Developing Assets: Week Five

Ryan McDowell

Whether you are a devy dynasty owner tracking your players or simply trying to stay ahead of your competition when prepping for 2019 rookie drafts, following the weekly world of college football can pay dividends for fantasy players.

Each week this season, I’ll focus on a trio of games throughout the day, along with some key future pros you might want to focus on as you watch.

This week, I’m abandoning the typical format due to a totally stacked evening slate of games. So, instead of “waking up to watch,” build up some football equity by making her breakfast in bed or doing some extra chores. Then, get ready to work the remote as there is a trio of must-watch games once the sun goes down.

Primetime Plays

Ohio State at Penn State (ABC, 7:30)

One of the annual premier Big Ten battles plays host to ESPN’s College Gameday this week as the pair of undefeated traditional powers face off. The Nittany Lions host the Buckeyes, both sporting a 4-0 record and thinking about a playoff berth. Running back Miles Sanders has done an admirable job replacing superstar Saquon Barkley, rushing for nearly 500 yards and five scores through the first month of the season.

Penn State’s pass-catching connection of quarterback Trace McSorley and wide receiver Juwan Johnson each feel like they’ve been around Happy Valley for ages and each could be moving onto the NFL next season. Both players feel like better college players than pro prospects but are certainly on the radar. Penn State freshman running back Ricky Slade probably has the most potential of this current roster, though his touches have been limited thanks for Sanders’ success.

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The Buckeyes and quarterback Dwayne Haskins – a sophomore who is draft eligible following this season – have been spreading the ball around all season. Four pass-catchers have at least 200 receiving yards and veteran Parris Campbell has stepped up as the leader, as evidenced by his eight catch, 147-yard, two touchdown performance last week against Tulane. Haskins is becoming a star and he has the running game that brings balance to the offense.

The backfield duo of JK Dobbins and Mike Weber have combined for over 600 yards and six total touchdowns. These two are spelled by freshman Master Teague, who should step right into Weber’s role next season.

Stanford at Notre Dame (NBC, 7:30)

The other marquee showdown of the night features the Golden Domers of Notre Dame hosting Stanford. Running back Bryce Love began the season slowly, but has picked it up, averaging over 80 yards per game. Love has not been involved in the passing offense, catching just four balls on the season. That could limit his dynasty value once he reaches the league. Cardinal wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside has emerged as the team’s top option and is finally starting to get the attention he deserves. He’s even been mocked in the first round of some recent drafts.

The Irish are undefeated at 4-0 and could stay that way after finally making a quarterback change, starting redshirt sophomore Ian Book for the first time last week. Book threw for 324 yards and totaled five touchdowns in the game. His insertion into the lineup should mean good things for all pass-catchers, including Miles Boykin, Chase Claypool and tight end Alize Mack.

South Carolina at Kentucky (SEC Network, 7:30)

While this SEC East matchup might not include the traditional powers featured in the other games discussed, it does feature a surprisingly undefeated Kentucky team being carried by running back Benny Snell, the SEC’s leading rusher and a trendy dark horse Heisman candidate.

Kentucky might control the running game, but the Gamecocks are expected to attack through the air. Quarterback Jake Bentley has had a solid year but is no lock to declare for the NFL Draft. His decision could be impacted by the expected loss of his top two receivers, senior Deebo Samuel and junior Bryan Edwards. Despite the talent at the position, South Carolina has been a relatively low-volume passing game early in the year. Edwards is tied for 12th in the SEC for receptions, while Bentley is sixth among SEC quarterbacks in passing yardage. Edwards and Samuel could each be considered as potential first-round draft picks once their respective college careers conclude.

Other games to enjoy

West Virginia at Texas Tech (ESPN2, 12:00)

Baylor at Oklahoma (ABC, 3:30)

Iowa State at TCU (ESPNU, 7:00)

BYU at Washington (FOX, 8:30)

Mississippi at LSU (ESPN, 9:00)

Oregon at California (Fox Sports 1, 10:30)

2019 NFL Mock Draft

As the NFL Draft has grown in popularity, that means it has become a year-round business and we no longer have to wait until the end of the football season to see where the top players project to land. Multiple sites and writers are now regularly producing mock draft months out from the actual event and I’ll now be including those in these weekly updates.

Here’s the latest projection from Draftwire.com’s Luke Easterling:

1.08 WAS Justin Herbert, QB Oregon

1.10 NYG Will Grier, QB West Virginia

1.14 DEN Drew Lock, QB Missouri

1.16 MIA N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State

1.19 LAC Jarrett Stidham, QB Auburn

1.22 BAL AJ Brown, WR Mississippi

1.26 PHI David Montgomery, RB Iowa State

1.29 NE Anthony Johnson, WR Buffalo

1.31 JAX Tyree Jackson, QB Buffalo

2019 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

1.01 N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State

1.02 Bryan Edwards, WR South Carolina

1.03 AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss

1.04 Dekaylin Metcalf, WR Ole Miss

1.05 Kelvin Harmon, WR North Carolina State

1.06 Hakeem Butler, WR Iowa State

1.07 Noah Fant, TE Iowa

1.08 David Montgomery, RB Iowa State

1.09 Benny Snell, RB Kentucky

1.10 Tyler Johnson, WR Minnesota

1.11 Damien Harris, RB Alabama

1.12 Marquise Brown, WR Oklahoma

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ryan mcdowell