Devy 100: 75-71

Rob Willette Posted On May 29, 2019

As dynasty owners putter about the interwebs discussing short shuttle times and dissecting the nuances of the Dominator Rating, Devy owners are intently watching Spring Practices and eyeing key positional battles. They say dynasty football never sleeps, but devy football never even rests. From Signing Day (both of them) to fall camp, devy calendars are chock-full of important dates.

The Devy 100 is a breakdown of some of the best collegiate talent around. Players will be missed; others will emerge. My rankings will be cursed from Juneau, Alaska to Key West, Florida. Yet hopefully it provides a modicum of assistance to those navigating the murky waters of deep leagues, struggling to identify their tenth-round selection as they decide between Auburn’s third-string running back and an incoming freshman receiver at Ohio State. Without any further inane ramblings, on to the list.

75. Elijah Moore, WR Ole Miss Runnin’ Rebels

The Skinny: The 2018 iteration of the Ole Miss offense left little room for upstart receivers to make a major contribution. Yet we still saw enough of Moore behind the Rebels’ big three to get excited about his future. He is a much different player than the departing trio; he lacks DK Metcalf’s superhuman physique, AJ Brown’s brawn underneath, or DaMarkus Lodge’s unique ball skills. He’s an electric athlete with a high compete level which mitigates concerns over his frame (5’9”, 182). Smaller receivers who play big are always lethal weapons, and Moore has the look of the next playmaking Ole Miss receiver.

2019 Outlook: With the aforementioned big three now testing their wares at the next level, it is Moore’s time to shine. He’s the Rebels’ leading returning receiver, and he should be their best weapon on offense as they adjust to life with Matt Corral under center.

74. Denzel Mims, WR Baylor (2020 Eligible)

The Skinny: Denzel Mims can be one of the more infuriating receivers to watch. When he’s on, the athleticism, long speed, and effortless gesticulations speak to a dominant playmaker. Bouts of the dropsies and reticence in doing yeoman-like work over the middle can quickly turn amorous eyes into sad ones. In most cases, however, I am interested in what a player can do versus where they’re lacking, and Mims’ genuine track star speed and projectable frame are major pluses in his favor. If you’re the type of owner whose interested in ceiling above all else, Mims is a man for you; the tools are simply outstanding.

2019 Outlook: Baylor’s leading receiver in 2018 – Jalen Hurd – is now a 49er. Returning veterans Chris Platt and Tyquan Thornton are good players, yet neither figures to operate as the top target in this offense. Primed to be Baylor’s top playmaker in Matt Rhule’s third season, we could see a true breakout from Mims, who flashed the ability to be one of the nation’s best receivers as a sophomore.

73. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR Michigan (2020 Eligible)

The Skinny: From his name to his game to his name’s acronym, everything about DPJ is smooth. An effortless athlete, Peoples-Jones can wreak havoc after the catch and has surprising strength at the catch point given his wiry frame. Despite the tenacity when the ball is coming his way, Peoples-Jones could certainly benefit from adding good weight; his frame lacks the maturity to consistently outmuscle defenders. He can get away with this in the Big Ten given his fluidity and feet, but it goes without saying the NFL is a different animal. Adding another layer of complexity to DPJ’s profile is a long-term injury which still lacks clarity.

2019 Outlook: Michigan’s 2017 recruiting class at wide receiver was supposed to rival Alabama’s quarter of Jerry Jeudy/Devonta Smith/Henry Ruggs/Tyrell Shavers. Instead, it has been either in the trainer’s room (Tarik Black) or shackled by a pedestrian Michigan offense which has finally looked for a new identity with the hiring of Josh Gattis. If Gattis can revive what has become a mundane offense, it could be a renaissance for DPJ, whose devy stock has tumbled each year on campus.

72. Jeremiah Holloman, WR Georgia (2020 Eligible)

The Skinny: The Georgia passing offense unquestionably fails to elevate its receivers, but Jeremiah Holloman is no Riley Ridley; he actually has tools to get excited about. He tested as a premier athlete in high school and carries over 200 pounds on his 6’2” frame. He can challenge a defense vertically and is generally a better athlete than those lined up against him. The Bulldog offense relies on structure and execution more than creativity, limiting Holloman’s ability to demonstrate his route running prowess. Despite the loss of Jim Chaney, it does not appear as though major changes are coming. Still, even minor gains in Holloman’s game could lead to him being 2019’s breakout devy star.

2019 Outlook: While the above description of Ridley is unflattering, he vacates 559 yards and nine touchdowns. Also gone are Mecole Hardman and Terry Godwin. Georgia was aggressive in restocking its cupboard at wide receiver during this cycle, yet the second-leading returning receiver is actually running back D’Andre Swift. Holloman should get every opportunity to show he can lead this passing attack.

71. Mohamed Ibrahim, RB Minnesota (2020 Eligible)

The Skinny: A three star recruit checking in at 178 pounds out of high school in 2017, Mohamed Ibrahim was barely known even by Minnesota fans prior to his redshirt freshman season in 2018. After packing on 20 plus pounds, Ibrahim worked his way up the depth chart and glided through the window of opportunity presented when veteran backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith went down with serious injuries. While Ibrahim lacks a standout trait, he is a determined runner who seemingly invents running lanes. His compact frame is a perfect complement to his slashing style, allowing him to navigate traffic without unnecessary and wasted motion. Ibrahim will have to add a little creativity to his game to truly become an elite back, but the foundation is there to be one of the conference’s best runners.

2019 Outlook: Smith returns for his sixth year while Brooks returns for his fifth. Suffice to say, the Gophers are not short on experience in their backfield, and both Smith and Brooks have 700 yard rushing seasons in their past (multiple such seasons in the case of Smith). However, each is back on campus due to injury woes. Ibrahim looked to be the team’s most explosive runner in 2018, and even though the workload is likely to be split, this looks to be his backfield, especially as he is the only one P.J. Fleck recruited.