There is a growing movement in the Dynasty community toward “devy” players. The term “devy” refers to developmental players carried on the dynasty league rosters. These devy players are usually college players but can even be high school athletes. During each week of the season, we will look at a different set of devy rankings. After listing a Top 10 set of rankings a couple of weeks ago, and a large watch list of quarterbacks and running backs last week, we will look at wide receivers and tight ends in this article. The players are not listed in order of preference.
Wide Receivers:
- Calvin Ridley – Alabama – Very good in the air, underrated route runner, and good hands. Older than ideal but very good prospect.
- Courtland Sutton – SMU – Fastly-improving receiver who has a decent chance to be the top receiver drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. Some thought he could contend for that honor in 2017 before deciding to stay in school.
- Equanimeous St. Brown – Notre Dame – Very good route runner with the size and elite speed to make big plays.
- N’Keal Harry – Arizona State – Was our top devy receiver a year ago and is in contention again this year. Still a very young true Sophomore who will have an upgrade at the quarterback position.
- James Washington – Oklahoma State – Average size, moderately fast, but able to get open deep in the Cowboys spread offense.
- Auden Tate – Florida State – Tate is expected to burst onto the national scene. He has size and able to make big plays after the catch.
- Deon Cain – Clemson – Cain should benefit with both Mike Williams and Artavis Scott now in the NFL. The Tigers have a solid group of incoming Freshmen but the big receiver has a great chance to have a big year. Biggest concern is his off-field decision-making.
- Bryan Edwards – South Carolina – Edwards made plenty of plays as a Freshman and now gets a full offseason with quarterback Jake Bentley. He made our Top 10 overall list a couple of weeks ago.
- Deebo Samuel – South Carolina – Average-sized receiver who reeled in 59 passes a year ago. He is electric after the catch.
- Dante Pettis – Washington - The combination of big speed and great routes will get Pettis noticed come draft season. With John Ross now in the NFL, Pettis should see ample targets.
- Christian Kirk – Texas A&M – Kirk would have better numbers if not for the poor quarterback play of the Aggies. Kirk is a versatile weapon, able to contribute on special teams as a returner, receiver, and from the backfield.
- Jaylen Smith - Louisville – Smith is very big and able to get open in the wide-open Cardinals offense. He has a chance to have a big season.
- Antonio Callaway - Florida – Good route runner who was in legal trouble as an incoming Freshman and there are rumors about forthcoming legal issues. This is a situation to monitor.
- DeKaylin Metcalf – Mississippi – Metcalf is a stellar athlete who is tall and very muscular. Teaming with A.J. Brown and a good corps of receivers, quarterback Shea Patterson could have a big season.
- Demetris Robertson – California – Quietly, one of the best receivers in the nation. Robertson is very fast but suffers from poor quarterback play. Could use to build out his thin frame.
- Ahmmon Richards – Miami – Richards is a big-play receiver who has a bright future. He is dangerous in the open field and has improved greatly since coming to college.
- Jhamon Ausbon – Texas A&M – Ausbon is an elite incoming Freshman who will complement Kirk in the Aggies offense. He and the receivers below will be worth watching the next few seasons.
- Tee Higgins – Clemson – Ranked as the top receiver by some media, Higgins is very athletic and will fit the mold of the ex-Tiger receivers now in the NFL (Watkins, Bryant, etc.).
- Jerry Jeudy – Alabama – Awesome route runner who has worked on his craft. Very thin but will fill out his frame.
- Donovan Peoples-Jones/Tarik Black – Michigan – This pair of incoming Freshmen will finally allow the Wolverines to make plays in the passing game.
Tight Ends:
- Mark Andrews – Oklahoma – Andrews has a chance to be a solid fantasy-viable option. He has good size, solid hands, and able to break tackles in the open field.
- Mike Gesicki – Penn State – Size and solid catching ability should allow Gesicki to be a second-day pick. He has 4.5 speed who could impress at the NFL Combine.
- Troy Fumagalli – Wisconsin – Undersized tight end who has very good hands.
- Octavius Cooley – Mississippi – Athletic tight end who will be another weapon for the Rebels. Over-grown wideout at 222 pounds who will need to fill out his frame, but fills the void left by Evan Engram.
- Devin Asiasi – UCLA – Transferred from Michigan and could make an impact in the Pac12. The Bruins have another solid tight end in Chris Clark.
- Isaac Nauta – Georgia – Made plays last year and is primed for a big season. Nauta caught five passes in multiple games a year ago and has a good rapport with quarterback Jacob Eason.
- Thaddeus Moss – LSU – Transferred from North Carolina State this summer. He is best known for being the son of Randy Moss. While not as fast as his father, Moss is a very good prospect.
- Alize Mack – Notre Dame – 2014 First-team High School All-America, played in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American game. Mack was one of the more high-profile players at the position in several years. At just 220 pounds, Mack needs to gain weight.
- Jake Hausmann – Ohio State – Redshirt Freshman who was a Top-100 prospect on the Rivals 100 (No. 71). He was a 4-star prospect who redshirted a year ago and now could emerge into the bright spotlight in Columbus.
- Daniel Helm – Duke – Transferred from Tennessee early in his college career. Undersized tight end who needs to add to his 216-pound frame. The top recruit at the position before committing to the Volunteers.
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