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. During each week of the season, we will look at a different set of devy rankings.
Two weeks ago, we began to look at the potential 2017 NFL Draft class, beginning with the quarterbacks. This week, we are examining the wide receivers who are eligible for the NFL Draft.
As we survey devy prospects, we will be looking at traits, abilities, and skill sets that will translate to the NFL. So, let’s get started on backs who might be selected high in the 2017 NFL Draft.
10. Malachi Dupre (LSU) – The Junior possesses optimal size (6'3”, 195 pounds) and makes huge plays in the air. Dupre is tall and a tremendous leaper. Draft maven Todd McShay wrote in August that LSU junior Dupre "fearless working the middle of the field and shows excellent focus in traffic." He will grow into a red-zone threat over time. 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. Dupre is the player who has moved down the rankings this season. But, the quarterback change has us hopeful. He has performed well when targeted in the passing game. Middling play from quarterback Brandon Harris has further limited Dupre's production.
9. Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington) – Kupp is the player on this list that few fans have followed. But, the redshirt Senior is putting up monster numbers. Against Washington State, earlier this season, the 6’2”, 215-pounder caught 12 passes for 246 yards and three scores. That was quite the game. Dane Brugler wrote about a conversation he had with a scout. The scout said, "First time I watched his tape, I saw Brian Hartline … Then I watched some more and thought, no, this kid is a stronger, more aggressive version. Good size. Athletic. Savvy. Hell of a kid too." Brugler went on to say that Kupp "relies and trusts his technique, displaying a heightened sense of awareness at the catch point to attack the ball and quickly assess his surroundings without gearing down." Keep an eye on Kupp as the season progresses. Those that follow the ages of prospects will not like him given that Kupp will turn 24 years of age before his first NFL snap.
8. Travis Rudolph (Florida State) – The Junior is best known for befriending an Autistic boy in the school cafeteria but Rudolph is a solid player as well. Rudolph had a very good Sophomore season with 916 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. The 6’1”, 189-pound receiver topped off the season with a monster Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl performance, catching 7 passes for 201 yards. This was the first time a Seminole receiver topped 200 yards and the school has produced many NFL pass catchers. Only middling quarterback play has slowed the athletic receiver this season.
7. Isaiah Ford (Virginia Tech) – Ford is a great perimeter receiver even with his slight frame and less-than-elite speed. At 6’1”, 175 pounds, the Junior will need to add weight before the NFL Combine, if he decides to come out after this season. Dane Brugler has been positive on Ford’s upside as a professional. He said, (Ford’s) "short-area quickness, field vision and production have attracted NFL attention." The NFL Draft analyst went on to say, “"He isn't a 4.3 track athlete, but is able to use deliberate pauses and body fakes to get behind the secondary … Ford does an excellent job tracking the deep ball and stays focused through the catch to secure contested balls." The Hokie receiver is much better in space than amid traffic.
6. Artavis Scott (Clemson) – The Clemson offense spreads the ball around enough that the pass catchers do not put up big numbers on a weekly basis. The Tigers have two players on this list and have many solid options in the passing game. The Junior looks like an NFL slot receiver and could be a solid fantasy option due to his yards after the catch ability. Scott’s size (5’11, 190 pounds) will be misinterpreted by many. He is short but now small. Scott is a stout receiver and is strong with the ball in his hands.
5. James Washington (Oklahoma State) – The 6’0”, 205-pound Junior emerged in a huge way last season. Even with the likes of Corey Coleman, Josh Doctson, and Sterling Shepard playing in the conference, Washington led the in Big 12 receiving yards per game and touchdowns. Even though there are many receivers who possess more straight-line speed, Washington always finds a way to get open deep. Still just 20 years of age, Washington has plenty of room to develop his craft. This is why we are very high on the receiver few know outside of the Big 12 region. Draft analyst Tony Pauline recently reported that his sources believe Washington will turn professional after the season if he continues to put up big numbers. Against Pittsburgh two weeks ago, the Oklahoma State star caught 9 passes for 296 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Referring to the big performance, Pauline said, "The junior was dominant and could not be stopped from the get-go … He made several difficult catches with defenders draped on him, displayed better than advertised speed and generally looked like an overall receiver stud."
4. Courtland Sutton (Southern Methodist) – Sutton was only a three-star player (Rivals) coming out of Brenham, TX, but he has shown how that was a mistake. As a redshirt Freshman, Sutton broke Emmanuel Sanders Freshman record for receiving yards (862) and tied the NFL veteran with nine touchdowns as a Freshman. This strong season earned Sutton a spot on the USA Today All-Freshman team. He is a mountain of a receiver, (6’4”, 215 pounds) and uses his size well. SMU uses the tall receiver in the red-zone, but he is much more than a one-dimensional threat. As if Sutton’s athleticism was not chronicled enough, he played basketball for the Mustangs after last year’s football season was finished. Sutton is eligible to turn professional at the season. He is a sleeper to pass most on this list and be the third receiver taken in the 2017 NFL Draft.
3. Corey Davis (Western Michigan) – Davis is still young (turning 21 years of age this past January) even though he decided to stay in school another season. He is 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 keep defenders away from the ball. The two questions Davis must answer are: Is he fast and explosive enough to create separation at the professional level and were the outstanding college numbers due to playing against inferior competition? We are unsure at this time whether the answer is “yes” to both questions. This is why we rarely see him ranked in the first round of 2017 mock NFL Drafts. Coming into the season, Pro Football Focus’s Steve Palazzolo had Davis as his top draft-eligible receiver. Palazzolo said, "Davis combines nifty route running with good body control and after-the-catch ability … He projects as a strong intermediate threat, capable of separating on dig and comeback routes while sneaking behind the defense at times more due to his route running than his speed." He went on to say, "Davis is not a blazer, so if he can show an uptick in speed his senior year, that will be a bonus … While he has plenty of highlight-reel downfield catches on tape, making those contested catches more consistently while showing more strength at the top of his routes are two things that can improve his already-polished game." While we are not as high on Davis as Palazzolo but still like him as a potential second-round pick.
2. Mike Williams (Clemson) – After showing that he is back to full health, the dominant Williams jumped back to the top four players on this list. This is no small feat after the very serious neck injury. The 6'3”, 205-pound receiver is a budding superstar. Neck injuries for wide receivers are to be taken seriously so we will be watching him closely this season. Having possibly the best quarterback in the nation throwing the ball helps, too. Clemson receivers coach Jeff Scott recently said that he believes senior Williams can be every bit as good as DeAndre Hopkins, Martavis Bryant and Sammy Watkins. That is some great company to be included.
1. JuJu Smith-Schuster (USC) – The Junior will turn 20 years of age on November 22. He will be a 20-year old rookie, with plenty of upside and maturity if the pass-catcher turns professional after the season. Smith-Schuster had a big season in 2015, catching 89 passes for 1454 and 10 touchdowns. The mess of an offense for the Trojans has led to a down year in 2016, but we are still believers. The monster game against Arizona State (7 catches for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns) gives a taste of what is to come. Smith-Schuster has good size, 6'2”, 200 pounds, and runs great routes. He is able to get open with ease.
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