2021 Fantasy Football Rookie WR8: Kadarius Toney
Florida’s Kadarius Toney, either 5-11 or 6-0 depending on who you ask, is a converted quarterback and arguably the most polarizing wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft. Many analytics community are soured by his late breakout age (21.6) and ho-hum college target share and college dominator ratings (17.8 percent and 23.7 percent, respectively, per PlayerProfiler.com).
However, he caught 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games as a senior, and hauled in an impressive 83.3 percent of his 84 targets, proof of his blossoming potential as an impact wide receiver at the next level. Film study shows a physical receiver with exceptional balance who sheds contact well; many expect Toney to go in the late first round after posted a sub-4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.
Favorite slo-mo clip of 2021 draft cycle. Don’t see any way @GatorsFB WR Kadarius Toney makes it out of first round next Thursday. Playmaking potential is special in @0fficialC2N. ⚡️🕹💪 pic.twitter.com/feq5jAJcgs
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 20, 2021
While Toney possesses all of the physical traits an NFL team desires, his route-running lacks polish, and his tendency to ad-lib routes will irritate veteran quarterbacks and many NFL head coaches. Toney’s ideal landing spot will feature an established, veteran presence in the wide receiving corps, and a mobile quarterback who can roll out and look for Toney to create space and crank out tough yards after the catch when plays break down; we like the odds of him ending the week as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars or Baltimore Ravens.