There is a growing movement in the Dynasty community toward “devy” players. The term “devy” refers to developmental players carried on the dynasty league rosters. These devy players are usually college players but can even be high school athletes. Each week of the offseason and season, we looked at a different set of devy rankings.
As we survey devy prospects, we examine traits, abilities, and skill sets that will translate to the NFL. This week, our final edition of the season, we will look at the top 10 devy wide receivers eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft. We value the players who will contribute at the professional level higher than the younger players.
10. Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State) – The six-foot, 185-pounder has opened eyes as a Sophomore. After only catching 7 passes as a Freshman, he is up to 40 on the season. In addition, Wallace has 4 100-yard games and 2 more over 80 yards. Even with the poor quarterback play for the Cowboys, Wallace has stepped into the big shoes vacated by James Washington. Wallace was a big-time recruit for Mike Gundy. He ranks in the Top 15 of career receiving yards in the state of Texas, a huge accomplishment. There have been several NFL Hall of Fame receivers from Texas with less high school success. He chose Oklahoma State over Michigan, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma, among several other notable schools. Wallace is averaging 18 yards per reception and has scored 4 touchdowns. Look for his numbers to pop next season when the Cowboys upgrade at the quarterback position.
9. Jeff Thomas (Miami) – Thomas is undersized (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) but has blazing speed. He has only enjoyed one huge game on the season (against LSU). Thomas has been hampered by the poor quarterback play of the Hurricanes quarterbacks. He is a player who could have a long NFL career as a WR2/WR3 with limited collegiate success. If Thomas can land in the right situation, he has Brandin Cooks-type upside. For the season, he has 17 receptions for 401 yards (23.6 average) and 3 touchdowns.
8. Tarik Black (Michigan) – After missing the first half of the season, Black was back on the field against Michigan State this past Saturday. The youngster missed the first seven games of the season due to a broken bone in his right foot. The injury took place roughly a week before the Wolverines opened the season at Notre Dame. It was the same injury, but to the other foot, that cost him the final 10 games of 2017 as he suffered a broken bone in his left foot late in a win over Air Force last September. Although he has been long-forgotten by the devy community, Black was Michigan's leading receiver last year at the time of his injury. With imposing size (6-foot-3, 216 pounds), Black is a great athlete, excelling in four sports before committing to football in college.
7. Collin Johnson (Texas) – While he is eligible to come out this coming spring, we expect the Junior to wait another season. He only had 82 receptions in his first 2 seasons, and already has 41 in 2018. The Texas star has turned those touches into 563 yards and 5 touchdowns. Johnson is a big (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) receiver who possesses blazing speed. He is the “go-to” receiver for the Longhorns. Johnson has NFL bloodlines. His father, Johnnie, also played at Texas and was an All-America defensive back (1976-79) who was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame.
6. Tyler Johnson (Minnesota) – Johnson toils in relative obscurity for the Golden Gophers. While a Junior, we expect him to stay in school another season. From Minneapolis, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Johnson has been impressive in 2018. He only had 49 receptions coming into this season but already has 47 catches for 705 yards and 6 touchdowns, including monster outings against Iowa, Ohio State, and Nebraska the past three weeks. In those games, he has a combined 25 catches for 410 yards and a score. Earlier in the season, he exploded for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns on 9 catches against Miami (OH). As the big games continue, Johnson will become more of a household name.
5. Laviska Shenault Jr. (Colorado) – Shenault is a stout receiver who adds value as a runner. After only hauling in 7 passes as a Freshman, he is up to 60 now as a Sophomore. Shenault has turned those passes into 780 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a runner, he has scored another 5 times and added 87 yards. Shenault is from Texas powerhouse DeSoto. His high school team was ranked second by MaxPreps. With the Buffaloes now winning and on the national stage, we expect him to get more national attention. Shenault missed the nationally televised game against Washington with a toe injury. Colorado desperately missed their star receiver. His first two games of the season, against Colorado State and Nebraska, were impressive. He caught a combined 21 passes for 388 yards, 2 touchdowns and added another score on the ground. Shenault has gone over the 125-yard mark 4 times this season.
4. Jhamon Ausbon (Texas A&M) – Ausbon was impressive as a Freshman in 2017 and early in 2018 before breaking a little bone in his foot. Coach Jimbo Fisher was effusive in his praise for the youngster, calling him the “leader of the young receivers.” Ausbon reeled in 50 passes for 571 yards and 3 touchdowns as a Freshman and 15 receptions for 221 yards this season pre-injury. He tried to play through the injury before finally choosing a long-term perspective and having surgery. With impressive size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) and open-field ability, Ausbon is a future NFL receiver once he gets past the foot issues. He flashed potential in the 2017 Belk Bowl against Wake Forest. In that contest, Ausbon hauled in 12 passes for 112 yards and a score. With Kellen Mond settling in at quarterback for the Aggies, the two youngsters should have a strong 2019.
3. Tee Higgins (Clemson) – Higgins is next in the long line of NFL wide-receiver prospects from Clemson. All seem to have similar size (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and uncanny athleticism. With the quarterback issues, Higgins has not seen consistent targets but has flashed big-time potential. Only catching a few passes a game, the Sophomore has still been sensational. Against Texas A&M a few weeks ago, Higgins turned his 3 catches into 123 yards and a score. He is a play-maker on a team of play-makers. Higgins was the highest-rated Clemson signee of the 2017 recruiting class and a top-20 player overall in most rankings.
2. Donovan Peoples-Jones (Michigan) – Peoples-Jones was named the Michigan Rookie of the Year by his teammates last year. Michigan does not throw the ball much, but the youngster is still putting up solid numbers in Jim Harbaugh’s conservative offense. Peoples-Jones is from nearby Detroit and was a five-star recruit by some services. As a Freshman, he only had 22 catches for 277 yards. He has topped those numbers this season. But, the craziest Peoples-Jones stat is the 6 touchdowns on 22 receptions in 2018.
1. Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) – The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Sophomore has been impressive as a collegian. He played an integral part in Alabama’s comeback in the national championship game. A tactician as a route runner, Jeudy is able to get open without big-time speed. He and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have formed a tight bond. With the Crimson Tide blowing out every opponent, this dynamic duo rarely plays in the second half of ball games. For the season, Jeudy has hauled in 31 passes for 777 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 25 yards-per-reception average is incredible.
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