There is a growing movement in the Dynasty community toward “devy” players. The term “devy” refers to developmental players carried on the dynasty league rosters. These devy players are usually college players but can even be high school athletes. Each week, we will look at a different set of devy rankings.
There are many talented devy receivers. The difficult part is evaluating the individual talent in a variety of college offenses. In addition, it is safe to say that the situation that each player is drafted into can make a huge difference in their level of success as a professional.
This series of articles will focus on players who should be considered on their respective NFL prospects not college production. Below are the top devy wide receivers without regard to their NFL Draft eligibility.
5. Christian Kirk (Texas A&M) – Many discounted Kirk due to his smallish frame (5'11, 190 pounds), but the true Freshman has been the best receiver for the Aggies this season. He played wide receiver, running back, kick returner, and defensive back in high school. Kirk is an elite athlete. His quickness allows Kirk to get open with ease, even against strong defenses. He will top the 1,000-yard mark this season, which is quite an accomplishment. As a high school Senior, Kirk ran for 1,700 yards and added another 1,200 more yards receiving. The true Freshman has caught 70 passes for 925 yards and six touchdowns this season. We do worry about the quarterback position for the Aggies. Both Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray have transferred out of Texas A&M in the past two weeks.
4. Malachi Dupre (LSU) – The Sophomore possesses optimal size, 6'3”, 195 pounds, and makes huge plays in the air. Dupre is tall and a tremendous leaper. He will grow into a redzone threat. Dupre is not relied upon as much as he could be due to his team having Leonard Fournette lined up in the backfield. Those who just look at box scores will be disappointed in Dupre. He has performed well when targeted in the passing game. Middling play from quarterback Brandon Harris has further limited Dupre's production as well. The Tigers also have the talented Travin Dural at receiver. Dupre is a Louisiana product who stayed home to play for LSU even though he was highly recruited. As teams load up to stop the run, we expect Dupre's role to increase next year as a Junior, and the targets to follow. In 2015, Dupre has caught 39 passes for 602 yards and six scores. While the TD-to-reception percentage seems high, they were even higher a year ago as Dupre caught five touchdowns out of 14 receptions in 2014. His athleticism allows for big plays.
3. Corey Coleman (Baylor) – The redshirt Junior is putting up huge numbers this season. Many wondered whether his Sophomore season numbers (1,119 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) were a fluke. Well, that is settled now as Coleman caught 74 passes 1,363 yards, and a whopping 20 touchdowns in Baylor's 12 games. He is very fast, but lacks the prototypical size NFL teams desire. Coleman stands 5'11”, 190 pounds and will need to show that he can be more than a speed receiver. The Baylor offense has produced several NFL receivers and Coleman is expected to be selected high in the 2016 NFL Draft. Coleman was honored as an All-American and won the Biletnikoff Award so it was sad to see that he will miss the bowl game with a sports hernia.
2. JuJu Smith-Schuster (USC) – The youngster has been impressive this season. He has emerged onto the national scene. In 13 games, Smith-Schuster caught 85 passes for 1,389 yards and ten touchdowns. He has put up big numbers almost every week, even as the focal point of opposing defenses. The Sophomore just turned 19 years of age on November 22. Think about that for a moment. At the beginning of the season, he was still just 18 years old. In addition, if Smith-Schuster leaves when eligible after the 2016 campaign, he will only be 20 years old. Smith-Schuster has good size, 6'2”, 200 pounds, and runs great routes. He is able to get open with ease. This is one prospect who will continue to get better and better.
1. Laquon Treadwell (Mississippi) – Treadwell is still extremely young, just turning 20 years of age this past June. He burst onto the national scene while catching 72 passes as a Freshman in 2013. As a Junior, Treadwell 76 passes for 1,082 yards, and eight scores through twelve games. He is a physical specimen who uses his imposing size (6'3”, 215 pounds) to out-muscle defenders. Many compare Treadwell's game to that of Alshon Jeffery. In addition, he runs solid routes. The one concern is whether Treadwell has the speed to be a top NFL receiver. But, we have faith in his physical ability to dominate defensive backs. Treadwell is a very good run blocker.
Josh Doctson (Texas Christian) – Doctson started his collegiate career at Wyoming before transferring to Texas Christian. This was a great move for his pro prospects. Doctson is a red-zone star with the ability to go up and get high passes on fade routes. He uses his height (6'4”) and jump over smaller defensive backs. Doctson will shine at the NFL Combine with his explosive ability, but will need to add weight to his 190-pound frame. As a Senior, Doctson reeled in 78 passes for 1,326 yards and 14 touchdown grabs. We are very interested in knowing which team will draft Doctson. His fantasy outlook would be sublime in either New Orleans or New England due to his after-the-catch ability.
Corey Davis (Western Michigan) – Davis is the younger brother of Titus Davis, who starred at Central Michigan before playing a little in the NFL. Even as a Junior, Corey Davis is still very young (20 years of age) but a mature route-runner who understands how to give his quarterback space to throw the ball. Davis uses his big frame (6'2”, 205 pounds) to shield defenders away from the ball. The two questions Davis must answer are: Is he fast and explosive enough to create separate? and were the outstanding college numbers due to playing against inferior competition? We expect Davis to positively answer both questions as a professional. He put up spectacular numbers in 2014 and 2015. As a Sophomore last season, Davis caught 78 passes for 1,408 yards and a whopping 15 touchdowns. He followed that up with 81 receptions for 1,246 yards and 11 touchdowns. That is a great two-season stretch for Davis. We expect him to declare for the NFL Draft after the season.
Deon Cain (Clemson) – Many people who follow and write about college recruiting had Cain as one of the top players in the entire class. The former high school quarterback has been clocked at 4.44 40-yard dash. For Clemson, Cain emerged to fill the void left by Mike Williams was lost for the season after suffering a broken neck. Cain is a physically impressive player (6'1”, 210 pounds), with great speed, and is still learning how to become a star at the receiver position. The top-ranked Clemson Tigers will need Cain's play-making ability in the playoffs. He is wide receiver star who is building buzz nationally.
Calvin Ridley (Alabama) – Ridley has enjoyed an impressive Freshman season. The 6'0”, 180-pound Freshman has taken over the WR1 duties for the Crimson Tide. We expect Ridley to continue to add bulk to his slight frame. He is a dangerous receiver down the field and with the ball in his hands. But, Ridley has impressed most with his ability to win contested passes. He has an impressive ability to high-point the ball and aggressively attack it. This is a trait which will translate well in the NFL. For those who track the age of the incoming rookies, Ridley is one year older than most of the other Freshman receivers, and two years older than one or two top pass catchers in the draft class. The age is a concern if looked at in the context that his ceiling might not be as high as an 18-year old incoming Freshman. He still is a great prospect nonetheless after catching 75 passes for 893 yards and five touchdowns, even in the run-oriented Alabama offense.
Michael Thomas (Ohio State) - Thomas is a solid, possession receiver who runs great routes. He is solidly built (6'3”, 205 pounds) and has good hands. Many in the scouting community love Thomas because he is so steady and can consistently gain separation. If just looking at the statistics – something we would not advise -it would appear Thomas is having a lesser year as a Junior than as a Sophomore. The reason is that Ohio State played 15 games a year ago and just 12 so far this season. Thomas was a great complement to the speedy Devin Smith in the championship season and may thrive in the NFL if used like Steve Johnson or Jeremy Maclin, a starter opposite a deep-threat receiver.
Artavis Scott (Clemson) – Like so many Clemson players, Scott's athleticism makes him fun to watch on film. The Sophomore has burst and play-making skills. With the injury to Mike Williams, Scott was relied upon more in the Clemson offense. Many will worry about his size, 5'11”, 185 pounds, but there are plenty of top receivers shorter than ideal. As a Freshman last season, Scott grabbed 76 balls for 965 yards and eight touchdowns. After the Williams injury during Scott's Sophomore season, he was used as a sure-handed possession receiver, Scott caught 84 passes for 805 yards and five touchdowns. Scott just celebrated his 21st birthday on December 12. He is still young and will continue to get better. Scott's professional landing spot may dictate his fantasy ceiling.
DeMarkus Lodge (Mississippi) – Lodge was a superstar in high school. He had just one reception this season as a true Freshman. The youngster has great size (6'2”, 184 pounds) and is a polished receiver. Lodge is great in the air and is very athletic. He is not as fast as many would hope, but has a bright future. Ole Miss has Laquon Treadwell and Quincy Adeboyejo (Lodge's high school teammate) locked in as starters. It might be 2016 before Lodge emerges onto the national scene.
Tyler Boyd (Pittsburgh) – After the suspension, Boyd will need to prove that his off-the-field problems are a thing of the past to the NFL front offices. For those that did not know, Boyd was arrested in June for Driving Under the Influence. He has a slight build (6'2”, 185 pounds) and will need to add weight before the NFL Combine. Those who look just at the college numbers will be disappointed in Boyd after his numbers plummeted this season. His yards per catch average dropped from 16.2 to 10.3. However, the Pittsburgh Panthers do not have talent at the quarterback position. This has impacted Boyd's numbers negatively. He earned first team All ACC honors a year ago as a wide receiver, and second team honors as a returner. The ability to contribute as a returner will help Boyd's draft stock.
Mike Williams (Clemson) – Williams would have been in the top five receivers on this list had he not had the very serious neck injury in week one. The 6'3”, 205 pound receiver is a budding superstar. The injury could lead him to stay in school another year. Williams will want to show that he is fully healed.
Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma) – Shepard is a polarizing prospect. He runs solid routes and has good hands. But, at just 5'10”, 191 pounds, we worry about Shepard's ability to make plays in the NFL like he does in the Big12. He had caught just 51 passes each of the past two seasons before exploding onto the devy radar as a Senior. In 2015, Shepard hauled in 79 passes for 1,201 yards and eleven touchdowns. He also excelled as a punt returner. For us, Shepard profiles as a NFL slot receiver who will need to flash speed at the NFL Combine in order to be selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
Leonte Carroo (Rutgers) – Carroo is as talented as most on this list. The 6'1”, 200 pound senior has consistently produced solid numbers even in a less-than-stellar offense. However, we need to remember that Carroo was suspended from the Rutgers football team after his arrest for assaulting an ex-girlfriend. After he was cleared of the charges, Carroo put up big statistics. He has been able to pick up 19.7 and 20.7 yards per reception the past two seasons. Still, we fully expect that many NFL teams will be leery of his character.
DaeSean Hamilton (Penn State) – Hamilton gets little publicity due to playing in a disappointing offense led by Christian Hackenberg. He redshirted the 2013 season after suffering a wrist injury. This was the year with Bill O'Brien coaching and Allen Robinson starring at the receiver position. So, in 2014, Hamilton burst onto the scene as the team's top pass catcher. The redshirt Freshman broke the Penn State Freshman record of receptions (11) and receiving yards (165) in his first collegiate game. Hamilton led the Big 10 conference in receptions in 2014. He did this with a struggling quarterback (Hackenberg) and as a Freshman. The strong initial season included 14 receptions against Ohio State. This stellar season earned him Freshman All American honors. Hamilton is 6'1”, 211 pounds and more athletic than many give him credit. The sluggish offense and inconsistent quarterback play of Hackenberg has taken its toll this year. Many will point to Hamilton's lack of elite size or speed as a reason to discount his future. But, let's remember that he caught 82 passes for 899 yards in his first collegiate season a year ago. If Hackenberg were playing better, we might be hearing about Hamilton more.
That will do it for the devy Wide Receiver rankings. Next week, we will look at the overall devy player rankings.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.
