20/20: Devontae Booker

Kyle Pollock Posted On February 12, 2016

Welcome to 20/20. As part of our continued Dynasty Scouts coverage and in preparation for the NFL Combine later this month, we’ll be profiling 20 of the top incoming rookies of the class of 2016 by giving you 20 facts you must know.

1.) Player name – Devontae Booker

2.) College – Utah

3.) Height/Weight – 5-foot-11, 212 pounds

4.) Birth date – 5/7/1992 (22)

5.) Class – Senior

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

6.) Basic college stats – 2015: 10 games, 268 carries, 1261 yards, 11 touchdowns, 2014: 13 games, 292 carries, 1512 yards, 10 touchdowns

7.) NFL Draft round projection – Round 3-4

8.) Current NFL comp – Javorius “Buck” Allen: Both players are older Pac-12 running backs who will have their biggest impact in the receiving game. While they are decent runner’s, both Allen and Booker lack the athleticism and vision to have prolonged success as feature backs. Best suited to serve as a second back in a committee or a third down back.

9.) Best possible destination – Indianapolis Colts: If Booker were to land with the Colts, he would immediately thrive in the team’s offense. Frank Gore and Ahmad Bradshaw have both had over 30 catches for the team in the past two seasons, and Booker is younger and much more explosive than either player currently is. With Andrew Luck back next year the offense will likely improve, and defenses may overplay the pass because of Luck and all the weapons around him. If this happens, Booker will have plenty of space to run through and will be a very successful NFL back.

10.) Worst possible destination – Los Angeles Rams: While it’s unlikely that Booker ends up with the Rams, Tre Mason has supposedly been on the trade block and they could be in the market for a backup. Booker would be stuck behind Todd Gurley, one of the top backs in the NFL. He’d get a very limited amount of touches, and would be running behind a below average line and a sub par passing game that wouldn’t play to his biggest strength, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

11.) Best current skill – Receiving Ability: Booker’s receiving ability will help him get on the field in obvious passing downs. He was Utah’s most reliable player in the passing game over the past two seasons, and this looks like a skill that will translate very well to the professional level

12.) Skill that needs to be improved – Pass blocking/Pad Level:Like most rookie running back’s, Booker must improve his pass blocking to get more playing time with his team. In addition to that, he must run with lower pad level as he currently runs a bit too upright. This takes away from Booker’s power and also exposes him to bigger hits which could potentially cause injuries.

13.) Past/current rookie ADP – No. 14 overall, No. four running back in January ADP. No. 38 overall, No. 12 running back in September.

14.) Projected dynasty value –I can’t see Booker ever becoming a crucial fantasy asset. He’ll likely top out as a mid to low RB2 in PPR leagues, and will be a serviceable RB3-RB4 for a few seasons. His age is a concern, as he will be well over 24 years old when he takes his first NFL snap. With a prior injury history and being on the older side, Booker could have a short NFL career.

15.) Signing day – Signed with Washington State out of high school before attending a junior college and transferring to Utah in 2014.

16.) Lost games – Suffered a meniscus injury, causing him to miss last three games of the season. Utah’s offense went from averaging 36 points per game with Booker to 20 points per game without him.

17.) Potential PPR superstar – 80 catches in two seasons with the Utes.

18.) Other comps – One NFL scout compared him to Arian Foster.

19.) One of the Top Backs this Year – Booker is currently ranked as the sixth running back in this year’s class. Benton McDonald and Nick Whalen are the highest on him, as both have him as their second best back.

20.) Honors – First team All Pac-12 Running Back in 2014; Second Team All Pac-12 Running Back in 2015.

[/am4show]