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.
Now in the books, Week 15 of the 2020 college football season saw #6 Florida, #10 Miami, and #21 Colorado exposed. The rest of the weekend slate went about as pundits expected. #13 Coastal Carolina escaped a let-down game with a narrow last-minute victory over Troy, and San Jose State knocked off Mountain West power Nevada to clinch a spot in their conference championship. Coastal Carolina and San Jose State both see their storybook seasons live on. Offensive fireworks and last-second opt-outs led us to witness draft stock movement this week as well, so let’s discuss!
TRENDING UP
Javonte Williams – RB – UNC
Javonte Williams’ second feature on the “trending up” list this season comes after a dominant performance against the #10 team in the nation. North Carolina embarrassed the Hurricanes’ defense on Saturday, as they rushed for 554 yards as a team (the most ever allowed by a Miami team) and added 224 yards in the air. Javonte Williams again showed why he looks to be one of the top backs available in the 2022 class, assuming he returns to school.
While the offensive line did its job, Williams ran with power, acceleration, and moves in Miami. The only person who outplayed him this week was his teammate in his own backfield, Michael Carter. Carter may have played his way into becoming a late-round draft pick in this game alone, as he racked up over 300 yards rushing with two TDs. The undersized senior may get a shot at the next level as a change of pace back. Williams on the other hand can carry a feature role for an NFL team in the future. If he returns to school and continues to produce, he should be a day two pick in 2022 and a first-round rookie pick in dynasty drafts.
George Pickens – WR – Georgia
George Pickens is another player who has already been featured in this article before. Unfortunately, it was on the list players don’t want to be on. While no one has ever doubted his natural ability, Pickens has largely underwhelmed this season before a much-needed breakout against #25 Missouri.
On Saturday, Pickens reassured his devy owners with five receptions for 126 yards and two TDs in Georgia’s rout of Mizzou. Pickens’ 24 catches for 252 yards and three TDs through eight games this season had a lot of owners concerned about his focus. It looks as though the return of quarterback JT Daniels (whose stock also continues to rise) will be just the spark Pickens and the Georgia passing offense needs to return to dominance. Rest assured that Pickens continues to be a top-three WR in the 2022 class.
Talanoa Hufanga – S – USC
Talanoa Hufanga is not a household name, but the former four-star recruit has steadily improved his game over his three seasons with the Trojans. He played maniacally all over the field on Saturday, in helping his team stave off an upset attempt by hated rival UCLA. Hufanga finished the game with 17 tackles, 11 solos, two TFLs, a forced fumble, and an INT on the night.
Hufanga is a throw-back style of player that has adapted to play in the modern game. What he lacks in speed he makes up for with film study and instincts. Hufanga also possesses outstanding size (6’1”, 215 lbs.) and might be looked at as a WILL LB in a 4-3 scheme at the next level. Right now, he profiles as IDP enthusiasts’ favorite—the box safety. He is limited in coverage and does not have the speed to play single-high, but he is a menace against the run game. His four INTs and two forced fumbles in six games this season, combined with his stellar play near the line of scrimmage, should see him drafted right at the borderline of day two or day three, assuming he declares this season. He is a great pick at the end of the draft in IDP rookie drafts.
TRENDING DOWN
Tutu Atwell – WR – Louisville
The newest player to opt-out late and forego the rest of his season after a disappointing start, Tutu Atwell announced this week that he was now preparing for the NFL draft. The Cardinals have struggled this season, and Atwell was looking to fall short of a 1000 yard season after enjoying a breakout 1200+ yard season as a sophomore. Atwell had seen his receptions per game, yards per game, and yards per catch all decrease from 2019.
While there is no denying his speed and playmaking ability, Atwell’s decreased efficiency and his subsequent decision open the door for further questions about his ability to succeed at the next level. There are very few players under 170 lbs that have had prolonged success in the NFL. He could be the next Desean Jackson or the next Tavon Austin. Two things are certain: Atwell is both smaller than those players were and coming off of a less productive season than those players when they declared for the NFL draft. He will be drafted in dynasty rookie drafts earlier than I will be willing to take him, and I will probably not be owning any shares of him.
Graham Mertz – QB – Wisconsin
After lighting up the scoreboard in a nearly perfect 45-point outburst and a less dominant, but still impressive 49-point offensive performance against Illinois and Michigan respectively, the Wisconsin passing attack has bogged down. This is due to regression by freshmen QB Graham Mertz. On Saturday, Wisconsin lost another game in disappointing fashion against #16 Iowa. Mertz threw for just 169 yards on 20-of-38 passing with zero TDs and one INT.
After starting the season on fire, over his last three games, Mertz has thrown for a combined 601 yards with just one TD and five INTs. His completion percentage has been under 60% in every game since his incredible first game against Illinois. Reports after that first start indicate that the freshman became arrogant and careless on campus. He subsequently lost the respect of his teammates and has struggled ever since.
The good news: Mertz is just a freshman and has incredible arm talent. Mertz has at least two seasons in which he can steadily improve his leadership and his game, and ultimately win back his team. He has certainly dug himself an unnecessary hole, however, and ruined Wisconsin’s 2020 season in the process.
Quincy Roche – DE – Miami
After compiling 26 sacks in three seasons at Temple, a transfer to Miami seemed appropriate for Quincy Roche to improve his draft stock and show he could dominate at any level. While Roche has been competent, he has no longer been dominant and shows he could have greatly benefited from Gregory Rousseau (who opted-out) playing on the other side. This past Saturday, UNC’s offensive line made further evidence of that, holding Roche to four tackles with one solo and a half-sack.
This is one of the biggest stages Roche was going to have this season, and he did not take advantage of it. Already undersized to be a 4-3 DE, there are grumblings in NFL circles that Roche does not always give maximum effort and has some lower-body stiffness concerns. With just four and a half sacks on the season through ten games, I think Roche is looking like a third-round pick in the NFL Draft this April and most likely will go to a 3-4 team to be an edge-rushing LB. This reduces his stock in IDP leagues as well, and he will probably only be worthy of a late-round rookie pick at best.
SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH
Frank Gore Jr. – RB – Southern Mississippi
The name is familiar and the dominance on the field that accompanies it should be as well. The son of Frank Gore, now a freshman at Southern Miss, has compiled 708 rushing yards and two TDs on just 121 carries this season. He has also displayed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield on limited opportunities this season. This past Thursday, Gore Jr. used his nine carries to churn out 111 yards and a TD in helping his team to an upset victory over Florida Atlantic.
Gore Jr. is still very young and very small, but the pedigree is there and the only RB on the depth chart listed ahead of him is graduating this Spring. Gore Jr. is tough to bring down and does not waste time getting north-south when he runs. He is certainly a player to watch over the next year, as he bulks up and takes on feature-back duties for the Golden Eagles in 2021.
PREVIOUS WEEKS’ DRAFT STOCK WATCH
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