Matt Striker pegged Jonathan Taylor as a premier bounce-back candidate, reminding listeners that even in an "injury-ruined" campaign Taylor still racked up 1,400 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The Colts’ offensive line, ravaged by injuries last season, still managed to finish fourth in ESPN’s run-block win-rate metric and projects as a consensus top-10 unit at full health. With Shane Steichen expected to keep a balanced, run-friendly approach and Taylor no longer carrying a hold-out tag, Striker is comfortable selecting him in the late first or early second round, betting on a return to the overall RB1 conversation.

Matt Striker labeled Saquon Barkley a potential bust at his RB3 overall ADP despite the Eagles’ elite offensive line. Barkley handled 340+ carries last season—a workload threshold that historically precedes a 20-25% dip in fantasy production the following year, according to the data set Striker referenced from Joe Pizipia’s ‘Fantasy Blackbook’ research. Striker thinks drafters are paying for last season’s ceiling rather than baking in inevitable regression, and he is fading Barkley in the top half of Round 1, preferring wide receivers or lower-mileage backs in that slot.

Matt Striker called Najee Harris one of his favorite late-round targets because the situation quietly checks every bell-cow box. Striker highlighted that the Chargers’ offensive line grades inside the league’s top-10 in most preseason models and that new coordinator Greg Roman has a long track record of leaning on the ground game (his Ravens offenses averaged nearly 32 RB carries per week). Harris has cleared 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons and has a contract escalator that kicks in at 1,050 yards, giving him extra motivation. Striker is unconcerned about Los Angeles drafting O’Marian Hampton or keeping Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal on the depth chart, noting that Harris’s proven pass-down chops keep him on the field for all three downs. With drafters shying away after the July 4 fireworks accident that saddled Harris with an “O” tag, Striker is scooping him several rounds below comparable volume bets and labeling him a clear sleeper.