Each week I will bring you the latest updates and NFL buzz surrounding college players that should prove to be integral to future fantasy success. 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. If you want to read last week’s article, click here.
The BIG10 conference officially joined in the fun this week, as we got to watch Indiana upset #8 Penn State on the final play, one of the craziest we’ve seen this season. There were many impressive performances, and a lot of youngsters stood out this past Saturday. Let’s take a look at the draft stock movement on some players after watching Saturday play out!
TRENDING UP
David Bell – WR – Purdue
No Rondale Moore? No problem! Purdue entered their opening game of the season without star WR Rondale Moore and somehow snatched an upset victory over well-respected BIG10 rival Iowa on Saturday. Sophomore WR David Bell was leaned on heavily and almost single-handedly defeated the Hawkeyes, scoring all of Purdue’s three TDs on the day. He finished with 13 receptions for 121 yards in addition to the scores.
David Bell proved last season that he could shoulder the load as the Boilermakers’ number one WR. This season he looks to show that he can be an NFL team’s number one WR, as he looks to continue to rise up draft boards. Bell is a large, strong athlete that showed improvement to his route running on Saturday. He reminds me of a young Marques Colston with more speed. If he continues to dominate the BIG10 this season and next, we can expect to see him drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, surpassing George Pickens as the top WR from his draft class. This would make him a first-round dynasty rookie draft pick as well.
Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby – RB – Auburn
True Freshman Tank Bigsby has thus far passed up his draft class peers at this point in the season, leading Auburn’s potent rushing attack. This past week, Bigsby again led his team in rushing to the tune of 24 carries for 129 yards and 2 TDs. While he did not catch any passes this weekend, he has already displayed solid ability as a receiver this season, catching 11 passes through 4 games prior to Saturday.
Bigsby has shown power, elusiveness, and the ability to carry the load as a lead back in the SEC during his freshman season. He has been the most productive RB from the 2023 draft class to this point. If he can continue to compile this type of production in the SEC, then you can expect to see him drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, which would make him a sure-fire rookie first-round pick in dynasty drafts.
Shaka Toney – DE – Penn State
It’s hard to make this article in a losing effort, but on Saturday, Shaka Toney stood out in the overtime loss to Indiana. After losing Yetur Gross-Matos to the NFL last April and losing Micah Parsons to opt-out, the Nittany Lions needed a leader that they could rely on. Shaka Toney was voted team captain and has taken on this responsibility. In their first game, Toney registered seven solo tackles with two sacks and two TFLs. When it was crunch time, Toney produced at the end of the game, logging two sacks that should have propelled his team to victory if not for some unexpected penalties and events.
Toney hopes to produce like this for the duration of his abbreviated senior season. If he can, then we could see his stock rise as high as an NFL second-round pick in April. His 6’3” 252 lb. frame and athleticism allows the flexibility to play OLB in a 3-4 scheme or as a traditional pass-rushing DE in a 4-3 scheme. If he is drafted to a 4-3 team, he will have tremendous value as a DE in fantasy IDP leagues, probably in the mid-to-late second-round range in rookie drafts. If he becomes an OLB at the next level, then he is probably not worth more than a late-round rookie flyer.
TRENDING DOWN
Jaylen Waddle – WR – Alabama
This pains me to write, as Jaylen Waddle is one of, if not my number one favorite college player this season. I own many shares of Waddle in devy leagues. This past Saturday, Waddle suffered a broken ankle and high ankle sprain returning the opening kickoff against Tennessee. I feel bad for the kid but now look for teammate John Metchie to step up even more in Waddle’s absence to fill the void in Alabama’s potent aerial attack.
To me, Waddle was a sure-fire top 15 NFL draft pick this April. The nature of the injury is such that he will most likely not be fully healed and capable of testing at the NFL combine. This will cause him to fall in the NFL Draft to the end of the first or potentially the second-round. If you are a devy owner, don’t panic, as I believe Waddle will make a full recovery. This injury may actually provide an opportunity to draft Waddle later in rookie drafts than we would have been able to. He is a slam dunk if he falls to the early-second of 2021 rookie drafts.
Pooka Williams – RB – Kansas
Another talented player we learned this past week will not be playing the rest of the season is Kansas starting RB Pooka Williams. After carrying the load for Kansas and mustering two 1000 yard rushing seasons with a terrible supporting cast, Williams decided to forego the rest of the 2020 campaign and opt-out of the season, citing his mother’s health as the reason.
For a talented player who already has questions about his size and ability to hold up at the next level, this is a huge blow. Williams did not get off to the same hot start that he did in his two prior seasons. At just 5’10” and 170 lbs., his durability was perhaps the most important thing he could have used to strengthen his case to be a day two draft pick. Williams is eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft, but in a loaded 2021 RB class, he would be best served to return for his senior season. He is moving further down my ranks as a result of the opt-out, and we will see if he can become a day three pick in 2022.
Big Kat Bryant – DE – Auburn
The belief was always that the presence of Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson, and Nick Coe limited the opportunities and upside for Big Kat Bryant to produce impact plays. Last season he logged 1.5 sacks and nine QB hurries in limited opportunities. Through the half-way point of this season, Bryant has logged just six total tackles with three solo tackles, zero sacks, and no TFLs or any other impact plays. Bryant had a nice opportunity against Ole Miss this past weekend, an opponent that throws the ball often and is prone to mistakes. Unfortunately, Bryant logged just two tackles in the game.
At this point, Bryant appears to be just name-value and hype. He has not stepped up though given ample opportunity to do so. Barring a complete turnaround and heavy sack output in the next five games, I wouldn’t be surprised if the senior now goes undrafted in April. If he is off NFL draft boards then he should be off your IDP draft board as well.
SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH
Jonathan Adams Jr. – WR – Arkansas State
Again, no new player stood out from the FCS or lower-division ranks this past week. My second-favorite small school prospect, however, had another nice showing against another quality opponent in Appalachian State. Jonathan Adams Jr. caught six passes for 134 yards in a losing effort on Thursday. With a questionable supporting cast, Adams has now helped the Red Wolves to a 3-3 record on the season, averaging nearly eight catches, 112 yards, and a TD per game. What’s more impressive is that four of the six opponents Arkansas State has played this year are quality opponents (Memphis, Kansas State, Coastal Carolina, & App. St.). If the 6’3” 210 lb. physical receiver can continue this dominance, he will surely be drafted this April and should be a guy you have on your sleeper list in dynasty leagues.
PREVIOUS WEEKS’ DRAFT STOCK WATCH
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