It’s that time of year again. The NFL Combine is almost wrapped up, meaning it’s almost time for the rookie draft in your respective fantasy football dynasty leagues. Last year, fantasy leagues were blessed with talent in Kenneth Walker, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to name a few. We also had some hidden gems in Tyler Allgeier and Brock Purdy; but also some that didn’t quite live up to full expectations. Today I plan to bring you two prospects: a sleeper that will help you become a league winner, and one that is being over drafted in every league.
Tyjae Spears: Next League Winner
As an Orlando native and UCF alumni, I got the ‘pleasure’ of watching Tyjae Spears run all over my favorite college team twice, for 229 yards on only 30 carries. Imagine my surprise when I checked his draft ranking to see him listed as the RB9 for the 2023 class.
Spears ended his Junior year with 1581 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, but his most upside is in his ability as a receiver. At times, Spears has shown elite footwork and an impressive route tree, both in the backfield and from the slot position.
The biggest negative on Spears has to be his size – sub 200lbs while playing in the NCAA. However, at the Senior Bowl (where Spears impressed scouts to see his stock rise to a late Day 2/early Day 3 pick), he measured in over 200 pounds. By weighing in at 201 pounds at the NFL Combine, hopefully Spears put those doubts to rest.
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Spears reminds me of Alvin Kamara (which is also why I believe the Saints should take him at 72 overall if Kamara misses time). That is, a clean-nosed runner who will make his living as a prototypical receiver as well.
Spears is currently looking like a late second pick in my most fantasy rookie drafts, but from his performances, I could see his value being more appropriately set as a late first to early second in your fantasy football leagues. Don’t overthink it: Spears is legit.
Quentin Johnston: Less Calvin Johnson, more Mike Williams
At first glance, Quentin Johnston looks like a prototypical tall receiver. However, when you look closer you start to realize some of the fundamentals aren’t completely there.
QJ had an amazing 2022 season at TCU. He accumulated 60 catches for 1069 yards and six touchdowns as he helped the Horned Frogs to a College Football playoff appearance – and even into the title game. QJ is a giant jump ball receiver with a large frame and powerful stride.
While Johnston was listed originally at 6’4, at the NFL Combine it was discovered he was actually 6’2. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue. It’s QJ’s second weakness, however, that compounds the problem: his hands. Specifically, he doesn’t use them. Going through Johnston’s tape during his final year, he relied on using his body to make a lot of catches. That very rarely translates to success at the NFL level.
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The over-reliance on his body to help cradle in passes sets off too many red flags, in my opinion. It leads me to believe that QJ’s best comparison could be Mike Williams – a very boom or bust fantasy football player from week-to-week. QJ will go out and make plays, but will also have weeks where he completely disappears from a stat sheet.
Quentin Johnston has been valued from an early-to-mid first rounder. However, I believe his value is really as the WR6, and comfortably in the second round of the draft. Johnston’s size is enough to entice most, but safer options exist at the wide receiver position with Zay Flowers, JSN and Jordan Addison.
Randy Vuxta
Randy Vuxta (@RandallVuxta) is a beat writer covering sports picks and dynasty/redraft content for The League Winners with a little over a decade playing fantasy football. Before joining the staff, he studied Journalism and Sports Business management and created The Randy Report, a YouTube channel dedicated to covering all things sports. When he’s not watching game film or the latest Marvel release, he can be found on Twitch streaming everything from Spider-Man to NBA2K. Randy looks to not only win every league he joins, but help others achieve that goal as well.