FantasyPros Dynasty Football Podcast

Episode: Top 6 Dynasty Rookie Risers After the Senior Bowl | 2026 Fantasy Football (Ep. 1955)
Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Wormley, Scott Bogman, Pat Fitz Morris

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the top six rookie risers in Dynasty fantasy football following the 2026 Senior Bowl. Hosts Ryan Wormley, Scott Bogman, and Pat Fitz Morris break down which prospects stood out, discuss their fantasy outlooks, and debate the implications for dynasty managers ahead of draft season. The conversation dives deep into each player's performance at the Senior Bowl, their college histories, and their projected draft value.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

• Performance Recap: Pat Fitz Morris says Nussmeier was "by all accounts the best quarterback at the Senior Bowl," noting the competition wasn't top-tier but that Nussmeier revitalized his draft stock after a rocky 2025 season endured through injury (01:08).
• College Production: In 2024, led the nation in completions and threw 29 TDs over 13 games, but also led in INTs (12) due to high pass attempts.
• Senior Year Dip: His 2025 output dropped sharply, attributed to core injury.
• NFL Projection: Viewed as a potential high-level backup or bridge starter. "Might make him a Day 2 draft pick and...the second round of Super Flex rookie drafts." (01:55)
• Family Ties: His father, Doug Nussmeier, is a former NFL QB, current Saints offensive coordinator.
• Quotes:
  • "Nussmeier definitely reinvigorated his draft stock, which had been sinking like a stone..." (01:15 — Pat Fitz Morris)
  • "This is a good quarterback that should hold a clipboard for a couple of years and can rise to the occasion if given the opportunity." (02:57 — Scott Bogman)
• Dynasty Value: Not likely to be drafted second among QBs, but in the mix as an early-to-mid second round Super Flex pick (02:46).

2. Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri

• Athletic Profile: 5'11", 174 lbs; "little bit undersized," but compensates with elite separation and route running (03:22).
• Senior Bowl Impact: Only one catch in-game but excelled in practices; "routing dudes up," "massive separation," praised for footwork and hands (03:34).
• College Path: Has transferred multiple times (Mississippi State → Missouri → Louisville). Productive when featured: 102 targets, 932 yards, 6 TDs at MSU in 2024; 66 catches, 732 yards at Missouri in a down year.
• NFL Potential: Drawing comparisons to Tank Dell, another undersized separator.
• Combine Watch: Needs a sub-4.4 40-yard dash to excite (04:42).
• Quotes:
  • "He was routing dudes up. The footwork was insane." (03:30 — Scott Bogman)
  • "At the smaller size, like he has to run a 44 or less I think to get me excited." (04:47 — Pat Fitz Morris)

3. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

• Profile: 6'4", 218 lbs; classic “big-bodied X receiver,” not common to see large WRs shine at Senior Bowl (05:20).
• Senior Bowl Impact: Made “wow” catches daily in practice, excelled at contested catches, showed improved route running (05:52).
• Draft Value: Stock now safely inside top 50, potentially early second-round (06:40).
• College Production: Modest stats in senior year (36/630/5), but the athletic traits are NFL-ready.
• Mock Draft Note: Was a near-miss in their previous rookie Super Flex mock draft; likely climbing in future drafts (07:20).
• Quotes:
  • “I think he's definitely going...inside Day 2, because…he was just mossing everybody, making big plays, showing off that speed.” (06:40 — Scott Bogman)
  • “He had a wow catch every day at the Mobile practices.” (07:09 — Pat Fitz Morris)

4. Reggie Virgil, WR, Texas Tech (via Miami Ohio)

• Athletic Profile: 6'2", 188 lbs. Excelled in one-on-ones; "killed DBs with his footwork." Noted for his "change of direction" and top-end speed (07:32).
• Draft Projection: Likely a Day 3 NFL pick, but viewed as high-upside, "underrated asset" in rookie drafts.
• NFL Fit: Could thrive in complex route schemes reminiscent of Marquise Brown's role (08:23).
• Potential Limitation: Concerns about ability to beat press coverage due to lean build (09:11).
• Quotes:
  • "The biggest thing to me was his speed in and out of breaks...how quickly he got up to top speed." (08:14 — Scott Bogman)
  • "When you're that tall and…that skinny, can you beat press coverage? So I think that's the one thing he's going to have to answer..." (09:21 — Pat Fitz Morris)

5. Tyron Montgomery, WR, John Carroll University

• Background: Journeyed from basketball walk-on at LSU → Nicholls State → John Carroll (DIII); had 119 catches, 1,528 yards, 15 TDs in 2025 (11:18).
• Senior Bowl Impact: Small school, boundary-breaking invite; elite quickness; "proved to be a very difficult guy to cover" (12:10).
• NFL Outlook: Projection as a slot WR; not on dynasty radars before, now a likely rookie draft pick (12:24).
• Draft Range: Bogman expects third or fourth round rookie draft territory, dependent on combine testing (12:40).
• Quotes:
  • "Jaw dropping numbers, albeit against very low level competition...Just proved to be a very difficult guy to cover." (11:29 & 12:10 — Pat Fitz Morris)
  • "He was outside of Nussmeier, I don't know that anyone else got more buzz than him and Malachi Fields moving forward here." (12:41 — Scott Bogman)

6. Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas (via Buffalo)

• Profile: "Big size and speed back" (13:27).
• Senior Bowl Performance: Dominated linebackers in 1-on-1 receiving drills. “Footwork was impeccable…looked like a wideout more than a running back out there.” (13:33)
• Role: Traditionally “first and second down” back, but his receiving display at the Senior Bowl elevates his value (13:48).
• Draft Value: Fitz sees Washington as a likely second-rounder in rookie drafts, especially after Nicholas Singleton’s injury (14:36).
• Quotes:
  • "He looked like a wideout more than a running back out there and was just creating easy separation." (13:37 — Scott Bogman)
  • "Just a guy who’s that big and probably is not going to run a bad 40 time…I would expect to see him somewhere in the four fours." (14:39 — Pat Fitz Morris)

Bonus Note: Nicholas Singleton (RB)

• Senior Bowl Setback: Broke his foot in Mobile, affecting his draft trajectory. Singleton was poised to boost his value via testing but will slide for lack of combine numbers (15:11).
• Long-term Outlook: Bogman isn’t overly worried about Singleton’s dynasty future but notes the injury “hurts for him” (15:24).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Nussmeier definitely reinvigorated his draft stock, which had been sinking like a stone..." (01:15 — Pat Fitz Morris)
• "He was routing dudes up. The footwork was insane." (03:30 — Scott Bogman)
• “He had a wow catch every day at the Mobile practices.” (07:09 — Pat Fitz Morris)
• "The biggest thing to me was his speed in and out of breaks...how quickly he got up to top speed." (08:14 — Scott Bogman)
• "Just proved to be a very difficult guy to cover." (12:10 — Pat Fitz Morris)
• "He looked like a wideout more than a running back out there and was just creating easy separation." (13:37 — Scott Bogman)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Garrett Nussmeier (LSU QB): 01:08 – 03:20
• Kevin Coleman Jr. (Missouri WR): 03:22 – 05:01
• Malachi Fields (Notre Dame WR): 05:20 – 07:28
• Reggie Virgil (Texas Tech WR): 07:32 – 09:37
• Tyron Montgomery (John Carroll WR): 11:07 – 12:38
• Mike Washington (Arkansas RB): 13:27 – 14:36
• Nicholas Singleton (RB) Injury Impact: 15:11 – 15:56

Summary Table: Top 6 Rookie Risers

| Player | Position | College | Senior Bowl Takeaway | Dynasty Outlook | |---------------------|----------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU | Best QB at the event, arm talent, coach's son | Early/mid Day 2; Super Flex 2nd round | | Kevin Coleman Jr. | WR | Missouri | Small, electric route-runner, huge separation | Sleeper with upside, combine-dependent | | Malachi Fields | WR | Notre Dame | Big, physical, highlight catches; route improvement | Top 50 pick, rising into 2nd round | | Reggie Virgil | WR | Texas Tech | Rapid change of direction, quick to top speed | Day 3 NFL, deep rookie draft sleeper | | Tyron Montgomery | WR | John Carroll (DIII) | Small school, elite quicks, "uncoverable" | Off radar to must-watch rookie | | Mike Washington | RB | Arkansas | Big, fast, great receiving skill | 2nd round rookie pick, rising value |

Tone & Style

The discussion is lively, expert, and conversational—combining in-depth player evaluations with fantasy football analysis. The hosts frequently refer to firsthand observations, mock drafts, and trends in dynasty value. Clear admiration for breakout athletes is evident, balanced by skepticism in cases where testing or size may hold players back.

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