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I’ll be honest, the longer I do the Bloom 100, the more bleak the 51-100 prospects’ chances appear to me during the evaluation process. I used to be able to talk myself into these guys having a real shot to make a difference. I’m probably overcorrecting a bit from my optimistic ways, so there will be a few jewels among the long-term projects, potential overachieving players with limited tools, and second-tier IDPs.
The pre-draft Bloom 100 is a snapshot of how this year’s rookie class sorts itself out with without destination and draft position factored in, but remember that sometimes destination and draft position end up being a very large influence on a player’s dynasty outlook (even if in hindsight they were given too much weight for some players).
The Bloom 100 is ranked with the following type of dynasty fantasy football league in mind:
* Full IDP lineups including DT and CB
* PPR, start 3 WR
* Deep lineups and rosters
Of course, depending on your league scoring and settings, the placement of some positions can change, but the tier breaks and rankings within position should be good to use across all league formats.
51. Thomas Rawls, RB, Central Michigan - Runs angry with suddenness and has thick, compact build ready made for NFL, but character questions will push him down draft board.
52. Landon Collins, S, Alabama - Collins is the top safety in this class and has a good fantasy profile as more of an in the box safety than a centerfielder, but you’re swinging for a single.
53. Paul Dawson, LB, TCU - Dawson is a boom/bust player for reasons on and off of the field. Vontaze Burfict gives us hope, but Dawson at his best wasn’t as good as Burfict at his best in college.
54. Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska - There’s a chance Gregory will be drafted as a 4-3 DE, which would raise his fantasy ceiling, but also his chances of being a bust. He was projected in the draft top 10 until a failed drug test at the combine.
55. Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri - Ray’s production created an expectation of a better athlete in testing, but his foot injury might have caused his poor numbers. Regardless, Ray looks like a solid, but not great pro or fantasy force.
56. Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan - Davis is very competitive, smart, and crafty as a receiver, but he lacks athletic trump cards. Likely to be a backup, but receivers like him tend to outperform pro expectations.
57. Bud Sasser, WR, Missouri - Sasser is a discount version of the McBride/Lewis/DDavis tier, a bigger receiver with good size, hands, and top-end skills at the catch point, but lacking the speed/athleticism to project as a real difference maker.
58. Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State - McKinney has the size and combativeness you want in a downhill ILB, but could be exposed on passing downs.
59. Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami-Fl - Perryman plays with a classic hard-nosed linebacker mentality and will be an early-down force, but he seems unlikely to be an everydown player in the pros.
60. Adrian Coxson, WR, Stony Brook - This Matt Waldman favorite was a Florida recruit who moved closer to home to deal with medical issues in his family. He has the size and top-end speed to get some attention as a priority free agent or late-round pick.
61. Darius Davis, WR, Henderson State - An Emory Hunt favorite, Davis is thickly built for a wide receiver. He blows the competition off of the field on a small school level, but how will he translate?
62. Kwon Alexander, LB, LSU - Alexander has the speed and range to be an everydown LB, but his questionable instincts will be an obstacle. Plays with his foot on the accelerator.
63. James O’Shaughnessy, TE, Illinois State - Another Matt Waldman favorite, a receiving TE with the game above the rim that we love in fantasy leagues. Don’t forget him if he lands in a good spot.
64. Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn - Artis-Payne lacks upside, but he is a very useful back that every team likes to have in “in case of emergency, break glass” scenarios.
65. Trey Williams, RB, Texas A&M - Diminutive playmaker who is more likely a novelty player than a core part of the offense, but there could be some hidden upside there.
66. Rory “Busta” Anderson, TE, South Carolina - Anderson has the skills, length and athleticism to make a splash as a receiving TE in the NFL, but injuries have kept him from gaining momentum in the pre-draft process.
67. Ben Heeney, ILB, Kansas - Ultra-aggressive and productive in college, but big questions about whether size and instincts will translate in pros.
68. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE/OLB, UCLA - Think Brian Orakpo. A power EDGE player who isn’t super explosive or flexible, but can be productive enough to get on the radar in deep sack-heavy IDP leagues.
69. Dee Hart, RB, Colorado State - Very highly rated recruit who tore same ACL twice at Alabama. Shows prowess/toughness as a runner, but short stature and what he lost to injuries could push him out of draft.
70. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington - Without the fallout from his team, he would likely be the #1 corner in this class and still could be. Early “rookie corner rule” value, but potential to stay in your lineup for the long haul.
71. Darren Waller, WR/TE?, Georgia Tech - Giant and a good mover, but very raw and his love of football has been questioned. Possibility of a move to TE being raised is very interesting indeed.
72. Blake Bell, TE, Oklahoma - Size, athletic ability, and hands indicate that there’s something there, but a long-term project and probably lacking ceiling to become relevant for fantasy.
73. Terrell Watson, RB, Azuza Pacific - Poor man’s Latavius Murray has outstanding physical traits but along a long way to go before he looks like a pro runner.
74. Danielle Hunter, DE/OLB, LSU - Oozes athletic upside, but needs to develop instincts/strategies to rush the passer instead of relying on gifts. Developmental player who could hit big.
75. Vince Mayle, WR, Washington State - Big, rugged receiver after the catch might lack the speed and separation ability to be more than a bottom the depth chart guy.
76. Matt Jones, RB, Florida - Big back who projects as a third-down back with a good all-around game and effort, but he doesn’t seem to generate as much power as his size suggests he should.
77. John Crockett, RB, North Dakota St. - You know its a good year for RBs when we have two from the Dakotas in the 100. Crockett isn’t special in any way, but he’s a useful back with some quicks and burst who could hang around as a #3/#4 back.
78. Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston - Greenberry has long frame and some burst, but it hasn’t come together for him yet. Probably a practice squad receiver, but one to watch if he can refine his game.
79. Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland - Diggs was a vaunted recruit, but he only projects as a complementary receiver in the pros. Does most of his damage after the catch and unlikely to be a downfield factor.
80. Ty Montgomery, WR/ATH, Stanford - The recent history of “just get the ball in his hands somehow” offensive weapon types has been spotty, so proceed at your own risk. Montgomery has something to offer on offense and special teams, but a fantasy breakthrough is a longshot.
81. Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State - Might lack the upside to be worth carrying as developmental DE in IDP leagues, but one of the better true DE prospects in draft. Could get some sneaky OLB snaps in a 3-4.
82. Arik Armstead, DL, Oregon - If Armstead is drafted to a 3-4 team, he could get on the Calais Campbell axis of talent in time. If he is drafted to a 4-3 team, he’ll be a commodity worth owning in leagues that require a DT in the starting lineup.
83. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest - Johnson has the feet of a ninja and could become quite the ball-thief as opposing QBs continually test the likely first-round corner.
84. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State - “Rookie corner rule” applies here, as Waynes could be a first-round bust overdrafted on 40 time, but his team would likely put him in early and make him a target, which generates tons of IDP stats.
85. Marcus Coker, RB, Stony Brook - Coker is a big, physical, efficient back with enough burst and flexibility to hang around the edge of rosters and be viable when called upon if injuries strike.
86. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU - Just like Waynes, the early days of Collins career are going to be a rough learning experience where his ability to improve his flaws will be tested often. As long as he is line to start right away, he could pay dividends as an IDP corner… as long as he doesn’t get benched.
87. Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor - Petty’s strengths include leadership and intangibles, which doesn’t exactly translate to fantasy production, but his spread offense experience could lead a team that is going in that direction to draft him and create the possibility of future numbers.
88. Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan State - Thin wideout who was productive, but lacks big physical advantages and could even be converted to corner. Likely 4th/5th receiver at best.
89. Antwan Goodley, WR, Baylor - Goodley has a RB body type/game after catch and good speed, but his ability to be a good enough route runner to hang in the NFL is unknown.
90. Jean Sifrin, TE, Massachusetts - It’s too bad Sifrin is 27, because he shows circus catch ability and the size/athleticism needed to be an interesting project as a receiving TE.
91. Hau’oli Kikaha, DE/OLB, Washington - Kikaha is a natural pass rusher who handfights and finishes with the best in this class. There are rumors of knee issues, plus a current lack of versatility that limits his fantasy ceiling. A high floor/low ceiling prospect.
92. Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke - Crowder seemed to have lost a lot of value during the pre-draft season, but he’ll still appeal to teams looking for a waterbug slot receiver, although that role rarely creates fantasy results.
93. Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State - O’Leary is “just a guy” but he was able to become a trusted receiver for Jameis Winston and could outperform his measureables in the right spot.
94. Nate Orchard, DE/OLB, Utah - Orchard has advanced pass rush strategies and motor/strength, but he is not a top-end athlete. He could collect a lot of effort sacks opposite a great speed rusher.
95. Eli Harold, DE/OLB, Virginia - Harold has one of the highest ceilings of this year’s EDGE class, but the lack of toughness and sand in his pants on film makes it seem very far away. Worth monitoring in sack heavy leagues.
96. Jesse James, TE, Penn State - James is big with buildup speed and there is room for growth, but the fluid athleticism needed to become a primary receiving TE isn’t there on tape.
97. Josh Harper, WR, Fresno State - Harper probably isn’t physically gifted enough to be more than a possession receiver, but his hands and ball skills should earn him a shot.
98. Dominique Brown, RB, Louisville - Brown is smooth for a big back and he generates power from his lower body, but he’s not a true bruiser and his future role in the NFL could be very limited.
99. Mario Edwards Jr., DL, Florida State - Edwards hasn’t played anywhere close to his ceiling, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be drafted as if he’ll hit it. I’ll pay attention if he lands somewhere that he could steal a DT designation.
100. Henry Anderson, DL, Stanford - Was an impact player all over the DL and could help in DT-required leagues if he’s not converted to a 3-4 DE full-time.