Dynasty Football Target: WR Keyarris Garrett
Keyarris Garrett Fantasy 2016
The third day of the NFL Draft is for the hardcore fans. Picks come off the board quicker, less TV coverage is spent on each of the prospects selected and more risk is taken by NFL teams in hopes of finding a diamond in the rough.
Most of the diehards that are eager to know who was selected on day three are either huge fans of their team, or they play dynasty football and are trying to get a jump on their league mates.
This year I made a short list of wide receivers that I had either scouted or knew a lot about from watching them play college ball last year and to my surprise, one name didn’t get called on draft day.
Former University of Tulsa wideout Keyarris Garrett somehow slipped through the cracks despite leading the nation with 1,588 receiving yards as a senior in 2015. Garrett was not selected throughout the three day NFL draft process, but has since signed a undrafted free agent deal (UDFA) with the Carolina Panthers.When asked during a pre-draft interview why he wasn’t projected as high as other receivers who had lesser stats, Garrett said:
“I have no idea. I don’t know if it was because we didn’t play a lot of big-time schools.”
Whatever the case, Panthers wide receiver coach Ricky Proehl recently said he thinks Garrett can contribute as a rookie.
“We got a draft pick in the free agent market,” Proehl said. “With the tools, he’s just going to get better. We can develop him as a guy that can step in.”
I’m sure Garrett was disappointed his phone didn’t ring on draft day, but his landing spot couldn’t have worked out better. I mentioned the 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Daingerfield, Texas in a post-NFL Draft podcast as a player I really liked and was watching. I’m now rooting for him even further.
A lot of fantasy owners love to fixate on where a player was drafted. They believe that a 4th round player is far better that an 6th round player purely based on draft position. If that was the case, NFL teams would never trade back. There has been so many late round or even UDFA players that have had solid NFL careers over the years, Garrett could easily be one of them.
If you asked me, Garrett went undrafted due to his up and down college career with Tulsa. After an injury-filled freshman campaign making only two catches, Garrett bounced back earning second-team All-Conference USA honors in 2012 (67 Rec, 845 yards, 9 TD receiving). Unfortunately, Garrett couldn’t build on that momentum losing the 2013 campaign to a compound fracture in his left leg.
| Keyarris Garrett Combine | |
| Height | 6’3 |
| Arm Length | 34 1/2 |
| Weight | 220lbs |
| Hands | 9′ |
| 40 Yard Dash | 4.53 |
| Bench Press | 14 reps |
| Vert Jump | 36.5 |
| 3 Cone Drill | 7.3 |
| 20 Yard Shuttle | 4.33 |
The roller coaster continued as the year back from that injury put him on the radar of NFL scouts with his impressive measurables and statistics for the season (47 Rec, 698, 5 TD). Finally, Garrett fulfilled his promise in his final year with the Golden Hurricane, leading the nation with 1,588 receiving yards and finishing in the top ten with 96 receptions while scoring eight times.
Quick Take
Here are some quick thoughts on Garrett’s skillset as a receiver.
Pros
- Physical mismatch over most corners
- Understands how to use his body to shield defenders on slants
- Extreme arm length, excellent catch radius.
- Long stride runner, builds up speed
- Catches CB’s off guard on vertical routes
- Deep threat: 28 catches of 20-plus yards in 2015
Cons
- Takes awhile to get into his routes
- Unable to sink hips and explode out of his breaks
- Too often waits on throws rather than working back towards them
- Not a burner
Carolina Panthers Roster Chances
Dynasty owners need to keep a close eye on Garrett as things progress. The Carolina Panthers were already light on depth at the wide receiver position and then completely ignored wideouts throughout the NFL draft. I’m sure after landing Garrett as an undrafted free agent, they too are hoping they found a solution to their depth problem.
| RD | Pick | Team | Rookie | Pos. | School |
| 1 | 30(30) | Vernon Butler | DT | Louisiana Tech | |
| 2 | 31(62) | James Bradberry | CB | Samford | |
| 3 | 14(77) | Daryl Worley | CB | West Virginia | |
| 5 | 2(141) | Zack Sanchez | CB | Oklahoma | |
| 7 | 31(252) | Beau Sandland | TE | Montana State |
Where to Draft Him in Rookie Drafts
The gamble here is whether you believe the Panthers will at the very least keep Garrett on as a project player to be groomed. With wide receiver depth an issue the chances are high of making the 53 man roster, but not a guarantee. I would like to tell you there is a chance that Garrett sees the field this season, but I can’t do that. Gridiron Experts rookie rankings are about to debut soon, until then I would consider Keyarris Garrett a luxury pick.
Keyarris Garrett has a very high ceiling but is a risky investment.
Mike Rigz | Dynasty Football Target: WR Keyarris Garrett - Gridiron Experts
Full Article from Gridiron Experts via http://ift.tt/1ZUaPRl
0 comments: