Dynasty Scouts Conference Preview: SEC

Rob Willette

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As we sit on the cusp of the college football season, we examine the players from the SEC, a talent rich conference used to producing a massive number of dynasty league stars.

Known Commodities

Derrick Henry, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

Derrick Henry has already become a polarizing player after only two years on campus. Many love the fact that few men his size can do what he does physically. Others curse his tendency to play smaller than his 6’3”, 243 pound would indicate. I’m in camp with the former, fully embracing Henry’s rare physical gifts and his graceful movements in space, enough so to dub him the top back in the 2016 class.

Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss Runnin’ Rebels

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Few receivers play angrier than Laquon Treadwell, a talent that embraces contact at the line of scrimmage and makes it his mission to humiliate opponents with his physicality. You can question his separation, but you can’t question his ability to make plays on the football and his savvy when operating near the sideline or in tight quarters. His overall athletic profile will be interesting to see coming off a serious leg injury.

Nick Chubb, Georgia Bulldogs

You’ve heard all the superlatives attached to Nick Chubb. He’s a rare size/speed specimen with off the charts SPARQ scores. It is not out of the realm of possibility that he emerges as a better prospect than Todd Gurley.

Demarcus Robinson, WR Florida Gators

Demarcus Robinson is genuinely intriguing. Due to subpar quarterback play in Gainesville, we’ve been limited to seeing Robinson operate in the screen game, showcasing run after the catch skills and solid athleticism. His route tree and ball skills are still a question mark, though much of that is due to the fact that Florida quarterbacks have failed to move the ball in a forward direction these past few years.

Jonathan Williams, RB Arkansas Razorbacks

An ACL injury will cause Jonathan Williams to miss the 2015 season, which is a major hurdle for a prospect viewed as a day three talent to begin with. He’s in danger of becoming lost amidst a sea of more talented backs.

Josh Reynolds, WR Texas A&M Aggies

Despite playing for a prominent school in the SEC, Josh Reynolds had one of the quietest 13 touchdown seasons in recent memory. A rangy, springy receiver with excellent redzone tools, Reynolds could be the latest JUCO receiver to make the jump to the NFL.

De’Runnya Wilson, WR Mississippi State Bulldogs

De’Runnya Wilson is the perfect example of a flawed receiver that can make a litany of mistakes yet still dominate a football game. Imperfect hands and a sometimes milquetoast approach to physicality at the catch point mar the current projection of Wilson, yet size and fluidity that cannot be taught shoot him right back up the board and make you dream of what could be. Even if he tops as out as just scratching the surface of his potential, what he can do now is enough to pique the interest of NFL franchises.

Leonard Fournette, RB LSU Tigers

Dubbed the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson out of high school, Leonard Fournette started slow before capping his season strong, demonstrating speed and power in spades. Like many big backs, he could benefit from shedding a few pounds and adding more burst and wiggle to his game.

Evan Engram, TE Ole Miss Runnin’ Rebels

Whether it’s tight end or wide receiver, Evan Engram is one of the top pass catchers available in 2016. An incredibly fluid athlete with hands built for catching footballs, he’s slid under the radar a bit due to the presence of Treadwell and mercurial at best quarterback play. He may not post numbers gaudy enough to pop off the page in 2015, but he’s a name that should gain more notoriety as the draft process unfolds.

Sony Michel, RB Georgia Bulldogs

Per many scouting services, Sony Michel was the top recruit in Georgia’s backfield. He was quickly pushed aside by Chubb, yet put forth a notable freshman campaign nonetheless. I don’t see enough special skills to get me interested at this point in his career.

Pharoh Cooper, WR South Carolina Gamecocks

Expected to be Shaq Roland’s breakout campaign, it was instead Pharoh Cooper taking the lead in South Carolina’s passing game. His unique build and gait jump out at you while his quickness and toughness are hallmarks. Despite a unique skill-set, he’s an enticing devy prospect.

Kenyan Drake, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

The career of Kenyan Drake has not gone to script, with seemingly endless visits to Nick Saban’s doghouse and last year’s leg injury conspiring to keep him somewhat of a mystery. When we’ve seen him on the field, there’s little doubt that Drake is an explosive athlete that can be a major contributor in the passing game. His atypical frame may prevent him from becoming a true lead back. His overall skills make him an enticing stash at his price tag.

Marquez North, WR Tennessee Volunteers

Marquez North looks the part. He’s tall, lean, and can make some circus catches. He’s a bit straightline and has been unable to stay healthy during his first two years on campus, ultimately rendering him an annual tease at this point, yet one still worth investing in late.

Speedy Noil, WR Texas A&M Aggies

There’s little question Speedy Noil is a premier athlete. At times, however, he looked to be thinking the game rather than attacking it as a true freshman, which is not uncommon for young players yet made him look a bit more sluggish than he actually is. We did see flashes, and he plays big despite a small frame. Explosive athleticism and an aggressive playing style make him a player to eye closely in 2015.

Alex Collins, RB Arkansas Razorbacks

A slasher that does a lot of things well yet nothing at an elite level, Alex Collins may be topped out as an incredibly productive collegiate back. He’s got next level game; it just may not be as a consistent starter.

Stanley Williams, RB Kentucky Wildcats

Sharing a name with a notorious gang leader is tough. Kentucky’s Stanley Williams is attempting to give the name a new brand. After a strong freshman season, he’s earned a look.

Duke Williams, WR Auburn Tigers

The offseason has not been kind to Duke Williams, whose status with the Auburn program has remained relatively murky due to maturity and off-field concerns. On the field, Williams flashes impressive size and speed yet leaves you wanting a bit more and lacks the dominant physical profile of a number one receiver. Combine off-field issue and what I deem an overrated on-field profile, and he is a hard pass for me.

Dak Prescott, QB Mississippi State Bulldogs

Dak Prescott is one of college football’s best dual-threat quarterbacks. He’s just not a NFL prospect. Avoid.

O.J. Howard, TE Alabama Crimson Tide

The physical profile of O.J. Howard is undeniable. He’s big and can outrun defensive backs. The production has not been there, in part due to Lane Kiffin’s scheme and in part due to untimely mistakes from Howard. You don’t need great production from tight ends; the college game can be fickle for them. You just want to see Howard play with his hair on fire.

Travin Dural, WR LSU Tigers

One of the smoothest athletes in college football, Travin Dural glides across the field and despite being pegged as a vertical threat, he can make plays in the intermediate game and in traffic. He’s been victimized by poor quarterback play; any improvement in that area for LSU and his stock will soar.

Kyle Allen, QB Texas A&M Aggies

A premier quarterback in the 2014 class, Kyle Allen worked his way into a midseason job and acquitted himself very well. He fought off Kyler Murray for the starting gig this year, and while I’m not bullish on him as a devy prospect he has earned himself a firm spot on the watch list.

Hunter Henry, TE Arkansas Razorbacks

One of the nation’s best two-way tight ends, Hunter Henry can flash a man among boys game at times. Big, strong, and physical, he’s got a case as the nation’s top tight end.

Josh Malone, WR Tennessee Volunteers

Josh Malone has been more hype than anything at this juncture of his career, yet that hype results from an intriguing physical profile and incredible high school tape. He needs a strong year two to avoid going the Ricky Seals-Jones route.

Malachi Dupre, WR LSU Tigers

Long legged and springy, Malachi Dupre succeeds despite mediocre straight-line speed and a sinewy frame. Much like Dural, quarterback play will play games with his stock all season long.

Ready To Emerge

Roc Thomas, RB Auburn Tigers

One of the nation’s more explosive running back recruits in 2014, Roc Thomas did a lot of his damage running east and west in the prep ranks and struggled early to shake that habit at the collegiate level. Despite that, he still flashed the supreme wiggle and surprising power that made him a coveted player out of high school and has improved enough this offseason that he held off JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson for the starting job in Auburn’s backfield. With an explosive first step, elite agility, and a scheme that pumps out video game numbers, Thomas is poised to become one of the nation’s breakout performers.

Damien Harris, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

All of a sudden, the Crimson Tide are somewhat thin at running back. Following the transfers of Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny, combined with the injury/suspension of Bo Scarbrough, the only notable runners in the stable were starter Derrick Henry and senior Kenyan Drake, who is coming off an injury himself. Enter the back many considered to be the nation’s best, a balanced runner with the requisite size to contribute immediately. He may need to battle fellow freshman De’Sherrius Flowers for carries, but Harris has the look of a back ready to roll.

Most Overrated

I’ve never been bullish on the raw talent of Duke Williams, and individuals with this much baggage before they even enter the NFL are concerning. With a devy ADP of 10, I am staying far away.

Most Underrated

Mizzou has a formula in place. Strong defense and just enough juice on offense has led to them being an annually underrated team that has little margin for error yet manages to topple more ballyhooed rosters around the league. This year, however, they feature a host of young and exciting receivers capable of adding spice to this offensive attack. Chief among them is Nate Brown, a sophomore gifted with a great wingspan and the ability to use his body well. There’s a wide open depth chart in Columbia, and Brown could assume Bud Sasser’s role of top dog in the receiver pecking order. At the cost of absolutely nothing, he is worth a dart throw in deep leagues.

SEC Top 10

  1. Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss
  2. Nick Chubb, RB Georgia
  3. Derrick Henry, RB Alabama
  4. Evan Engram, TE Ole Miss
  5. De’Runnya Wilson, WR Mississippi State
  6. Leonard Fournette, RB LSU
  7. Malachi Dupre, WR LSU
  8. Derrius Guice, RB LSU
  9. Pharoh Cooper, WR South Carolina
  10. Marquez North, WR Tennessee

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rob willette