Devy Digest: Monday Musings - Week 8

Andy Pham

Devy Risers

Michigan QB- J.J. McCarthy should be your QB3 of the 2024 class and if he isn’t you need to watch the film and watch his throws. He is making NFL level throws on a consistent basis and has the wheels to be a capable runner at the next level to compliment his arm talent.

Texas RB- Jonathan Brooks might not have reached 100 yards but he did have 8 catches for 51 yards to show his receiving chops. Depending on the severity of Quinn Ewers injury, they may feed Brooks more on the ground and through the short passing game

Houston WR- Matthew Golden takeoff time, it was a slow start to the season, but the Houston offense is hitting their strides and Golden is now an intricate part of this offense, his first touchdown grab was a doozy.

Ohio State WR- Carnell Tate is making plays and becoming a reliable option in this offense. Emeka Egbuka has been nagged by injuries and they haven’t missed a beat with Tate.

North Carolina WR- Tez Walker is showing why he is a legit devy prospect and such a feel good story for the young man. He is playing out of his mind and Drake Maye has his WR1.

                                                                                   

Devy Quandaries

Texas WR- Adonai Mitchell has been fairly quiet and he could be hurt most if Ewers misses any extensive time. The offense has really funneled through Xavier Worthy and Jonathan Brooks and then occasionally another receiver has a good game.

Oklahoma State RB- Ollie Gordon has impressed. We know defense is optional in the Big 12, but he is putting up video game stats. I am a little more hesitant on him, as I'm not sure of his true traits and how they fit at the next level. He was someone we liked early on in the process, but he is a CFF gem for now.

                                                                                       

 Devy Faller

Penn State QB- Drew Allar was our hot take before the season started, we were out on him. Penn State likes to run the ball, slow the game down and let their defense win them games. Penn State does not have a receiving room that’s worth anything and we were out on Allar, we didn’t like how he processes defenses and he made incorrect decisions too many times. In a game where they needed to throw and needed Allar to show people why he was considered the QB1 of the 2025 class, he disappointed. We told you to take Garrett Nussmeier for the QB1 of the '25 class. Sell him if there's a manager on your roster who really likes him, the 2025 QB class is falling now, and if you can get a supplemental pick and get a highly coveted Wide receiver next year along with another asset for Allar, I would do that in a heartbeat. More than likely you took him in Round 1 of a startup or supplemental pick, try to recoup full value while you can. He can obviously rebound and be the player most thought he would be next season, but there is too much risk involved, I would even move him for Dante Moore and a mid round supplemental pick due to Moore being benched, you might have a manager who will want to make that swap. Something to consider.


                                                                               

C2C Names to Watch

Wisconsin QB- Braedyn Locke is someone we’ve liked as a late round stash during draft season as the coaching staff plucked him out of the portal as well and all reports this past spring and fall camp were positive and he had won the backup job. With Mordecai being hurt, Locke is auditioning for the job right now and he is 2% rostered and what we like about him is he fits Phil Longo’s system and is a Quarterback who is mobile and is a rhythm passer who likes to get the ball out on time and not disrupt the flow of the play call. He played really well in his first start and in unlimited leagues, he is a must add as a stash for next season, in limited waiver leagues, he will be a borderline option, depending on your Quarterback situation for next year and how many waivers you have left and who else is available. I would spend 0-6% FAAB and more than likely a $0 bid will get him. Currently, Wisconsin doesn’t have a Quarterback on their recruiting class that is someone we think can win the job day one, there is always a possibility that they bring in a portal transfer from a G5 school who runs a similar offense, so he is someone that can be acquired on the cheap.

Pitt QB- Christian Velleux has shown himself to be adequate and if you’re in a bind at the position and need added depth, he’s someone that you can acquire on the cheap. He is 1% rostered and if you need a Quarterback in any format, and there aren’t any better options on the waiver wire, then you can probably acquire him for a $0 bid. He’s someone I wouldn’t spend more than 2% FAAB on.

Utah RB- Sione Vaki is 7% rostered and he has been a mainstay to this offense with all the injuries Utah is dealing with. He has been a playmaker in the run game as well as in the pass game. As a former receiver in High School, he might be the key player for Utah for the remainder of this season. He is a must add if you are contending this season and in limited and unlimited formats. I would spend 16-41% FAAB. The reason for the broad range is Utah is banged up and they need bodies, he’s filling in nicely and if you need to make a playoff push or add depth to your roster for this season, he’s probably on the 41% FAAB range, but if you’re thinking about just adding him for next season, they might have healthy bodies by then and he’ll revert back to playing exclusively on defense, that gamble if you’re in that situation is more on the 16% range, which means you won’t get him and if you’re in that kind of situation, you should be looking at the next player on our list.

Tulane RB- Makhi Hughes makes another appearance here as he is still only 28% rostered, which is still too low. He has taken over the Tulane backfield and he is worth an add in limited and unlimited leagues just because he is a Freshman and has won the job, worse case, you can pick him up and try to flip him for a supplemental pick. I would spend 16-26% FAAB on him