Hello again Fantasy Devy Gamers! Each week I will bring you the latest updates, performances, and NFL buzz surrounding college players that should prove to be integral to their eventual NFL Draft Stock. I will utilize recent statistics, performance and film, and general “front office whispers” to compile the intel I share with you. My hope is to provide you with a leg up on your opponents. You will know which devy players to target in trades and/or in what range of draft picks (both NFL and fantasy drafts) you can expect these players to be selected.
This series is coming to you on a bi-weekly basis in 2021. The college football season has been more unique and surprising this year than it has been in a long time, with many new teams filling up spots in the top-20 national rankings. The parity is nice and also it makes for more excitement on a week-to-week basis. Additionally, that excitement carries over as new prospects emerge and stand out, grinding to earn an opportunity to play at the highest level. Now we take a look at some of these prospects who have seen their draft stocks altered over the previous few weeks.
TRENDING UP
Caleb Williams – QB – Oklahoma
True-Freshman QB Caleb Williams came on in relief of struggling teammate Spencer Rattler against Texas in Week 6 and led the Sooners to a thrilling come from behind victory. He has immediately become a fan favorite and has taken the Big12 by storm. Williams already entered Norman as the top QB recruit of his class but has already vaulted further up the ranks. He looks to be the next big thing at QB, with next-level arm talent and the ability to make plays on the ground and extend plays.
Since stepping in and relieving Rattler of his duties, Williams has thrown for 507 yards with six TDs and no INTs on 34-of-48 passing in less than two full games. He has added 13 carries for 154 rushing yards and two more TDs. Your writer already has four shares of Caleb Williams in moderate-to-deep devy leagues from this past offseason. Everyone is excited to see the growth of this new phenom.
Brian Robinson – RB – Alabama
The starting RB for the Crimson Tide has been tearing it up the past few weeks. He has benefited from increased opportunities since backfield mate Jase McClellin went down with a knee injury. Brian Robinson’s prospect path looks very similar to that of Trey Sermon, who was drafted in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers this year. They are also similar players in terms of size and strength, though Robinson appears to be a more accomplished receiver.
In his last three games, Robinson has rushed 79 times for 391 yards and six TDs. He has added nine receptions for 128 yards and an additional receiving TD. This production comes against some of the steepest competition in college football. If Robinson continues this strong showing the rest of the way, expect to see a one-year meteoric rise in draft stock this year as we saw with Sermon a season ago.
Bijan Robinson – RB – Texas
While Texas itself has been largely unimpressive as a team, Bijan Robinson has been the primary standout. Like Treyveyon Henderson in his current respective class, Robinson has shown to be the clear frontrunner at the RB position of the 2023 draft-eligible class. Robinson has excellent lateral ability and is already an accomplished receiver. Through seven games he has compiled 924 rushing yards and ten TDs on 146 carries for a 6.3 average per attempt. He also has 14 receptions for 207 yards and three TDs. He has put up his best numbers against the ranked opponents his team has faced. Look for this train to keep on rolling.
David Bell – WR – Purdue
David Bell has been a popular, highly ranked devy pick over the last two years. His 2021 season is shaping up as one that stamps him firmly into the elite tier of WR prospects that are draft-eligible in 2022. Bell has played in five games this season and already he has 38 receptions for 679 yards and four TDs. He stepped up this past week in his team’s upset of formerly #2 Iowa, bringing in 11 receptions for 240 yards and a TD.
To date, David Bell has flashed everything a coach wants to see out of a reliable number one WR. There are concerns about his speed, but he has been dominant against all of his opponents, displaying excellent hands, awareness, route-running, and play strength. Provided he remains healthy he should hear his name called as one of the first three receivers to come off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Isaiah Likely – TE – Coastal Carolina
Normally, Isaiah Likely would qualify as a “small school player to watch” like several of his teammates have over the past two years. However, Coastal Carolina is now a household name and a mainstay in the top-25 ranks. Despite their recent upset at the hands of Appalachian State, Likely has enjoyed a swift ride up the devy TE rankings this season. Likely has always been a consistent producer for his team, but this year he has taken it to the next level.
Through seven games, Likely has compiled 29 receptions for 545 yards and eight TDs in a run-heavy attack. While he is undersized for the next level, he is surprisingly athletic given the way his physique looks and he does have room to add some mass. Likely should expect to hear his name called on day three of the NFL Draft this April as long as he continues his current rate of production and shows alright at the Senior Bowl.
Jordan Davis – DT – Georgia
Jordan Davis has been a steady cog in the Bulldog defense for several seasons. In just six games this year, he has already matched the statistics of each of his previous seasons. Davis has always been an elite run stopper but has shown improved pass-rush ability in 2021. Think Vince Wilfork, but bigger. Davis possesses rare athleticism for his behemoth, 6’6” 340 lbs size. The scary thing is that his technique and pad level can still be improved.
Tre Williams – EDGE – Arkansas
The transfer from Missouri is making the most of his final season. Williams has developed out of nowhere to become one of the premier pass-rushers in the nation. Just a three-star athlete out of Missouri, Williams has never been a household name. Now, he is flashing rare flexibility and athleticism that is helping him make plays against some of the best offensive line’s in the nation. Williams has already surpassed the statistics of any of his previous seasons. He currently sits with 17 tackles and four sacks in five games played.
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Williams is a player who will have a chance to further improve his stock at the senior bowl. If he keeps up his current level of production in the SEC, and stacks a nice draft-season resume, he could potentially become a day two pick in April.
TRENDING DOWN
D.J. Uiagalelei – QB – Clemson
D.J. Uiagalelei has seen his draft stock plummet to start the first half of his season. While Clemson’s offensive woes can also be attributed to poor offensive line play and an inability to separate by his receivers, ultimately the QB will always come under scrutiny. DJU has had serious flaws of his own, looking robotic at times and reluctant to anticipate throws or make off-schedule plays.
DJU has thrown for a 55.7% completion rate with just 974 yards and four TDs. He has also thrown three INTs. This is almost equal To the production he amassed last season with just two starts (though he did not throw an INT last season. While the raw tools and pedigree are there, DJU has to make serious strides in his remaining time with Clemson to regain his potential 1st round draft hype.
Kyren Williams – RB – Notre Dame
A player who was featured several times last season on Draft Stock Watch is Kyren Williams. Your author was quick to point out though that his production last season could be a product of Notre Dame’s offensive line, which was literally the best in the nation a year ago. This season has been a different story for the 5’9” 200 lbs sophomore.
Williams has 96 carries for 370 yards and four TDs in six games this season for a paltry 3.9 ypc. However, he has continued to show ability as a receiving option out of the backfield with 19 receptions for 200 yards and three additional TDs. Because he does not possess prototypical size for a lead back, Williams faces an uphill climb to capture that ever-important early-round draft capital. At this stage, his prowess as a receiver should see him drafted, but he has certainly fallen into the day three category.
Ty Fryfogle – WR – Indiana
The rare Indiana skill player garnering attention in devy circles appears to have been short-lived. Ty Fryfogle was a player who gained hype as a prospect in the middle of last season as he was dominant against Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, accounting for 25 catches, 560 yards, and six TDs in those games alone. His size of 6’2” 205 lbs also contributed to some draft pundits assigning him value. However, this year has been a different story.
This season, Fryfogle already has six drops and has caught 33 passes for just 337 and one TD through six games. He had an opportunity to silence his critics in a matchup against Cincinnati and he underwhelmed with just a single reception. Fryfogle will have to regain his midseason magic of 2020 to close this season if the senior hopes to hear his name called in April.
Jalen Wydermyer – TE – Texas A&M
A player who has been near the top of devy rankings that your writer has never gotten excited about is Jalen Wydermyer. Wydermyer is a large-bodied TE who is an effective route runner and is able to win contested catches using his size and strength. However, to date, he has never really enjoyed a breakout season, as his career-best of 506 yards last year on 46 receptions and six TDs leaves more to be desired.
This year his pace of production has actually regressed, as he has compiled just 21 catches for 278 yards and two TDs in seven games. He has never exceeded 73 yards in a game this season. He does not possess good separation speed, which for your author, is necessary for a TE to have success at the next level against faster LBs and DBs. Wydermyer has seen his draft stock drop this season and needs to step up and make some more plays for his team in order to retain day two draft capital.
Demarvion Overshown – LB – Texas
Damarvion Overshown is an LB that has garnered a lot of as a collegiate player but has obvious concerns as a prospect for the next level. He has the body of an NFL strong safety but may not have the requisite athleticism needed to effectively switch positions. While his length is impressive, at just 223 lbs he struggles to get off blocks and to make plays in the defensive interior on routine dive and trap plays. Many of the tackles he does make are well beyond the line of scrimmage and go for a nice gain for the opposing team. With an obvious position-switch looming, Overshown looks to be a day three prospect at best in April.
SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH
Dai’Jean Dixon – WR – Nicholls State
A player who possesses NFL size and immense production for an outside receiver is Dai’Jean Dixon. Dixon has been carving up secondaries at the FCS level for three seasons now. A jump-ball specialist with outstanding physical attributes, Dixon has the potential to be a starting WR at the next level.
Dixon has 51 receptions for 747 yards and six TDs in six games this season. He is afforded many opportunities, as his team’s defense is poor and the Colonels find themselves in a shootout each week. As we have learned in previous years, how well Dixon runs the 40 will have a significant effect on when he is drafted, but the tools are there for an NFL team to take and develop.
PREVIOUS WEEKS’ DRAFT STOCK WATCH
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