Developing Assets: Week Two

DEVELOPING ASSETS: WEEK TWO

Dynasty fantasy football is a game of chess, not checkers. Whether you are tracking players for your devy leagues or looking ahead to the 2020 class in a more traditional dynasty format, the goal is still the same: put your team in the best position for short and long-term success. Following the world of college football can pay big dividends for dynasty players who follow this advice.

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.

WAKE UP AND WATCH

Cincinnati at Ohio State (11:00, ABC)

The Buckeyes came out the gates in week one firing on all cylinders. There were a lot of questions surrounding transfer quarterback Justin Fields, and how he would look as the full-time starter; he did not disappoint. Granted the Lane Kiffin prepared owls didn’t pose any real threat to Fields, as the passing attack did whatever they wanted to do; it was nice to see Fields show off is arm talent as well as his rushing ability.

JK Dobbins on the other hand did not have as an impressive game. He averaged a pedestrian 4.3 yards per carry on 21 attempts only mustering 91 yards and a score. He’s currently DLF’s sixth ranked devy running back and faces a defense that only allowed 73 yards on 23 carries to UCLA’s Demetric Felton in week one. Dobbins is a far more talented runner, and Ohio State is a far superior team; I fully expect a bounce back performance from him.

Cincinnati has two very intriguing devy prospects on the offensive side of the ball in running back Michael Warren II and tight end Josiah Deguara who currently is not ranked inside the top-35, however, his size combined with performances like he had in week one (53 yards and one touchdown) he could be a nice sleeper prospect down the line.

Other teams in early action include:

Vanderbilt at Purdue (11:00, BTN) Prospects to Watch: Rondale Moore, WR and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB

Syracuse at Maryland (11:00, ESPN) Prospect to Watch: Anthony McFarland, RB

Rutgers at Iowa (11:00, FS1) Prospect to Watch: Nate Stanley, QB

MIDDAY MARQUEE

Texas A&M at Clemson (2:30, ABC)

We get an absolute treat of a matchup as former coaching conference foes Dabo Swinney and Jimbo Fisher meet again to duel it out in Clemson. Both teams will be led by fantastic quarterback prospects. Trevor Lawrence had a down week versus Georgia Tech, but there is absolutely zero reason to panic about the future potential number one overall pick in 2021. Kellen Mond looked much improved in his season opener. He should show touch, accuracy and a command of the offense in year two.

Jashaun Corbin and Isaiah Spiller each went over 100 yards in their week one matchup and will look to continue their positive rushing momentum. They will have to contend with superstar linebacker Isaiah Simmons from Clemson, who will cause problems from the opening snap for the Aggies. Travis Etienne fresh off of his monster 200-yard performance will have a tougher task, but should still find plenty of running lanes to rip off explosive plays; lets hope he can catch a pass or two in this one.

The wide receivers should be fun to watch as Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, and the bevy of freshman playmakers for Clemson should continue to shine. Quartney Davis and Jhamon Ausbon looked very good in their week one match up and will have to put up numbers to keep up with the points that Clemson is going to score. You won’t want to miss this game!

Other teams in mid-day action include:

Nebraska at Colorado (2:30 FOX) Prospects to Watch: Adrian Martinez, QB and Laviska Shenault, WR

Southern Mississippi at Mississippi State (2:30, ESPNU) Prospect to Watch: Kylin Hill, RB

Central Michigan at Wisconsin (2:30 BTN) Prospect to Watch: Jonathan Taylor, RB

PRIMETIME PLAY

LSU at Texas (6:30, ABC)

This should be an outstanding matchup between Heisman candidate quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns in week one, versus a defense lead by future high NFL Draft picks: Grant Delpit, Kristian Fulton, and K’Lavon Chaisson. Ehlinger will have talented backfield mate Keaontay Ingram helping carry the offensive load in this one. Texas has the size and speed to cause problems for LSU’s defense with starting wide receivers Collin Johnson and Brennan Eagles (both standing well over 6’4”) and speedsters Devin Duvernay and Jake Smith.

Joe Burrow may not be a Heisman candidate yet, but if he plays like he did in week one he soon will be. He threw for 278 yards and five touchdowns in week one and looked outstanding doing it. He will have Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase to throw to on the outside both of whom should be able to get open against that Texas secondary.

It will be interesting to watch the touch distribution for the Tiger running backs as Clyde Edwards-Helaire opened as the starter and looked fine, but there’s no denying how talented and impressive freshman John Emery, Jr is. He should see an increased workload in this contest as well.

Other teams with evening games include:

BYU vs Tennessee (6:00, ESPN) Prospect to Watch: Ty Chandler, RB and Matt Bushman, TE

California vs. Washington (9:30, FS1) Prospect to Watch: Jacob Eason, QB

Minnesota vs. Fresno State (9:30, CBBSN) Prospects to Watch: Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman, WRs

2020 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. I’ll be including those in these weekly updates.

Here’s the latest projection from Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com:

1.01 MIA Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama

1.02 WAS Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama

1.06 TB Justin Herbert, QB Oregon

1.07 BUF Laviska Shenault, WR Colorado

1.11 DEN CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma

1.19 JAC Jalen Hurts, QB Oklahoma

1.27 LAC D’Andre Swift, RB Georgia

1.29 NO Jacob Eason, QB Washington

1.31 NE Grant Calcaterra, TE Oklahoma