Devy 100: 10-6

Rob Willette Posted On October 30, 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.

10. JK Dobbins, RB Ohio State Buckeyes

The Skinny: It has been a tale of two seasons for Dobbins. During his freshman year, he looked to be an ascending star; a player with first-round upside who would challenge the likes of D’Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor to be the first runner off the board. In his sophomore campaign, something was just off. He lacked the burst and balance which made his freshman year so special, and saw his stock dip as a result.

While he is no longer mentioned in the same breath as the top backs in the 2020 class, I am still incredibly bullish on his toolkit. Dobbins is a compact runner whose feet confound even the most gifted defenders. While the long speed is a question mark, he is incredibly adapt at scooting to the second level and has incredible power contained within his frame. A capable pass-catcher, Dobbins has three-down appeal and remains a devy priority despite stagnated progress in year two.

2019 Outlook: Though they lose one of the greatest quarterbacks in program history, the Buckeyes figure to lose little under center with transfer Justin Fields in town. He should mesh extremely well with Dobbins, and potentially open this offense up further given he’s a threat to run the football where Dwayne Haskins was not. The Buckeyes have depth in the backfield but this is Dobbins’ job, and he has an excellent opportunity to recoup the shine lost off of his star.

9. Laviska Shenault, WR Colorado Buffaloes

The Skinny: Despite playing for a moribund program and long after many in the Midwest and on the East coast have gone to bed, Shenault has seen his star skyrocket over the past year plus. Shenault is a menace with the ball in his hands, utilizing a slashing running style and powerful frame to chew up yardage.

From a raw athleticism standpoint, few receivers can match Shenault’s blend of speed and strength and his versatility is sure to endear him to many front offices. Given his game in conjunction with his injury history, he may fall in the range of a Deebo Samuel-type of prospect, a promising, high-upside prospect with enough questions marks to fall in the draft.

2019 Outlook: Mel Tucker’s imprints on the team have done no favors for Laviska Shenault. This is not a knock on Tucker’s coaching acumen; the man has a strong mind for the game. But the Buffaloes offense has become a touch more conservative, and Shenault’s numbers took another hit when he suffered a mysterious lower-body injury which knocked him out of several games.

The biggest detriment to his value thus far is another injury; he’s struggled to put together a full, healthy season which would allow him to push towards the top half of round one.

8. Tee Higgins, WR Clemson Tigers

The Skinny: Standing at six feet and four inches above the earth, Higgins is an imposing specimen and is not shy about using his impressive frame. Higgins has a basketball background and it shows; he boxes out defenders with ease and can climb the ladder to corral even the most errant throw.

While slight of frame, it does not stop Higgins from being physical. He’ll lock horns with any defensive back and showcases physicality at the catch point. A red zone weapon from day one with lead receiver upside, Higgins is sure to continue the parade of Clemson receivers who attain fantasy prominence.

2019 Outlook: It’s Clemson. They’re loaded at receiver. Higgins, however, tops the depth chart and the arrival of Trevor Lawrence has elevated this entire passing game. Already a highly productive receiver, Higgins should reach a new level in 2019.

7. Travis Etienne, RB Clemson Tigers

The Skinny: Given Clemson’s annual trip to the college football playoff, the devy world has been treated to Travis Etienne on a national stage two straight years. There’s no need to avoid the obvious: speed is the hallmark of Etienne’s game. He eliminates pursuit angles, leaving defenders to toil in their own confusion as he gallivants towards the paint.

On the flip side, the concerns with Etienne are obvious as well: he’s an admittedly poor pass-catcher and a slighter build carries with it concerns about his ability to work for the tough yards. I’m more willing to bet on a player’s plus traits than lament their negative traits, however, and think Etienne has immense upside even if he is merely an average receiver at the next level.

2019 Outlook: Etienne has continued to rack up monster numbers within one of the nation’s more explosive offenses. You can heap praise on the supporting cast – and they’re deserving – but Etienne’s 8 YPC clip is no easy feat, yet it is actually a tick below his 8.1 number in 2018.

Most encouragingly, Etienne has set a career high with 15 receptions with half the season remaining. Perhaps it is never the hallmark of his game, but mere competence is a huge step-up.

6. Rondale Moore, WR Purdue Boilermakers

The Skinny: Rondale Moore torched the BIG as a true freshman, proving one of the nation’s elite playmakers thanks to elite athleticism and a bulldog mentality with the football in his hands. Moore moves effortlessly in the open field, eviscerating defenses with his speed and knack for finding space.

The only thing you can quibble with in regards to Moore is size, and it is a pretty feeble argument against when you take into account his play strength and aggressiveness.

2019 Outlook: Moore is one of several stars to be slowed by injury in 2019. Fortunately, what originally looked as though it could be a serious knee injury turned out to be a hamstring issue. While less than ideal for Purdue in what is quickly turning into a nightmare season, it is no knock on Moore’s long-term stock.