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Dynasty Rookie Prospect: Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon

By Bruce Matson

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In this installment of my rookie evaluation, I will analyze Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon. If you are in need of a running back, then this draft class is right up your alley. Last year was the draft class for wide receivers, and this class appears to be the one for running backs. This will likely generate a youth infusion to the primary skill position in fantasy football.

Apr 20, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide White Team running back TJ Yeldon (4) scores a touchdown against the Red Team during the annual A-Day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Yeldon is a 6’2 218 lb RB from the University of Alabama, and he will be entering the draft this April. Yeldon has had a very productive college career, rushing for a total of 3,332 yards and 37 TDs. Yeldon’s freshman season was very productive, rushing for 1108 yards and 11 TDs, and then he improved upon his stats his sophomore year by rushing for 1,235 yards and 14 TDs. Yeldon was part of a committee, and he was playing banged up for a lot of his junior season, but he was still able to rush for 979 yards and 11 TDs. Yeldon’s college production is a positive for him, because he was able to produce at a young age 19, and his production continued through to his junior season. Even in a committee role, Yeldon was able to produce decent statistics. Yeldon is a tough runner and he is tough to bring down. He is very decisive when he is running the ball, and it helps him maintain a high yards per carry average. He won’t be pulled during passing downs because he’s a good pass blocker. Even with limited opportunities in the passing offense, Yeldon displays excellent hands, and could be an effective pass catcher if need be. Yeldon keeps the ball high and tight, and is very good at protecting the ball. With 37 collegiate TDs, he demonstrates that he has a nose for the end zone. The negatives to Yeldon’s game are that he’s not super explosive and lacks burst running through the holes. He doesn’t have the speed to outrun DBs, and will get caught from behind in the open field.

Yeldon is an interesting prospect because he’s good at everything, but he’s not great at anything either. Yeldon could be very useful in fantasy if he goes to a team that runs the ball a lot. With his lack of burst, I can see Yelodon struggling to be fantasy relevant if he gets a limited workload due to being part of a committee. Yeldon should be drafted in rounds 2-3 of the NFL draft, and should be drafted anywhere from 1.6-1.10 in rookie drafts this summer. Yeldon isn’t an elite prospect, but he could be valueable if he goes to a juicy situation. The combine could be big for Yeldon’s draft stock, since there is a lot of competition in this year’s draft.

Next: Who Are The Top Five WR In The Class Of 2013?

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