Devy Fantasy Football Rankings & Analysis: Week 7

Travis May discusses devy fantasy football leagues in his weekly series for FantasyPros.

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Welcome back to Week Seven of Devy Weekly!

If you missed the sixth installment check it out here so you can get up to speed! Essentially, I’ll be taking a close look at the top (future NFL) playmakers in college football every week to help you stay one step ahead of your leaguemates. Whether you play in “devy” dynasty leagues or you simply love to learn about the next generation of NFL studs this article series is for you!

So without further ado, let’s dive into my updated positional rankings as we head into Week Eight of the college football season!

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Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Justin Herbert, Oregon
Will Grier, West Virginia
Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Drew Lock, Missouri

Running Backs

D’Andre Swift, Georgia
Travis Etienne, Clemson
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
David Montgomery, Iowa State
Damien Harris, Alabama
Bryce Love, Stanford
Cam Akers, Florida State
A.J. Dillon, Boston College
Darrell Henderson, Memphis
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State

Wide Receivers

A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Bryan Edwards, South Carolina
Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State
N’Keal Harry, Arizona State
Dekaylin Metcalf, Ole Miss
Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Laviska Shenault, Colorado
Collin Johnson, Texas
CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Jalen Reagor, TCU

Tight Ends

Noah Fant, Iowa
Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Kaden Smith, Stanford
Caleb Wilson, UCLA
Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt

What Changed?

Typically, there are a few new faces that enter the elite tier at their position, but that isn’t the case this week. The ranking order has changed, but the top tiers are all the same names. There’s still plenty of time for movement at the top, but let’s just talk about a few of these guys and what makes them so great!

Tua Tagovailoa continues to remind us why he’s the best quarterback in college football in just his sophomore season. He tossed another 265 yards and three touchdowns through the air last week against Missouri and it could’ve have been even more impressive. That brings his season totals to 21 touchdowns and zero interceptions and he has yet to even play a fourth quarter snap. Alabama has had to take their foot off the gas against every single opponent this season. If Tagovailoa ever plays a full collegiate season (including fourth quarters) he could break every college football passing record in existence.

Justin Herbert isn’t a scrub at QB2 though. He’s been solidifying his status as the best 2019 NFL Draft eligible quarterback this season in impressive fashion against some tough opponents. He just led the Oregon Ducks to a 30-27 victory over the seventh ranked Washington Huskies. Two weeks before that he had Stanford on the brink until a freak fumble late in the game. Herbert’s statistical metrics (adjusted accuracy, TD:INT ratio, etc.) are just as impressive as a year ago, if not better. He’s been my 2019 QB1 for a nearly a year and that looks like it isn’t changing.

One of the prospects I get the most questions on with these rankings is D’Andre Swift. I get it. Ranking anyone number one can be controversial, but when he isn’t lighting up the stat sheet there definitely needs to be an explanation. Swift is the perfect devy prospect in some ways. He put together a strong, efficient statistical showing as a true freshman in 2017, averaging nearly eight yards per carry and nine yards per reception behind two future pros in Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. Beyond showing statistical efficiency, he also possesses excellent physical traits at 5’9, 215, with incredible strength, speed, and agility. When he arrives at the Combine in 2020, expect him to wow everyone. As Georgia faces tougher competition, Swift is primed to show the world why he’s the best.

A.J. Brown is going to put up some ridiculous numbers as we kick off the back half of the 2018 college football season. Why? His (also incredible) teammate Dekaylin Metcalf went down with a neck injury. Hopefully Metcalf recovers soon, but Brown is about to show why he’s the best wide receiver in the country. When you mix his route running, thick build, play strength, and ability to finish at the catch point, Brown is everything NFL teams want in a lead receiver. I expect him to finish the season with another 80 or 90 catches for 1,200 yards and near a dozen scores. That should help bolster his stock as a round one NFL Draft selection.

Other Notable Happenings from Week Six

Ty Chandler was finally given the reigns at running back for the Tennessee Volunteers as he and quarterback Jarrett Guarantano led the team to a victory over the Auburn Tigers last week. He saw 16 carries, caught five receptions for a score, and totaled 112 yards from scrimmage. He was a highly touted recruit entering college. If he continues to grow into his potential, Chandler could find himself entering the elite tier at some point.

Rondale Moore keeps making plays for the surprisingly potent Purdue offense. Moore grabbed another four receptions for 101 yards and a score last week against Illinois. He’s on pace to log 90 receptions for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman. Moore may be a top-five devy league wide receiver next spring after the 2019 class has entered the NFL Draft.

Alabama may end up providing the 2020 NFL Draft with three wide receivers in not just Jerry Jeudy, but also Henry Ruggs and Devonta Smith. Smith hit the century mark in yards last week against Missouri. Ruggs caught four passes himself. That offense is just not fair.

Joshua Kelley (RB, UCLA) transferred from UC Davis last year and has been the talk of the town ever since. But now he’s actually adding some production to that hype the coaching staff talked about over a year ago. He just ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns against California. UCLA has been mostly disappointing this season, but Kelley could end up with over 1,000 yards on the ground and a couple hundred in the receiving game.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of Devy Weekly! Again, feel free to reach out to me @FF_TravisM on Twitter to chat more about college or the NFL! Good luck in all of your leagues and expect to hear from me again here soon!

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