Devy Conference Preview: SEC East

Rob Willette Posted On August 27, 2014

Gurley

Editor’s Note: This article is a Dynasty Scouts exclusive. Remember, our Dynasty Scouts section focuses on the stars of tomorrow, with a laser focus on High School recruits and College players who look to have the talent to be future assets in dynasty leagues and have value today in devy leagues.

The SEC East has fallen behind its league counterpart in recent years, though that has had little impact on its fantasy outlook. Much like the SEC West, this league is plush with talent, including one team that may have five future NFL receivers on its roster.

Known Commodities

Todd Gurley, RB Georgia Bulldogs

The king of the devy world, Todd Gurley has been a wrecking ball since his first day on campus. A well put together back with sneaky speed and hands, he could be everything that Trent Richardson was supposed to be.

Mike Davis, RB South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina’s Mike Davis lacks the flashy burst of Melvin Gordon or the raw power of Gurley, yet he is arguably the nation’s most complete back. A between the tackles workhorse with natural receiving chops, he’s not quite elite but profiles as a rock solid day two back and future NFL starter.

Marquez North, WR Tennessee Volunteers

There’s a lot of projection involved with Marquez North. We saw some jaw dropping plays in 2013, yet they were more a demonstration of his athleticism as opposed to his acumen for the position. As he matures, the finer points of the game will come, and he could join Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson as recent Volunteer receivers to make a splash on draft day.

Kelvin Taylor, RB Florida Gators

The son of Fred Taylor, Kelvin Taylor possesses many of the same traits as his father, such as nimble feet, smooth acceleration and a natural ability to find extra yards. While not as big as the former Jaguar great, Kelvin has lead back size and should pace the Gators in rushing yards this season.

Keith Marshall, RB Georgia Bulldogs

The more heralded of the two Georgia junior backs, Keith Marshall had a credible freshman season before succumbing to a serious knee injury in 2013. Known for his speed, he’s also a big dude who can run smaller than he is. Set to return to the gridiron this weekend, he will need a strong showing in order to rehab his stock.

Shaq Roland, WR South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina has been a run-heavy, defensive team for many years under Steve Spurrier, preventing receivers such as Shaq Roland from really thriving. A solid athlete with the ability to make tough catches, he falls just short in the size and speed category, preventing him from reaching the upper tier of prospects.

[inlinead]Jeff Driskel , QB Florida Gators

A mega recruit out of high school, Jeff Driskel has failed to really make his mark on the college game. He’s likely on quite a few devy rosters yet will need a massive performance in his senior season to return on any value on that investment.

Ready To Emerge

Josh Malone, WR Tennessee Volunteers

An already highly regarded prospect, Josh Malone saw his stock soar after a dominating spring performance. A springy athlete that can jump over you or run past you, he checks all the boxes for athletic tools and has quickly become indoctrinated with the Volunteers offense. The depth at receiver may tame his numbers a tad but Malone is ready to become a national star in Knoxville.

Ahmad Fulwood, WR Florida Gators

The Gators offense has had a difficult time gaining traction in recent years. As a result, it has not spawned many offensive superstars. That should change in the not too distant future, as a proud program like Florida is not going to remain in a perpetual state of third and long. Ahmad Fulwood is a red zone nightmare and possesses a fluidity not often seen in receivers of his size. If the Gators can get even passable quarterback play, we’ll see Fulwood start to blossom and dominate SEC corners.

Von Pearson, WR Tennessee Volunteers

This preview will be inundated with Volunteer receivers, and for good reason. Despite being a newcomer to the Tennessee program, Von Pearson is one of the team’s elder statesmen due to his unorthodox path to the collegiate ranks. A vertical threat with a natural ability to separate, he’s a perfect complement to the supersized receivers the Volunteers have on the outside. Time is money for a fast-aging prospect like Pearson, but he could parlay a strong year into a decent draft slot in 2015.

Most Overrated

Keith Marshall is still being selected as a top runner despite a limited body of work and one significant lower-body injury. While the breakaway speed and compact build are readily apparent, there always appears to be something missing from his game, whether it’s vision, the ability to fall forward, or truly dynamic open field skills. He’s still talented enough to make an NFL roster and has upside beyond what he is shown. He’s just not a good bet at his current price.

Most Underrated

Oddly enough, the most underrated prospect on this list is a second string player for his team. Volunteer receiver Jason Croom has been caught in a numbers crunch and relegated to the second team despite a big, physical frame that can punish defenders and find the end zone. Once considered a tight end at the college level, Croom showcases surprising quickness in small spaces and is awfully smooth in and out of breaks. He’s well down the pecking order yet still has a NFL future.

SEC East Top 10