Since this is the first edition of our developmental player rankings, we will discuss the most important qualities to look for when deciding which developmental ("devy") players to draft before jumping into the rankings and player writeups. Having set criteria makes the near-impossible task of ranking players with a diverse range of experience and competing against a wide range of competition (both on-field opposition and against teammates for playing time) more manageable.
The goal is to provide as much context and information as possible and then allow you to adjust the rankings to make them your own based upon how the players pass the "eye-test" for you when you watch them. To that end, we have provided a link to a highlight video of each player in the Top 100 so you can take a look make your own judgments.
Context and Criteria for Developmental Rankings
1. Production- On one hand, production is pretty simple to judge: We want guys who put up big numbers in college. When it comes time for the NFL draft, teams are ultimately going to look first at the players who put up big stats in college. For receivers, the number of touchdowns scored has had a high-correlation with going on to NFL success. We see this emphasis in looking at the top receivers in the 2015 NFL Draft: Corey Coleman scored 20 touchdowns through his first 8-games in 2015. Will Fuller going off the board as the second receiver was a surpise to many, but he scored 29 touchdowns over the 2014 and 2015 seasons against tough competition. Josh Doctson scored 25 touchdowns over his final two college season. Especially for prospects who have been in college for two or more seasons, we want to see big numbers before investing a high developmental draft pick. Productive big-school players such as Leonard Fournette, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Deshaun Watson are easy to rank highly.
2. Size and Speed- Production cannot be viewed completely in a vacuum however. Not every productive collegian has a skill-set that will translate well to the NFL. Determining which players are top pro prospects and which are just good college players can be one of the toughest aspects of the evaluation process. We've seen a number of players post eye-popping stats (especially at non-Power 5 schools) and fail to make an impact at the next level. On the other hand, we often see players with excellent measurables (Kenyan Drake or Martavis Bryant for example) go much higher than expected. We will be on the lookout for physical "freaks" even if they have yet to produce big numbers at the college level. Thus, players like Auden Tate and Torrance Gibson rank highly despite minimal college production.
3. Big-School Bias- There may seem to be a bit of a big-school bias in these rankings. However, the NFL decision-makers have shown year-after-year that they prefer players who have proven themselves against power-conference opponents. For example, the 2016 NFL draft saw only two prospects from non-Power 5 conferences drafted before Day 3 (Quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch). Players such as Tajae Sharpe (140th overall) and Rashard Higgins (172nd overall) were overrated as developmental prospects due to their domination of weak competition. Going back to the 2011 draft, over 80% of the skill-position players drafted in the first three rounds have been from Power 5 Conferences (SEC, ACC, B1G, Pac12, Big12). There is danger in overdrafting players like Corey Davis from Western Michigan or Kareem Hunt from Toledo on the strength of big numbers against MAC competition. When in doubt, err on the side of favoring big-school players.
4. Pedigree and Depth Chart Status- For younger players, often times all we have to go on are recruiting rankings and prep scouting reports. We cannot completely ignore the incoming freshman, redshirt freshmen and other talented young prospects simply because they have not yet produced on the field. They key is to try to combine the player's recruiting rankings with campus reports as quickly as possible. For example, some early enrollees like Austin Mack and Collin Johnson have generated spring buzz and exceeded the recruiting hype early in their careers. They will rank more highly than similar players who have yet to set foot on campus and confirm their status as top prospects. In addition, merely being in line to win a starting job at NFL factories like Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia is enough to peak developmental draft interest. Bo Scarbrough and Mike Weber are expected to start at running back in the fall for Alabama and Ohio State respectively. Recent history indicates they will have a great chance at being drafted highly in the future.
5. Character- Inexperienced devy dynasty players will often ignore character, but once you've seen a few of your high draft choices drastically underperform your expectations due to off-field issues and/or lack of work-ethic issues, it quickly becomes an integral part of the evaluation process. It can be difficult to get any solid info on many players, but for those with arrest records, suspensions, failed drug tests and other similar issues, it has to be taken into account as a negative in your rankings. Auburn wide receiver Duke Williams was consistenly over-drafted last offseason by those who overlooked his many red-flags. On the flipside, if a player is consistently praised for his work-ethic, football, IQ, maturity and leadership, it makes sense to give him a small bump up the rankings. Andrew Luck, Jordan Matthews and Tyler Lockett are examples of players who had a sterling reputation in these areas as collegians. A player like Jehu Chesson of Michigan is ranked more highly due to his well-regarded work-ethic and intelligence.
6. The Eye Test- The most fun aspect of participating in devy dynasty leagues is scouting players on your own. The "eye test" is going to yield different results depending upon the individual and is a great test of your ability to spot talent. Doing your own scouting of college players and forming your own opinion on their skill and NFL potential is a great challenge and perhaps as close as you can get to feeling like an NFL GM when playing fantasy football. Beauty can very much be in the eye of the beholder; for as many players below as possible, a link has been included to a highlight video. Try to form your own opinion on players when you are watching on Saturdays or based upon the bevy of online videos now available for most top prospects.
The Top 100 Developmental Prospects
Note: The rankings assume PPR scoring and start one quarterback format.
1. Leonard Fournette RB LSU (Jr.)- Fournette checks every box and checks in as elite in each of the five factors listed above. He was the nation's top recruit and made an immediate impact as a true freshman. His sophomore year production was insane with 1,953 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. He also added 253 receiving yards and another touchdown through the air. The numbers are especially impressive given the level of competition faced and the Tigers' lack of a passing game to keep defenses from stacking the box. At 6'1, 230 and boasting a reported 40-time of 4.35, Fournette is an extraordinary physical specimen. He has a great work-ethic and no hint of any character concerns. He should be a top-10 pick next spring despite the devaulation of the running back position.
NFL Comp: Adrian Peterson
2. Nick Chubb RB Georgia (Jr.)- Chubb burst onto the scene as a true freshman after Todd Gurley went down with a knee injury. The Bulldogs saw no dropoff in production at the position, which indicates just how special a prospect Chubb is. Chubb looked even better as a sophomore, averaging 8.1 yards per carry before going down with an ACL injury midway through the season. His 7.4 career yards per carry ranks 7th all-time and 2nd best in SEC history. By all accounts, Chubb seems to be well ahead of schedule in his recovery and suffering no ill effects from the knee injury that ended his sophomore campaign. At 5'10, 220 pounds with a massive lower-body, Chubb has an ideal build to become an every-down back at the next level. He is primed to have a monster junior season and should join Fournette in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.
NFL Comp: Jamal Lewis
3. Saquon Barkley RB Penn St. (So.)- Barkley emerged early in his true freshman season as the best player on the Penn State offense. He notched 1,237 yards rushing and eight touchdowns in just 11 games. The 5'11, 222 pound back shows excellent power, surprising wiggle and nice hands. He's also gaining a reputation as a weight room beast and reportedly ran an incredible 4.38 forty this spring. Barkley has also quickly earned a reputation as a team leader with an outstanding work ethic. He is the early favorite to be the top back drafted in 2018.
NFL Comp: Doug Martin
4. Mike Williams WR Clemson (Sr.)- Williams looked to be working his way towards the first-round of the 2016 NFL draft before a scary neck injury in Week 1 sidelined him for the remainder of the 2015 season and forced him to return to Clemson for another year. He has returned to practice this spring and doing ridiculous things like this. Williams' production prior to the injury was off the charts; his 1,030 yards in 2014 set the all-time Clemson record for a sophomore. While he is probably not going to run a blazing 40-time at the combine, Williams has still been a dangerous big-play threat (17.3 yards per reception for his career) and has prototype size at 6'4 220 pounds.
NFL Comp: Laquon Treadwell
Mike Williams Highlights
5. JuJu Smith-Schuster WR USC (Jr.)- Smith-Schuster was a highly-regarded S/WR recruit who made an immediate impact as a freshman before exploding for a huge 89-1,454-10 statline his sophomore season. Do we discount his production somewhat due to Robert Woods and Marqise Lee both putting up numbers in their sophomore seasons that were even more impressive? That's the million dollar question. Each player should be evaluated as an individual, but the long history of USC receviers not living up to early expectations is impossible to ignore. It seems wise to at least keep in mind that Woods and Lee also rose up to the rank of consensus #1 devy receiver at the same point in their careers after dominating in the USC offense. Smith-Schuster does have ideal size, solid functional speed and nice run-after-the-catch ability and looks like a future first-round pick.
NFL Comp: Dez Bryant
JuJu Smith-Schuster Highlights
6. Dalvin Cook RB Florida St. (Jr.)- Cook was a highly-rated recruit, but still exceeded expectations as a true freshman rushing for over 1,000 yards. His immediate impact is even more impressive when you consider he beat out Senior back Karlos Williams and ran behind a patchwork offensive line. Cook was even more impressive as a sophomore rushing for a ridiculous 7.4 yards per carry, 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns. He did all this while less than 100% physically for much of the season. Cook has a solid size/speed combo clocking a hand-timed 4.46 in high school and weighing in at just over 200 pounds. He is not the physical prototype that Fournette, Chubb and Barkley are however. Cook recently had shoulder surgery but should be ready for the regular season. It is worth noting and taking into account that Cook has had multiple off-field incidents that call into question his character.
NFL Comp: Lamar Miller
7. Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford (Jr.) Nobody can match McCaffrey for productivity; his 3,864 all-purpose yards as a sophomore broke Barry Sanders' all-time record. Perhaps that comes with a slight discount because Stanford's offensive system and huge offensive line has allowed some mediocre backs to put up big numbers in recent years, but the sheer number of big plays McCaffrey was able to generate cannot be ignored. He plays fast and has been laser-timed at 4.50 in the forty. He also has elite quickness and change-of-direction and may spend some time in the slot at the next level. While McCaffrey is undersized (5'11, 200 pounds) and probably not built to be an every-down back in the NFL, he could put up big fantasy numbers in PPR leagues because he has 80-reception upside should he land in the right offense.
NFL Comp: Giovani Bernard
Christian McCaffrey Highlights
8. Calvin Ridley WR Alabama (Fr.) Ridley burst onto the scene as a true freshman at Alabama and produced in a major way. He caught 89 passes for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns. His freshman numbers compare favorably to Amari Cooper's freshman numbers (59-1,000-11). While Ridley is not quite as heavy as Cooper, he still has decent size at 6'1 188 pounds. Ridley reportedly ran a 4.35 forty during spring camp. His combination of size, speed, run-after-the-catch skills and leaping ability make him a top prospect for the 2018 draft. Cooper's best performance probably came against Florida when he pulled down eight catches for 102 yards despite being shadowed by Vernon Hargreaves III. The one negative is that Ridley was a 20-year old freshman (Ridely is just five months younger than Cooper despite being three classes behind him) that turned 21-years old before the bowl season. Thus, he is probably closer to reaching his ceiling than Cooper was as a freshmen. In fact, Ridley is so old for his class that he was ineligible to compete for most of his senior year of high school due to being older than the state of Florida high school rules allowed.
NFL Comp: Amari Cooper
9. James Washington WR Oklahoma St. (Jr.) Washington was not a high profile recruit, but it became clear early on that the Cowboys got a steal in James Washington. He emerged as a dangerous big-play threat averaging over 20 yards-per-catch and scored ten times in a breakout sophomore campaign. Washington is a freak athlete who ran a 21.4 200-yard dash, long-jumped 23 feet and put on impressive dunking displays in high school.
NFL Comp: Josh Doctson
10. Deshaun Watson QB Clemson (Jr.) Watson has a great shot to be the top overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. While the position has been devalued in fantasy football, Watson's rushing ability gives him elite fantasy upside and should make him worth a first-round rookie pick in dynasty drafts even in one-quarterback leagues. He is a more natural runner than Marcus Mariota and Robert Griffin III III. In Superflex leagues, Watson has a strong case for top overall devy prospect. Watson has good size, an above-average arm and plus accuracy as well. If looking for a slight negative on Watson, he isn't as thickly built as guys like Cam Newton and Russell Wilson so he could be more susceptible to injury if he runs too much at the next level.
NFL Comp: Cam Newton
11. K.D. Cannon WR Baylor (Jr.) With Corey Coleman and Jay Lee off to the NFL, Cannon is poised to get a major bump in targets and should ride a big junior season into the top three rounds of the 2017 NFL draft. Unlike most of Baylor's previous receivers, Cannon was a blue-chip recruit who ranked in the top-50 nationally of every major recruiting ranking. He justified the hype with over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns as a true freshman. Cannon boasts legit sub-4.40 speed and once ran a 10.37 100m dash. His draft stock will be heavily impacted by how former teammate Corey Coleman fares as a rookie in Cleveland.
NFL Comp: Corey Coleman
12. Courtland Sutton WR SMU (RS So.) Sutton is a tall, big-bodied receiver who shows a real knack for winning in contested situations. He put up a solid 49-892-9 line in his redshirt freshman season to lead the team. He is a tough evaluation because he only has one season of production (against mostly terrible defenses), his 40-time is unknown and his coach (Chad Morris) has had other receivers put up even bigger numbers without being able to translate to the next level. On the other hand, he passes the eye-test with flying colors and his size and ball skills alone should make him at least a mid-round prospect NFL level even if he runs poorly.
NFL Comp: Kelvin Benjamin
13. Samaje Perine RB Oklahoma (Jr.) Perine is a battering ram (at a compact 240 pounds with massive legs) and has been incredibly productive his first two years in Norman. He has already rushed for over 3,000 yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. He is also a weight room warrior with impressive measurables and a 40-time in the mid-4.5 range. Perine has had some issues with his knees and ankles throughout his career and longevity could be a concern.
NFL Comp: Maurice Jones-Drew
14. Ronald Jones II RB USC (So.) Jones earned a big role in the Trojans backfield and led the team with 987 yards on 153 carries (6.5 YPC). He was the first freshman to lead the team in rushing yards since LenDale White. He also broke Charles White's 39-year old school record for most rushing yards by a freshman. At 6'0 and just 190 pounds, Jones has less than ideal size and bulk for the position. However, he shows surprising power and consistently runs through arm tackles. He also reportedly ran a 4.41 forty in high school and is often cited as the fastest player on the team at USC. The speed translates very well with pads on and Jones is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball. Pass protection is still a major work in progress but he has been praised for his effort this spring and should be poised to become a more complete player as a 19-year old sophomore.
NFL Comp: Jamaal Charles
15. Derrius Guice RB LSU (So.) One of the top running back recruits in the country, Guice lived up to the hype as a true freshman. While he received limited carries (51) backing up star Leonard Fournette, he averaged a ridiculous 8.5 yards per carry and made a number of highlight-reel runs. Guice isn't a speed demon (high school 40 time of 4.61), he was able to break off some long gains against good competition in the SEC and plays fast. At a sturdy 5'11, 224 pounds he is built to be a workhorse back and should get his opportunity in 2017 when Fournette is off to the NFL. Expect Guice to follow the same three-and-done path to the league.
NFL Comp: Jeremy Hill
16. Christian Kirk WR Texas A&M (So.) Kirk was one of the nation's highest-ranked skill players and exceeded lofty expectations as a true freshman. He led the Aggies with 80 catches for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. Kirk also led the nation in yards per punt return (24.4) and scored a pair of return touchdowns. He clocked a 4.47 at The Opening in high school and shows elite acceleration. He is shorter than ideal but is a solidly built 200-pounds.
NFL Comp: Randall Cobb
17. Jake Butt TE Michigan (Sr.)- Tight End can be a forgotten position in many devy leagues, but the 2017 draft class looks like it could boast the best group of talent at the position since the 2010 draft and is worth paying attention to. Butt looks to be the best of a deep class. The 6'6, 250 pounder caught 51 passes for 654 yards as a junior. He is a big target that catches everything and looks to be an above-average athlete at the position. He blocks just well enough that he should be able to stay on the field most of the game and projects as a solid 2nd-round NFL prospect.
NFL Comp: Zach Ertz
18. Royce Freeman RB Oregon (Jr.) Freeman is a powerfully built 5'11 227 pounds. He runs with good power and has solid hands (42 receptions in two seasons). He has just average speed (reportedly runs in the 4.5s). While Oregon's system is definitely RB-friendly, Freeman's 2,186 rushing/receiving yards and 19 touchdowns last season were still incredibly impressive. Freeman looks like the best NFL prospect at running back for the Ducks since Jonathan Stewart.
NFL Comp: Mark Ingram
19. Wayne Gallman RB Clemson (Jr.) Gallman is not built as thickly as most successful running backs at 6'1 215 pounds, but he still runs with plenty of power. He has 42 career receptions in two seasons and does well in the passing game. Gallman broke out as a sophomore; he played the role of workhorse back for the national runners-up with 1,740 total yards and 14 touchdowns. Gallman ran slowly coming out of high school, but looks to have improved his speed in college. Speed remains somewhat of a concern in projecting him to the next level though and if Gallman can't break 4.60 at the combine, he probably projects best as a backup in the NFL.
NFL Comp: Javorius Allen
20. Deon Cain WR Clemson (So.) Cain flashed in a major way as a true freshman for Clemson, posting 582 yards and scoring five times (all in the final half of the regular season). His season ended on a down note as he was suspended from the College Football Playoffs due to failing a drug test. He was held out of spring practice as a punishment. The former blue-chip recruit has elite physical tools at 6'2 and reportedly boasting a 4.4 40-time. He also has impressive open-field moves. If he can get his off-field issues under control, the sky is the limit for Cain. Highlights
21. Elijah Hood RB North Carolina (Jr.) The well-built 6'0 220 pounder emerged as a legitimate NFL prospect during a big sophomore season with 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns. Hood has not had much success as a receiver (under 5.0 YPC for his career) and profiles as a two-down back in the NFL. Unlike some other bigger power backs we've seen in recent years however, Hood has legitimate speed (ran a 4.48 forty coming out of high school) and has been a big-play threat with an average of 6.7 YPC.
NFL Comp: Jonathan Stewart
22. Malachi Dupre WR LSU (Jr.) Dupre was a track and field star in high school (jumping events) but he's not a pure blazer with a reported 40-time in the high-4.5s. While a bit skinny, he has nice size at almost 6'3. He uses his height, long arms, basketball background and leaping ability to great advantage in winning jump balls. The former 5-star recruit put up just 698 receiving yards as a sophomore, but that led the team and he accounted for over 30% of the Tigers' production through the air. In a different offense, he may have put up huge numbers and like other recent LSU receivers could be better as a pro than his college numbers would indicate.
NFL Comp: Marvin Jones
23. Chris Godwin WR Penn State (Jr.) Godwin emerged as the Nittany Lions top receiver as a true sophomore. He combines good size, strength and ball skills with above average speed, testing as one of Penn State's fastest receivers. The 6'2 210 pound Godwin caught 69 balls for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns. He really came on down the stretch putting up over 100-receiving yards in five of the final seven games (including big games against Georgia, Ohio State and Michigan State). Highlights
24. Isaiah Ford WR Virginia Tech (Jr.) Ford is a long-armed but skinny 6'2, 190-pounder who is poised to shatter all of Virginia Tech's career receiving records. He led the ACC with 1,164 receiving yards last season. He has proven to be a big-play and red zone threat with 11 touchdowns in his big sophomore campaign. While Ford needs to continue to add strength, his productivity, length and ball skills point to a guy who should go in the top three rounds of the 2017 draft. Highlights
25. Corey Davis WR Western Michigan (Sr.) Davis has been insanely productive with over 1,400 yards and at least 12 touchdowns in both his sophomore and junior seasons (though he played against MAC competition). Davis reportedly would have been a mid-round pick had he left for the 2016 NFL draft, but instead decided to return to try to add weight and improve his standing for 2017. He's added ten pounds this spring to his 6'3 frame and looks like an NFL receiver physically. There are no solid reports regarding his ability to run the 40-yard dash, which likely means he's not going to be a sub-4.5 guy and speed may be a real concern for him when making the jump to the next level.
NFL Comp: Brandon LaFell
26. Evan Engram TE Ole Miss (Sr.) At just 6'3 230 pounds, Engram looks more like a receiver and projects as a move TE who will primarily line up unattached in the slot. Engram burst onto the scene as a sophomore when he averaged 17.4 yards per catch and led SEC tight ends with 662 receiving yards. While Engram caught the same number of passes as both a sophomore and junior (38), but his yardage total slipped quite a bit as he did notch nearly as many big plays. His decision to return for his senior year was a mild surprise. With Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core off to the NFL, Engram could have a bigger role in the offense and put together a big senior season.
NFL Comp: Jordan Reed
27. Josh Rosen QB UCLA (So.) The top recruit in the nation lived up to the hype as an 18-year old true freshman, passing for 3,669 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has a big arm and prototypical size. At 6'4, he played at 205 pounds as a true freshman but has added 15 pounds of muscle this offseason and plans to play at 230 pounds in the fall. Rosen is the early favorite to be the #1 overall draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Highlights
28. O.J. Howard TE Alabama (Sr.) After a monster performance in the national championship game (208 receiving yards and two touchdowns), most assumed Howard was headed into the 2016 NFL draft where he would have challenged Hunter Henry for the title of first tight end drafted. Instead, he surprised by returning for his senior season. The 6'6, 245 pound senior decided to come back in part due to a promise that he'd be more involved in the passing game. The two touchdowns against Clemson actually doubled Howard's career-total to just four and he had gone over two years without finding the end zone. Howard reportedly runs in the 4.5-range so it is a bit of a mystery why he has not been featured more heavily in Alabama's pass offense through his first three seasons. Highlights
29. Jalen Hurd RB Tennessee (Jr.) Hurd is a huge back at 6'3 235 pounds. While there are some tall tales about his timed speed, Hurd has been more of a grinder in college (averaging just 4.7 YPC in his career). His height and upright running style may work against him at the next level as he presents a big target to hit. Hurd does have 57 receptions in his two seasons and looks comfortable working as a receiver out of the backfield.
NFL Comp: Latavius Murray
30. Bo Scarbrough RB Alabama (RS So.) 6'2 230 and reportedly ran a 4.60 forty at the start of spring practice Scarbrough is built almost identically to Derrick Henry. Scarbrough has been the leading back for much of the spring in Tuscaloosa but will be challenged for playing time by highly touted true sophomore Damien Harris. While the two will likely form a committee, Scarbrough looks poised to lead the team in touches. The Crimson Tide's top runner has eventually gone on to be a first or second-round NFL draft pick every season for almost a decade; Scarbrough has a good chance to keep the incredible streak alive. Highlights
31. Allen Lazard WR Iowa State (Jr.) Lazard was a highly-ranked national recruit who surprised many when he chose to stay home in Iowa and attend Iowa State. He has lived up to high expectations and put up a solid 56-808-6 line in the Cyclones' run-heavy offense. Lazard's size (6'5, 224 pounds) makes him a highly intriguing NFL prospect. He did suffer a broken-hand in spring practice, but it's not considered a serious injury. Lazard has returned punts for the Cyclones, which considering his size shows just how special an athlete he is. Highlights
32. Auden Tate WR Florida State (So.) While Tate wasn't a top-ranked recruit and barely played as a true freshman, his elite physical profile (6'5 220-pounds and 4.5 speed) makes him an intriguing NFL prospect. Tate had a big spring (including over 100-yards receiving in the spring game) and is a prime breakout candidate for an FSU offense that badly needs a big receiver to emerge. The Kelvin Benjamin comparisons are obvious, but apt. Highlights
33. Artavis Scott WR Clemson (Jr.) Scott is a smaller slot specialist in the mold of Sterling Shepard. He was a highly regarded recruit who made an instant impact with a big freshman season (76-965-8). He was less dynamic as a sophomore (possibly due to some nagging injuries), but still led Clemson with 93 catches for 901 yards. He also made an impact as a return man. Scott could be a future fantasy factor in PPR leagues and is one of the top slot receivers in college football. Highlights
34. Sony Michel RB Georgia (Jr.)- Michel came into Georgia as a 5-star recruit but his lower-rated classmate Nick Chubb quickly stole the spotlight. While Michel is not on Chubb's level (career YPC of 5.5 vs. 7.4 for Chubb), he is a solid NFL prospect in his own right. He stepped in after Chubb went down and put up 1,406 total yards, 11 touchdowns and 26 receptions. He has decent size at 5'11, 210 and has a reported forty time in the 4.4 range, though he's probably not quite that fast. Highlights
35. Travin Dural WR LSU (RS Sr.) The redshirt senior began his career stuck behind elite talents like Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry, but stepped in as the Tigers leading receiver in 2014 with his best season to date (37-758-7). Dural is an intriguing prospect due to his big-play ability (he has averaged at least 19 YPC every season). The 6'2 203-pound speedster may have declared for the 2016 draft but a serious hamstring injury mid-way through the season contributed to his decision to return to Baton Rouge for his senior season. Highlights
36. Jeremy McNichols RB Boise State (Jr.) McNichols is a fun player to watch and he had an incredible sophomore season with 1,797 yards from scrimmage and 26 touchdowns. He caught 51 passes and is a standout receiver (and spent time his freshman year at wide receiver). Despite being just 5'9, 205 pounds, McNichols showed surprising effectiveness as an inside runner and a real nose for the end zone. He has big upside in PPR leagues. Highlights
37. Joe Mixon RB Oklahoma (RS So.) Mixon was one of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school but an incident in which he punched a woman nearly cost him his career at Oklahoma. Instead he was forced to redshirt and eventually welcomed back to the team in 2015. It is fair to wonder if this incident will make him toxic to NFL teams when it comes time for him to enter the draft. But for the character issues, Mixon would rank much higher. Mixon is 6'2, 211, boasts solid speed and gave the offense a real boost as a redshirt freshman. He rushed for 6.7 YPC and averaged 12.7 YPC on his 28 receptions and scoed 11 times. All this despite sharing the backfield with star runner Samaje Perine. Highlights
38. Bucky Hodges TE Virginia Tech (RS Jr.) Hodges is a freaky athlete in the mold of Ladarius Green. He reportedly ran a 4.46 forty early in his career at Virginia Tech. Even if you assume that's inflated by .15 or .20, he's still easily an NFL-caliber athlete at 6'6, 248 pounds. He has also had solid production in his two seasons in Blacksburg with 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns in 25 career games. Hodges is still raw however and his recent feedback from the NFL was that he would not have been drafted in the first two rounds had he entered the 2016 draft. Highlights
39. Austin Mack WR Ohio State (Fr.) Mack was ranked as one of the top receiver recruits in the country in the class of 2016 and the early enrollee has, by all accounts, exceeded expectations this spring. Mack has consistently run with Ohio State's first team offense in the spring ahead of more veteran players. He's a well-rounded receiver with sub-4.5 speed and is a well put-together 6'2, 205 pounds already. Highlights
40. Jordan Leggett TE Clemson (Sr.) Leggett had a reputation for laziness early in his career. But he finally put it all together last spring and had a breakout junior season in the fall. The 6'5, 255-pound former receiver led Clemson with eight touchdown catches and had 40 receptions for 525 yards. He should be one of the top tight ends in the country again in 2016 and at least a mid-round pick in the 2017 draft. Highlights
41. Jehu Chesson WR Michigan (RS Sr.) The 6'3 speedster experienced a breakout season in Jim Harbaugh's first season in Ann Arbor. He led the team with 50 catches, 764 yards and 9 touchdowns. Chesson is considered an extremely high character, hard-working player and has more physical talent than some might assume. He is regarded as the fastest player in the Michigan program and his combination of speed, size and production are likely to make him a valued commodity in the 2017 NFL draft. Chesson also dominated Vernon Hargreaves III in his last outing. Highlights
42. Robert Foster WR Alabama (RS Jr.) The former 5-star recruit won a starting job in 2015 but went down with a season-ending shoulder injury against Ole Miss in the fourth week of the season. While he is still working his way completely back from the shoulder injury (non-contact for spring practice), he has been performing well and is appears to have locked up a job as one of Alabama's top three receivers (along with Calvin Ridley and Ardarius Stewart). What makes Foster so intriguing from an NFL standpoint is that he still has the physcial traits that made him such a highly-regarded recruit. He was recently time at a team-fastest 4.34 in the forty-yard dash at Alabama's spring testing day. He also has decent size and strong run-after-the-catch skills. Highlights
43. Jordan Villamin WR Oregon State (RS Jr.) At 6'5 and 230 pounds, Villamin's one standout trait is his size. He has had just modest production (1,238 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his career), but much of that is due to the fact that the Beavers passing game was a mess in 2015 with only 10 passing touchdowns all season. He ran in the 4.8 range as a prep prospect and while he does play faster than that, his speed is a major concern in projecting him to the NFL. Highlights
44. Torrance Gibson WR Ohio State (RS Fr.) Gibson was a highly-rated quarterback recruit who began his fall camp with the signal-callers in 2015. However, he quickly switched to working with the wide receivers in hopes of getting on the field early. A nagging ankle injury and steep learning curve kept him off the field in his first year. There are signs of progress as he works toward his second season, including a multi-touchdowns performance in Ohio State's spring game. Gibson still has a long way to go in making the transition to receiver; he reportedly has not been aggressive enough in attacking contested balls. But if things do click, Gibson's upside is enormous. He's a silky-smooth, 6'4, 210-pound "freak athlete" that could be a first-round wide receiver in a couple years if he puts it all together. A true "boom or bust" devy pick. Highlights
45. Josh Reynolds WR Texas A&M (Sr.) A tall, lanky receiver in the mold of former-Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry, Reynolds has a knack for making big plays. He has solid production with 1,749 yards over the past two seasons. Despite standing 6'4 and possessing above-average speed, he may be more of a mid-round draft prospect due to his lack of bulk. Highlights
46. Trent Irwin WR Stanford (So.) Irwin was ranked as one of the nation's top receiver recruits despite lack of elite measurables (just a 4.60 forty) due to his great route-running and knack for coming down with contested catches. He also had the nation's best hands according to some scouts. While Irwin had just 12 receptions as a freshman. He has reportedly had a very strong spring and is poised to be one of Stanford's key offensive weapons over the next few seasons. Highlights
47. Brad Kaaya QB Miami (Jr.) Kaaya enters his junior season as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2017 NFL draft. His projections are all over the map in early mock drafts. At 6'4, 218 pounds Kaaya has ideal size and has shown above-average arm strength. His production has been solid as well, though he threw just 16 touchdown passes in 2015 after tossing 26 as a true freshman. Highlights
48. Deshone Kizer QB Notre Dame (RS So.) Kizer got a chance in 2015 when the starter went down with an injury and exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations. The 6'5, 220-pound 19-year old threw 21 touchdown passes and ran for 10 more. While Kizer did rush for over 500 yards, he is a pass-first pocket quarterback who showed surprising polish to his game. If he continues to develop over the next couple seasons, he has a shot at the first round of the NFL draft. Highlights
49. LJ Scott RB Michigan St. (So.) One of the nation's top running back recruits in the class of 2015 (#6 in 247 composite), Scott mostly lived up to the hype as a true freshman. He rushed for 699 yards and scored 11 touchdowns as a major part of a RBBC for the Spartans. While he earned some Le'Veon Bell comparisons from some in East Lansing, he was a non-factor in the passing game and will have to put in major work in that area to come close to living up to the Bell comparison. Still, going into his sophomore season, many expect a major breakout campaign for the bruising 6'2, 228 pound Scott. His 4th-down game-winner against Iowa was an amazing play. Highlights
50. Corey Clement RB Wisconsin (RS Jr.) The plan for Corey Clement was to ride a big junior season as Wisconsin's lead back into an early-round selection in the 2016 draft. Unfortunately, he was injured nearly the entire season with multiple injuries (including a sports hernia that required surgery) and only managed 50 carries. He returns for his senior season and should put up big numbers for Wisconsin. But after a number of Wisconsin backs have failed to translate their college success to the next level, it is very fair to question whether Clement is just a product of his offense. He does stand 5'11, 219 and flashes decent burst and power. Highlights
51. Josh Adams RB Notre Dame (So.) Adams was a lightly-recruited three-star prospect, but burst onto the scene at Notre Dame, but he made his presence felt immediately by breaking off some long runs early in the season. He went on to set the all-time Notre Dame freshman record with 835 yards (7.2 YPC). He is expected to lead a committee along with senior Tarean Folston. He is 6'2, 210 pounds and claims a 4.5 forty. Highlights
52. Mike Weber RB Ohio State (RS Fr.) Weber was poised to grab the #2 job behind Ezekiel Elliott as a true freshman, but an MCL injury during fall camp set him back and eventually led to a redshirt. Weber should win Ohio State's starting running back job in 2016 after a strong spring performance. He is a solid all-around runner who earned the nickname "Baby 'Los" because he reminded so many in the program of former Buckeye Carlos Hyde. Highlights
53. B.J. Emmons RB Alabama (Fr.) The big 6'0, 232-pound back out of North Carolina is one of the top incoming running back recruits in the nation. He reportedly has run a sub-4.5 forty and joins a crowded Alabama backfield that has been pumping out highly drafted backs at an unprecedented rate over the past decade. Highlights
54. Collin Johnson WR Texas (Fr.) The early enrollee has one of the more impressive physical profiles in the freshman class with a 6'6 frame, long arms and deep speed. He has already emerged as the #2 receiver in the Texas offense and is poised to start as a true freshman. Seemingly under-the-radar of most in the devy community, Johnson is definitely worth a pick in deeper leagues and could end up being one of the top freshmen in the country. Highlights
55. Miles Sanders RB Penn State (Fr.) Sanders is a 5'11, 200-pound incoming freshman from Pittsburgh expected to immediately step into the role of backup running back behind star sophomore Saquon Barkley. Sanders was ranked as the top 2016 running back in the 247Sports Composite rankings. He will have to add some weight in his three years in Happy Valley, but he has the type of well-rounded game that should transition well to the next level. Highlights
56. Travis Rudolph WR Florida St. (Jr.) The 6'1, 190-pound outside receiver is not particularly flashy, but he has been a solid producer from the minute he stepped on campus. In two seasons, he has grabbed 97 catches for 1,471 yards and 11 touchdowns. Rudolph will turn 22-years old early in his true junior season so perhaps his early production should not be surprising. He's a likely NFL player, but might not be drafted early due to a lack of any special traits. Highlights
57. Ricky Seals-Jones WR Texas A&M (Sr.) Seals-Jones was a 5-star recruit and has impressive size (6'5, 240), but the hype has never matched the production. In three seasons, he has just 97 catches for 1,109 yards and nine touchdowns (though his freshman year was cut short by injury). Seals-Jones is banking on having a breakout senior campaign, which could launch him to an NFL career given his obvious physical traits. Highlights
58. Antonio Callaway WR Florida (So.) Callaway was one of the more impressive freshmen receivers in the nation last year and would be ranked higher if his future was not so cloudy following a suspension that kept him out all spring. While no details have been announced, the suspension is rumored to involve an academic issue. Callaway led the Gators in receiving yards (678) and was named to the All-SEC Freshman team. Highlights
59. Darren Carrington Jr. WR Oregon (RS Jr.) Carrington has had a rocky career in Eugene. He was having a nice freshman season (704 yards in 10 game) before being suspended for the national championship game following a failed drug test. Off-field issues also kept him out of the first six games of the 2015 season. He responded with a big half season however, posting 32 catches for 609 yards and six touchdowns in just seven games. At 6'2, 195-pounds, Carrington lacks ideal bulk and the off-field issues will likely hurt his NFL stock, but he has been a big-play machine when on the field. He has a nice combination of speed and length. Highlights
60. Tyler Vaughns WR USC (Fr.) Vaughns is one of the top incoming freshman receivers in the nation and should make an immediate impact for the Trojans. He will need to add weight to his 6'2, 175-pound frame, but he has at least three years to bulk up. Highlights
61. Elijah Holyfield RB Georgia (FR) The son of boxer Evander Holyfield was one of the top running back recruits in the country in the class of 2016. He may have a tough time seeing the field as a freshman in a stacked Bulldogs backfield, but he could be the next big star at a program that has been pumping out NFL talent on a consistent basis at running back. He's 5'10, 208 pounds with a verified time of 4.60 in the 40-yard dash. Highlights
62. D'Onta Foreman RB Texas (Jr.) Foreman is a big 6'0, 238-pound back with speed in the 4.4 range. His production as a true sophomore (672 yards and 5 touchdowns) was modest, but his 7.1 YPC stands out. Foreman has impressed with a big spring and is poised for a potential breakout season paired with big Chris Warren in the Longhorns backfield. Highlights
63. Jacob Eason QB Georgia (Fr.) Eason is one of two elite true freshman quarterback prospects entering 2016. Like Shea Patterson, he too was an early-enrollee and had an impressive spring. In Georgia's spring game, Eason was the star with 244 passing yards and a touchdown. While he may not earn the starting nod Week 1, it is expected that Eason will take over the starting role at some point in the 2016 season. At 6'5, 205-pounds and possessing a huge arm, Eason is the prototype of what NFL teams are looking for in a franchise quarterback and he has a legitimate chance at being the #1 overall draft pick in a few years. Highlights
64. Mark Thompson RB Florida (Fr.) Thompson did one year at junior college before enrolling at Florida in time for spring practice. He is a freakish physical specimen at 6'2, 244 pounds that has earned early Derrick Henry comparisons. Thompson has generated plenty of buzz in the spring and looks poised to win the starting job in the fall over a pair of sophomores who were highly-ranked recruits in 2015. Highlights
65. Soso Jamabo RB UCLA (So.) Jamabo was the top 2015 running back recruit in the country according to scout.com. He had a relatively quiet freshman campaign with just 404 rushing yards in a reserve role behind Paul Perkins. However, he is the current favorite to win the starting job in 2016. The 6'3, 210 pound back is a talented receiver with above-average speed. Highlights
66. Myles Gaskin RB Washington (So.) The 5'9, 201-pounder quietly had one of the top seasons for a true freshman back in the country. He rushed for 1,302 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. ProFootball Focus ranked Gaskin as the second best back in the country over the final month of the 2015 season and he was named a freshman All-American. Highlights
67. Elijah McGuire RB Louisiana Lafayette (Sr.) The 5'11, 208-pound back flirted with declaring for the 2016 NFL draft, but decided to return for his senior season. He had a somewhat disappointing junior season as nagging injuries deprived him of his explosiveness. He will likely be a mid-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft and his well-rounded skill set could give him fantasy value if he lands in a good situation (similar to 4th rounder Kenneth Dixon). Highlights
68. Kareem Hunt RB Toledo (Sr.) Hunt would have had a shot at being a mid-round selection in the 2016 draft, but decided to return to school and look to improve his stock for next year. At 6'0 and 225 pounds, Hunt has nice size for the position. He has averaged 6.6 yards per carry in his career and scored 34 touchdowns (despite missing multiple games each of his three seasons). There have been a number of MAC-conference backs to pile up big numbers and attract devy attention in recent years, but none have made a fantasy impact. Hunt will be looking to break that trend. Highlights
69. Noah Brown WR Ohio State (RS So.) Brown was the breakout star of spring practice in 2015 and had locked up a starting jo, before breaking his leg in practice and missing the entire 2015 season. He is expected to make a full recovery and should be Ohio State's top receiver in the fall. He is built similarly to Michael Thomas and plays a similar game with strong hands and surprising run-after-the-catch ability. Brown actually showed up to Ohio State weighing more than 240 pounds and was slotted into a hybrid WR/TE role, but dropped down to under 220 pounds and was a completely different player. Highlights
70. Tyrie Cleveland WR Florida (Fr.) The 6'3, 190 pound speedster out of Houston is second-highest ranked receiver in the 2016 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He is expected to play a key role right out of the gates as a true freshman. Highlights
71. A.J. Brown WR Ole Miss (Fr.) Brown is ranked as one of the top-five wide receivers in the incoming freshmen class. At 6'2, 220-pounds, Brown is built similarly to Laquon Treadwell and will compete with a deep and talented group of receivers vying to replace the 2016 first-rounder. Highlights
72. Van Jefferson WR Ole Miss (RS Fr.) Ole Miss is loaded at receiver. With classmate Damarkus Lodge and a trio of talented incoming freshmen (not to mention returning starters Damore'ea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo) also vying for time, Jefferson will have to impress to see the field. The son of longtime-NFL receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, Van has an advanced understanding of the game. He was able to use his redshirt season to add ten pounds and is now up to 6'2, 181 pounds. He will have to continue to add muscle over the next few seasons, but he has NFL talent. Highlights
73. Kyle Davis WR Auburn (Fr.) A well-built 6'2, 211-pound incoming freshman, Davis should factor heavily into the equation for the Tigers in his first year on a depth chart that is in need of a major talent boost. Highlights
74. DeKaylin Metcalf WR Ole Miss (Fr.) Metcalf is one of three highly-regarded freshman receivers signed by the Rebels in 2016. While Metcalf isn't the highest-ranked of the trio, he has the best size at nearly 6'4 and 205 pounds. Highlights
75. Mack Hollins WR North Carolina (Sr.) Hollins is a big-play specialist who led the nation in yards per catch (24.8) with 745 yards and eight touchdowns on just 30 receptions. Hollins is a former walk-on and special teams captain. His special teams ability and size (6'3, 210 pounds) well help his draft stock. Both his background and his skill-set are reminiscent of Josh Doctson and it will be interesting to see if Hollins can put together a big senior seasons like Docston and improve his draft stock. Highlights
76. Demetris Robert
