Developing Assets: Week Four

Ray Garvin Posted On September 21, 2019

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

For the prospects to watch section, I will be excluding the players who are currently ranked inside DLF’s Top-10 devy positional rankings.

WAKE UP AND WATCH

Michigan at Wisconsin (11:00 CT, FOX)

A battle between two top-15 teams; this game should be a show for the running backs on both sides. All-American Jonathan Taylor is one of the best running backs in college football and has gotten off to an unbelievable start. In two games, he has 235 rushing yards and five touchdowns; while adding three more through the air. Taylor has five receptions on the season more than half of what he had total last year, but his involvement and comfortability in the receiving game this season has dynasty owners salivating over his potential at the next level.

https://twitter.com/RayGQue/status/1154147740319981568?s=20

On the Michigan side of the ball, they have three talented wide receivers: Nico Collins, Tarik Black and Donavan Peoples-Jones. (At the time of this article it is unclear if Peoples-Jones will return from injury.) All three of the receivers have the talent to play at the next level, but inconsistent quarterback play from Shea Patterson obviously limits their upside.

One player on the Michigan side of the ball we all should be paying close attention to is true freshman running back Zach Charbonnet. He leads the Wolverines in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns. At 6’2” 220 pounds, he looks the part of a true three-down runner. He is smooth, powerful and has soft enough hands to have an impact in the receiving game out of the backfield. More than anything, he has the trust of his head coach, evidenced by his 33 carries in his second career game.

Talked about this on the @DestinationDevy Pod – I believe of all the highly rated high school RB prospects -Zach Charbonnet has the clearest path to opportunity this fall.

At 6’2 220 he’s got quick feet very good speed. In #devy mocks he’s consistently gone RD3-4. Take Note 📝 pic.twitter.com/iO1jmHnQ57

— Ray G (@RayGQue) June 13, 2019

Other teams in early action include:

Southern Mississippi at Alabama (11:00 CT, ESPN2) Prospects to Watch: WR Jaylond Adams and WR DeVonta Smith

LSU at Vanderbilt (11:00 CT, SEC) Prospects to Watch: QB Joe Burrow, WR Justin Jefferson

Michigan State at Northwestern (11:00 CT, ABC) Prospects to Watch: RB Elijah Collins

MIDDAY MARQUEE

Auburn at Texas A&M (2:30 CT, CBS)

The growing legend of Auburn quarterback Bo Nix will take his 3-0 ‘War Eagle’ show on the road to College Station this Saturday. The true freshman has had his moments this year looking outstanding at times, and looked like a true freshman quarterback in the SEC at others. Sophomore wide receiver Seth Williams looks like he may join the team after missing a week with an injury, that would be huge for Nix and the team.

JaTarvious Whitlow has been a bright spot in the backfield for Auburn this season. He has rushed for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Standing an even six feet tall and 210 pounds, he is slowly creeping up the devy rankings as one of the more underrated runners in the SEC.

On the A&M side, quarterback Kellen Mond will have to lead this team to victory without talented starting running back Jashaun Corbin, who is out for the season with a hamstring injury. It is a devastating injury for a talented player who showed flashes early this season. Mond started the season hot, but has since cooled off, having thrown three interceptions to just five touchdowns so far in 2019.

Other teams in mid-day action include:

Washington at BYU (2:30 CT, ABC/ESPN2) Prospects to Watch: QB Jacob Eason, WR Aaron Fuller, TE Matt Bushman

SMU at TCU (2:30CT, FS1) Prospect to Watch: RB Darius Anderson

Louisville at Florida State (2:30 CT, ESPN) Prospects to Watch: WR Tutu Atwell

PRIMETIME PLAY

Oklahoma State at. Texas (6:30 CT, ABC)

This game should be full of points and talented devy prospects. On the Oklahoma State side, redshirt sophomore Chuba Hubbard has been on an absolute tear to beginning this season and his first as the full-time starter. He leads the nation in rushing yards, and is tied for first in rushing touchdowns. He has elite speed and is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Texas will have the best defense he’s faced so far, but I expect another monster performance from one of the bright young stars in college football.

He’s not a household name YET but a player I will continue pounding the table for is Chuba Hubbard.

By the end of 2019 he’ll be mentioned with the Tier 1 RBs. 6’1” 210 ran for 740 & 7 with 22 receptions for 229 & 2 as a R-FR – legit 10.5 speed. Remember the name. #devy pic.twitter.com/yGKPCxgH0u

— Ray G (@RayGQue) July 13, 2019

Tylan Wallace is one of the top wide receivers in the country and will face a Texas defense that gave up 471 passing yards to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow two weeks ago. Despite his size, Wallace is one of the best contested-catch wide receivers in the nation, and is outstanding after the catch. On the season, he has 15 receptions 390 yards and six touchdowns.

2020 Eligible WR, Tylan Wallace needs to be mentioned with the top WR prospects in this class

At 6’0” 185 one of his most impressive attributes is his contested catch/ball tracking ability

Take a look & listen at two plays that highlight this skill set. *sound on* #devy https://t.co/Uf9MEJA9os

— Ray G (@RayGQue) September 11, 2019

Texas has devy talent littered across their offense led by Heisman candidate Sam Ehlinger who has been very efficient through the air this season with 11 touchdowns to zero interceptions. Keaontay Ingram is a talented running back who has had some forgettable moments so far this season but looks to get on track versus a very beatable Cowboys defense. The receivers are where the Longhorns can do major damage.

Colin Johnson is someone most people knew about coming into the season, but he’s currently fourth in receiving yards on the team. Devin Duvernay has been the most impressive pass catcher for Texas and has elevated his tremendously in 2019. Brennan Eagles, the big-bodied wideout, looks like a future red zone monster standing 6’4” and 225 pounds. True freshman Jake Smith is currently second on the team in receptions and looks the part of a future electric playmaker; go get you some Jake Smith in devy now before it’s too late.

https://twitter.com/RayGQue/status/1154015479830405121?s=20

Other teams with evening games include:

Notre Dame at Georgia (7:00 CT, CBS) Prospects to Watch: RB James Cook, WR George Pickens and WR Chase Claypool

Colorado at Arizona State (9:00 CT, PAC) Prospect to Watch: QB Jayden Daniels

Oregon at Stanford (6:00 CT, ESPN) Prospects to Watch: RB TE Jacob Breeland

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 nor 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 Brad Weiss of Fansided: