Target Acquired: Week Five

Travis May Posted On September 26, 2017

Welcome to another edition of Target Acquired. If you’re new to the series, let me catch you up. Dynasty strategy has many layers to it, but one of the more fun aspects of it all is player research and analysis. And whether you play in devy leagues, “normal” dynasty leagues, or just love college football, it’s a blast to dig into some of the best NFL prospects in the country. This series takes a look every week at a mix of college football players who just bolstered their chances of making it to the pros with a stellar performance.

Some will be names you recognize. Others will be the deepest of sleepers that no one knew until yesterday. Regardless, the point is to tuck these names away as your prepare for all of your drafts, trades, and just-for-fun research in the future.

The draft gets closer every day, and I have my set of “Targets Acquired” for any and every format out there.

Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

This Hawaiian five-star quarterback knows how to sling the ball. In fact, Tua has been turning heads since he was in middle school. By the time he was a junior in high school he was already being touted as the next Marcus Mariota (as they are both from Hawaii). Coming into Alabama was one of the most highly rated prospects in the entire country.

This past weekend, he finally got his first extended action against Vanderbilt as Alabama jumped out to a preposterous lead very early. Tua finished the game completing of eight of ten passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a strike to Jerry Jeudy on a corner route for a 34-yard score. But his most impressive play was the 27-yard touchdown toss to Devonta Smith. He dropped back, pushed forward, spun to avoid being sacked and immediately launched a perfect touch pass into the bread basket to his fellow freshman team mate. Tua could be the best Alabama quarterback this century when it’s all said and done.

Running Back

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Rashaad Penny, San Diego State

Until this week, I had hadn’t given Penny a close enough look. This San Diego State product has the stature of a feature back, unlike his former team mate Donnel Pumphrey. Yes, Rashaad can pack a punch at 5’11”, 220 pounds, but also has a sufficient level of suddenness for force missed tackles in the hole and on the edge.

He’s been well below the radar for many playing in a small conference, and in the shadow of Donnel Pumphrey’s record-setting college career. But now it’s his time to prove that he can make it at the next level. Rashaad can catch passes with his surprisingly soft mitts and may offer some amazing value as a late round pick in next spring’s NFL Draft. Keep an eye on Penny as he’s already on pass for a 2000-yard season on the ground.

Mark Walton, Miami

How in the world is a productive former four-star from Miami stay so far below the radar? Walton admittedly came into college a little small, and that showed up his freshman year. He couldn’t crack four yards per carry because he couldn’t really break a tackle. But then he added weight and led the U backfield with 1117 rushing yards and 27 catches for 240 yards as a sophomore.

Now he’s back at it with 352 rushing yards on the ground through just two games. Walton runs fast and furious, with just enough wiggle to add a yard or two with each rep. If Mark keeps up the production expect to hear his name called early on day three in 2018 or 2019.

Wide Receiver

Tyrie Cleveland, Florida

This guy is not below the radar for many, but has shown he deserves some national recognition. Last week against Tennessee he scored the game winning Hail Mary touchdown. This week he struck again with a crucial 45-yard touchdown that tied the game against Kentucky heading into halftime. Cleveland finished the game with four catches for 110 yards and that score even though the team only managed 209 yards through the air.

With star wide receiver and Gator team mate Antonio Callaway out, Tyrie has shown that he can carry the load as the lead dog. Expect to see a couple more highly productive seasons and an early departure for the NFL for Tyrie. He has true NFL lead wide receiver athleticism. If he continues to improve in the nuances of the wide receiver position, look out.

Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

I know, I know. I’m talking about some highly touted recruits this week instead of many “sleeper” prospects. But I can’t help it. Good players are making ridiculously good plays. Before the Vanderbilt game was still within 35 points Jerry Jeudy was hardly targeted at all. However, he did bust lose with at least five yards of separation on a skinny post that would have been a touchdown had Jalen Hurts not pulled the ball down and ran too early.

Later on in the game, with backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the game, Jeudy had some fun. Jeudy’s clean route running created some easy separation on a corner route leading to his first career touchdown for the Crimson Tide. That 34-yard score was just a preview of many more to come. Once Calvin Ridley departs for the NFL, Jeudy is going to own that receiving corps.

Tight End

Mark Andrews

“Oh, look! It’s another stud player that I have already heard of!”

Yes. If I only wrote about players you haven’t heard of none of them would be worth owning in Devy leagues.

Mark Andrews is my TE1 for the 2018 class. He has everything: size, route running, hands, blocking. Andrews led the Sooners in receiving with three catches for 72 yards and a touchdown this past weekend in a shootout with Baylor. He could easily come in and produce early as an every down tight end. Not every tight end from the 2018 class will be like the studs from 2017, but Mark Andrews could be as good or better than any of them.

Individual Defense Player (IDP)

Trey Marshall, Florida State (Safety)

When people think of the Florida State Seminoles’ secondary they often think of redshirt sophomore, Derwin James. And don’t get me wrong, James is a freak of nature. In fact he’ll probably be drafted in the first half of round one next spring. But! People forget that his team mate Trey Marshall is also worth paying attention to.

A senior, Marshall has grown into a trustworthy physical force for the Seminoles. He managed 40 solo tackles in 2016, and he’s pace for nearly 40 yet again. Trey’s six total tackles against N.C. State last week definitely helped that. There’s a good chance that Trey sneaks in to the back end of round three in next year’s NFL Draft. Even if he doesn’t, Trey could work his way into a significant starting strong safety role in the NFL with his prototypical size and tenacity.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Target Acquired. Let me know if you have any questions on any of these guys. If you want me to watch any specific upcoming games closer than others just let me know via Twitter @FF_TravisM. Best of luck to you in all of your fantasy leagues!

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