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.
We have now watched the fourth week of college football and have again watched this week one-up the previous slate of action. Colossal upsets of #3 Oklahoma and defending national champion #6 LSU by unranked teams have seemingly ripped a hole in the space-time continuum. Additionally, we saw the Pac12 conference follow suit and decide to join the BIG10 in playing an abbreviated football season. The twists and turns of this unique 2020 campaign look to keep us all on the edge of our seats this year, so examine which player stocks were affected as a result of this week’s action.
TRENDING UP
Seth Williams – WR – Auburn
While it would be easy to point out K.J. Costello’s record-setting performance in upsetting the defending national champs, we have seen the Mike Leach QB narrative played out several times. His value is certainly on the rise, but we know these stat lines are a staple of a Leach offense and I want to watch more of Costello. Auburn receiver Seth Williams, on the other hand, utilized his sheer athletic advantage to dominate a Kentucky secondary.
Williams’ six reception, 112 yard, and two TD stat line is something we’ve watched before. The ease with which Williams embarrassed his opponent, though, really stood out. Williams looked like a man playing amongst boys on Saturday. When you consider Auburn’s philosophy for playing stout defense and running the ball effectively, along with dual-threat QB Bo Nix’s limitations as a passer, Williams will have to make the most of the opportunities he receives. He appears to be doing exactly that. I can see him earning his way to becoming a 2021 NFL first-round draft pick, and he should certainly be a first-round draft pick in dynasty rookie drafts next spring.
Kyle Pitts – TE – Florida
Again, we could look at a huge QB performance in Kyle Trask’s performance in the shootout between Florida and Ole Miss this weekend, but that would be too easy. It is widely known that Ole Miss boasts very little in the way of resistance to opposing offenses. However, any time a TE racks up four TDs and 170 yards off of eight receptions, it grabs your attention. Sure, he may have pushed off on one of his scores, but this kid looks to have the athleticism to be the next Evan Engram or Noah Fant.
If the connection between this oversized WR and his QB continues throughout the rest of their SEC slate, then Pitts should be viewed as the favorite to be the first TE drafted this coming April, and likely a first-round NFL pick. In dynasty rookie drafts, this would fit him most likely as an early-mid second-round pick, unless it is a TE premium league.
Patrick Jones II – DE – Pitt
Although they haven’t gotten a lot of attention, Pitt has one of the best defenses in the nation. This defense is anchored by senior leader DE Patrick Jones II. Jones anchored a pass rush on Saturday that helped stifle Louisville’s devy-player-darling offense. Jones finished with six tackles, three solos, and three TFLs. He even managed to sack the elusive Malik Cunningham three times, helping his team to a 23-20 win over Louisville.
Jones has the athleticism to go with his 6’5” 260 lb. frame, and he has learned and honed the tools needed to help make him a premier pass rusher. He entered this season as a candidate on every preseason award list, despite not receiving much media spotlight during last season’s 8.5 sack, 12 TFL performance. In a reasonably weaker year for the EDGE position, if Jones stays healthy and continues his standard of play, we should see him drafted as the fifth or sixth pass rusher off the board in April. In deeper IDP devy leagues, Jones carries some value, and in IDP rookie drafts he will likely be a mid-late 3rd-round pick.
TRENDING DOWN
Malik Cunningham – QB – Louisville
As we just discussed, Pitt’s technically sound defense exposed Malik Cunningham’s limitations on Saturday. After becoming used to electrifying highlights to look forward to on SportsCenter, fans witnessed Cunningham’s unraveling Saturday as he completed just 9-of-27 passes for 103 yards, one TD, and three INTs. What’s worse, his rushing ability that he normally leans on was taken away from him, as Pitt limited him to just three rushing yards on 13 attempts.
Cunningham has plenty of time left in his college career to learn from this game and develop as a passer. This game did, however, unveil what many scouts were already skeptical about, his ability to win games from the pocket. Cunningham will now have to play his way out of a “mobile QB with limited ability as a passer” label. I’m not saying he can’t do it. He just has a lot of work to do. He should return to Louisville for his senior year after this season.
Brock Purdy – QB – Iowa State
My readers should already know my sentiments regarding Brock Purdy as a franchise QB, as I was never a believer, and I wrote about this after Week 2. After losing an embarrassing game to Louisiana two weeks ago, Purdy was afforded a week off from action to reflect, study film, and learn where he could improve. This past Saturday, Purdy was largely uninspiring in a game against an exploitable TCU defense, in which he largely leaned on sophomore standout Breece Hall and the run game.
Purdy finished the game 18-of-23 passing for 211 yards and a TD but committed an embarrassing, low-awareness turnover that resulted in a defensive TD.
This kept TCU hanging around in this game much longer than they should have been, though Iowa State eventually closed the game with a three-point victory. Purdy, who was once fancied as a future NFL 1st-round pick by some analysts, is playing his way into a day three pick. Successful QB prospects raise the play of their teammates around them and show poise, awareness, and inspire confidence in their team. I don’t see these traits from Brock Purdy.
Chris Rumph II – EDGE – Duke
Chris Rumph II has not played to his full potential through three games in 2020. While he will suffer all season from what looks to be a non-competitive supporting cast at Duke, Rumph still needs to do more when his opportunities are there. Last season’s PFF first-team all-American selection showed us the ability to change games with 13.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks on a slender but athletic frame.
Through three games Rumph has just one sack and 0 TFLs, compiling 16 total tackles. Against UVA, it did not appear he was afforded any special attention in pass protection, as he was often neutralized by a single blocker. The 6’4” 235 lb. pass-rush specialist will have to hit home more often on his opportunities this season if he hopes to be anything more than a day 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH
Austin Watkins – WR – UAB
University of Alabama-Birmingham’s Austin Watkins racked up 183 receiving yards and a TD on seven catches against an overmatched South Alabama defense last Thursday. The 6’3” 210 WR boasts length and an ability to track the deep ball. He certainly looks the part of a WR that can play at the next level. Although it is a bit concerning that he finished with just 32 yards against a high-caliber opponent in Miami, he did score a TD against them.
Through three games, Watkins has compiled 17 receptions for 287 yards and two TDs, and I expect this rate of production to ratchet up given the opponents on UAB’s remaining schedule. As always, how he runs and performs at his pro-day (or if he receives an NFL Scouting Combine invite) should affect the draft range for this potential diamond in the rough.
Previous Weeks’ Draft Stock Watch:
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