Are you growing tired of redraft and introductory dynasty fantasy football? Want to dig deeper and draft a pipeline of young prospects while they’re still amateurs? Boy, do I have a game for you!
Devy (developmental dynasty league) is a deeper dynasty league that allows fantasy managers to draft and stash prospects while they’re still in college. Scott Fish of Scott Fish Bowl fame created Devy back in the 1990s, and the format has been growing in popularity ever since.
Devy isn’t for the weak or faint of heart. It takes a ton of research, and you have to decipher the good info from the bad. Plenty of highly-touted high school prospects never make an impact, while plenty of great college players aren’t legitimate NFL prospects.
In devy, you’re going to swing and miss more than usual. It’s just the reality of the game. Don’t beat yourself up if you do, and never quit investing in those devy prospects. In these leagues, hitting on a handful of devy prospects can flip your team from pretender to contender. Here are the top 20 devy assets you should be targeting this year.
- More Dynasty Articles & Advice
- Dynasty Startup Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
Top 20 Devy Prospects (2023 Fantasy Football)
1. Caleb Williams (QB – USC)
While he has wisely distanced himself from the lofty Patrick Mahomes comparisons, you can’t deny that USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the Patrick Mahomes of college football. He might not have the team success that Mahomes has reached in the NFL, but one look at the film and you understand the comparison.
Williams has tremendous arm talent, and his ability to make plays outside of the offense is eerily similar to how Mahomes succeeds. Whether you’re playing in 1QB or Superflex formats, Caleb Williams is the safest bet for long-term fantasy football success.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio State)
The “generational talent” at quarterback is easily the 1.01 in Superflex formats, but only one player can make you think twice in 1QB leagues. Enter Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. By most accounts, Harrison Jr. is a special wide receiver prospect.
The league has seen an influx of terrific wide receivers over the past couple of draft classes, but Harrison Jr. might be the most talented we’ve seen since Ja’Marr Chase. Harrison Jr.’s combination of size, speed, and route-running sets him apart from others in college football.
3. Drake Maye (QB – UNC)
If the 2024 NFL Draft happened today, Caleb Williams would be the overwhelming favorite to be the No.1 overall pick. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye would be right behind him at No. 2 overall. His value is highest in Superflex leagues, but he’s still a top 5-10 prospect in 1QB leagues.
4. Raheim Sanders (RB – Arkansas)
Arkansas running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is a massive, bruising running back with quick feet and a terrific feel for the position. Oh yeah, and he’s only getting bigger. Sanders is listed at 242 pounds now and reportedly has little-to-no fat on his frame.
5. Nicholas Singleton (RB – Penn State)
Nicholas Singleton is the next great running back to come out of Penn State. Despite receiving fewer carries than fellow running back Kaytron Allen, Singleton led the Nittany Lions in rushing yards and touchdowns during his freshman season. While a split workload is still expected, Singleton is widely expected to receive the larger share this season.
6. Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
Fellow Ohio State wide receiver Harrison Jr. gets all the love, but the second-best wide receiver in college football might wear the same uniform. That’s not a surprise. Ohio State has been a wide receiver factory since Brian Hartline emerged as one of the best WR coaches and recruiters in the nation. Egbuka finished last season with 1,151 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions.
7. TreVeyon Henderson (RB – Ohio State)
A third Ohio State Buckeye in the top seven. That offense is stacked. Running back TreVeyon Henderson dealt with injury issues last season, but a healthy 2023 could go a long way toward cementing Henderson’s status as a top back in next year’s NFL Draft.
8. Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia)
We’ve rarely, if ever, seen a tight end prospect like Brock Bowers. The Georgia tight end burst onto the scene with 882 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman in 2021.
Bowers followed that up with 942 yards and seven TDs en route to winning the 2022 John Mackey Award given to the nation’s best tight end. For reference, former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts never had more than 770 receiving yards in a single season.
9. Quinshon Judkins (RB – Ole Miss)
Entering sophomore campaign after accumulating 1,500+ rushing yards and 16 TDs on the ground last season. Made Zach Evans an afterthought.
10. Malik Nabers (WR – LSU)
Led LSU in receiving despite the presence of devy flop Kayshon Boutte. Looking to improve on the 72-1,017-3 TD line from a season ago. He’s only 6’0″, but he’s a physical player that wins in contested situations.
11. Braelon Allen (RB – Wisconsin)
After consecutive seasons of 1,200+ rushing yards and more than 10 touchdowns on the ground, Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen has cemented himself as one of the best running back prospects in football. Allen is big (6’2″, 240 lbs), and his unique combination of power and finesse set him apart from some others at the position.
12. Xavier Worthy (WR – Texas)
Fast, electric wide receiver prospect with 21 touchdown receptions in his first two seasons. His slight frame (listed at 6’1″ and 172 lbs) is a concern, but his athleticism and speed are off the charts.
13. Evan Stewart (WR – Texas A&M)
Low passing volume at Texas A&M impacted his overall numbers, but he led the Aggies with 649 receiving yards during his freshman campaign. A jump in volume likely leads to a jump in production.
14. Drew Allar (QB – Penn State)
After the top two quarterback prospects, there’s a bit of a tier break. Next up on that list is Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Although not nearly as accomplished as Williams and Maye, Allar has the upside and opportunity to be next in line at the quarterback position.
15. Branson Robinson (RB – Georgia)
Football fans might remember Georgia running back Branson Robinson from the time he went viral as a 17-year-old. At the time, Robinson was benching 415 lbs, squatting 615 lbs, and deadlifting 720 lbs. And that was in high school!
16. Will Shipley (RB – Clemson)
The majority of running backs on this list are bigger, physical freaks. Clemson running back Will Shipley is a little bit different. Listed at 5’11” and 205 lbs, Shipley wins with good vision, athleticism, and terrific play-making ability as a rusher, receiver, or returner.
17. Luther Burden (WR – Missouri)
Wide receiver Luther Burden entered Missouri as one of the highest-rated prospects in program history. Burden eased his way into college football with only 375 receiving yards in his freshman season, but he scored nine total touchdowns. Six of those were through the air, two were on the ground, and another came in the return game.
18. Donovan Edwards (RB – Michigan)
Fellow Michigan running back Blake Corum gets a lot of love, but his backfield mate Donovan Edwards is considered the better NFL prospect of the two. Both are efficient runners, but Edwards’ effectiveness in the passing game is expected to set him apart at the next level.
19. Zachariah Branch (WR – USC)
I couldn’t include a Top 20 Devy Prospects list without at least one true freshman. USC’s depth and talent at the wide receiver position might hurt his year-one success, but freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch will be a star sooner than later.
20. Quinn Ewers (QB – Texas)
We’re finishing off this list with another 2023 NFL Draft quarterback prospect. The Texas quarterbacks (Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, and Maalik Murphy) might be the greatest collection in all of CFB. The fact that Ewers is the overwhelming favorite to start and keep the job all season says a lot about his talent.
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