It’s that time of year when I turn my focus to the college bowl games to gain insight. I will do my best to find some draft eligible players that could improve your dynasty teams. This article intends to
start conversations and encourage continued thought throughout the entire draft process. These are my observations based on the bowl games, unless otherwise indicated. There will be much more in-depth, thought-provoking discussions later in the offseason. I am listing these players alphabetically.
RB-Jay Ajayi, Boise State- The young runner had an impressive first half rushing for over 100 yards and scoring three rushing touchdowns. On his first carry of the game, the back exploded past the line of scrimmage for a 56 yard touchdown run with no one within 15 yards of him at the end of the run. He has great quickness, gets small in the hole, and uses excellent vision. While watching the game, I heard an interesting stat that Ajayi had the most touches in the FBS this college season. The runner was comfortable running both inside and outside, but is built more like an outside slasher back. He reads his blocks well, uses stiff-arms and an occasional spin move, and keep his legs churning until the whistle sounds while falling forward. Ajayi is a great cut back runner, starting and stopping on a dime, letting the defenders run right past him then uses a jump cut to avoid others. The back showed a lot of determination fully extending with the ball to cross the goal line plane for his third touchdown. This came after several goal line touches that he got bogged down on. Ajayi simply does not have the size or leg strength to power thru if the play isn’t blocked well in tight spaces.
The runner is a valuable asset in the passing game. He has soft hands and gets to the flat in a hurry as an outlet receiver. The back shows a lot of effort pass blocking, stepping in front of defenders, squaring his shoulders, and keeping his balance. I wouldn’t say he is great at it, but seems willing to learn. There was a hard-earned fumble that Ajayi coughed up when he got stuffed and surrounded by four defenders. The back secured it, but had too many prying arms while being stood up. He doesn’t fumble often, so I was not concerned.
WR-Devon Cajuste, Stanford- This receiver first got my attention as a run blocker. He was crack blocking linebackers and safeties on the first few series while looking like a decoy in the passing game. Cajuste gets underneath his pads and drives the defenders back looking almost Hines Wardesque with his blocking (I am a Steelers homer and consider Ward one of the best blocking receivers of his era).
In the passing game, the wide out showed determination diving low for a worm burner by getting his hands underneath the pigskin to make a big catch near the red zone. Cajuste runs crisp routes, adjusting to the ball in the air catching it with his fingertips. He gave his corner back a little shake on a short post route on the way to the end zone in the first half. In the second half, the receiver gave an encore performance with a box-out hook route for another score. I see him as a potential utility receiver who could play in the slot and on special teams.
S-Gerod Holliman, Louisville- This defensive back is better suited for a free safety role in the NFL due to his lack of physicality. He mostly covered a deep half of the field or walked up towards the line to cover the slot receiver. I saw a very sloppy player who varied his intensity and technique from play to play. Holliman had a few good short yardage stops, wrestling the ball carrier to the ground by the ankles. Then on the next series the safety would try to tackle high or over pursue only to get knocked to the ground.
He bit on a short route leaving a corner back one on one with a bad angle that ended up being a 40+ yard touchdown. Once the ball is in the air, Holliman can get to the receiver in a hurry. The safety blitzed a few times, but didn’t come close to the quarterback. I hate to say that someone is a finesse player, but Holliman certainly appears to be after his showing.
Do you like what you are reading? Do you want extra insight at the Senior Bowl? Please donate using my PayPal button to make sure I attend this year’s Senior Bowl Game and the week of practice before the game. You can follow me on Twitter @AndrewMiley or the site @Dynasty_Blitz.
