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 last week, this week we will look at a large watch list of quarterbacks and running backs to monitor this season. We will look at the wide receivers and tight ends next week. The players are not listed in order of preference.
Quarterbacks
- Sam Darnold – Southern California - Very good throwing short and middle-range with anticipation and will only improve.
- Josh Rosen – UCLA – All the tools to succeed but has been unable to reach his potential. Will be on third offensive coordinator in three seasons.
- Lamar Jackson – Louisville – Thin, athletic quarterback with a strong arm. He could take a huge leap in 2017.
- Josh Allen – Wyoming – Allen has a very strong arm but struggles with consistency.
- Luke Falk – Washington State – Efficient passer in air raid offense. May not have the arm strength to throw down the field in the NFL.
- Jarrett Stidham – The Baylor transfer is set up for success with great wide receivers. Could surprise many.
- Mason Rudolph – Oklahoma State – Plays in a wide-open offense and throws well down the field. Short and middle-are accuracy in question.
- Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma – Play-maker who has a strong arm and is elusive. Questions about height and accuracy will be in play next spring.
- Jake Browning – Washington – Athletic with a weak arm. Underthrows deep passes.
- Jalen Hurts – Alabama – Very athletic and may play a different position in the NFL. Hopeful for improvement as a passer in year two.
- Brandon Peters – Michigan -Could surprise and start for Michigan over the veteran Speight.
- Shea Patterson – Mississippi – Athletic with a strong arm. He was a top recruit and has a very high ceiling.
- Jacob Eason – Georgia - Strong arm and could improve going into his sophomore season. Declined down the stretch in 2016.
- K.J. Costello – Stanford – Might get a chance to play this season but was a top recruit in 2016.
- Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama – Incoming Freshman who played great in All-America and spring games. Combines athletic running and a solid arm.
- Jake Bentley – South Carolina – Very young as he entered college a year early. Stacked receiving corps and could emerge as a viable SEC starter his Sophomore season.
- Quinton Flowers – South Florida – Very athletic but shorter than ideal.
- Deondre Francois – Florida State – Athletic quarterback with great receivers. Needs to be more consistent as a passer.
- Davis Mills – Stanford – Top recruit who will sit for a year. His path to the starting job depends on how well Costello performs.
- Jake Fromm – Georgia – Like Stanford, Georgia likes having competition at the position. Fromm was the top passer by some recruiting outlets.
Running Backs
- Derrius Guice – LSU – Strong, with great burst and very fast.
- Saquon Barkley – Penn State – A very good running back who is solid in pass protection and as a receiver.
- Nick Chubb – Georgia -In competition with top two on this list if fully healed from 2015 knee injury
- Kalen Ballage – Arizona State – Huge back who is very fast and nimble for a man his size.
- Cam Akers – Florida State – Top recruit in 2017 class. Could be special.
- Myles Gaskin – Washington – Elusive runner who will be under-sized in the NFL. Good receiver.
- Ronald Jones II – USC – Fast and elusive, Jones could be very good in an NFL receiving role. He is thin (6’1”, 195 pounds) but reminds some on campus of Reggie Bush.
- Akrum Wadley – Iowa – slow but good vision. Lack of burst will be the largest obstacle.
- Bo Scarbrough – Alabama – Scarbrough showed speed to go with his mammoth size in the title game a year ago. He needs to stay healthy.
- Royce Freeman – Oregon – At 230-plus pounds, Freeman combines size and speed. He has burst but lacks vision and ability to make defenders miss.
- Mike Weber – Ohio State – Weber is a big back who was overshadowed a year ago but could emerge as a cog in the Buckeye offense.
- L.J. Scott – Michigan State – Scott is a tough runner between the tackles who is very good about turning up the field. He could excel as an early-down option in the NFL.
- Damien Harris – Alabama – Harris has been oft-injured but is very talented
- Joshua Jacobs – Alabama – Good receiving back who could excel in a role similar to Theo Riddick or Ty Montgomery. He is strong in pass protection which will help his draft stock.
- Elijah Holyfield – Georgia – Evander’s son is stuck behind two Seniors and has a top Freshman joining the Bulldogs. Talented, but little opportunity.
- Trayveon Williams – Texas A&M – Good back who makes big plays. Aggies will need him to anchor the offense.
- Damarea Crockett – Slower than ideal but the focus point of the Missouri offense. Would be best fit in a zone blocking scheme in the NFL.
- Najee Harris – Alabama – Harris is an elite prospect joining a crowded backfield.
- De'Andre Swift – Georgia – Very athletic back who will be used as a receiver and runner after the veterans leave for the NFL.
- J.K. Dobbins – Ohio State – One of the top recruits landing in a solid situation with only Weber in front of him on the depth chart.
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