The Devy Stock Market

For this week’s stock market, I’m going to do a one-man mock, projecting how the first round of devy drafts will go this offseason. This mock will not include players eligible for the 2016 draft and because most senior high schoolers haven’t even chosen their school yet, I will leave out the incoming freshman class as well. This mock will include players that are likely already rostered is some devy leagues, so this exercise is mostly for startup devy leagues or leagues that are adding the devy feature in 2016.

1.01 Leonard Fournette running back, LSU

Leonard Fournette has been going 1.01 in devy drafts since he stepped on the LSU campus, and this offseason will be no different. With Nick Chubb’s knee injury, Fournette will be going 1.01 in nearly every devy draft he is available in this offseason. Fournette has been putting up video game-type numbers all season long. Fournette has rushed for 150 yards or more in 7 of 8 games with 1,383 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, both already more than his freshman season totals.

1.02 Dalvin Cook running back, FSU

The Heisman trophy isn’t usually much of a concern for devy owners, but if anyone is challenging Leonard Fournette in the 2015, it is Dalvin Cook. Cook has been dominating competition all season long, averaging 8.3 yards per carry, tallying 1,231 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Cook did have some issues off the field this offseason, but amazing play will continue put those things in the rear view mirror.

1.03 JuJu Smith-Schuster wide receiver, USC

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been the best non-draft eligible receiver in college football this year by a decent margin. Smith-Schuster has been making all of the plays for the Trojans, eclipsing 100 receiving yards in 6 of 9 games and catching 60 passes for 1,094 yards and nine touchdowns. With wide receivers continuing to increase the gap between themselves and running backs as a whole in dynasty, I do think that Smith-Schuster has a shot at the 1.01 in 2017 rookie drafts, despite the impressive play from Fournette and Cook.

1.04 Malachi Dupre wide receiver, LSU

Yes, the LSU Tigers have the two of the top four assets in devy fantasy football right now. Dupre’s box score numbers haven’t been as impressive as the players mentioned above, but some of that can be attributed to the Tigers funneling almost all of their offense through the running game. I am still a big fan of Dupre and his talent, so while an improvement at quarterback or passing volume don’t seem imminent, Dupre could be one of the better buys in devy leagues right now.

I think these four are a pretty clear top tier and many people will be trading up into the top 4 of devy drafts to secure one of these guys.

1.05 Nick Chubb running back, Georgia

Nick Chubb is probably going to be one of the more hotly debated players in devy drafts this offseason. From a talent perspective, he is right there with Leonard Fournette. This season, Chubb ran for 745 yards and 7 touchdowns in 5 full games before suffering a season ending knee injury in his 6th game. We’ve already seen one Georgia back come back from a serious knee injury and return to form better than ever, it is just a question of whether or not Chubb will be as successful with his return.

1.06 Christian Kirk wide receiver, Texas A&M

Christian Kirk leads the 2018 class for me as of now and he has the talent to make it worth the wait in devy leagues. Kirk has been a reception machine as a freshman, catching at least 6 passes in 7 of the Aggies 9 games. It’s not every day that you see a freshman step onto an SEC team and immediately become the teams most reliable receiver.

1.07 Saquon Barkley running back, Penn State

Saquon Barkley has had an extremely impressive freshman campaign so far this season. Barkley has proven he has workhorse ability, carrying the ball 20 or more times in 5 of his last 6 games and he is doing plenty with those carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry on the season. With Christian Hackenberg likely gone after the season, so the Nittany Lions will look to lean on Barkley even more in the 2016 season.

1.08 Christian McCaffrey running back, Stanford

When you look up breakout in the dictionary, it is just a picture of McCaffrey’s 2015 numbers. McCaffrey has been nearly unstoppable for the Cardinal this season. McCaffrey has seven consecutive 100-yard outings, with a solid 6.1 yards per carry on the season with a pair of games against Pac-12 opponents where he averaged over nine yards per carry (Arizona, UCLA).

1.09 Deon Cain wide receiver, Clemson

Coming into his freshman season, Deon Cain was highly sought after for his ability to make the big play. Cain hasn’t eclipsed the 100-yard mark this season, but he has plenty of time to develop his talent and I like a lot of what I see from the receiver who is averaging 19.9 yards per catch.

1.10 Derrius Guice running back, LSU

It is often difficult to get a great read on a backup running back behind a back as good as Leonard Fournette. Guice has looked explosive when he has been on the field, averaging a monstrous 9.3 yards per carry, and doing it against the tough schedule of the SEC. However, Guice has only had more than 10 carries once this season, so I’d likely need to see more of him before vaulting him higher in my devy rankings.

1.11 Artavis Scott wide receiver, Clemson

I’m a little bit lower on Scott than most as he is a little on the short and light side at 5’10, 190 pounds and he is only averaging 9.9 yards per catch so far this. However, Scott has had a good sophomore season, catching 56 passes for 554 yards and 4 touchdowns and I think he is a little better than his numbers have shown and he will improve in his junior season. I think I’ve confused myself writing this blurb, I both like and don’t like him. I need a nap.

1.12 Deshaun Watson quarterback, Clemson

Not often are you going to see a quarterback sneak into the 1st round of a devy draft in 1 QB leagues, but this was a close one between Watson and UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen. Watson has been great all season long for the Tigers connecting with the two receivers mentioned above. Watson has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and with 21 touchdowns to 7 interceptions, Watson looks like a near lock to be the QB1 in the 2017 draft.