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 strangest college football season in history is coming to a close as most teams’ seasons have now ended. Championship week crowned nine league champions, and four programs—Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Notre Dame—earned selections to the 2020 college football playoff. San Jose State and Cincinnati each followed through and completed their dream seasons, defeating Boise State and Tulsa in the Mountain West and American Athletic Conference championships respectively. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Coastal Carolina and Louisiana cap off what has been a phenomenal Sun Belt season, after their title game was canceled, and they were declared co-champions. Let’s unpack the player draft stock movement from the past week of action!
TRENDING UP
Trey Sermon – RB – Ohio State
Seven weeks ago, Trey Sermon made the “trending down” feature of this article and many were prepared to leave his draft stock for dead. In less than seven-weeks time, Sermon has worked his way from a clear reserve who occasionally spells backfield-mate Master Teague for a few touches a game to a 29-carry, 331-yard bell-cow performance against #14 Northwestern’s sixth-ranked rush defense in the BIG10 championship. These proverbial outhouse to penthouse stories are what make college football so much fun. Sermon scored two TDs and added three receptions on his big day.
Sermon has resurrected his draft stock from the dead. Admittedly, Ohio State’s offensive line dominated the game, and Sermon ran for a majority of his yards before contact, but this is the type of performance on a national stage that Sermon desperately needed. Sermon has stacked 39 carries for 443 yards and three TDs in his last two games. He has now played his way into day three consideration in the NFL Draft this coming April. He is a player to monitor late in dynasty rookie drafts.
Kayshon Boutte – WR – LSU
True Freshman and five-star recruit Kayshon Boutte has broken out and delivered on his pre-collegiate hype over his past three games. This weekend against Ole Miss, the youngster brought in 14 receptions for 308 yards and three TDs.
Boutte is now up to 45 receptions for 735 yards and five TDs on the year. With his game-breaking speed and route-running ability, Boutte has entrenched himself as a top-three WR option in his 2023 draft class. Boutte is a player to roster in every devy league this offseason, given that his price will only continue to rise as time goes on.
Devin Lloyd – LB – Utah
Friends and acquaintances of your author know well his lack of respect, and in times like these, his downright disdain for Pac-12 and Mountain West teams. But we must give credit where it is due. Utah LB Devin Lloyd is one of the best defensive players in the entire Pac-12 conference. On Saturday, he led his Utes to victory with ten tackles, nine solos, one sack, and four TFLs against a potent Wazzu offense. Lloyd and the Utes pitched a second-half shutout in an impressive performance.
After a huge breakout Sophomore campaign, in which he led his team in tackles, Llyod watched as the majority of his defense departed for the NFL. This meant his team would ask a lot of him this season, but Lloyd was up to the task, as he compiled 48 tackles, 33 of which were solos, with two sacks and a forced fumble in just five games this season. As a former safety in high school, Lloyd possesses the speed and coverage ability that teams at the next level covet. Lloyd could declare this season and be drafted day two of the draft, or he could return for his senior season and try to improve his draft stock. He is a player who will be drafted in the mid-to-late rounds of IDP dynasty rookie drafts and have an opportunity to earn a feature LB role at the next level.
TRENDING DOWN
Master Teague – RB – Ohio State
Once featured as trending up a month or so ago, Trey Sermon’s aforementioned gains have become Master Teague’s losses. After a resilient return from a serious offseason Achilles injury, Master Teague had worked his way back into a lead back role with the Buckeyes. Through the first four games, Teague led the backfield in touches and recorded two 100+ yard rushing games. The last two games have seen his carries steadily decline though, and he reported left Saturday’s game early with an unspecified injury.
The good news for Teague and his devy owners is that he is just a sophomore. While Trey Sermon runs off with the lead RB job for the duration of Ohio State’s playoff, Teague has the opportunity to earn back his feature role for next season. Next season will ultimately be the determining factor in whether or not Teague has an NFL future. At this point in his career with his litany of prior injuries, Teague can be looked at as nothing more than a priority UDFA.
Joe Ngata & Frank Landson – WRs – Clemson
Once perceived to be top-50 devy players as recently as August, the sophomore pair of Joe Ngata and Frank Ladson has largely disappointed this season in the potent Clemson offense. This past weekend, both were left off the stat sheet in a big ACC Championship win against #2 Notre Dame. Joe Ngata has missed a few games with an abdominal injury after underwhelming in his first few appearances early this season. Frank Ladson has managed to stay healthy for the most part but has only contributed in seven games this year, logging just 17 catches for 272 yards with three TDs.
The good news is that each of these receivers has one or two more seasons to figure their game out and establish themselves as top options in the perennially efficient Clemson offense. That offense will be led next season by promising young star QB D.J. Uiagalelei. If you believe in these prospects or Clemson’s ability to develop WRs, this offseason will present the best opportunity to buy these devy players, as they could easily see their value skyrocket next season if one or both become the focal point of the passing game.
Hamilcar Rashed Jr. – LB – Oregon State
After trending down three weeks ago, unfortunately, Hamilcar Rashed has not bounced back in this wacky 2020 campaign. He closed his seven-game season with a poor performance in a loss to Arizona State this weekend. In that game, he recorded just a single tackle and, again, no impact plays, as his defense surrendered 46 points to the Sun Devils.
Rashed Jr. finishes the year with just 23 total tackles, 15 solos, and two TFLs. His draft stock has now plummeted to a day three hopeful, as he could be drafted as late as the sixth or seventh round in April. He should be off the radar entirely, outside of deep IDP dynasty leagues.
SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH
Spencer Brown – RB – UAB
UAB Senior Spencer Brown enjoys his second feature on this list this season, as he rushed 30 times for 149 yards last Friday against a strong Marshall defense. Brown has now compiled 889 rushing yards on 186 carries with ten TDs in a nine-game season. This performance is a strong conclusion to his outstanding collegiate career, highlighted by his standout Freshman and Sophomore seasons.
While Brown has plenty more to show as a receiver (he caught just 20 passes in four seasons), he has run his way into an opportunity to be drafted on day three in April and earn a role for a team at the next level. Brown displays solid vision, size, and power, which could be developed and, over time, utilized in a two-down role at the next level.
PREVIOUS WEEKS’ DRAFT STOCK WATCH
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