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.
Underclassmen dominated this week’s edition of the Draft Stock Watch, as many future NFL talents chose to opt-out of their bowl games. For the first time, teams did not need to have a .500 record to be bowl-eligible. This crazy 2020 season has shown us twists and turns like none other in seasons’ past. Fourteen Bowl games remain as of the writing of this article. We now embrace the draft stock movement that has occurred over the first half of the 2020 college bowl season!
TRENDING UP
Camerun Peoples – RB – Appalachian State
As is often the case, App State finds diamonds in the rough as they continue to exceed expectations in just their sixth season of FBS play. It is mind-blowing that Camerun Peoples was not on more schools’ radars during his recruitment process. The 6’2” 212 lbs. sophomore just capped off an outstanding initial season as his team’s feature-back with a 22-carry, 317-yard performance against North Texas in the Myrtle Beach Bowl last Monday.
After an early knee injury took away his freshman season, Peoples now closes his sophomore campaign maintaining his health and accounting for 1126 rushing yards on 126 carries. He also scored 12 TDs. Peoples will have an opportunity to stamp his name among the top RBs in the 2022 draft class next season if he can continue to dominate and display a little bit more ability as a receiver (only 3 receptions in 2020).
Bijan Robinson – RB – Texas
True freshman RB Bijan Robinson displayed why he entered the 2020 season with so much hype and a five-star ranking. Robinson displayed vision, burst, long speed, and receiving chops in a dominating performance against Colorado in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Robinson ran for 183 yards on just ten carries for a TD. He also added two receptions for 37 yards and two more TDs.
With this performance, Bijan has now usurped impressive classmate Tank Bigsby for the top spot in the RB class of 2023. Robinson looks to be the real deal and, assuming he avoids injury, should be the first back taken in 2023. Your author already has two shares in devy leagues and will be looking to add more this offseason if possible.
Alfred Collins – DT/DE – Texas
At this point of the season, if a player’s team is not one of the top four in the nation then you often see NFL talent opt-out of their team’s bowl game. Games like these give us a glimpse of youngsters to look out for the next few seasons. Alfred Collins made a statement on Tuesday in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The freshman defensive lineman registered a solid five-tackle performance, with one solo tackle, one TFL, one pass deflected, and last but not least, this outstanding interception on an attempted screen pass.
The four-star true freshman will look to build on a solid start to his collegiate career next season. At this point, he has displayed versatility and tremendous athleticism as a 6’5” 300 lbs. edge defender. NFL teams running a 3-4 scheme at the next level will covet Collin’s length and play-making ability, as will IDP owners who are always seeking the elusive big scorers on the defensive line. I look forward to watching him dominate Big 12 offensive lines next season.
TRENDING DOWN
Dillon Gabriel – QB – UCF
Dillon Gabriel is a great college football QB. A QB of his stature (6’0” 185 lbs.) playing at a program like UCF will need to continually impress week after week and year after year to get big attention from NFL scouts. After beating up on weaker competition the first six games of the season, Dillon hasn’t been as dominant over his last four, with the Knights going 2-2 over that span. Last week was a great opportunity on a national stage to go swing for swing with 2020 darling Zach Wilson and Gabriel came up short.
Against BYU’s exploitable defense, Gabriel mustered just 217 passing yards and two TDs on 21-of-45 passing. While he added 31 yards on the ground, he was no match for the BYU offensive juggernaut, and ultimately UCF got doubled-down and embarrassed, 49-23. Gabriel has the tools to make it in the NFL, but he needs to be less careless with the football and improve on some missed throws. Winning in these big, national moments in the future will help earn Gabriel a chance to be drafted on day one or two of the 2023 NFL draft.
D’Eriq King – QB – Miami
Choosing to come back for one last season in Miami was an outstanding decision for D’Eriq King. Polishing his ability to read through defenses and make progressing and sharpening his throwing skills will help prepare him for a hopefully sustainable NFL career. Additionally, the 2022 QB class offers far less competition than this year’s QBs. However, playing in the Cheeze-It Bowl turned out to be a devastating decision for King, as he exited the game just before halftime with a serious knee injury.
King had passed for 113 yards and a TD on 10-of-13 passing and rushed for 18 yards before going down with the injury. We hope that King’s injury is just a reaggravation of the meniscus injury he had in the past, or better yet, a knee sprain. However, if it is an ACL tear then this is an unfortunate setback. King will have an opportunity to cement himself as a top-three QB option next season if he can have a successful return from injury this offseason.
Derrion Rakestraw – S – Colorado
Your author hates featuring DBs, as they are often afterthoughts in IDP dynasty rookie drafts, but most of the NFL talents on the defensive side of the ball through the first 14 bowl games have opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Rakestraw is a former standout track athlete and converted wide receiver that has been a stalwart in the Buffaloes secondary the last two seasons. He and his secondary struggled against Texas this past week.
While it’s no secret that secondary play is largely a group effort, Colorado gave up far too many big passing plays downfield to give themselves a chance against Texas (a team that struggles with downfield passing). As a senior, Rakestraw needed a big showing on a national stage to break into day three of the draft this April. Instead, he now warrants a priority free agent or seventh-round pick grade due to his raw abilities alone.
PREVIOUS WEEKS’ DRAFT STOCK WATCH
Draft Stock Watch: Week 1, Draft Stock Watch: Week 2, Draft Stock Watch: Week 3, Draft Stock Watch: Week 4, Draft Stock Watch: Week 5, Draft Stock Watch: Week 6, Draft Stock Watch: Week 7, Draft Stock Watch: Week 8, Draft Stock Watch: Week 9, Draft Stock Watch: Week 10, Draft Stock Watch: Week 11, Draft Stock Watch: Week 12, Draft Stock Watch: Week 13, Draft Stock Watch: Week 14, Draft Stock Watch: Week 15, Draft Stock Watch: Week 16
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