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 offseason and season, we will look at a different set of devy rankings.
As we survey devy prospects, we will be looking at traits, abilities, and skill sets that will translate to the NFL. This week, we will look at the Top 10 devy wide receivers eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft.
10. Diontae Johnson (Toledo) – The 5’11”, 181-pound Sophomore has turned heads this season. He caught 14 passes as a Freshman in 2016, with 3 of those going for touchdowns. Johnson had a monster outing last Thursday against Northern Illinois. In that game, the Sophomore hauled in 10 passes for 166 yards in the 27-17 conference victory. That huge game gave Johnson 46 catches for 859 yards (19 yards-per-reception average) and 8 touchdowns on the season. While Johnson does not possess prototypical NFL size, he profiles as a slot receiver at the next level. The Toledo Rockets are now 8-1 on the season, 5-0 in conference.
9. David Sills V (West Virginia) – The Junior has garnered national media coverage for several years. As a seventh-grade quarterback in 2010, Sills burst on the national scene when he verbally committed to play football at the University of Southern California. In 2014, Sills decommitted from USC and eventually signed a national letter of intent to play at West Virginia. Sills began his college career as a quarterback, but moved to wide receiver as a Freshman. After spending his Freshman year playing for the West Virginia, Sills transferred to El Camino College, but transferred back to West Virginia in 2017. He has excelled since switching positions. Sills already has four games with at least 7 receptions and 115 yards. His transition from quarterback to wide receiver has been remarkable. Sills is the go-to receiver for the Mountaineers. On the year, Sills has 51 receptions for 793 yards and 16 touchdowns. Catching a touchdown on almost one out of every three receptions is quite remarkable. Even though he is able to turn pro after this season, we expect Sills to stay in school another season and polish his receiver skills.
8. Anthony Johnson (Buffalo) – The redshirt Junior is playing for his third college. He transferred to Buffalo after playing at Iowa Western Community College where he had 19 receptions for 434 yards and two touchdowns in 2015. As a Freshman, Johnson played at Butler Community College in 2014, catching 21 passes for 559 yards and five touchdowns. Johnson has a solid build (6’2”, 207 pounds) and is fast. He has three cousins in the NFL, including Jadeveon Clowney. Johnson has enjoyed two games (against Minnesota and Western Michigan) with at least 11 catches and 140 receiving yards this year. On the season, Johnson has reeled in 55 passes for 888 yards (16 yards-per-reception average) and 6 touchdowns. Even though the Bulls are struggling with a 3-6 record, Johnson played extremely well.
7. Kelvin Harmon (North Carolina State) – The 6’3”, 213-pound Sophomore has played great this season. Harmon has had four consecutive outstanding games (against Louisville, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, and Clemson). In those games, Harmon has 498 yards and 3 touchdowns. In the great game against Clemson, Saturday, Harmon hauled in a huge catch for a score to give the Wolfpack a 7-0 lead early in the game even though his team could not hold the lead. The show he put on Saturday was amazing. Against a top-flight defense, Harmon hauled in 8 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. He only had 27 receptions as a Freshman but has been incredible as a Sophomore. Harmon is one of the reasons North Carolina State is competing in the ACC. He is the one player who could jump to the top of this list fairly quickly. Harmon is finding his groove. For the season, he has 51 catches for 799 yards and 4 touchdowns, most coming in the last four weeks.
6. A.J. Brown (Mississippi) – The stocky (6’1”, 225 pounds) Sophomore has made plays this year. Brown was a consensus four-star prospect by the major recruiting services. He was ranked player 45 overall recruit by Scout.com, player 47 by 247Sports.com, player 53 by Rivals.com, and player 66 by ESPN.com. Both 247Sports.com and Scout.com listed Brown as the fifth-best receiver in the country and he garnered an Under Armour All-America selection. Brown has enjoyed several huge games. To start the season, Brown had 8 receptions for at least 150 yards and 2 touchdowns in each of the first two games (against South Alabama and UT-Martin). He also grabbed 10 receptions for 109 yards against Auburn a few weeks ago. For the season, Brown has 48 receptions for 830 yards (17 yards-per-reception average) and 7 touchdowns.
5. DeKaylin Metcalf (Mississippi) – Metcalf is a stellar athlete who is tall and very muscular. His father, Terrence, is a former NFL lineman so he has genetics on his side. Metcalf was named a U.S. Army and MaxPreps All-America selection and a consensus four-star prospect by the major recruiting services. As a true Freshman in 2016, the youngster scored touchdowns in each of his first two college games before breaking his foot against Wofford and missed the last 10 games of the season. Metcalf was able to attain a medical redshirt to save the year of eligibility. He has filled out his physique (6’4”, 225 pounds) but still has the speed to get open as evidenced by his tremendous 16 yards-per-reception average. Teaming with A.J. Brown and a good crop of receivers, the Rebels are set at the position for a while. So far this season, the redshirt Freshman has 35 receptions for 562 yards and 6 touchdowns.
4. Bryan Edwards (South Carolina) – Edwards is a local kid from Conway, South Carolina, who opted to stay near home to play for the Gamecocks. South Carolina had recruited Edwards since he was 13 years of age. He had a solid Freshman season with 44 receptions for 590 yards and four touchdowns. Edwards has a great rapport with quarterback Jake Bentley, who emerged as the starter in 2016. In year two, the pair of youngsters have continued their ascent in the SEC Conference. Add in Deebo Samuel, and the Gamecocks have one of the best young offenses in the SEC. Edwards is a red-zone threat, using his size well in traffic. For the 2017 campaign, he has 42 receptions for 497 yards and 2 touchdowns.
3. Tyler Vaughns (USC) – The 6’2”, 185-pound redshirt Freshman is a former four-star recruit out of Bishop Amat High School in La Luente, CA. He was ranked as the nation’s third-best receiver in the 2016 recruiting class. With a slender build (6’2”, 185 pounds), Vaughns will need to fill out his frame in the next year. He had a big game against Arizona State a couple of weeks ago. In that contest, the youngster caught 6 passes for 126 yards (21 yards-per-carry average) and 2 touchdowns. He has been able to get on the same page as quarterback Sam Darnold. For the year, the two have been able to hook up for 41 receptions for 537 yards and 4 touchdowns.
2. Ammon Richards (Miami) – Richards committed to Miami after playing high school football in Wellington, Florida. He put up quality numbers as a true Freshman with Brad Kaaya throwing him passes. In the 2016 campaign, Richards caught 49 passes for 934 yards and three scores. The 19-yards per reception average was exceptional. Further, Richards, picked up at least 20 yards on 13 of those receptions and 38 of the 49 receptions went for a first down. It was a great year for the Freshman. He set a school Freshman record for receiving yards and was named Freshman All-American by most media outlets. This season, Richards has 17 catches for 341 yards and just 1 touchdown. The injuries and youth on the Hurricanes’ offense has led to a down season for Richards. Plus, he has battled a shoulder injury. Given the rich history of receivers from Miami, any youngster who can set records must be considered legitimate. Richards has a bright future.
1. N'keal Harry (Arizona State) – Harry is a big receiver (6’3”, 210 pounds) who has made a big impact early in his college career. In the loss to Utah last year, the true Freshman had his best game of the season, hauling in 8 passes for 114 yards. For the season, Harry caught 58 passes for 659 yards and 5 touchdowns. In high school, Harry grabbed 119 passes for 2,715 yards and 25 touchdowns. In the upset victory against Oregon earlier this season, Harry reeled in 7 passes for 170 yards and a score. He had almost half of his team’s 347 passing yards. For the year, Harry has 60 receptions for 794 yards and 4 touchdowns. Rivals ranked Harry as the top wide receiver and the 18th best prospect in the country. His stellar pedigree and quality play as a Freshman vault Harry to the top of our list of players available for the 2019 NFL Draft. He has an exciting future. With Junior Manny Wilkins at quarterback, Harry could see his number rise significantly in 2019 as the two have another year playing together. The Arizona State offense could be potent in the next two years.
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