Three Running Backs to Buy, Sell, or Hold in Devy Leagues

In devy Leagues, it is so hard to figure out which running backs will translate into the NFL. Most would not have thought college standout Sean Tucker would have gone totally undrafted even with a medical issue. In our last Buy/Sell/Hold for running backs, we gave you three to look at. This week I will give you another three backs to think about buying or selling.

BUY: Trey Benson, Florida State

Benson started off at Oregon as a three-star recruit but in two years only had six carries. He decided to transfer to Florida State but there were two returning players in Treshaun Ward and Lawrance Toafili ahead of him. In the first game of 2022, Benson had over 100 yards, but so did the other two backs. He did not get the main back role until game eight of the season. Once Benson got the bulk of the carries, he produced 593 and six touchdowns in the last five games. Florida State returns a lot of talent, and he should be up for another big season.

There has been a little more hype for Benson in the devy community, but I think you could still get him cheap. He is currently going as RB16 according to Canton2Canton’s ADP. I think he could have a jump up draft boards if he has another good season with the Seminoles. He checks a lot of boxes and has the size the NFL is looking for. I have doubts about how Blake Corum at Michigan translates, so you could get Benson plus another couple of devy assets.

Trey Benson is GOOD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Dy2iGuSwza

— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) June 16, 2023

SELL: Carson Steele, UCLA

This one is all about the possible hype of a player and cashing in early. Some may not know about Steele but those who love college football and MACtion games during the week know him well. In his first two years, he played at Ball State and was pretty much their whole offense. He racked up over 2,700 total yards and 22 total touchdowns. Steele averaged over five yards a carry in 2022 and showed he had a knack for the big plays.

He is another example of smaller school players producing and then getting to go upgrade to a bigger school. With the jump up in competition, sometimes it pans out and sometimes it doesn’t. He is going to a running back-friendly scheme at UCLA and many may overestimate his potential. I think he will be productive, I am just not so sure how he translates to the NFL, and in devy that is all you care about.

HOLD:  Jaydn Ott, California

Ott is one of the under-the-radar freshman running backs I liked before the season. In his first year, he turned a lot of heads with over 1,200 total yards, 11 touchdowns and over 40 catches. There are a few things that people are worrying about when it comes to his potential moving forward. There is a new coach and offensive coordinator, so he may not get as many targets. Also, California brought in two transfer running backs, including Byron Cardwell from Oregon.

I am on the wait-and-see approach with Ott because of how much promise he showed last year. He was able to have a fabulous freshman season when California as an offense struggled being the 87th-ranked offense by yards and 91st-ranked by points per game. His dual-threat ability out of the backfield means he doesn’t have to come off the field and am not willing to move him until I see how the split of snaps works out. He is currently RB19 according to Canton2Canton’s ADP and I just don’t think right now you would get the value to trade him away.

Jaydn Ott had himself a game against Arizona: 19 ATT 277 YDS 3 TD

pic.twitter.com/Qs3Ss8dTXT

— Kevin (@Daboys_22) September 25, 2022

 

Three Running Backs to Buy, Sell, or Hold in Devy Leagues