2014 Developmental Draft Rankings

Luke Bouchard Posted On August 18, 2013

gurley Developmental player dynasty leagues where owners select college football players and own their rights have risen in popularity in an attempt to make dynasty leagues even more in-depth and skill-rewarding. Our own Steve Wyremski recently wrote a general guide to developmental leagues which you’ll find posted in the free section of DLF today. Although still a niche among dynasty players, there are a decent number of sites that have published 2014 player rankings (including Ryan McDowell here at DLF). However, while 2014 player rankings are helpful, I would estimate about half of developmental leagues allow any (not just NFL draft-eligible) players to be drafted. Not many sites have 2015 rankings or watch lists. Here’s a guide to the younger players you should be watching this upcoming season, broken down by position and then with a one-round mock at the end.

QUARTERBACK

1. Marcus Mariota, ORE

As a redshirt sophomore, Mariota could technically declare for the 2014 NFL draft, but general thought is he’ll stay at Oregon. Outside of Johnny Manziel, Mariota might be the best dual-threat quarterback in the nation. A smooth passer with an effortless delivery, Mariota combines good arm-strength with a set of legs. He needs to develop his pocket movement a bit more, but he reminds some of Colin Kaepernick.

2. Brett Hundley, UCLA

Another redshirt sophomore, Hundley is also a dual threat-quarterback. He’s not quite as good a runner as Mariota, but he throws with velocity and touch. Like Mariota, Hundley will need to improve his pocket game, but he has unlimited potential.

3. Everett Golson, ND

Yet another dual-threat quarterback, Golson had a good (but not great) year for the Fighting Irish. As a true freshman, he was able to complete nearly 60% of his passes and had a 2:1 TD: INT rate. As a true sophomore and with a cannon, he should only improve. Following the theme, Golson needs to improve his mechanics.

4. Kevin Hogan, STAN

Hogan might have only started five games in 2012, but it’s what he did in those that has people excited. Coming into David Shaw’s pro-style offense, he led the Cardinal to 5 straight wins, including beating Oregon in Eugene. Hogan has prototypical QB size at 6’4” and is an intelligent, accurate pocket passer.

5. Jameis Winston FSU

Winston redshirted his freshman year at FSU, sitting behind the only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, EJ Manuel. We have not seen him in game action, so this ranking is based mostly off of upside. The former #1 QB in the nation, Winston has off-the-charts measurables. Standing in at 6’4”, Winston also has a cannon for an arm. He also possesses a set of legs that can destroy quarterbacks. Winston could be the next Johnny Manziel, redshirting one year before blowing up college football the next. After all, Florida State has no shortage of talent for him to work with.

RUNNING BACK

1. Todd Gurley, UGA

Gurley vs.TJ Yeldon (our next running back on the list) has the potential to be the next AJ Green vs. Julio Jones debate. It’s a matter of personal preference, and I prefer Gurley. Pro-ready as a freshman, Gurley tore up the SEC, racking up almost 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. He featured a set of instincts rare for any college running back to have, let alone a true freshman. With tree-trunk thighs and uncanny balance, Gurley has a quick burst, but also uses patience at the line. He almost never goes down on first contact. Despite the NFL placing less and less of an emphasis on running backs, I expect Gurley to go in the top half of the 2015 first round.

2. TJ Yeldon, ALA

A close runner-up to Gurley for the running back throne, Yeldon runs a bit too upright or “goofy” for me, which is why I prefer Gurley. That is not to discount Yeldon, a great prospect in his own right. Forcing a timeshare as a true freshman at Alabama is impressive enough, let alone with a guy many considered the no.1 running back prospect in the country in Eddie Lacy. Yeldon set a freshman record at Alabama running for almost 1,200 yards at over six yards per carry. Yeldon has good (but not great) speed, but he does have great vision, as he’s skilled at scanning the field for openings. Unlike previous bulldozers Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Lacy, Yeldon is light on his feet, gliding around defenders rather than through them. He has a chance to be better than his three predecessors.

3. Duke Johnson, MIA

I admit I’ve always had a bit of bias for Miami running backs. Growing up, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, and Frank Gore were stud backs. I made a point to grab Lamar Miller in all rookie drafts last yea and he’s poised to make a great return on investment. Duke Johnson looks to follow in the footsteps of those stud Miami backs. There is a definite dropoff from Gurley and Yeldon to him, but Duke is the best of the rest. He didn’t quite hit a 1,000 yards his freshman year, but he averaged almost seven yards per carry, flashing big play ability. He also played in the passing game more than either Gurley or Yeldon, pulling down 27 catches. The speedster does need to fill out a bit, but early reports have him adding eight pounds of muscle, up from 196 his freshman year.

4. Keith Marshall, UGA

The other part of the vaunted “Gurshall” backfield in Georgia, Marshall (a five star recruit) was actually rated higher than Gurley (four star) in high school. Marshall functioned as the big-play, dynamic back for Georgia last year, racking up 760 yards on only 117 carries. Marshall combines track-speed jets with quick feet, making change-of-direction moves that have defenders looking silly. Although he only had 11 catches as a freshman, Marshall has soft hands and is dangerous out of the backfield, as no linebacker can cover him one-on-one. Look for him to be featured in the screen game this coming season.

5. Melvin Gordon, WISC

Another 6’1” running back, Gordon looks to follow in the footsteps of prior Wisconsin backs. In my opinion, he could be the best back Wisconsin has had in the last decade. Backing up Montee Ball, Gordon had a ridiculous ten yards per carry. Explosive and versatile, he was featured mostly on jet sweeps last year. He will line up more as a tailback this year. He won’t maintain his crazy high yards per carry average, but Gordon is primed to explode this coming year.

6. Barry Sanders Jr, STAN

The testament to how deep the 2015 running back class is the son of the greatest running back of all time ranks only sixth. Sanders redshirted his freshman year at Stanford, but he is ready to be unleashed. Most Stanford backs are bruisers, but Sanders brings a different element to the table. Sanders Jr. is a homerun threat, with great speed and elusiveness. His running style reminds many of his Dad. One of his best moves is a jump cut that is going to have defenders grasping at straws. Due to sitting a year, Sanders can be acquired at a discount in devy leagues right now. With a high ceiling, I would recommend getting him.

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Amari Cooper, ALA

Cooper is my number one receiver not just for the 2015 class, but for all of college football. Hyped up as the next Julio Jones for Alabama, Cooper delivered, posting 1,000 yards on just 59 catches. He actually posted the third most receiving yards in a season by a player under the watch of Nick Saban, and that was as a true freshman. Cooper could have had even more, but his quarterback, AJ McCarron held him back like Andy Dalton has held AJ Green back. They’ve produced, but watching the over and under throws on deep passes has been painful. Cooper got better as the season went on, catching five touchdown passes in his last three games. An explosive deep threat, Cooper is quick in and out of breaks. With great hands, long arms and a penchant for boxing out defenders, Cooper can go up and get almost any passes. Able to defeat press coverage on the line, Cooper has a high ceiling. I look forward to what should be a dominating season.

2. Stefon Diggs, MARY

Diggs is a player who is simultaneously silky-smooth and explosive. He makes it look easy, as if he’s not giving 100%, but then you look around and he’s blowing by everyone. The Terps used him both as a wide receiver and a running back last year. This offseason, reports have come out that they plan to use him as a quarterback as well – that should tell you what you need to know about how good he is with the ball in his hands. After posting 15.7 yards per catch as a freshman, Diggs should improve upon that as a true jack-of-all-trades.

3. Dorial Green-Beckham, MIZZ

After being the number one overall recruit in high school, Green-Beckham didn’t quite live up to the outsized expectations during his first year at Missouri. The 6’6” man-child posted only 28 catches for 400 yards and five scores. He did pick it up as the year went on, however. After posting only seven catches in his first five games, then missing two due to injury, Green-Beckham put up 21 catches in his last five games. The glimpses of greatness he showed during the season-ending stretch should carry over into this year, and Green-Beckham’s rare combination of size and athleticism is too much to pass up.

4. Nelson Agholor, USC

Trapped behind Marqise Lee and Robert Woods as a freshman, Agholor put up 19 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Now that Woods has gone to the Buffalo Bills, Agholor has an opportunity to step up. His 17.9 yards per catch average is evidence of the speed he brings to the field. Look for Agholor to step up and destroy the single-coverage he sees across from Lee.

5. Kenny Lawler, CAL

One of my under-the-radar players. Lawler redshirted his freshman year. After a poor season for Cal, Sonny Dykes was brought in to coach. He is bringing his uptempo Air Raid offense to Cal. The aerial attack should result in plenty of production. Lawler has been praised in spring practice for his tremendous athleticism. Standing at 6’3”, Lawler has a good shot to be Cal’s best receiver by the end of the season.

TIGHT END

1. Devin Funchess, MICH

Tight end is probably the most difficult position to forecast two years out in advance. Right now, Funchess is the only tight end on my short list, although there are obviously two years for that to change. Funchess reeled in 5 touchdowns last year. Standing at 6’5”, Funchess should see his numbers grow this coming year. Not only is Devin Gardner an upgrade over Denard Robinson, but Michigan is switching to a more pro-style offense that should benefit him.

OVERALL ONE ROUND MOCK: (no redshirt sophomores)

1. Todd Gurley, RB

2. TJ Yeldon, RB

3. Amari Cooper, WR

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4. Duke Johnson, RB

5. Keith Marshall, RB

6. Stefon Diggs, WR

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7. Melvin Gordon, RB

8. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

9. Barry Sanders Jr., RB