Fantasy football playoffs are quickly approaching. That might mean it’s time for you to start thinking about how you can improve your roster for next season.
Week 13 of college football featured impressive performances from future fantasy football impact players, including a running back class that has been forgotten about. Understanding the value of these five prospects will help you stay ahead of your league mates.
2024 NFL Draft Dynasty Risers
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson (5-10, 212) is finally looking like the RB1 that this class desperately needs. Since returning from injury in late October, Henderson has rushed for 499 yards and five touchdowns on 64 touches over four games. This past weekend, he averaged 9.7 yards per carry while shredding the Minnesota defense for 146 yards and two scores.
MORE: Dynasty Rookie RB Rankings Week 12
Henderson is an explosive runner with good vision. He was a highly touted recruit who broke out early with 1,248 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman at Ohio State. His collegiate career has been slowed by nagging injuries, but when healthy, he is dynamic.
The Buckeye’s recent performance helps boost his chances of being drafted within the first 50 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. That draft capital would solidify him as a mid-first-round rookie draft selection in fantasy.
Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
This isn’t the first time I have mentioned Kansas RB Devin Neal (5’11”, 210), and it likely won’t be the last. He rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns against rival Kansas State last week. Neal put that performance together, despite loaded boxes and extra attention, with the Jayhawks playing their third-string freshman quarterback.
The Jayhawk has now rushed for 1,103 yards and 13 touchdowns on 173 carries. He is 15th in the country in rushing yards and 11th in rushing touchdowns. He is a foundational reason the Jayhawks have been able to win seven games this season — well above recent expectations.
Neal is a well-rounded runner who displays good vision, short-area quickness, and lower-body strength. He can smash in between the tackles or burst through open space. Neal projects as a late Day 2 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. His rookie draft ADP will likely land in the mid-second round, which would make him one of my favorite value picks of this draft cycle.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Michigan’s toughest tests of the year, so far, have come over the past two weeks. The Wolverines turned to senior Blake Corum (5’8″, 213) to lead them to victory. The running back rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns against Maryland this past week. Against Penn State the week earlier, he ran for 145 yards and another two touchdowns. Corum now leads the country with 20 rushing touchdowns — four more than anyone else.
Corum is an explosive and physical runner. He projects as a valuable rotation back and should be selected on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. His fantasy value will depend more on volume than other backs in the class, but I expect him to have a good pro career with long-term fantasy football relevance.
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky senior wideout Malachi Corley (5’11”, 210) put together one of his best performances of the season against Sam Houston State. He pulled in 10 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown, including a 75-yard reception. This is his third game with at least 100 receiving yards and his fifth game with at least eight catches.
MORE: Dynasty Rookie WR Rankings Week 12
Corley wins at all three levels of the field with quickness and reliable hands. He is effective at working through traffic and separates well into the deep field. Corley’s short-area agility and field vision make him dangerous after the catch, which has drawn comparisons to San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel.
Corley’s name gets lost among this strong wide receiver class, but he is a great sleeper candidate to have on your radar. He should go early Day 3 in the 2024 NFL Draft and could go as late as the fourth round of your fantasy football rookie drafts.
Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami
QB Tyler Van Dyke (6-4, 230) has had a roller-coaster season. He started the season hot, throwing for 1,042 yards and 11 touchdowns over the Hurricanes’ first four games. That includes a 374-yard, five-touchdown clinic against Texas A&M. He was being discussed as a locked-in Day 2 NFL Draft selection.
His performance has dropped off over the past few weeks though, to the point where he was benched last week against Florida State. Van Dyke responded in a big way against Louisville, throwing 327 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He will have two more opportunities, along with a likely Senior Bowl invitation, to head into the draft season with positive momentum.
Van Dyke has prototypical NFL size and is comfortable working in the pocket. He has one of the biggest arms in the class and has consistent mechanics. At times, he progresses through his reads well and leads his wideouts with great anticipation.
Currently, the ‘Canes signal caller projects as a Day 3 selection, but he has the skill set to succeed if given the chance to lead an NFL offense. You won’t have to use an early pick to stash him on your dynasty fantasy football bench.
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