With college football season in full swing, it’s never too early to keep track of the next crop of excellent fantasy football prospects. In devy leagues, we’re scouting and identifying future football studs years in advance of their entrance into the National Football League.
In Week 3 of the college football season, we saw the top eight ranked teams win by an average margin of 41 points per game. Yawn. While only three ranked teams lost all of last week, we could see more of a shakeup in Week 4. With three separate matchups between Top 25 ranked teams, we’re getting three losses at a minimum by ranked teams this weekend.
With Week 3 of the college football season in the books, it’s time for our weekly stock report and a preview of the best devy fantasy football matchups in Week 4.
Stock Up
Standout players that saw their devy stock increase from the previous week include:
J.K. Dobbins – The Ohio State workhorse, on track for his third straight 1,000-yard season, had one of his best performances to date in the Buckeyes 51-10 victory over Indiana. In fact, Dobbins’ 193 rushing yards fell just 10 yards short of his career-high set last season against the Maryland Terrapins. While Dobbins’ yardage total is remarkable enough, the way the junior is running is even more impressive.
Dobbins has shown tremendous speed, power, and balance while averaging over seven yards per carry this season. Against Indiana, it didn’t take long to see why Dobbins is firmly atop tier two in most 2020 dynasty rookie rankings. With excellent hands out of the backfield, Dobbins has every tool in his arsenal to be a starting fantasy football running back in the near future. While he’s a notch below Travis Etienne, D’Andre Swift, and Jonathan Taylor, Dobbins is considered a mid-to-late first-rounder in 2020 rookie dynasty drafts.
Chuba Hubbard – The Oklahoma State running back has taken the college football world by storm three weeks into the 2019 season. After rushing for 740 yards and seven touchdowns while backing up Justice Hill a season ago, Hubbard has taken over the Cowboys’ backfield this season. Hubbard currently leads the NCAA with 521 rushing yards while Oklahoma State teammate Tylan Wallace leads the country in receiving yards. Needless to say, they know how to play offense in Stillwater.
Hubbard showed signs of bell-cow potential last season, averaging over 100 yards at 5.4 yards per carry in the four games Hill missed late last season due to injury. While Hubbard is considered a sophomore, he’s eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft because he redshirted in 2017.
Related: Big 12: Chuba Hubbard racing into the history books
Amari Rodgers – Miraculously healthy enough to play football after tearing his ACL six months ago, Rodgers reintroduced himself to the college football world on in Week 3 with two touchdown receptions and over 120 receiving yards. After finding himself wide open on his first touchdown, Rodgers did much of the work on the second. After catching the ball in the flat, Rodgers broke one tackle then used his speed to outrun the rest of the Syracuse defenders.
As the third-youngest player in the fantasy football class of 2020 (if he declares), the 20-year old Rodgers has to be back on fantasy football radars after his breakout performance in Week 3. It also doesn’t hurt that Rodgers is potentially a mutant with the ability to overcome injuries in record time.
Stock Down
Disappointing players that saw their devy stock decrease in the previous week:
Jaylen Waddle – While the rest of the Alabama offense was padding stats against the South Carolina defense, the speedy Waddle was a no-show in Week 3. The explosive Waddle was held to one reception for 12 yards, while fellow wideouts Devonta Smith and the even faster Henry Ruggs Jr. each went over the 100-yard receiving mark.
While the 2021 NFL Draft prospect is still considered a future fantasy football asset, Waddle has taken a step back to fellow wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Smith, and Ruggs Jr. this season. All three wide receivers have more catches, yards, and touchdowns than the sophomore Waddle. With all three likely leaving Tuscaloosa after this season, Waddle’s devy stock should skyrocket next season.
Eno Benjamin – With a road contest against a traditionally stout Michigan State defense, the talented Benjamin had the perfect opportunity to showcase his talents on a big stage. Then he goes and puts up a dud to the tune of 38 rushing yards on 11 carries. While you can’t completely fault Benjamin for struggling against a good defense, averaging 3.5 yards per rush is a disappointing stat line any way you slice it.
Jalen Reagor – After being hyped up as a wide receiver matchup to watch by yours truly, Saturday’s game between TCU and Purdue was an absolute disappointment. TCU’s Jalen Reagor (Class of 2020) and Purdue’s Rondale Moore (2021) combined for six receptions and 54 scoreless yards in Purdue’s 34-13 victory. With only 100 receiving yards on the season and a quarterback seemingly incapable of making downfield throws, Reagor seems unlikely to reach the 1,000-yard mark as he did a season ago. Even with Reagor losing fantasy football value by the week, the speedy wide receiver is the type of prospect that should explode at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Devy Matchups to watch in Week 4
Michigan @ Wisconsin
Michigan: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (2020), WR Tarik Black (2020), RB Zach Charbonnet (2022)
Wisconsin: RB Jonathan Taylor (2020), TE Jake Ferguson (2020)
Auburn @ Texas A&M
Auburn: WR Seth Williams (2021), RB JaTarvious Whitlow (2020), QB Bo Nix (2022)
Texas A&M: WR Jhamon Ausbon (2020), TE Baylor Cupp (2022), QB Kellen Mond (2020), WR Kendrick Rogers (2020)
Oklahoma State @ Texas
Oklahoma State: RB Chuba Hubbard (2020), WR Tylan Wallace (2020), QB Spencer Sanders (2022)
Texas: WR Collin Johnson (2020), RB Keaontay Ingram (2021), WR Brennan Eagles (2021), QB Sam Ehlinger (2020), RB Jordan Whittington (2022)
Notre Dame @ Georgia
Notre Dame: QB Ian Book (2020), WR Chase Claypool (2020), RB Tony Jones Jr. (2020)
Georgia: RB D’Andre Swift (2020), WR George Pickens (2022), WR Dominick Blaylock (2022), RB Zamir White (2021), QB Jake Fromm (2020), RB James Cook (2021)