Devy Fantasy football, love it or hate it, anyone who experiences playing this format can say it’s a very unique way of playing fantasy. Along with your NFL dynasty roster, you draft up-and-coming college players that you consider to be the next superstars in the NFL.
Once the college player declares for the draft, they then transfer to your NFL roster. With this format, fantasy managers can create a pipeline from college to the pros to help lead to fantasy championships.
So with the new 2022 season being upon us and college programs getting started with practice and spring games, I wanted to go over my Devy “Next up” series with an early Top 5 of prospects I like at Quarterback, Running Back, Wide receiver, and Tight end.
The first position for the “Next Up” Devy prospects is one of the most coveted, Quarterback.
5. Jaxson Dart – Ole Miss
Number 5 on the list is Jaxson Dart. I have dart here due to my high interest in what he can be as a college producer and pro prospect at quarterback even though we have a small production sample from his freshman season. Dart initially enrolled at the University of Southern California. He started the 2021 season as the backup to the highly touted Kedon Solvis. As the season went along, Slovis struggled, and Dart was able to showcase his talent to start and play in six games to close out the season. With 117 completions, 1,353 yards, and 9 passing touchdowns, dart showed he can run the offense to be productive as a freshman.
But here’s why he’s Next Up.
When looking at Dart’s high school and college tape, I was most impressed with his athleticism and arm strength. He was able to show good pocket presence with the capability to extend plays to throw pinpoint completions to his playmakers. With his quick throwing motion, solid accuracy, and sneaky rushing upside, Dart makes his case for a devy quarterback to monitor.
Devy value changes and with all the hype, Dart utilized the transfer portal upon getting the news of the USC shake-up with Lincoln Riley coming there to be the head coach and his electric and also freshman quarterback from Oklahoma following him to the Trojans.
Dart was able to advantage and make his transfer portal rounds to land at ole miss with Lane Kiffin and his explosive offensive scheme. With the recent success of 2022 NFL draft QB prospect Matt Corral, you can only be excited about this move for Dart. Corral has been considered one of the top quarterbacks in rookie mocks and Dart has been going in the mid to late 2nd round of startup Superflex devy mocks. If he has a productive 22-season he should keep his value as a devy riser for the QB position in your devy dynasty league
4. Quinn Ewers – Texas
Quinn Ewers, what can you say. If you have been in the college football/devy world for the last year or so, I’m pretty sure you have heard of his name. He’s my number #4 Devy Qb prospect that is “next up”.
Ewers mania has been pretty hyped coming into this offseason and rightfully so. Ewers was a highly touted Qb prospect from Southlake, Texas playing at Carroll Senior High school. The multi-sport athlete first made his claim to fame in his sophomore season with totals of 291 completions for 3,998 yards and 45 touchdowns. He followed up that great season with a sub-par junior year due to battling nagging injuries that ultimately contributed to his lower numbers of 2,442 and 28 touchdowns. Ewers would make an unprecedented move by forgoing his senior season, graduating early, and reclassifying as a 22 commit. He would eventually enroll at Ohio State University.
But here’s why he’s Next Up.
Okay, I get it. Ewers hasn’t played football in over 2 years and besides practice reports or video clips, we don’t know who he is or how good he can be at the college and pro level. But what we do know is that Ewers has the pro typical size and arm talent to be an elite quarterback. A top-rated pro-style quarterback in his class whether he would have come out of the 21 or 22 class. Per 24/7 Ewers was rated a perfect 1,000 composite score. That’s extremely high praise from a highly respected recruiting site. After sitting a year behind CJ stroud, Ewers took advantage and decided to enter the transfer portal to attend the University of Texas. With a loaded offense with top devy prospects such as running back Bijan Robinson and last year’s freshman phenom Wide receiver Xavier Worthy, the sky’s the limit for Ewers to take off and truly show the world how good he is. Right now he is going late first early second in Devy drafts. His value is only going to go up!
3. Caleb Williams – USC
“Next up” is number 3 on the list, Caleb Williams. Like my other two quarterbacks mentioned previously, Williams was also a freshman who burst on the scene last season in a huge way for the Oklahoma Sooners.
As a backup to begin the season, Williams got his chance to shine in one of the biggest games. He didn’t waste any time to show and prove he was capable of producing at a high level. Coming in for Spencer Rattler who was struggling in the game, Williams lead the Sooners to a come-from-behind victory against their rival Texas Longhorns 55-48. Williams finished the game with three total touchdowns on 212 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. After this victory, Williams took over the starting job permanently and totaled 21 touchdowns passing, six rushing touchdowns with four interceptions on the season. After a productive freshman season, Williams surprisingly entered the transfer portal and followed his coach, Lincoln Riley, to the University of Southern California to continue his collegiate career. His dynamic play style should be the key for the Trojan’s offense.
But here’s why he’s Next Up.
Ultimately, Williams will have to take a step forward in his consistency in the passing game. But under Coach Riley, I see Williams flourishing and making a claim as the best QB in his class. With his ceiling of being an unstoppable dual-threat weapon for the Trojans, the skies the limit. He shows great leadership with a winning mentality that you love to see in a quarterback. He can make every throw and shows he has the poise to remain calm under pressure and deliver. He has all the playmakers needed to succeed and with the right development could take this team back to the top. Williams is 1st round pick in devy startups so grab him early if you can.
2. CJ Stroud – Ohio State
Next up is number 2 and that is Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud. Though he is here at number 2, some could argue he should be number 1 on this list. After being named the starter in August 2021 after battling it out with the likes of freshman phenom, Quinn Ewers, Stroud led the buckeyes to an 11-2 record with the number 1 offense in the nation. Compiling season totals of 4,435 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. With a breakout season like this, it led to stroud being a Heisman Trophy finalist for the 2021 season and a favorite for this upcoming season as well.
But here’s why he’s Next Up.
Cj Stroud looks and to this point plays the part of a top Quarterback prospect. At 6’3” 215 pounds, Stroud has the size and frame you look for and more importantly what the NFL looks for in Quarterbacks. He has the arm strength, accuracy, and big-play potential to continue to develop to be the top quarterback in the 2023 class. Stroud should have another phenomenal season in this offense after putting up 561.2 yards a game and 47.5 points per game last season respectfully. He’s losing two of his top playmakers in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to the NFL but Ohio State has been doing a very good job at recruiting and developing wide receivers with up-and-coming talent like Jaxson Smith Njigba waiting to take the lead. Stroud has been a top 5 pick in Devy drafts so if you want him you will have to draft him early. But don’t worry deciding to draft Stroud early should pay off. It would take a very bad season for him to lose his 1st round value, real-life and fantasy!
1. Bryce Young – Alabama
Last but not least of course it’s Bryce Young at number 1 on the Next UP quarterback list. The 2021 Heisman trophy winner was hands down one of the best college football players last season. After taking over the starting spot Young was able to set the Crimson Tide’s single-season passing yards and passing touchdowns record with 4,872 and 47 respectfully. Week in and week out he proved to be a top prospect to be a future NFL star. Young’s relentless efforts as a competitor and a leader stood out a lot last season. Alabama’s program has been able to develop a lot of NFL talent and young is making his claim to be the next one.
But here’s why he’s Next Up.
Bryce Young has all the talent to be a star at the next level. He can make every throw with pinpoint accuracy and his quick release allows him to process his reads and get the ball out on time. He has excellent pocket awareness to have defenders guessing as the play develops. Even though he didn’t show it as much, Young can be successful with his legs as well if need be. Not too long ago Young was rated the number 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country per 24/7 sports.
The only knock I see on Young is his size and frame. I agree he may be a little small and a cause for some concern as far as NFL potential. But similar quarterbacks were considered small that were successful like Drew Brees, Russel Wilson, and even Kyler Murray. Those are the clear outliers and Young has a long way to go before you can mention his name along with the others.
Young is a fantastic talent and worthy of the number 1 spot. His value is only going to go up and he has been going early in the first in recent mock drafts. Barring a terrible season Young is locked in as a first-round talent in 2023.
Thank you for reading this breakdown. Where do you have these prospects ranked among Devy Quarterbacks in 2022?
For more great Fantasy Football content, follow RotoHeat on Twitter, subscribe to our website, and check out our rankings and YouTube Channel. Engage with 2,200+ passionate dynasty managers and let the RotoHeat content team know what topics YOU want to hear about by visiting our ROTOHEAT – Dynasty Fantasy Football Community.
