36 WR option during that stretch. Add him to the queue.
RB Jaheim White, West Virginia
- 5’7″ / 192 lbs.
- Entering 2nd year
- NFL Projection: None
- Supplemental Draft Range: Round 10+
I will admit I was an early champion for CJ Donaldson, but White has stolen the show. West Virginia found its thunder and lightning running back duo. White only saw three starts during the final weeks of the season but rushed over 200 yards against Cincinnati and over 100 yards against Baylor. He had 29 of his 109 rushing attempts go over 10 yards.
White does a great job at following his blocks and reading the helmets. I think it’s hard to find an RB that makes the most out of the space given to him that White does. He’s shown flashes of open-field elusiveness and offers pass-catching ability. He won’t be asked to be a goal line power back, contact balance and strength are not his redeeming traits. White will be splitting the workload, but his boom weeks make him a flex appeal in C2C. Add him to the queue.
RB Mario Anderson, Memphis
- 5’9″ / 208 lbs.
- Entering 6th year
- NFL Projection: None
- Supplemental Draft Range: Round 10+
Anderson started his collegiate career in DII football before transferring to South Carolina in 2023 and finally ending up at Memphis for the 2024 season. He averaged five yards a carry behind one of the worst O-lines in the SEC.
Memphis has a massive vacancy in the RB room, with Blake Watson leaving with over half the rushing yards market share. Without any clear successor, it is easy to point to the incoming proven SEC running back to take over lead duties. Anderson is a reliable short-yard specialist and lacks burners to get large chunk plays, but again, that was SEC. The lower level of competition should prove easier to be the better athlete and face worse tackling techniques. Add him to the queue.
