2016 NFL Rookie Predictions: Kenneth Dixon

Bench presses counted. Cone drills clocked. And tape reviewed. While NFL scouts have been scribbling in their notebooks for months, fantasy owners are just now examining this year’s incoming class. In order to keep fans of the virtual game fully informed and a step ahead of the competition, the Roto Arcade crew is here to provide you with the necessary goods. Today’s college stud under the microscope is LA Tech RB Kenneth Dixon.

[Other draft profiles: Dak Prescott | Paul McRoberts | Keith Marshall | Paxton Lynch | Daniel Lasco | Leonte Carroo | Carson Wentz | C.J. Prosise | Michael Thomas | Josh Doctson]

College Highlights: Overlooked by many while at Louisiana Tech, Dixon was the definition of 'consistency king.' He notched at least 5.1 yards per carry and 1,000 combined yards in each of his four years with the Bulldogs. Last season, he surpassed the century mark in total yardage in eight of 13 games, including a stellar 102 rush yards, 113 receiving yards and four total touchdowns logged against Arkansas State in the New Orleans Bowl. His 87 collegiate touchdowns rank second all-time in FBS history. 

Pluses: The 5-foot-10, 215-pound slasher is a magician in space. He owns terrific vision, quickness and shiftiness, finding and jetting through cut-back lanes. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked No. 3 among FBS backs in elusive rating forcing a missed tackle on 27.4 percent of his attempts. His pacesetting 3-cone and 60-yard shuttle times at the Combine rubber stamp his greasiness. Additionally, he stands tall against oncoming blitzers and is a wonderfully reliable and versatile receiver. Not just a swing catcher, he caught 12-of-15 targeted passes out of the slot. Some have questioned his between-the-tackles toughness but he generated 60.6 percent of his yards after initial contact last year. Three-down capabilities.

Minuses: Most scouts conclude Dixon is an ill-fit for a power rush scheme, limiting his overall dimensionality. Lacks top-gear speed evidenced in his 4.58 40-yard time. His high odometer reading raises durability concerns. Various nicks and scrapes ailed him last fall. Fumbled four times on 197 carries in 2015. Can be too patient at times, which leads to East-West shuffling and negative runs. 

Pro-Comp(s): Smaller version of Matt Forte 

Team Fits: Denver, Philadelphia, Miami, Dallas, New England, Minnesota, Indianapolis, Seattle

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Fearless Forecast: Dixon was a veritable statistical buffet over his profitable four-year college career. Many will knock him for playing against weaker WAC/CUSA competition, but his steady box score contributions are hard to ignore. With 889 career touches under his belt, the tire tread is rather thin. Still, he has the versatility, open-field shiftiness and grit necessary for three-down work at the pro level. A likely Round 2 or Round 3 selection, he should open the season as a complementary asset. However, given the voracious nature of the injury imp, he'll be one awkward knee bend away from meaningful opportunities. In the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts, there may be no young rusher with more upside. 

Spear Brad on Twitter @YahooNoise. And if you're local to the Windy City, come hang with him and the rest of the Yahoo Fantasy crew at Ditka's in downtown Chicago for the NFL Draft April 28-29.