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With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it's time to dig into the huge list of players who weren't drafted and figure out if any of them have fantasy value.
Last season, we didn't see a ton of NFL production from undrafted players, though there have been notable UDFAs who became valuable NFL players in recent years. In 2020, for instance, we saw James Robinson go undrafted and become a great fantasy option right off the bat, while Marquez Callaway, Salvon Ahmed and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine have all had their (brief) moments.
So, are there running backs in this year's class who might have some value, whether that be in 2022 or beyond?
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Abram Smith - New Orleans Saints
Let's start with my favorite UDFA back: Abram Smith, the Baylor running back who signed with the Saints.
Per Spotrac, Smith has the most guaranteed money of any UDFA back, which is definitely something to keep your eye on.
Smith was expected to be drafted by...pretty much everyone, I think. The Athletic's Dane Brugler had him pegged as his No. 10 back in this class with a fourth/fifth-round grade.
At Baylor, Smith barely saw the field until his senior year, when he had 257 carries for 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns. His lack of impact in the passing game is a negative mark on him, but the Saints under OC Pete Carmichael have liked to have a back like Smith to complement someone more dynamic. With Mark Ingram II definitely on the wrong end of his career, Smith could be that complement to Alvin Kamara. He'll need to prove he's a better fit than Tony Jones Jr., but that doesn't concern me too much, as Jones averaged 2.6 true yards per carry and 2.9 yards per touch last year, per Player Profiler.
D'Vonte Price - Indianapolis Colts
Smith has the highest guaranteed money, while Price has the highest overall money for a UDFA back in this class.
The former FIU player didn't post massive numbers this past season, playing in nine games and finishing with 682 rushing yards and six touchdowns. But the talent around him was part of why his touches weren't where you might expect. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry this past season and caught 10 passes. He's got some decent speed and vision and would be a good backup running back in the NFL.
And he landed in Indy, which needs running back depth. Jonathan Taylor is locked in as the every-down back, but you always need the talent to back that kind of player up. The Colts have Nyheim Hines, who they've devoted a lot of money to going forward, with a three-year, $18,600,000 contract. But the team has a decent out after this season with just $3,000,000 in dead cap, so if Hines doesn't prove worthy of that deal, there will be an opening for Price to claim a decent role.
Raheem Blackshear - Buffalo Bills
With Devin Singletary set for free agency after 2022 and Zack Moss probably not even a lock to make the 2022 roster, the Bills had a need at running back heading into the draft.
They tackled that need in the second round, taking James Cook, a dynamic back who could have a big role in the passing game. But Cook isn't the only rookie that the team added.
Virginia Tech running back Raheem Blackshear was added as a UDFA. His college career showed him to be a back who can do a little of everything, which led to Blackshear saying that he saw similarities between himself and Deebo Samuel.
Blackshear probably won't be Deebo Samuel. But teams can use a guy like him, who can contribute in a variety of ways, and the Bills have a clear need for help in their backfield going forward.
Sincere McCormick - Las Vegas Raiders
McCormick was incredibly productive at UTSA, rushing for 3,929 yards in his three seasons with the Roadrunners, with 34 rushing scores. He also had 66 catches for 509 yards and a touchdown. McCormick was a huge part of the team's success this past season when the team started 11-0.
McCormick dominating at a low competition level might concern some, but he did have 31 carries for 117 against Illinois this past season, the only Power 5 school he faced.
Being undersized will impact his ability to get on the field, but he should be productive if he gets a chance at this level.
And the Raiders are definitely a team where he could get a chance. Josh Jacobs is a free agent after this season. Kenyan Drake technically isn't, but the rest of his years are voidable years. There's a real opening for snaps here, and if McCormick can show that he's more productive than seventh-round pick Brittain Brown, then there should be a place for him.
Will he be better than Brown? I think so. Brown doesn't have the receiving ability of McCormick and doesn't have a track record of production or consistency, two things that McCormick has. I'm telling y'all -- Sincere McCormick is going to surprise people in the NFL.
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