Tommy Harvey

Rookie Spotlight: Bijan Robinson

by

Rookie Spotlight: Bijan Robinson

By Tommy Harvey

 

Bijan Robinson

RB, Texas 6’0 220lbs

Bijan Robinson is 1.01 in most people’s rookie mock drafts, so I doubt I’m telling you anything you don’t know.  However, in case you didn’t know, Bijan Robinson is a STUD!  He will arguably be a top-5 fantasy asset the day he is drafted, and will push for RB1 notoriety in his rookie season.  

Robinson is almost the ultimate running back.  He has prototypical size.  He has breakaway, house-calling speed.  He has good vision and cutback ability.  He is good in pass protection.  He has good hands and route running ability, to the point of being able to split out wide in certain formations.  

I did say almost the ultimate running back, right?  He does tend to run a bit upright between the tackles that can open him up to some danger.  Adrian Peterson did too, and that didn’t seem to hinder him too much.  Robinson is the best RB to enter the NFL Draft since Saquan Barkley, and I have no qualms in drafting him in the 1st round of a startup draft.

 

Best Fits

 

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are a team in flux right now.  Kliff Kingsbury was fired, DeAndre Hopkins is rumored to be on the trade block, and they need playmakers to take the pressure off Kyler Murray. 


Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders declined Josh Jacobs 5th year option last offseason, and he went on to lead the NFL in rushing.  With Jacobs on the way out, Vegas needs to make a move at RB.  

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Miles Sanders is a free agent at season’s end.  The one thing Philly lacks is an elite RB to pair with Jalen Hurts.

 

Prediction

Philadelphia Eagles - With two 1st round picks, the Eagles not only have a need for an elite RB, they have the ability to take the next big thing early on during night 1 of the draft.  

 

Devy Minute: Shedeur Sanders

by

Devy Minute: Shedeur Sanders

By Tommy Harvey

Shedeur Sanders

6'2 215lbs

Quarterback

Colorado

Draft Eligible: 2024

 

 

Shedeur Sanders is more than just Deion Sanders’ son…he is a legit NFL prospect.  A high 4* QB coming out of high school in Cedar Hill, Texas, Sanders chose to follow his father to Jackson St.  However, he could have gone nearly anywhere in the country.  Sanders is a winner, winning two state championships in high school and then leading Jackson St to back-to-back Cricket Celebration Bowl appearances.  

His dual threat ability allows him to escape the pocket and extend plays, but he does not look to immediately tuck and run.  He reads the field well and throws a nice deep ball with good touch.  While he does not possess a huge arm, he does have enough arm to push the ball down field.  During his two seasons at Jackson St, Sanders threw for over 6,900 yards and 70 TDs and connected on better than 68% of his passes.  

He will be making a big step up in competition next season at Colorado, but not many have the ability Sanders has.  He is a big-time Devy asset and will likely continue to gain hype moving into the 2024 NFL Draft season.

Start/Sit Week 14

by

Start/Sit Week 14

By Tommy Harvey

Early Sunday Afternoon 

Houston @ Dallas

Start: All Cowboys

Sit: All Texans

This should be pretty easy.  Dallas is rolling and Houston is terrible.  Fire up your Cowboys and fade your Texans

New York Jets @ Buffalo

Start: QB Mike White, RB Zonovan Knight, WR Garrett Wilson, TE Tyler Conklin, QB Josh Allen, RB James Cook, WR Stefon Diggs

Sit: RB Michael Carter, RB Devin Singletary, WR Gabriel Davis, TE Dawson Knox

Mike White has been really solid since taking over for Zack Wilson.  The Jets had issues finding the endzone last week against the Vikings, but I think they will have some things straightened out this week in a huge divisional matchup.  Zonovan Knight has taken over the backfield and is a good fantasy option.  Garrett Wilson is an every week start now.  Tyler Conklin only caught 2 passes last week, but saw 7 targets.  He is a viable fantasy TE with White at QB. Michael Carter returns after missing last week, but Knight has been too good for Carter to have a major role.

Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs are obvious starts and this feels like the type of game where James Cook and Dawson Knox will be utilized as safety blankets.  With New York’s stout pass defense, I’m sitting Gabriel Davis this week if I can.  There probably won’t be much running room for Devin Singletary either.

Cleveland @ Cincinnati

Start: RB Nick Chubb, RB Kareem Hunt, TE David Njoku, QB Joe Burrow, RB Joe Mixon, WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins, WR Tyler Boyd

Sits: QB Deshaun Watson, WR Amari Cooper (questionable), TE Hayden Hurst (out)

Cleveland is going to have to run the ball effectively to have a chance at winning this game.  Fire up Chubb and Hunt in anticipation of that.  David Njoku is back after missing last week’s game and he should provide Deshaun Watson with a big playmaker.  The obvious every week starts for the Bengals are all in place and Joe Mixon is back from the concussion.  Hayden Hurst is out this week, so I’m expecting an uptick for Tyler Boyd.

Minnesota @ Detroit

Start: QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson, WR Adam Thielen, TE TJ Hockenson, QB Jared Goff, RB Jamaal Williams, RB D’Andre Swift, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR DJ Chark

Sit: WR Jameson Williams

This is going to be a shootout.  The Lions are actually favored in this matchup and are in must-win mode.  The only player I sit here is Jameson Williams…let’s see a role for him before we throw him in the lineup

Jacksonville @ Tennessee

Start: QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne, WR Christian Kirk, WR Marvin Jones Jr., TE Evan Engram, QB Ryan Tannehill, RB Derrick Henry, WR Treylon Burks, TE Chig Okonkwo, TE Austin Hooper

Sit: WR Zay Jones (questionable), WR Robert Woods, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Both of these teams are BAD on offense, but both of their pass defenses are near non-existant.  Trevor Lawrence will rely on his playmakers in the passing game.  Expect for Etienne, Kirk, and Engram to have solid games. Marvin Jones Jr. could be in play this week too if Zay Jones is limited or misses.  

If there was ever a game to feel anywhere near comfortable in starting Ryan Tannehill, it’s this one.  Burks, Okonkwo, and Hooper have become somewhat reliable targets.  Derrick Henry is going to do Derrick Henry things.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants

Start: QB Jalen Hurts, WR AJ Brown, WR Devonta Smith, RB Saquan Barkley

Sit: RB Miles Sanders, All Giants not named Saquan Barkley

Philly has been a machine all season long.  Hurts, Brown, and Smith are hitting on all cylinders right now and with New York’s secondary woes, that probably won’t stop this week.  Keep the Eagles’ RBs on your bench if you can afford to.  Their running game has mainly been Hurts.

Saquan Barkley is the only Giant worth a start this week.  He has been good, but the rest of the offense has struggled.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

Start: TE Mark Andrews, RB Najee Harris, WR George Pickens, TE Pat Freiermuth

Sit: QB Lamar Jackson (doubtful), QB Tyler Huntley, Ravens RBs, QB Kenny Pickett, Diontae Johnson

Baltimore is really struggling on offense right now.  Teams are keying in on Mark Andrews because the Ravens have no real threat at WR right now.  Pittsburgh is a top-7 run defense, so Baltimore’s RBs will likely struggle to move the ball.  

Najee Harris has been pretty good lately, running for over 85 yards in 3 of his last 4 games.  George Pickens was vocal after last week about not getting the ball, so I expect him to get more targets this week.  That could cause Diontae Johnson’s target share to decrease as a result.  Pittsburgh will need to find a better balance.

Late Sunday Afternoon 

Kansas City @ Denver

Start: QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Isiah Pacheco, RB Jerrick McKinnon, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, TE Travis Kelce, TE Greg Dulcich

Sit: QB Russell Wilson, RB Latavius Murray, WR Jerry Jeudy, WR Courtland Sutton

Patrick Mahomes…DUH.  Pacheco and McKinnon have been playing well as of late and with this week’s byes, they should be looked at as startable.  JuJu, MVS, and Kelce are Mahomes’ playmakers and should be started.

Greg Dulcich is the only Bronco worth starting.  Denver’s offense is atrocious and isn’t getting any better any time soon.

Tampa Bay @ San Francisco

Start: QB Tom Brady, RB Rashaad White, WR Mike Evans, WR Chris Godwin, RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle

Sit: RB Leonard Fournette, TE Cade Otton, TE Cameron Brate, QB Brock Purdy, WR Brandon Aiyuk

This is a tough game to forecast.  Both teams have the ability to score and play good defense.  Both teams also have the ability to completely not show up.  I’d say to go with the usual suspects in this one.  Rashaad White is the better of the RBs in Tampa Bay, so go with him over Fournette.  

Carolina @ Seattle

Start: RB D’Onte Foreman, WR DJ Moore, QB Geno Smith, WR Tyler Lockett, WR DK Metcalf

Sit: RB Kenneth Walker (questionable), RB DeeJay Dallas (questionable), RB Travis Homer

D’Onte Foreman and DJ Moore have been the only bright spots for Carolina this season.  Since trading Christian McCaffrey, they have been really good.  

Geno Smith has been very good in Seattle with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.  The Seahawks are having issues at RB right now, however.  Walker and Dallas are on the bad side of questionable, and with Rashaad Penny already gone, Travis Homer is the likely RB on Sunday.

Sunday Night

Miami @ Los Angeles Chargers

Start: QB Tua Tagovailoa, RB Jeff Wilson, RB Raheem Mostert, WR Jaylen Waddle, WR Tyreek Hill, TE Mike Gesicki, QB Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, WR Josh Palmer, WR Keenan Allen, TE Gerald Everett

Sit:  Nobody…Play them all

Dolphins and Chargers is likely the best game of the weekend.  Chalk full of studs, make sure you don’t overthink this.  Start whoever you have from this matchup.

Monday Night

New England @ Arizona

Start: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR Jakobi Meyers, QB Kyler Murray, RB James Conner, WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR Marquise Brown

Sit: QB Mac Jones, WR Davante Parker, TE Jonnu Smith, TE Hunter Henry

This is going to be just the second time all season for the Cardinals to have Murray, Conner, Hopkins, and Brown together.  I’m thinking a laser show for Arizona at home on Monday.  Rhamondre Stevenson and Jakobi Meyers are the only consistent performers the Patriots have.

Stock Watch: Devy – Week 2

by

Stock Watch: Devy - Week 2

By Tommy Harvey

Stock Up

Raheim Sanders

I have been reserving my opinion about Raheim Sanders until I was able to see him in a full time role. My gosh, he is impressive! I really like what I have seen from him and I can't wait to see more. There is very little doubt in my mind that he will be a top RB in the '24 NFL Draft.

Mohamed Ibrahim

After tearing his achilles last season, Mohamed Ibrahim decided to return to Minnesota for his 6th year of eligibility. Before last season, Ibrahim would have probably been one of the highest drafted RBs if he had entered the NFL Draft. Now. He is trying to prove he still has NFL ability. At 24 years old, Ibrahim is already approaching old age. So now is the time for him to prove he can still play, and so far he is.

Jordan Addison

WR1? Jordan Addison is definitely making his case for it. He was already a great WR, but he seems to be getting better. Addison is explosive and electric with the ball in his hands. He could be on his way to his 2nd consecutive Biletnikoff Award.

Jalen McMillan

Kalen DeBoer has taken his high power offense to Washington this season, and Jalen McMillan is reaping the benefits! QB Michael Penix is living up to what he was expected to do while at Indiana, and McMillan is his numero uno. I expect him to climb up draft boards, whenever he decides to enter his name.

Others on the Rise

Will Levis

Jase McClellan

EJ Smith

Rashee Rice

Dane Key

Stock Down

Anthony Richardson

Poor vision. Poor decision making. Poor Execution. A week after looking like a potential franchise QB, Anthony Richardson fell back to Earth. He looked confused and mostly incapable against Kentucky on Saturday. That type of inconsistency doesn't warrant 1st round hype.

Phil Jurkovec

Not a fan. Never been a fan. He doesn't do anything special and seems like more of a liability to me than anything.

Lew Nichols

I have always been a little torn on Lew Nichols. He gets the ball a ton and has been a very good producer. However, he has not been very good so far to start the season. Is this a case of defenses keying in on him after last season's monster year? If so, how will he be able to respond? That's worth monitoring.

Jermaine Burton

If he can't produce at Alabama, where can he produce? Jermaine Burton was supposed to be the next great WR after transferring in from Georgia, but he has yet to live up to any of the hype. The measurables may be there, but I haven't seen that translate to production on the field.

Others on the Decline

Tyler Buchner

Brennan Armstrong

Tanner McKee

Stock Watch: Devy Week 1

by

Stock Watch: Devy Week 1

By Tommy Harvey

Stock Up

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Maye won the QB job during fall camp and has come out ON FIRE! Through two games so far, he has lit up Florida A&M and Appalachian St for 646 yards and 9 TDs. The former 4* prospect has shown elite ability to open the season and his stock is pointed straight up.  After putting eyes on him over the past two weeks, Maye will be moving up in my rankings.  Drake Maye TO THE MOON!!!

Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn

Admittedly, I have never been very high on Tank as an upper echelon draft prospect, but I am beginning to come around on him.  He looks like a completely different RB to me this season.  He has good burst and agility for his size and exhibited very good vision…albeit against inferior competition.  He is still my RB5 in the ‘23 draft class, but he is much closer to RB4 than he is RB6.

Omarrion Hampton/George Pettaway, RB, North Carolina

The two true freshmen at North Carolina have taken over the UNC backfield since British Brooks was lost for the season.  They were both highly recruited, but neither was expected to have an overly-huge role this season.  That all changed in fall camp and they both look like the real deal.

Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona

For those of you who have been slow to jump on the Jacob Cowing hype train…there is still time.  He was great while at UTEP, and he is showing how great he is going to be at Arizona.  The Wildcats are going to be a surprise team in the PAC12, and Cowing is a big reason why.

Dane Key, WR, Kentucky

The true freshman that was supposed to be the guy at UK was Barion Brown.  While Brown is impressive, I’m more keyed in on Dane Key.  Key started alongside Brown and Tayvion Robinson this week and looks like the future in Lexington to me.  Will Levis has tons of weapons to work with.  If he doesn’t succeed, that’s on him.  

George Takacs, TE, Boston College

I’ll tell you…George Takacs snuck up on me a little bit.  I was aware of him while he was at Notre Dame and his subsequent transfer to Boston College.  However, I was not fully aware of his talent.  Obviously, any TE at Notre Dame should be taken seriously (watch out for Eli Raridon and Holden Staes), but Takacs got lost in the shuffle a little bit.  

Others on the Rise

Hunter Dekkers, QB, Iowa St

Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami

Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas

Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia

Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Mississippi

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio St

Kobe Prentice, WR, Alabama

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Stock Down

Devin Leary, QB, North Carolina St

Potentially a 1st round draft pick in the ‘23 NFL Draft, Leary was very…meh…this week against East Carolina.  I’ve never been sold on him as a high end prospect, and week 1 did nothing to change my mind.  If anything, he moved down my board.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

After transferring from USC to Ole Miss, Dart was expected to be the next big thing under Lane Kiffin.  However, during camp, he barely held off Luke Altmyer for the QB1 job and did not look good in week 1.  He still has plenty of time, but he has a lot to prove.

Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M

Already fairly low on my board (RB30), Devon Achane did nothing against Sam Houston St  to improve his stock in my opinion.  Being a small-ish RB does not bode well for Achane when it comes to being an NFL RB…no matter how fast he is.  Putting mediocre play on film doesn’t do him any favors either.

Ja'Corey Brooks, WR, Alabama

Many speculated Ja’Corey Brooks would take over the WR room in Tuscaloosa this season.  Even with the arrivals of Jermaine Burton and Tyler Harrell, Brooks was expected to take the next step and become the next dominant WR for the Crimson Tide.  That seems to have been overstated, as Brooks was overtaken by Traeshon Holden on the depth chart.  With an overload of talent at Alabama, Brooks may get lost in the crowd.

Julian Fleming, WR, Ohio St

Listed as a starter heading into the season, Fleming did not play against Notre Dame due to injury.  In the meantime…he may have lost his spot to emerging superstar Emeka Egbuka.  Without the opportunity to be on the field, Fleming won’t have much on tape to have substantial enough draft capital to be relevant.  

Others on the Decline

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Cade McNamara, QB, Michigan

Harrison Bailey, QB, UNLV

Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M

Logan Diggs, RB, Notre Dame

Gary Bryant Jr., WR, USC

Christian Leary, WR, Alabama

 

The Devy Minute: Cameron Ward

by

The Devy Minute: Cameron Ward

By Tommy Harvey

Cameron Ward

QB

Washington State

6’2 220 pounds

Cameron Ward threw for 6,908 yards and 71 TDs in two seasons at the FCS level at Incarnate Word.  In his freshman season, Ward won the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the top freshman in FCS.  In his sophomore season, he was named 2nd Team All-America and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the top overall player in FCS.  Ward then transferred up to Washington St in the offseason, where big things are expected for him.  

There is some division amongst people in regards to Cameron Ward.  There are those who think Ward is not a legitimate NFL prospect due to the scheme he played in at Incarnate Word and the lack of competition he played against.  Some may also point to the fact that he may have developed some bad habits due to having to overcompensate for a lackluster offensive line. 

I am of the opinion that Ward is a superstar in the making.  With his jump up to FBS this season after transferring to Washington State, he will now be able to showcase his skills to a much broader audience.  His big arm combined with his creative ability make you think of Patrick Mahomes…not saying he will be Patrick Mahomes, but he reminds me of him.  If he can clean up his understanding of pre-snap conditions and improve his footwork, Ward can shoot up draft boards this season.