Three College Running Backs to Stash, Trash, or Keep in Devy Leagues
We have made it to running backs again in our Stash, Trash, or Keep series. With running backs, it can be hard to determine if they will be good in the NFL. Some players put up huge numbers in college but do not make it in the NFL. So, let’s look at some moves you could make for that position.
Stash: DJ Giddens, Kansas State
Giddens was not very highly recruited but has turned into a very good player for the Wildcats. In 2022, he had over 500 rushing yards and averaged 5.8 yards a carry. He broke out in 2023 with 1,200 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 30 receptions. Giddens shared time with Treshaun Ward last year but Ward has since transferred to Boston College.
Giddens is a strong runner and has some wiggle to make people miss in the open field. Over 700 of his 1,200 yards came after contact. His receiving ability is really what makes me like him at the next level. You could see how special he was against UCF where he had 293 total yards and was Big 12 Conference player of the week.
Don’t sleep on DJ Giddens
He’ll be a big riser this year as a potential 2025 declare
1400+ yards on Kansas State last year and performed well behind Deuce Vaughn 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mFGfhZTkid
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) May 20, 2024
The running back class for 2025 is loaded and Giddens may get lost in the shuffle. I would try and get him before the season starts. I would personally like him over other backs we have in our rankings such as Ashton Jeanty, Roman Hemby, and Phil Mafah.
Trash: Branson Robinson, Georgia
Robinson was a top-four running back in the 247 composite rankings for the 2022 class and all the top SEC schools wanted him. In high school, he looked like an NFL player already. He ran for 330 yards his freshman year at Georgia and averaged almost five yards a carry. Big things were expected in 2023, but he suffered a season-ending surgery in August before the season.
He is expected to return at some point this year, but some have to wonder where he fits in. The Bulldogs have incoming transfer Trevor Etienne from Florida who had back-to-back 700-yard seasons and talented freshman Nate Frazier, the second-ranked back in the 2024 class. Robinson is currently RB31 in our DLF Devy Rankings but RB64 on campus2canton.com. If you can find someone who still is high on Robinson I would deal him immediately.
Keep: Kaden Feagin, Illinois
Feagin was a player I was excited about last year coming in as a freshman. He was outside the top 350 players in his class but was able to play multiple positions in high school. He was the second-leading rusher in 2023 with 438 yards and two touchdowns. He showed off some ability in the receiving game and I hope to see him increase from his 10 targets last year.
The Illinois offense struggles to pass the ball so Feagin should be featured in 2024. He is a big back but does have good top-end speed for his size. Our Devy Rankings do not have him listed but Campus2Canton.com has him as RB31. If you already have him, then you probably are not getting any real value in a trade right now. I would keep him and hope he has a breakout year like Chase Brown had and you can flip him for a higher-end prospect.
Kaden Feagin is 6’3”, 250 — and can bounce runs like this 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/fnKqkzlMZu
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 21, 2023
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