Developing Assets – Bowl Week Two, Part One

Ryan McDowell

I’ve enjoyed uncovering a few prospects I had not had the opportunity to see in the past week’s college bowl games, but the next week brings out many of the top prospects for upcoming rookie and devy drafts. I’ll be sharing with you several bowl previews throughout the week so sit back and enjoy the games!

December 28th Bowls

Pinstripe Bowl (12:00, ESPN)

Rutgers vs. Notre Dame

jonesThe first game of the day gives dynasty owners a few players to keep an eye on, as you might expect with a traditional power like the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame involved. We’ll start right there with Notre Dame. The Irish have a pair of solid wide receiver prospects in TJ Jones, who leads the team in both receptions and yards, and Devaris Daniels, who is considered the better pro prospect. Daniels has ideal size/speed combination and has shown the ability to make big plays this year. The best pass catching prospect on the team though is tight end Troy Niklas. The junior is a huge target at 6’7” and a whopping 270 pounds. He has really blossomed this year after playing sparsely last season.

Rutgers also has two receivers who should have your attention. First, junior Brandon Coleman has already declared for the May draft despite his struggles this season. Coleman entered the season with much hype, but he’s only fourth on the team in receiving yardage, hasn’t broken the one hundred yard mark in a single game this year and has only found the end zone once since August. Needless to say, his stock is down, though with the ability he’s displayed in past seasons, he could be a good late round target in rookie drafts. The other receiver who has caught my eye for the Scarlet Knights is the team’s leader in touchdown receptions, sophomore Leonte Carroo. Early in the season, when I tuned in to watch Coleman, Carroo stole the show and got my attention. I was looking forward to seeing more of him in this game, but unfortunately it looks as if that won’t happen. Carroo has missed the team’s past two games and is listed as doubtful for the bowl game. He’s a player to target during devy drafts this off-season.

Belk Bowl (3:20, ESPN)

Cincinnati vs. North Carolina

Each of these teams has one player that I can’t wait to watch. For the Tar Heels, it’s junior tight end Eric Ebron, who has already announced his intention to enter the upcoming NFL draft, which is music to the ears of dynasty owners. He’s a likely first round pick in both the NFL draft and dynasty rookie drafts. If you haven’t had the chance to watch Ebron yet this season, take a look and you’ll fall in love with his ability.

The Bearcat prospect I am interested in watching is a little more under the radar. In fact, wide receiver Mekale McKay only has fifteen receptions on the season. Of those fifteen receptions though, seven have gone for touchdowns and he’s averaging over thirty yards per catch. That’s some serious big play ability. McKay stands tall at 6’6”, but weighs in at less than 200 pounds. If he can add some weight and keep his speed, he’ll be a serious NFL prospect. For now, he’s a great target in deep devy drafts.

Russell Athletic Bowl (6:45, ESPN)

Miami (FL) vs. Louisville

All dynasty players will be watching this game with eyes on Cardinals’ quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who could be the top overall draft pick and the top quarterback taken in rookie drafts. Bridgewater has proven himself time and again as one of the toughest players in the game, yet the negative opinions are beginning to leak out, as they always do regarding the potential top picks. Watch for yourself and make the decision about Bridgewater and your dynasty team. Louisville also has a host of playmaking wide receivers, namely junior DeVante Parker who could declare early as well. Parker leads the team in both receiving yardage and touchdowns. Finally, the Cardinals also have talented but troubled running back Michael Dyer on the roster. Dyer began his college career with Auburn before bouncing around a few schools and finally landing at Louisville this season. Don’t expect to see him play though. He’s not been active for the past five games and the team is mum on the reasoning. Considering Dyer has a history of both off field issues and injuries, it can’t be good. Don’t be surprised to see Dyer declare for the draft in spite of his mediocre season. At this point, he has several strikes against him and will likely be left off many teams’ draft boards. You might want to follow suit.

Most of Miami’s talented players are too young to declare following this season, but should be prime options in devy drafts. Running back Duke Johnson was already considered one of the top backs in football, but suffered a season ending injury, so we won’t see him in this game. My personal favorite prospect and one of the top players on my devy board for off-season drafts is freshman wide receiver Stacy Coley, who is second on the team receptions and yards, and leads the team with seven touchdowns. He’s considered one of the top three freshman wide receivers, along with Laquon Treadwell and Marquez North.

Miami also is led by senior quarterback Stephen Morris, who has had a down year and seen his draft stock and dynasty value fall over the season. He’s likely a mid-round draft pick and worth keeping an eye on as a late round rookie pick.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (10:15, ESPN)

Michigan vs. Kansas State

Clearly, these are two of the more successful teams of the past twenty years, but both have been average this season in their respective competitive conferences. In fact, Michigan went just 3-5 in Big Ten Conference play. While the Wolverines are led by some very good college level players like quarterback Devin Gardner and wide receiver Jeremy Gallon, I don’t consider either strong NFL prospects.

For me, this game is all about one player and that is Michigan tight end Devin Funchess stands 6’5” and 228 pounds and is the team’s second leading receiver on the season. He’s just a sophomore, so we have to wait at least one more season, but that gives devy owners one more chance to scoop him up before he gains even more steam as one of the top tight end prospects. He’s kind of been lost in the attention that juniors Jace Amaro and Eric Ebron have received for their breakout seasons this year, but Funchess has more than tripled both his reception and yardage totals from his freshman season while maintaining his fifteen yard per catch average.

Okay, there is one more to watch. True freshman running back Derrick Green has not played a lot this season and is just the third leading rusher on the team. The leading rusher is senior Fitzgeald Toussaint, so he will be gone, while the other is the quarterback Gardner. So, Green is in line to start as a true sophomore and could make a big leap. Grab him in your devy drafts this off-season before that happens.

Be sure to check back Monday for a preview of the big bowl games coming later this week!

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ryan mcdowell