We know not every draft pick will be a slam dunk, right? But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a few options to keep in our back pockets as fantasy football players. Day 3 of the NFL Draft presents an opportunity to comb over some of the later-round selections to see if there’s any chance they can become fantasy assets. Given their draft stock, the expectation isn’t to see immediate fantasy production right out of the gate. However, savvy fantasy managers should keep tabs on these players. The closer we get to OTAs and training camp, the more information we will have to make better decisions. Once the preseason begins, we will gauge how these players will be used by their respective teams. We’ll also determine where their fantasy stock will be as we prepare for fantasy draft season later this summer.
There is no better feeling than having a plan heading into your fantasy league draft. Having a leg up on your league mates is one way to prepare to hoist the league trophy by the end of the season.
Day 3 Diamonds
Jaydon Blue, RB – Dallas Cowboys
Jaydon Blue to the Dallas Cowboys could be a part of a tandem attack for the Cowboys’ backfield in 2025. Blue displays tremendous speed and pass-catching ability similar to other backs his size, like Jahmyr Gibbs and De’Von Achane. Blue does have an issue with fumbles, though. Blue fumbled four times in 2024 and lost two of them. Ball security is a must at the NFL level.
While fumbles may be a concern, it shouldn’t fade out the rest of what Jaydon Blue can do. At 5’9″, 196 lbs, Blue isn’t afraid to mix it up in pass protection. His 4.29 speed and ability to make sharp cuts even between the tackles should make it hard for defenders to get a clean shot on him most days. Blue is a back that should be added to watch lists, and dynasty managers may want to consider taking him later in their rookie drafts. The Cowboys have a lot opportunity and volume on the table after letting Rico Dowdle walk in free agency. The Cowboys have another running back on this list that could be paired with Jaydon Blue to create a new version of the Cowboys’ run game in 2024.
Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR – Las Vegas Raiders
Dont’e Thornton Jr. was drafted in the fourth round (pick 108), bringing size and speed to the Las Vegas Raiders‘ wide receiver room. Standing at 6’5, 205 lbs, Thornton Jr. is a speed demon with a 4.3 40-time. Thorton Jr. should be able to provide Geno Smith with another big target in the red zone in 2024. The Raiders need to find different ways to score points this coming season. The Raiders’ offense was one of the worst units in scoring during the 2024 season. The Raiders finished the 2024 season ranked the fourth-worst scoring unit at just 18.2 points per game.
There is a concern to how Thornton Jr fits with what the Raiders have. The Raiders drafted another wide receiver in Jack Bech earlier in the draft. They also have Jakobi Meyers from last season and tight end Brock Bowers, the latter who had a phenomenal rookie campaign last season. Not to mention Ashton Jeanty, who can catch passes as a running back. There could be a lot of mouths to feed and not enough targets to go around. At that size, I can’t ignore Thornton and what his role could be with the Raiders as they continue to overhaul the team. For now, he’s on the watch list and will likely be a waiver wire add during the season.
Shedeur Sanders, QB – Cleveland Browns
The entire draft situation was a mess for Shedeur Sanders. Considered among many to be a top 2 quarterback draft prospect, Sanders was passed over by several teams, including the Cleveland Browns, who ended his draft fall by selecting him in the fifth round AFTER taking Dillion Gabriel later in the third. Sanders falls into a loaded quarterback room that has Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson (who’s injured), and Dillion Gabriel.
I still believe Shedeur Sanders is the best of the bunch, but it’s hard to see how he can carve himself out of the muck the Browns created. Only Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart are considered ahead of Sanders in early dynasty rankings, but there doesn’t seem to be an immediate path for success for Sanders this season. As it stands, Sanders could come with some big risk for dynasty managers looking to invest in the Browns quarterback. His main competition could be Kenny Pickett heading into camp.
Ollie Gordon II, RB – Miami Dolphins
Here’s my hunch with Ollie Gordon II. Gordon was drafted in the sixth round so at first glance you wouldn’t be wrong in believing he’s got a slim chance to do anything in his rookie season. That’s when you look at the Miami Dolphins roster at running back. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are no longer on the roster. De’Von Achane is the star of the Dolphins backfield but he needs a running mate to help get the dirty yards. Now second-year running back Jaylen Wright didn’t exactly “wow” the Dolphins coaching staff with his 279 yards (3.7 y/a) and Alexander Mattison isn’t enough to write home about.
Ollie Gordon II may have a real chance to snake that “1b” spot behind Achane if he can perform well during the offseason. At 6’1″, 216 lbs, had 21 touchdowns in his 2023 season with Oklahoma State. He also averaged 6.1 yards per carry. If he can add that kind of talent to the Dolphins backfield and pair it with De’Von Achane’s speed and receiving ability, the Dolphins offense could be nasty this season.
Phil Mafah, RB – Dallas Cowboys
The second half of the supposed tandem in the Cowboys backfield. Clemson’s former running back Phil Mafah was largely used as a change of pace back before his first thousand-yard season in 2024. Mafah doesn’t give you a ton of flashy shake moves against defenders but he can make them miss once he decides which way he wants to go. That is, if he doesn’t try to run you over first. Mafah is also good with his hands, being a viable pass catcher even with his bigger size and frame.
Mafah has an uphill battle in camp with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders being picked up by the Cowboys during the beginning of the free agency period. Jaydon Blue will likely make the roster but Mafah will have to outpace Williams, Sanders, Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis in order to make final cuts. Mafah could be a deep sleeper in rookie drafts with tremendous upside in a Cowboys offense starved of talent out of the backfield.
Cam Skattebo, RB – New York Giants
I know Tyrone Tracy owners are kicking themselves and the Giants front office for making this grab. Cam Skattebo being picked up by the Giants in the fourth round opens the door for a possible time-share situation for the New York backfield. Skattebo was a talented back with Arizona State, rushing for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. Often compared to 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, it’s not far-fetched to believe that Skattebo could take over the backfield from Tracy this offseason.
The Giants coaching staff are trying to save their jobs and made a bunch of moves to help push the team back in the winning direction. If Skattebo can help them do that, I would expect a “changing of the guard” to happen this season as they prepare for the eventual arrival of Jaxson Dart. I may be a Cowboys fan but I have to look over my shoulder to see what the Giants are doing. Skattebo… I have my eyes on you.
Kalel Mullings, RB – Tennesee Titans
This mammoth of a linebacker turned running back caught my attention during the draft process. His being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round was a puzzling, however. The Titans already have two good backs in Tony Pollard and Tajyae Spears at the one and two spots. But Mullings could be a different type of monster altogether. Mullings is a big boy at 6’2″, 226 lbs, per scouting reports. Breaking tackles and being difficult to slow down once he gets moving seem to be specialties of his. While he didn’t run for an official time during the combine, his tape shows that he has some giddy-up to him. Mullings can take lanes through the line of scrimmage for big plays and is even tougher at the goal-line.
Pollard is heading into the second year of his initial three year deal but there is an out in his contract in 2026 where the Titans can move on and take a low nine million dead cap hit. Mullings wasn’t used much as a pass catcher while with Michigan so being a big, power runner may be the only tool in his arsenal right now. It’ll be interesting if Mullings can claim that RB3 spot on the roster. Pollard’s versatility may keep him in the forefront of the Titans offense unless Mullings can further develop his game and prove to the Titans coaches that he deserves more. Mullings is a player I want to have in my back pocket, hoping that he can grow as a player and become a fantasy asset in dynasty.
