The Devy Fantasy Football Top 100: 5-1

The fantasy football off-season is a long and arduous journey for many. You battle through the final weeks of winter with a forced smile and a warm, potentially spiked beverage. Yet for many in the fantasy football community, the off-season is a busy time in which you’re recalibrating rosters and forecasting the future.

Devy is one such area this occurs. Devy owners are constantly seeking the next fantasy star, often discovering them during a review of the previous season. The Devy 100 is intended to forecast those next stars and identify which talent is worth investing in. For the first time, these are in a superflex format due to this becoming the default at DLF.

5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State Buckeyes (2023 Draft-Eligible)

Profile: Anyone unfamiliar with Smith-Njigba was given quite the introduction in the Rose Bowl, as he eviscerated a beleaguered Utah secondary to the tune of 15 grabs for 347 yards and three scores. It was just another in a string of dominant performances for Smith-Njigba, who led the Buckeyes in receiving despite sharing the field with a pair of top 15 picks in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. If anyone ever needed to define breakout season, they’d need to look no further than Smith-Njigba’s 2021 campaign.

All Ohio State receivers seem to play with advanced polish and Smith-Njigba is no different. He uses pace and short-area burst to manipulate defenders and get them on their heels quickly. When the ball is in the air, few are better. He can adjust his body with ease and pluck the ball out of mid-air as though he is ascending to another plane of existence. While not the world’s greatest speed merchant, he nonetheless dominates with intelligence and fearlessness. He does so many things well that it would be an upset if he did not hear his name called in round one come 2023.

2022 Outlook:  The aforementioned Wilson and Olave are gone, with the Jets and Saints respectively. CJ Stroud is back under center. Ohio State has rising talent ready to emerge next to Smith-Njigba, but 2022 could be a year in which the Texas native puts up video game numbers.

4. Bryce Young, QB Alabama Crimson Tide (2023 Draft-Eligible)

Profile: Young’s first year as a starter could not have gone much better. He set Alabama program records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in a single season and hoisted the Heisman Trophy at the end of the season. He demonstrated a poise beyond his years, often looking to be in a state of zen even as the world turned to chaos around him.

Young is a fascinating prospect. He is a tremendous athlete, yet seldom uses his legs for more than keeping a play alive to find a receiver who has gotten loose. He posted exactly zero rushing yards in 2021 (sacks remove rushing yards for quarterbacks at the college level) despite having the ability to pick up chunk gains on the ground. He prefers to move the ball through the air, demonstrating elite touch and anticipation along with the arm talent to push the football all over the gridiron. The big knock will of course be his size, as he is unlikely to measure in at 6’0” and may be under 200 pounds as well. Another year on campus should do wonders for Young as he adds bulk to round out what is a fairly bulletproof profile.

2022 Outlook: Young has already secured college football’s biggest individual award. There is not a ton he can do as an encore. While the Tide did lose leading receivers John Metchie and Jameson Williams, they brought in high-end transfers at the position and have a host of young players ready to contribute. He may break his own school records in 2022.

3. TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State Buckeyes (2024 Draft-Eligible)

Profile: It did not take long for Henderson to establish himself as an elite talent. The Virginia native has traits in spades, combining elite long speed with the ability to change directions without losing any steam. His 5’11’ frame is pushing 200 pounds and he has the bulk to eschew arm tackles and take a bruising. You can check off any box you would like when analyzing Henderson’s profile.

He also thrives as a receiver, demonstrating soft hands and the ability to be more than just a check-down option. He can line up out wide and create separation with his athleticism. Few backs possess such special traits. Were it not for another back on this list, Henderson would be devy’s top running back and arguably its top player. He is surging towards round one of the 2024 NFL Draft.

2022 Outlook: Miyan Williams can play, though he was unable to put much of a dent into Henderson’s workload despite Henderson being a true freshman. This is Henderson’s backfield and the offense may be college football’s best. It would not be surprising to see him flirt with 2,000 total yards.

2. CJ Stroud, QB Ohio State Buckeyes (2023 Draft-Eligible)

Profile:  It took Stroud a few weeks to get comfortable, but once he did, he was a revelation. A late-riser in the 2020 recruiting class, Stroud made it clear Ryan Day scored a coup when he landed the California native. Few passers showcase the touch he does, an impressive talent given how young he is. He simply throws a catchable ball, hitting receivers in the numbers and giving them an opportunity to create yards after the catch. His combination of arm strength and accuracy is virtually unparalleled.

Stroud is also a good athlete, though much like Young he only utilizes his legs when absolutely necessary. He prefers to survey downfield and find the open man as opposed to picking up a few yards with his legs, though it is easier to do so when you have Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba out wide. Stroud’s development has been rapid and another year in Columbus should do wonders in preparing him for the pro game. At 6’3” and 220 pounds with high-end arm talent, he has every tool the NFL looks for and has shown he is a cerebral passer on the field. He is an early favorite to go first overall next spring.

2022 Outlook: Stroud returns to campus without two top receivers yet has ample talent surrounding him. After being a Heisman finalist in 2021, he could very well win the award in 2022. This is a great fit for his development and production.

1. Bijan Robinson, RB Texas Longhorns (2023 Draft-Eligible)

Profile:  Texas is not yet back, though Robinson has done everything in his power to get them there. He is a sturdy 6’0”, 221-pound back who combines versatility with elite rushing skills. While the latter may seem like a prerequisite for the position, Robinson simply has an understanding of how to pick up yards similar to a back like Dalvin Cook. He has excellent burst and runs with pace, taking the fight to the defense and gliding to the second level with explosive cuts. He finishes runs with flair, powering through for extra yards with brute force.

As you’d expect from the top runner on this list, Robinson is an excellent pass-catcher. He can line up outside, in the slot, or run angle routes out of the backfield. He has grabbed 41 receptions over his first two seasons at nearly 12 yards per reception. He can work in traffic and is a natural plucking the ball out of the air. All told, it is hard to find a real wart on Robinson’s resume. He may not test as a premier, top-of-the-line athlete but he does everything at such a high level it will prove irrelevant. He may be the best running back prospect in some time.

2022 Outlook:  The time has to be now for Texas. They have landed their prized transfer in Quinn Ewers. They have built up critical depth along the offensive line. They have a true star at receiver in Xavier Worthy. We know Robinson will get his, but if this entire offense comes together, he could set records. He will always be must-see television whenever the Longhorns are playing.

The Devy Fantasy Football Top 100: 5-1