This series is about tier jumps.

For this piece, we’re focusing on wide receivers who sit outside the top 10 in our consensus rankings, but have a real path to forcing their way into that top tier over the next year. These aren’t random dart throws or deep stashes. These are players with traits, situations, or developmental trajectories that could shift their value in a major way with the right season.

And this isn’t just a devy conversation, it carries real C2C implications as well. If these wide receivers take that next step and turn it into legitimate NFL Draft capital, you’re not just gaining a riser, you’re securing a win on both sides of the format. That’s where the edge compounds.

At wide receiver, value is often driven by opportunity and production. One target spike, one role change, one breakout stretch, and suddenly you’re looking at a completely different asset. These are the wide receivers we believe are next in line.

If you missed our QB and RB editions of this series, make sure to check those out below.

Michigan WR Andrew Marsh (2028)

Andrew Marsh is one of the clearest “we’ve already seen it, now it’s about volume” bets at the wide receiver position.

As a true freshman, Marsh quietly led Michigan in receptions (45), yards (651), and touchdowns (4). That alone should put him on the radar. But when you dig a little deeper, the trajectory is what really stands out. Once he started getting consistent opportunities in the second half of the season, he became one of the most productive receivers in the Big Ten, ranking top five in the conference during stretches in October and continuing that momentum into November.

That’s not a projection, that’s production when given the chance. The profile fits what you want, too. At 6’0”, 190 pounds, Marsh brings a smooth, controlled play style with the ability to separate and make plays at all levels. He’s not just a volume receiver, he has the ability to win downfield and create explosive plays, which showed up in multiple 130+ yard performances as a freshman.

So why isn’t he already priced higher? The system. Michigan’s previous offensive approach limited overall passing volume, which capped Marsh’s ceiling and kept him somewhat under the radar nationally. But that’s where things start to shift. With new offensive direction and a quarterback room led by Bryce Underwood, there’s a real path to expanded opportunity and more consistent target volume. We’ve already seen what Marsh can do with limited volume. If that target share increases, even modestly, you’re looking at a player who could take a significant statistical leap and quickly climb into the top tier of devy wide receivers. This is a production + opportunity bet. He’s already shown he can win. Now it’s about the offense catching up to the talent. If that happens, Marsh won’t be a sleeper for long.

Indiana WR Nick Marsh (2027)

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And this year, that layer matters even more.

Once you get past the top tier, call it the top 5–6 rookies, the picture gets a lot murkier. Landing spots weren’t ideal, draft capital fell off, and several players walked into crowded depth charts or unclear roles. These aren’t slam-dunk situations, and it’s going to take time for many of these rookies to carve out meaningful value, if they ever do. That matters.

Because when rookies aren’t stepping into immediate impact roles, veterans become even more important as assets. Stability, proven production, and locked-in roles start to outweigh theoretical upside, especially for teams trying to win now. This article is about identifying those players. The veterans who made it through all seven rounds without their team making a significant investment at their position. The ones who avoided real competition, held their roles, or even saw their outlook improve because of how the draft fell.

Not the obvious rookies. Not the splashy names. But the veterans who quietly came out ahead, whose value either held firm or ticked up while the market was looking the other way.

Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Javonte Williams is one of the biggest winners from draft weekend, and it’s not because of what happened, it’s because of what didn’t happen. Dallas didn’t make a meaningful addition to this backfield. No early-round investment, no real competition brought in. That tells you everything you need to know about how they view Williams heading into 2026. He already proved it on the field in 2025, finishing as the RB12 with 1,201 rushing yards, 35 receptions, and 13 total touchdowns. That wasn’t fluky production, that was volume, trust, and role all coming together. And now? That role looks just as secure, if not more.

Behind him, you’re looking at names like Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis, depth pieces, not threats. Blue could carve out a role, but he was a healthy scratch more often than not last season, playing in just five games. There’s no real pressure here.

This is Williams’ backfield. He’s not the flashiest name. He’s not going to win the offseason hype cycle. But that’s exactly why he’s so valuable. In a year where rookie landing spots were shaky and backfields remain crowded across the league, Williams gives you something most assets don’t right now: clarity and volume. That’s how league winners are built. And coming out of draft weekend, his path to another RB1 season is wide open.

Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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If you’ve followed us for any amount of time, you know we’re always trying to stay one step ahead — not just reacting to the market, but anticipating where it’s going.

With that in mind, we wanted to get an early 2026 Rookie Mock Draft out to you on Substack before things really start to shift.

We’ll be releasing our fully updated Rookie Guide this Monday, which will include expanded rankings, deeper player profiles, and a more complete view of this class from a dynasty, devy, and C2C lens. But rather than wait, we felt it was important to put something actionable in your hands now — especially with how quickly value can move this time of year.

You can listen to the full podcast breakdown below, where we walk through the entire mock, landing spots, and strategy in detail. But for this article, I also wanted to give you some quick-hitting takeaways for each set of picks so you can walk away with something actionable right away.

This mock is designed to do a few things:

• Establish an early baseline for the 2026 class

• Highlight key landing spot fits

• Identify where value pockets are forming

• And most importantly, give you an edge before consensus catches up

This isn’t meant to be a final ranking — far from it. This is about process, market feel, and understanding how this class could be valued today if rookie drafts were happening.

Because in dynasty, the managers who win are the ones who act early — not the ones chasing value after it’s already gone.

Let’s get into it.

1st Round

1.01 — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame → Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love is one of the most outstanding running back prospects we’ve seen in recent years; a player whose skill set legitimately puts him in the same conversation as Ashton Jeanty, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs as the best post-Saquon backs to enter the NFL Draft. He checks every box you want in a true three-down workhorse.

Love brings elite athleticism, high-end receiving ability, and rare contact balance that allows him to handle a heavy workload without losing efficiency. His patience and acceleration through the hole stand out immediately, and what separates him even further is his ability to anticipate contact; making subtle adjustments with his center of gravity to slip, spin, or run through defenders.

He’s explosive in every sense of the word. Love has true home-run ability, capable of turning any touch into a 50-yard gain.

While he often plays like a 220-pound back, his ideal playing weight likely sits closer to 205 pounds, which only amplifies his elite burst and long speed without sacrificing his ability to finish runs. His change of direction isn’t flashy, but it’s efficient and more importantly, intentional. He wins with subtlety, urgency, and control.

We’ve comped Love to Alvin Kamara at The Devy Royale since his recruitment days, but there’s a real argument that his NFL impact could be even greater if everything clicks.

Landing Spot: Arizona Cardinals

On the surface, this landing spot might not jump off the page but when you dig into it, there’s a lot to like.

New head coach Mike LaFleur, coming from the Kyle Shanahan / Sean McVay tree, creates a system where running backs can thrive with volume and versatility. That matters for a player like Love.

He should immediately step in as:

• The primary early-down back

• The featured pass-catching option out of the backfield

• And ultimately, the centerpiece of the run game

Even with James Conner on the roster, this isn’t a situation where Love is sitting and waiting. You don’t draft a running back this high, and invest that level of capital; without planning to feature him immediately.

Arizona’s run game struggled last season:

• 93.1 rushing yards per game (2nd worst in the NFL)

• 9 rushing TDs (bottom-tier)

• RB room dealt with major injuries and lacked consistency

Love alone averaged 114.3 rushing yards per game in his final season at Notre Dame and scored 18 touchdowns, bringing immediate production to a backfield that desperately needs it.

Dynasty Outlook

From a dynasty perspective, nothing changes. Love is still firmly a top-5 dynasty running back asset.

This is a bet on:

• Talent

• Volume

• And system fit

Arizona didn’t draft for need; they drafted the best player in the class, and Love now walks into an offense that features:

• Marvin Harrison Jr.

• Trey McBride

• Michael Wilson

This is a unit that can take a major step forward, with Love playing a central role.

Bottom line:
Elite talent + projected workload + scheme fit = exactly what you’re chasing in dynasty. Love is the clear 1.01 and a player you should feel confident building around.

1.07 — Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame → Seattle Seahawks

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This series is about tier jumps.

For this piece, we’re focusing on running backs who sit outside the top 10 in our consensus rankings, but have a real path to forcing their way into that top tier over the next year. These aren’t random dart throws or deep stashes. These are players with traits, situations, or developmental trajectories that could shift their value in a major way with the right season.

And this isn’t just a devy conversation; it carries real C2C implications as well. If these running backs take that next step and turn it into legitimate NFL Draft capital, you’re not just gaining a riser, you’re securing a win on both sides of the format. That’s where the edge compounds.

At running back, value can spike quickly. One injury, one depth chart shift, one breakout stretch, and suddenly you’re looking at a completely different asset.

These are the running backs we believe are next in line.

LSU RB Harlem Berry

Harlem Berry is one of the more intriguing upside + system bets at the running back position and it feels like we’re just scratching the surface of what he can become.

Berry quietly put together a strong freshman campaign, accounting for over 500 yards and emerging as LSU’s most productive runner down the stretch. That matters. Not just the production, but when it came. As the season went on, Berry got more comfortable, earned more trust, and eventually took over a larger role in the offense.

The traits have never been in question. He’s an electric, twitchy runner with real breakaway speed and the ability to make defenders miss in space. What makes Berry especially interesting is his versatility. He’s not just a between-the-tackles runner; he’s a true all-purpose weapon who can impact the game in the passing game, in space, and in tempo. That’s where this next step could really happen.

Because the situation has changed in a big way.

With Lane Kiffin now running the offense, LSU is expected to shift toward a more explosive, space-oriented attack. And that’s exactly what Berry has already pointed to this spring; more involvement in the passing game, more routes out of the backfield, and more opportunities to get the ball in space.

That’s the unlock. Last year, LSU’s run game as a whole wasn’t fully optimized. Berry and the backfield were productive, but not maximized. In this new system, there’s a clear emphasis on tempo, versatility, and creating mismatches. If Berry becomes a featured piece in that environment, his skill set fits perfectly.

There are still things to prove. He’ll need to continue developing physically to handle a larger workload, and the offensive line will have to take a step forward to fully unlock the run game. There’s also competition in the room, which could keep this more of a committee early on. Caden Durham was once one of the best freshman backs in the country, so Berry will need to prove he can outwork him.

But the ceiling here is real. If Berry takes that next step in Year 2, especially as a pass catcher in this offense, you’re looking at a player who can quickly climb into the top tier of devy running backs and start generating legitimate NFL Draft buzz. This is a traits + system + trajectory bet.

Notre Dame RB Jonaz Walton

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For Devy, CFF, and C2C managers, this is one of the most valuable checkpoints of the offseason. Spring games don’t tell the whole story, but they give us quick, actionable takeaways on usage, development, and early momentum heading into the summer.

Let’s dive into some quick-hitting takeaways from the spring games that have already gone down.

Michigan Spring Game Preview Takeaways (Devy/CFF Focus)

QB: Bryce Underwood vs. Tommy Carr (real storyline)

• Bryce Underwood = still QB1

  • Got first-team run, limited sample (3/9, 22 yards)

  • Flashed some improvement in pocket presence + willingness to hang in

  • Accuracy was inconsistent, but more mechanical than decision-making issues

• Tommy Carr (FR) = biggest takeaway

  • Poised beyond his years

  • Accurate, throws a very catchable ball

  • Created with his legs (led team in rushing through improvisation, not designed runs)

  • Looked comfortable extending plays and making the right decision

Fantasy Take:

• Devy: Underwood still elite, but Carr is now a legit stash

• CFF: Underwood likely starts, but Carr is the name to know if things get shaky

RB Room: Reload doesn’t stop

This is the identity.

• Jordan Marshall

  • Proven production (932 yards, 6.2 YPC)

  • Showed burst + vision again in limited work

• Savion Hiter (FR)

  • Looks physically ready right now (added size, still explosive)

  • Ran through contact, showed vision + cutting ability

  • Not just power, full skill set

Takeaway:

• This is shaping up as a true 1A/1B

• Staff and insiders believe the run game might not drop off at all, and could improve

Fantasy Take:

• Marshall = safe weekly CFF play

• Hiter = high-end devy + potential late-season breakout

Pass Catchers: Built for space

• Salesi Moa

  • Clear “get him the ball” player

  • Quick hitters, YAC, space usage

  • Different body type than past Michigan slot guys

• Eli Owens / supporting cast

  • Reliable underneath targets

  • Fewer drops, better consistency overall

Fantasy Take:

• Moa = sneaky CFF PPR value

• Passing game still developing identity

Offensive Context (important)

• New system → still being installed

• Very vanilla spring game (held back QB run game)

• OL was mixed/injured → not full picture

• Defense clearly ahead (normal this time of year)

Final Fantasy Lens

• BUY: Savion Hiter (everything you want in a freshman RB)

• HOLD: Bryce Underwood (tools still elite, development ongoing)

• STASH: Tommy Carr (real momentum)

• SLEEPER: Salesi Moa (role-based production)

Bottom Line

Michigan is still going to lean into what it does best:

• Elite run game foundation

• QB development over time

• The scheme is still coming together

If Underwood takes even a modest step, this offense has upside.
If not, the run game (Marshall + Hiter) gives them one of the safest floors in the country, and that still translates for CFF.

Houston Spring Game Takeaways (Devy/CFF Focus)

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Candidly, there’s not much left to say about this pick. Mendoza has been a lock since January, and he’ll likely have an opportunity to sit behind Kirk Cousins for a little while before taking over as the new franchise quarterback.

While the debate between Reese and Bailey exists, the cancellation of Bailey’s top-30 visit makes me think the team is completely comfortable with Reese’s projection. Many see a Micah Parsons-level prospect, and Aaron Glenn certainly could use one of those in his defense.

If the Cardinals can’t find a trade partner to move out of this pick, it’s seemingly down to Love or Mauigoa. With the certainty and safety in Love’s evaluation, and his high probability of massive impact at the NFL level, the Cardinals take one of the only good running backs in the entire class.

While many have penciled Love into this pick, his absence from the board gives them an opportunity to take Robert Saleh’s new Fred Warner. Styles is one of the three best players in the class, and positional value matters very little in this class. The Titans could very well prefer David Bailey here, as well.

While I don’t think the Giants need a safety, Downs’s upside as an All-Pro, Kyle Hamilton-level player could be too enticing for John Harbaugh as he attempts to shape his new team. While Carnell Tate and Francis Mauigoa should be on their radar, they go with the smartest football player I’ve ever evaluated.

NO sends No. 8 and No. 73 to CLE for No. 6.

The Saints move up and end Bailey’s slide. The team is in desperate need of an impact edge rusher, especially with Cam Jordan likely out of the lineup. If Bailey is still on the board at 6, I expect someone to move up. Here, it’s the Saints.

While the Commanders could go with Mansoor Delane here, their wide receiver corps is atrocious beyond Terry McLaurin, and snagging more pieces to make Jayden Daniels’s life easier seems like good business. Tate is the best wideout in the class, and he and McLaurin complement each other well.

While many believe the Browns would go with a true left tackle, I struggle to see how Andrew Berry would pass on Fano, one of the most talented linemen in the class (and my No. 1 overall player). With Fano’s verified athleticism, potential positional versatility, and excellent film, the Browns take him as the first lineman off the board.

While the Chiefs could easily go in numerous directions here, their need to keep Patrick Mahomes healthy should trump everything else. With uncertainty at left tackle, some uninspiring guard play, and a need for a long-term solution at right tackle, this move makes sense.

Teams are reportedly comfortable with Tyson’s medicals, and if that’s the case, I won’t be shocked if he lands inside the top ten. He’d line up opposite Malik Nabers, giving Jaxson Dart two extremely crafty route runners who generate separation at all three levels. Hard to be upset with that outcome.

I’ve long believed the Dolphins will go offensive line no matter what, and that could very well come true. But the secondary is abysmal, and Delane is one of the smartest players in the draft, has excellent film, and turned a few heads with his athletic testing during the pre-draft process. The Dolphins have too many needs to not go best player available, and they do here.

Thieneman is generating some late buzz as a top-15 pick, and the Cowboys missed out on what many assume are their top two targets (Styles and Downs). With needs all over the secondary, the Cowboys deploy a best-player-available strategy and snag a player who is just a smidge below Downs.

This feels chalky, and because of that, I’m very hesitant about this pick. However, Lemon is everything the Rams want in a wideout, minus some of the blocking and physicality, and he would elevate an already elite offense.

While an edge rusher here could help, and a wideout could elevate the offense, the Ravens have always known that the best teams build through the trench. Vega Ioane is the best (second-best, if you consider Fano an interior offensive lineman) interior guy in the class and a potential All-Pro.

Bain falling to 15 here has to be the dream for the Bucs, who could really use another edge rusher and have consistently seen the next tier mocked to them. While an interior offensive lineman or cornerback also makes sense, Bain is too good of a value to pass up.

PIT sends No. 21 and a 2027 third-round pick to NYJ for No. 16 and No. 210.

Pittsburgh gets aggressive to fill its need at left tackle. With Broderick Jones both bad and injured, the Steelers almost have to take a shot at this offensive tackle class. Here, they go with a traits pick, but one who has top-of-the-league potential if he hits his ceiling.

Miller or Freeling feel locked in here, but with the team comfortable with Sewell moving to the left side and Miller’s readiness now compared with Freeling’s, they choose the Clemson product. Miller isn’t a perfect player, but he’s a perfect fit for the Detroit offense.

Stukes has been high on my board for a while, and with two safeties already gone, the Vikings pivot to arguably the best ball-skills guy in the class. He’s generated some buzz lately, and I think that extends into round 1 on Thursday.

Sadiq is hard to place in this class. He was getting top-10 buzz a week ago, and his film just doesn’t suggest he should. That’s why I have him falling to the Panthers, who choose another skill position to attempt to get the most out of Bryce Young.

CLE sends No. 24, No. 107, and No. 149 to DAL for No. 20.

The Browns move up to get their guy, a speedy wideout with Jaylen Waddle-like traits. The team desperately needs a go-to option, and if Concepcion fixes his concentration drops, he could open up the offense, even through the rough quarterback situation.

Cooper and the Jets have been linked for a while, but the Jets may double-tap defense with their first two picks this year. Still, like the Browns, they need to add to their receiving room to alleviate some of the pressure on Garrett Wilson. Cooper’s after-the-catch skills would make life easier for Geno Smith and whichever 2027 quarterback they land.

KC sends No. 29 and No. 74 to LAC for No. 22.

The trade requires a bit of an overpay since it’s within the division, but the Chiefs snag a high-upside, versatile piece who can line up at multiple spots along the defensive line. Faulk isn’t the most refined, but he’s a long, athletic player with excellent upside.

The Eagles stay put and still get a high-upside offensive tackle to bolster their room and fill a long-term need. Freeling is still working through the technical aspects of the position, but he’s an elite athlete with the highest of highs, and would get to learn behind a Hall of Famer for at least a year.

The Cowboys move back and take Johnson, a high-IQ player with elite athleticism and some of the best ball skills in the class. He’s not the most refined player in man coverage, but he would elevate a poor cornerback room, even if Shavon Revel has a bounce-back year.

While the Bears could go in various directions, I’ve had them snagging Young for at least the last month. His profile fits the Ryan Poles mold of edge rusher, and the team should look to bolster what was an overachieving unit in 2025. They focused on the secondary in free agency, and now they continue adding.

LV sends No. 36, No. 117, and No. 185 to BUF for No. 26.

With the run on wide receivers happening earlier than expected, the Raiders move up for a player many deem to be safe. I am not a Boston fan, but there’s no denying his skill set matches some of the qualities Mendoza found success with. He’d step into a critical role and his contract would align with his franchise quarterback’s.

The 49ers extended Trent Williams earlier this week, but that shouldn’t stop them from drafting an offensive tackle with as much upside as Iheanachor. He, like Proctor, is a tools-based selection with excellent athleticism and movement skills. He’s long, and has immense upside in a Shanahan offense.

While edge rusher isn’t a primary need for the Texans, Danielle Hunter is approaching the end of his contract, the team just re-signed Will Anderson Jr. to the richest contract in history for a non-quarterback, and Mesidor’s age is less of an issue considering the Texans’ timeline. He’s an excellent pass rusher who often outplayed his teammate, and he’d strengthen a strength for the Texans.

After moving back, the Chargers nab a new starting guard with Rutledge. He’s generating buzz as a potential late-first selection, mostly because he’s one of the nastiest players in the draft. His skill set matches Jim Harbaugh’s personality, and this couldn’t be a more perfect player-to-coach fit.

The Dolphins stick and take the first defensive tackle in the class, and like the Texans, I know this isn’t a primary need. The Dolphins should be in the business of best player available throughout this draft, though, and McDonald could be that at this stage of the draft. He offers more than Kenneth Grant as a pass rusher, and he’s significantly sturdier against the run. This one would shock many, but BPA all the way for Miami.

ARI sends No. 34 and No. 104 to NE for No. 31.

The Cardinals finally move up for the guy that everyone knows they want to ensure they don’t get duped by the Jets. The team could just roll with Brissett and Minshew this year, with eyes set on 2027. That’s still a possibility. But they’re not being secretive around the league about their love for Simpson, and his best film suggests he could be the best quarterback in the class.

NYG sends No. 37 and No. 145 to SEA for No. 32.

While the injury is allegedly scaring off a ton of teams, McCoy’s degenerative knee doesn’t scare John Harbaugh and company. This is a win-now team that earned a top-ten pick, and moving back into the first to solidify the secondary behind an already elite pass rush is an easy decision. McCoy is the best cornerback in the draft without the injury concerns, so I won’t be shocked if he avoids the full Will Johnson slide.

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And in case you didn’t know, my full big board is live on our brand new website. The 2027 NFL Draft big board will be available very soon!

1. Spencer Fano, IOL, Utah

Consensus Rank: 11 | My Rank: 1

While I have moved Fano over to the interior in my final rankings, he is essentially a better version of Alijah Vera-Tucker: can absolutely play tackle for a team, but his shorter arms and movement skills suggest he could be an All-Pro guard. That move actually enhanced his grade in my final rankings, and some team is going to get an excellent offensive line piece at a great value later this week.

2. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

Consensus Rank: 58 | My Rank: 13

Abney has been high on my board since my first viewing of him a few months ago. Many have size and athleticism concerns, but his instincts, scrappiness, and ability to stick in both zone and man coverage make him one of my favorite value picks in the draft. He has excellent film against the best receivers he faced, and I anticipate a team will be very happy with their choice to snag him on day two.

3. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Consensus Rank: 37 | My Rank: N/A

Banks is an interesting case of traits versus film and production, as injuries derailed what many expected would be a dominant final season at Florida. Candidly, the film just never impressed me. Banks is explosive and can get into the backfield with his athleticism, but his inability to do anything else (tackling, especially) once he gets there suggests to me that he’s going to be a disappointment at the NFL level, especially considering his lengthy stay in college football. I understand why everyone likes him, but I’d rather take a shot on other interior players on day two of the draft.

4. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU

Consensus Rank: 134 | My Rank: 61

I normally gravitate toward elite coverage linebackers who play with range and burst in all facets of what the position requires, which is why I was surprised to come away with such a high grade on Elarms-Orr during this process. He’s a downhill, run-stuffing linebacker who fills gaps and wraps up as good as any linebacker in the class, not named Sonny Styles. He doesn’t have the elite hip flexibility and change-of-direction skill set I typically covet, but his style of play matches where the NFL is heading right now, and I think he’s going to be a starting linebacker at the next level.

5. De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss

Consensus Rank: 105 | My Rank: 41

Stribling is getting some very late buzz from a few Big Draft analysts, and I completely understand it. Teams are buzzing about Stribling’s elite athleticism, solid body of work as a route runner, and how he likely hasn’t reached his ceiling. Stribling looks like the steal of the draft at this point, though I think he’s likely to go on day two with all the late buzz. His film in 2025 doesn’t fully explore his impact, as Ole Miss just wanted the ball in his hands quickly so he could utilize his elite speed. As a deep threat, he may be even better. I’ve had Stribling inside my top 6 wideouts for the last three months, and he could land as high as No. 5 from a fantasy perspective.

6. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Consensus Rank: 20 | My Rank: N/A

I’ve been low on Terrell since 2024, as I just don’t see much that suggests he’ll be anything more than a rotational cornerback at the NFL level. He struggles in man coverage, has a slow click-and-close in zone coverage, and is undersized. All that said, he’s also a bad athlete, with a 4.64-second 40-yard dash and 34-inch vertical at the Clemson Pro Day. While some reports suggest he was hurt, his lack of athleticism was evident throughout his film as well. He’s definitely a scrappy player who likes to get his nose in for tackles and support the run, and that could be valuable. However, the first-round talk has been shocking.

7. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Consensus Rank: 24 | My Rank: 73

I’m fully anticipating being wrong on this player, because everyone seems to love him. However, after extensive film study and the discovery that he simply does not create separation, I am out. I discussed Boston extensively in this article.

8. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Consensus Rank: 33 | My Rank: 82

Allen is another player who just didn’t stand out on film. He does everything at an average or above-average rate, but in translating that to the NFL level, I see a player who may struggle to stay on the field on important downs. He’s not the most explosive player, he’s a liability in coverage, and he often struggles to wrap up. Consensus has been high on Allen for a while now, so there could be something I’m missing. However, I think he’ll be a fine rotational player who could potentially start if he continues developing.

Here is the full top 100 big board.

I’ve pulled together real trades, real offers, and real market behavior to answer the only question that matters: what are people truly willing to give up to get the 1.01, and should you take it? Because value isn’t created in rankings. It’s created in your league chat, on the clock, when someone finally decides to pay up.

Let’s get into what the 1.01 is really worth.

Here’s the reality of the 1.01 right now and it starts with Jeremiyah Love. Even in Superflex leagues, Love is being treated as the default 1.01, and more importantly, he’s not being valued like a typical rookie pick. He’s already being priced as an established asset.

Based on current rankings and market sentiment, Love is sitting in a tier alongside proven veterans:

• Trey McBride

• Ashton Jeanty

• Joe Burrow

• CeeDee Lamb

• Just ahead of players like Drake London

This is where things shift for dynasty managers. The 1.01 isn’t being valued like “a chance at a great player.” It’s being valued like you’re already holding a top-15 to top-20 startup asset. And that creates a gap.

Because while Love carries that kind of market value, he hasn’t produced at the NFL level yet. You’re paying for insulation, profile, and upside, not points in your lineup today. That’s why the 1.01 becomes one of the most difficult assets to move. The manager holding it sees a cornerstone. The manager trying to acquire it has to beat CeeDee Lamb-level pricing just to get the conversation started. So before we even get into trades, understand this:

If you’re moving the 1.01, you’re not selling a pick; you’re selling a top-tier startup asset. Now let’s look at what that actually returns in real leagues. These settings are for SF/Te Premium 1.50 12 Team Leagues (PPR). All trades can be found at FantasyCalc.

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2026 1.01 FOR 2026 1.04, 2027 1st

This one really comes down to team direction and how confident you are in your build. Moving off the 1.01 to pick up an extra 2027 1st while only sliding back three spots is a very viable strategy if your roster isn’t close. You’re essentially turning one premium asset into two, and in a true rebuild, that insulation matters. The key variable, though, is understanding what you’re doing for your trade partner. If they take Jeremiyah Love at 1.01 and that stabilizes their roster, you could be looking at a much later 2027 1st than you’re projecting today. That’s the risk baked into this deal.

If I’m making this move, I’m doing it with intention. At 1.04, I’m prioritizing long-term cornerstones; wide receiver is the cleanest path here, or I’m comfortable taking a swing on someone like Fernando Mendoza if I’m building out a Superflex core. This is about extending your window, not chasing immediate production.

On the other side, this is the exact type of deal I’m willing to make if I’m close. If my roster is one running back away from legitimately competing, I’m paying this every time for Love. You’re consolidating value into a difference-maker, and in that scenario, the future 1st becomes the cost of pushing your team into a championship window.

2026 1.01 FOR CeeDee Lamb, 2027 3rd

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That’s not what this is. This isn’t a “best players in the class” list, and it’s not me just taking the safest bet at each spot. We all know who those guys are. Players like Jeremiah Love don’t need another article telling you they’re good. That doesn’t mean I’m out on them, it just means that’s not the point here.

This is about my guys. The players I keep coming back to, offense and defense. The ones where the traits, flashes, usage, or projection all come together in a way that makes me want to lean in. In some cases, that means passing on the obvious name and digging deeper into a position group to find the player I believe in most, not just the one everyone agrees on. So that’s what this is. One player at every position I’m betting on in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor

Quarterback is tough this year. It just is. I could’ve gone chalk here. I believe in guys like Mendoza and Ty Simpson, and if you want to bet on those profiles, I get it. But that’s not what this is. Let’s have a little fun and go deeper.

Sawyer Robertson is a name I’ve been on since last year after doing a full profile on him, and the more I’ve sat with it, the more it makes sense. This is a developmental piece, no question but it’s a profile that screams capable NFL backup with upside to be more if things break right. He’s got the size, the movement, and just enough playmaking to keep things alive when it breaks down. What stood out to me is how comfortable he became as the year went on. You could see Baylor start to trust him more at the line, giving him control, letting him operate. That matters. This isn’t a finished product, but it’s a bet on growth. And at quarterback, that’s where you find value.

Traits That Win

• Size/Frame – prototypical NFL build

• Pocket Movement – navigates pressure, keeps eyes downfield

• Functional Mobility – extends plays, can create off-script

• Pre-Snap Control – showed growth handling the offense

What Makes Him Different

This is a projection play. You’re not betting on elite traits. You’re betting on a quarterback who understands how to operate, who can manage an offense, and who has just enough athleticism and toughness to keep plays alive. That combination gives him a real pathway to sticking at the next level, even if it starts as a QB2. There’s a world where this develops into more if the decision-making and consistency tighten up.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the size + feel for the position translating into a long-term NFL backup with spot-start upsideand if the development hits, there’s more there than people think.

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

I’ve been on the Jadarian Price train for two years now, I’m not hopping off. I thought about going deeper here. Adam Randall crossed my mind, but sometimes you don’t need to overthink it. Stick with the guy you’ve believed in.

Price has always been intriguing. Highly productive high school player, elite track background, and then the early setback with the Achilles. A lot of guys don’t come back the same from that but he did. And more importantly, he kept improving.

He’s been stuck behind Jeremiah Love, which has capped the production, but that’s also part of why I’m in. There’s less wear, and we haven’t seen the full version of what he can be. When he gets space, you see it; burst, long speed, the ability to flip a play. And as the 2025 season went on, the vision and patience started to come along too. This is a bet on what it looks like when he finally gets a backfield to himself.

Traits That Win

• Burst/Long Speed – can hit home runs when he finds daylight

• Contact Balance – runs through glancing contact, stays upright

• Lateral Agility – can weave through tight spaces

• Patience – improved as the season progressed

What Makes Him Different

There’s more here than the surface-level production shows. You’re betting on an efficient player who hasn’t been run into the ground, paired with explosive traits that translate. He’s not a finished product between the tackles yet, and the passing-down role is still developing, but the flashes are strong enough to project a bigger role at the next level. In a weaker RB class, that matters even more. Opportunity + traits is how you find hits at this position.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the explosiveness + untapped workload leading to Day 2 capital and a landing spot where he can carve out a real role early.

Skyler Bell, WR, UConn

This is exactly the type of receiver I want to bet on in this format. Skyler Bell isn’t going to be in a lot of people’s top five, and that’s fine. The late breakout is going to turn people off, and I get it. But if you actually look at what he did once he became the guy, it’s hard to ignore.

Over 1,200 yards, 100+ catches, double-digit touchdowns, this wasn’t just production, it was dominant usage. He commanded targets, carried the offense, and showed he could win in multiple ways. And when you go back to the tape, the traits match it.

What really stands out is how quickly he creates space. The acceleration, the ability to sink and get in and out of breaks, and then turn short catches into real gains after the catch, it all translates. You’re looking at a player who can win underneath right away, but still has more vertical upside than he’s been given credit for.

And honestly, some of the touchdowns left on the field at UConn? Those are hitting at the next level with better quarterback play.

Traits That Win

• Acceleration – eats cushion instantly, creates separation

• Route Burst – sinks hips, explodes out of breaks

• Target Earning – showed true WR1 usage profile

• YAC Ability – turns short catches into chunk plays

What Makes Him Different

This is a projection on role + growth. Bell already profiles as someone who can earn targets underneath early in his career. That’s a valuable trait that translates quickly. But the part I keep coming back to is the untapped vertical element. The testing says it’s there. The flashes say it’s there. It just wasn’t fully unlocked in that offense. If that piece develops, you’re not just looking at a volume slot, you’re looking at a complete receiver who can threaten all three levels.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the target-earning ability + untapped vertical upside turning Bell into a productive NFL starter with real fantasy value.

John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming

Tight end was tough for me. There are a lot of guys I like in this class, and you could go a bunch of different directions depending on what you’re betting on. But this is the kind of swing I want to take.

John Michael Gyllenborg isn’t a complete tight end right now, and that’s exactly why he fits this piece. This is a traits bet. One of the more explosive athletes at the position, and when you watch him, you see flashes of a player who can stress a defense vertically in ways most tight ends just can’t.

He’s not going to win in-line. That’s not his game. But move him around, put him in space, get him matched up on safeties or linebackers, and now you’ve got something. You see it on seam routes, you see it when he builds speed, and you see it after the catch. This is a projection but at tight end, that’s where you find difference-makers.

Traits That Win

• Explosiveness – one of the better athletes at the position

• Vertical Threat – can stress seams and overs

• Alignment Versatility – slot, backfield, move piece

• Run After Catch – finishes runs, creates chunk plays

What Makes Him Different

This is a role-based bet with upside. Gyllenborg isn’t going to step in and play 70% of snaps right away. The blocking limitations are real, and that’s going to cap early usage. But the receiving profile is where this gets interesting. In the right system, one that moves tight ends, uses space, and creates matchups, he can carve out a role quickly. And if the route running develops even a little, now you’re talking about a player who can become more than just a package piece. At tight end, that’s all you need. One skill that translates, and the rest can grow.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the explosiveness + vertical ability earning him a role early, with the upside to grow into a mismatch receiving tight end if the development hits.

Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College

I wanted to make sure I hit an offensive lineman in this piece, because this is another spot where you can find real value if you’re willing to project a little. Jude Bowry fits that perfectly. This is a traits bet all the way. The testing backs it up, but you also see it on tape, he can move. Fires out of his stance, stays square in his sets, and has the foot speed to handle edge rushers. In a league that continues to lean into wide zone and movement-based schemes, that matters. He’s not a finished product. The 2025 tape was inconsistent, and the technique can fall apart on him especially with his hands. But when it’s right, it looks like a starting-caliber player. And that’s what I’m betting on. This is the type of offensive lineman you take and develop.

Traits That Win

• Movement Skills – ideal for zone-heavy schemes

• Pass Set Footwork – stays square, mirrors speed

• Burst Off the Ball – gains ground quickly in sets

• Versatility – tackle with potential inside flexibility

What Makes Him Different

This comes down to projection and fit. Bowry isn’t going to be for every team. The arm length and play strength are real concerns, and that’s going to push him down boards. But put him in the right system, one that emphasizes movement, angles, and getting linemen into space, and now those weaknesses are less exposed. And if the tackle development stalls, the move inside to guard makes a lot of sense. His athleticism would play even better there, especially as a puller. That flexibility gives him multiple paths to sticking.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the movement skills + positional flexibility turning Bowry into a valuable swing lineman with a path to starting in the right scheme.

Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan

Yeah, this one’s a homer pick. I don’t care. I’ve watched a lot of Derrick Moore, and this is the type of edge I want to bet on. Not the flashiest player in the class, not the bendy, speed-around-the-corner type but a guy who just wins with power, length, and feel for rushing the passer.

Moore took a real step forward this past year, and the production finally matched what you see on tape. Double-digit sacks, consistent disruption, and a player who understands how to collapse a pocket. When he gets into his rush, it’s over. He builds momentum, gets into your chest, and walks you back.

He’s not a finished product. The run defense can run hot and cold, and he’s not going to win with elite first-step quickness. But when you’re talking about projecting to the next level, I’ll take a player who knows how to generate pressure and finish plays. Especially in a loaded edge class, this is the type of guy who can get overlooked.

Traits That Win

• Power Rush – collapses the pocket with strength and leverage

• Length – disrupts passing lanes, controls blockers

• Pass Rush Feel – understands how to work into pressure

• Finishing Ability – closes once he gets home

What Makes Him Different

This is a bet on play style translating. Moore isn’t going to win like some of the top guys in this class. He’s not bending the edge and running the arc. But he doesn’t need to. His game is built on getting into the body of offensive linemen and forcing quarterbacks off their spot. That plays. And when you look at how teams are building defensive lines, there’s always a role for a power-based rusher who can win inside, collapse pockets, and rack up pressures. Add in his experience in multiple alignments, and there’s flexibility to how he gets used.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the power + pass rush feel translating into a starting edge who consistently generates pressure, even if it looks different than the rest of the class.

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

I thought about going deeper here. There are some linebackers you can talk yourself into, especially in a class like this. But sometimes you just don’t need to. Anthony Hill Jr. is one of those players I just flat-out enjoy watching play football. He pops immediately. The instincts, the speed, the way he closes, it’s all there. This is what a modern linebacker is supposed to look like. He’s not just productive, he was disruptive. Tackles, TFLs, sacks, forced fumbles; he’s impacting the game at every level. And what stands out the most is how clean everything looks. No wasted movement, no hesitation. He sees it, triggers, and finishes.

You can line him up anywhere. Off-ball, blitzing, in coverage, it doesn’t matter. He plays fast, but he plays under control. That combination is what separates him. This one isn’t complicated.

Traits That Win

• Instincts – diagnoses quickly, no wasted steps

• Range/Speed – sideline-to-sideline playmaker

• Versatility – impact vs run, pass, and as a blitzer

• Finishing – reliable tackler with strong close

What Makes Him Different

This is what the position is becoming. Hill isn’t just a linebacker, he’s a weapon. He can stay on the field all three downs, match up in coverage, and still be a factor getting after the quarterback. That kind of versatility is what teams are prioritizing right now. And unlike some projection players, this isn’t theoretical. He’s already doing it at a high level against top competition. There’s a real floor here, which is rare for the position.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the instincts + versatility translating immediately into a three-down impact linebacker with Pro Bowl upside.

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

I know the discourse around Caleb Downs has been all over the place. Positional value, ceiling debates, whatever it is. I don’t care. When I tell you he’s one of the best defensive prospects I’ve ever watched, I mean it. He just plays the game differently. The instincts, the recognition, the way he sees things before they happen; it’s rare. He’s always around the ball, always in the right spot, and always making something happen. You don’t teach that. What stands out is how complete he is. You can play him in the box, drop him in coverage, blitz him, it doesn’t matter. He impacts the game at every level. And the production backs it up. This isn’t projection. He’s been doing it since day one. This is one of those evaluations where you don’t overthink it.

Traits That Win

• Instincts/Processing – sees it early, reacts instantly

• Range/Closing Burst – gets to the ball in a hurry

• Versatility – box, coverage, blitz usage

• Playmaking – consistent disruption across phases

What Makes Him Different

This is what elite looks like. Downs isn’t just checking boxes; he’s controlling games. He understands angles, spacing, route concepts, and how offenses are trying to attack him. That’s why he’s always a step ahead. He’s not the biggest or most physically overwhelming safety, but it doesn’t matter. His feel for the game elevates everything else. You’re getting a day-one impact player with leadership, production, and the ability to be the centerpiece of a defense.

The Bet

👉 I’m betting on the instincts + all-around impact translating immediately into one of the best safeties in the NFL.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, this is what it’s about. Not just following rankings. Not just agreeing with consensus. It’s about trusting what you see and being willing to stand on it. Some of these guys are projections. Some are traits bets. And some, honestly, are just players I believe in every time I turn on the tape. I’m not going to hit on all of them. That’s part of it. But if I’m right on a few? That’s where the edge comes from. These are my guys.

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This series is about tier jumps.

For this piece, we’re focusing on quarterbacks who sit outside the top 10 in our consensus rankings, but have a real path to forcing their way into that top tier over the next year. These aren’t random dart throws or deep stashes. These are players with traits, situations, or developmental trajectories that could shift their value in a major way with the right season.

And this isn’t just a devy conversation; it carries real C2C implications as well. If these quarterbacks take that next step and turn it into legitimate NFL draft capital, you’re not just gaining a riser, you’re securing a win on both sides of the format. That’s where the edge compounds.

In devy, quarterback value can change fast. One breakout stretch, one system shift, one leap in development, and suddenly you’re looking at a completely different asset. These are the quarterbacks we believe are next in line.

Miami QB Darian Mensah

Darian Mensah is an accuracy-driven quarterback who wins with timing, processing, and control. His production profile immediately stands out, completing over 70% of his passes while maintaining strong efficiency and limiting mistakes. He thrives in the intermediate areas of the field, consistently finding windows and delivering with precision. Mensah’s best trait is how he sees the game. He processes quickly, manipulates defenders with his eyes, and works through progressions with confidence. He’s comfortable operating within structure but also shows the ability to extend plays and deliver accurate throws on the move. His poise in the pocket allows him to stay on schedule and maximize offensive efficiency.

There are real concerns, though. His frame is undersized for the position, which raises durability questions, and his deep ball consistency can be uneven. Ball security has also shown cracks at times, especially when pressured, and he’s not a true dual-threat runner who can offset those concerns with rushing production. The margin for error here is thinner than most.

But this is where the upside case gets interesting.

The move to Miami puts Mensah in a significantly better offensive environment, better weapons, more visibility, and a system that can highlight exactly what he does well. Early returns out of spring have been strong, with Mario Cristobal praising his leadership, toughness, and command of the offense. By all accounts, Mensah has quickly taken hold of the locker room and fully embraced the role.

Quarterbacks with this profile can rise fast when production scales on a bigger stage. If Mensah cleans up the ball security issues and continues to operate at a high level, there’s a real path for him to push into the top tier of devy quarterbacks and carry legitimate NFL Draft buzz with him.

There’s a wide range of outcomes here. But if it hits, you’re looking at a player who could play his way into first-round conversations and outperform expectations in a way that mirrors (or even exceeds) what we saw from Cam Ward just a couple of years ago.

Ohio State QB Tavien St. Clair

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For Devy, CFF, and C2C managers, this is one of the most valuable checkpoints of the offseason. Spring games don’t tell the whole story, but they give us quick, actionable takeaways on usage, development, and early momentum heading into the summer.

Let’s dive into some quick-hitting takeaways from the spring games that have already gone down.

Alabama Spring Game Takeaways (Devy/CFF Focus)

Keelon Russell is the real deal

This was the biggest takeaway, and honestly, it wasn’t subtle. Russell looked different. The game moves fast for him, feet, processing, release, everything is quick. He finished the spring game putting up numbers (229 yards, 4 TDs) and consistently created when things broke down. This offense needs a creator right now. The offensive line struggled badly in pass protection, and the run game was basically nonexistent, which puts a spotlight on quarterback play. Russell’s ability to escape, extend, and make off-platform throws is what separates him from Austin Mack. Mack looks like a system operator. Russell looks like a problem.

For Devy: this is a stock-up. He’s trending toward being one of the most valuable young QBs in the format.
For CFF: his rushing + playmaking gives him legit upside if he starts early.

The offensive line is a real concern

This is the part people don’t want to talk about, but it matters more than anything.

• Constant pressure allowed

• No push in the run game (~2 YPC)

• Struggled across multiple units

This impacts everything:

• Caps QB ceiling (even Russell will take hits)

• Limits RB production

• Forces the offense into chaos mode

Right now, this is not a unit you trust, and it directly lowers the ceiling of this entire offense for 2026.

RB room: volume without efficiency

There were flashes (Daniel Hill showed some burst), but the reality is:

• No consistent running lanes

• Short-yardage failures (goal line stuff is a red flag)

• Production will be volume-driven, not efficiency-driven

That’s a problem for CFF. Unless the OL improves, this is likely a committee where no one truly hits.

Noah Rogers injury opens the door

This is sneaky important. Rogers was running with the 1s and getting buzz as the most consistent WR, and now he’s expected to miss early time. That creates opportunity.

WR room:

Cederian Morgan (5 Star)

• Looked like a future alpha

• Big frame, strong hands, making plays downfield

• Already building chemistry with Russell

Derek Meadows

• Quietly one of the most consistent guys all spring

• Big-bodied, reliable, contested catch ability

Ryan Coleman-Williams / Lotzeir Brooks

• Likely early-season anchors with Rogers out

For Devy: Morgan is a clear riser, this is how breakouts start.
For CFF: early-season targets will consolidate with Rogers out.

Final Fantasy Lens

• BUY: Keelon Russell (difference-maker, rising asset)

• WATCH: Cederian Morgan (early breakout signals)

• HOLD/CAUTIOUS: RB room (OL-dependent ceiling)

  • Incoming freshman Ezavier Crowell is still the real deal, but he got injured, and the offensive line looks like an issue. I am still buying, but expectations might need to be tempered for his freshman season.

• DOWNGRADE: Entire offense slightly due to OL concerns

Bottom Line

Russell gives this offense life; without him, this could get ugly. But even with him, everything comes back to one thing: If the offensive line doesn’t improve, it’s going to cap the ceiling of everyone in this offense. That’s the story coming out of Alabama.

Florida Spring Game Takeaways (Devy/CFF Focus)

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And right now, we’re in one of the most important windows of the offseason: early ADP season. Early ADP, though, is a different animal. It’s built on incomplete information: spring reports, projected depth charts, coaching changes, and many assumptions. That’s where opportunity lives. The market is trying to price uncertainty, and it doesn’t always get it right.

There is value everywhere in early CFF drafts. There are players going multiple rounds too late because the market hasn’t caught up yet. There are system fits being overlooked. There are depth chart battles already leaning one way that aren’t fully reflected in ADP.

But on the flip side, there are landmines all over the board. Unproven players are getting pushed up too early. Name value inflating cost. Situations that look good on the surface but don’t actually translate to consistent CFF production. If you’re not careful, early drafts can bury you just as quickly as they can give you an edge.

That’s why ADP matters. Not as a strict ranking list, but as a tool to understand the room. It tells you where you can wait, where you need to be aggressive, and where the market might be overthinking or not thinking enough.

For this piece, we’ll be using the free ADP data over at Fantasy Points CFB ADP as our baseline. It’s one of the best publicly available resources right now for tracking where players are actually being drafted, and it gives us a real look at how the market is shaping up.

FANTASY POINTS ADP

Let’s get into the current ADP!

Best Value on the Board

Wyatt Young, WR, Oklahoma State (ADP: 20 Overall)

This is one of the easiest clicks on the board right now. Wyatt Young is coming off a season where he was one of the most productive receivers in the entire country, going for over 1,200 yards and double-digit touchdowns, and now he follows his head coach Eric Morris and quarterback into a system that already knows exactly how to use him. That matters.

There’s no projection here. No guesswork. We’ve already seen what this looks like. He’s a high-volume target earner, he can win at all three levels, and he’s stepping into an offense that’s going to throw the ball and play fast. The familiarity with his quarterback gives him a real chance to hit the ground running from Day 1, and that’s something you don’t always get in the portal.

At an ADP of 20, you’re drafting him as a WR2. The reality? He has WR1 overall upside in CFF formats. This is exactly the type of profile you want to bet on early in drafts: proven production + system continuity + locked-in role. He’s going to be a target magnet in this offense, and if the volume holds the way it should, you’re looking at a player that can anchor your receiver room.

Aneyas Williams, RB, Notre Dame (ADP: 33 Overall)

This is where understanding context gives you an edge. If you just look at last year’s numbers, it doesn’t jump off the page. But that’s exactly why the value is here. Williams was buried in a rotation behind two NFL backs in Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love, dealt with an injury early in the year, and still managed to be extremely efficient when he touched the ball. Over nine yards per touch with multiple explosive plays tells you everything you need to know about the talent.

Now fast forward. Both backs ahead of him are gone. The opportunity is wide open, and he’s the most experienced option in that room. More importantly, everything coming out of spring points to him being right in the mix for a lead role.

This is a classic Year 3 breakout setup. You’re getting a player with proven efficiency, a clear path to volume, and a coaching staff that trusts him, all outside the top 30 picks. At his current ADP, he doesn’t need to be perfect. He just needs the workload. And if he gets it? He’s a legitimate RB1 in CFF. That’s the type of bet you make every time.

Cayden Lee, WR, Missouri (ADP: 176 Overall)

This is the definition of a market value. Cayden Lee is coming from an Ole Miss offense where he was productive, efficient, and one of the more reliable receivers in the SEC. Over 1,500 career yards, strong hands, and the ability to consistently get open, the profile is already there. Now he lands at Missouri in a wide receiver room that was completely reset.

There is opportunity everywhere. And more importantly, he reunites with his quarterback. That built-in chemistry matters early in the season, especially in a room full of new pieces trying to figure things out. Lee is going to play. And he’s going to be featured. At an ADP outside the top 150, you’re essentially drafting a projected starting receiver with a legitimate path to leading his team in targets. That’s how you win CFF drafts late. He fits the system, he has the trust of his quarterback, and the depth chart isn’t standing in his way. At cost, this is one of the best bets you can make in the entire player pool.

Biggest Fade

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You can have all the rankings, tiers, and hot takes in the world but without structure, you’re guessing. And in dynasty, devy, and C2C formats, guessing is how you fall behind. This isn’t just another guide.

This is the system.

The 2026 Rookie Guide from The Devy Royale is built to give you a real edge: w…

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Second-rounders feel valuable right now. They’re flexible. They’re easy to move. But once you’re on the clock, that insulation disappears fast. You’re staring at a tier of players with more questions than answers, and suddenly that “value” doesn’t feel as real.

That’s the window. This is where you flip uncertainty into production. Where you take a pick that might hit and turn it into a player who’s already giving you points, already holding value, already helping you win. So in this piece, we’re not chasing rookies. We’re not talking about “who could be there” in the second.

We’re buying players. We’re attacking market inefficiencies. Identifying the veterans and overlooked assets that managers are willing to move for seconds right now, players that can swing lineups, stabilize rosters, and create real leverage. Because these are the moves that separate teams that draft… from teams that win.

Every league has its own micro market. Values aren’t universal; what costs a second in one league might take more (or less) in another. Know your room, know your managers, and lean into those differences. But across most leagues, there’s a clear pocket of players sitting in that second-round range, guys managers are willing to move, but shouldn’t be. That’s where we attack. These are five players I believe you can realistically acquire for a second-round pick right now. Players who can help you win next year, or at the very least, gain value and give you more flexibility as the season plays out.

Let’s get into it.

TE Brenton Strange - JAX

This is exactly the type of profile you want to bet on with a second. Brenton Strange already showed us enough. The production wasn’t empty; it just didn’t come over a full season. He averaged nearly 4 catches and 45 yards per game, and when you stretch that out over 17 games, you’re looking at a legit TE1 pace. The only thing that held it back was missing time.

More importantly, the Jaguars trust him. They let Evan Engram walk before last season because they believed Strange could handle the role, and everything we’ve heard since backs that up. This is a player the staff views as a core piece of the offense, not just another rotational tight end. Then you layer in the situation. The wide receiver room is still unsettled. Targets are going to be spread out, and that actually works in Strange’s favor. He already finished in the top three on the team in receptions and yards while missing games. That tells you the role is real and it’s safe. And now you get a full offseason, full health, and more reps in Liam Coen’s system. That’s where the jump comes from. This is a bet on role + trust + ascending usage. Exactly what you want to buy with a second.

Potential 2026 Outcome

The floor here is already usable. He showed that last year. But the ceiling? That’s where it gets interesting. If Strange stays healthy for a full season, you’re looking at something in the range of 60–70 catches, 700–800 yards, and a bump in touchdowns as he becomes more involved near the goal line. With the Jaguars likely funneling more short and intermediate work his way and potentially freeing up red zone looks with Travis Hunter possibly moving to corner full time or in an exppanded role on defense. That’s a top-10 tight end outcome. Maybe better if things really break right. And even if he lands closer to that backend TE1 range, his value is going to climb. Tight ends who produce and hold stable roles don’t stay cheap. You’re turning a second into a weekly starter or an asset you can flip for more later. That’s the play.

WR Josh Downs - IND

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And here’s how I rank the 2026 wide receiver class.

Quality NFL Starters

Carnell Tate | Ohio State

6022, 192 LBS | RAS: N/A | Position Rank: 1 | Prospect Grade: 82.41 | Round Grade: 1st

Tate has risen on my board drastically over the last few months, primarily because of his improvement as a route-runner and separator, while maintaining his elite catch-point flashes from his sophomore season. Tate is a technician, understanding leverage at the highest levels, utilizing a refined throttle to get defensive backs off balance, and flashing the elite athleticism to accelerate out of breaks. While he was never the primary option at Ohio State, he has No. 1 wideout written all over him, with prototypical size for an XWR, the strength to beat press coverage, and the ability to serve multiple roles. If a team needs Tate to be more of an underneath possession wideout, he can do that. If they need him to stretch the field vertically with speed and ball tracking, he’s the guy. His adjustments in the air are special, and contested-catch opportunities are heavily swayed in his direction due to his elite concentration and strong hands through contact. There are moments of hesitation and alligator-arming in the middle of the field, though some of that may have been due to his late-season injury. Tate is expected to come off the board within the first 20 picks, and a team should be getting a top-20 wide receiver in the NFL for the next decade, provided he stays healthy throughout his career.

NFL Comparison: George Pickens

Makai Lemon | USC

5111, 192 LBS | RAS: N/A | Position Rank: 2 | Prospect Grade: 81.41 | Round Grade: 1st

We’ve been fans of Lemon at TDR since he was a high school recruit, and he realized that potential in a major way in 2025. Lemon is virtually impossible to cover man-to-man, and his acute awareness of open space and holes in zone coverage makes him a matchup nightmare. What separates him from a lot of wideouts deemed “best out of the slot,” a designation that tracks for his NFL career, is his fearlessness at the catch point. Lemon has been incorrectly deemed a small wideout, mostly because he excelled in the slot and doesn’t have many snaps against press coverage, but he wins at the catch point like a 6’5 monster. He can go up and fight with the best of them, and he consistently shows a willingness to put his body on the line to make plays. That makes him a unique threat over the middle of the field. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s creative, explosive, and shifty, despite not being the fastest player in the world. The pace he plays with on his stems translates to his work after the catch, and it’s easy to envision a world where he’s one of the leading receivers in the NFL in both receptions and yards. That said, his work against press coverage is limited enough to have concerns about it, even though he’s a stocky player with a strong build. He can get pushed off routes at times, though he’s physical enough to hold an impact. Lemon is one of the most exciting wideouts in this class, and he should be viewed as a potential top option for an offense.

NFL Comparison: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

KC Concepcion | Texas A&M

5115, 196 LBS | RAS: N/A | Position Rank: 3 | Prospect Grade: 78.89 | Round Grade: 2nd

Concepcion was the biggest surprise when evaluating this wideout class, as the explosiveness, combined with the savvy route running, makes him one of the highest-upside guys in the group. Concepcion may not be the fastest wideout ever (he’s emphatically not), but he is lightning quick on the football field. He glides through his routes with pace and intention, with his speed terrifying corners on deep overs and other third-level routes. That fear allows Concepcion to break routes early and generate tons of separation, taking advantage of defensive backs on their heels. Against zone, Concepcion has a great feel for soft spots, settling into windows that allowed Marcel Reed to regularly find him. The athleticism and separation skills are there, but Concepcion has unusually frustrating hands. He drops easy balls, but catches challenging ones. He struggles with wide-open catches, but he wins contested catches at an impressive rate, considering his build. He struggled to find consistency from game to game, but some uneven quarterback play contributed to that. While the Jaylen Waddle comparison isn’t one-for-one, as the latter was more than two inches shorter and significantly lighter, the style of play Waddle and Concepcion displayed in college is strikingly similar.

NFL Comparison: Jaylen Waddle

NFL Starters

Jordyn Tyson | Arizona State

6021, 203 LBS | RAS: N/A | Position Rank: 4 | Prospect Grade: 77.64 | Round Grade: 2nd

Tyson is one of the most hotly debated prospects in the entire 2026 NFL Draft, as his upside resides somewhere in the Justin Jefferson range and bottoms out at “one-contract player” due to various concerns. At his best, Tyson is one of the best separators in the class, with a route-running style that mirrors the best players in the NFL. His catch radius is off the charts, and he makes difficult catches look simple with his ball tracking and high-pointing. When he wants to, he can be an impact player in the run game as a blocker, but the desire is frequently absent. He is extremely fluid in and out of his breaks, but he doesn’t possess elite top-end speed. He can get pushed off his routes against physical corners, which isn’t ideal for someone over 200 pounds. That limited him against man coverage more than evaluators would expect. The main questions with Tyson revolve around his injury history, as he’s yet to finish a college football season. Between broken collarbones, severe knee ligament tears, and more recently, nagging hamstring injuries, Tyson hasn’t been a model of perfect health since arriving on the college football scene. Teams have concerns about his toughness, both physically and mentally, with the latter introducing another problem found on Tyson’s film. He often checks out of games, gives about 50% effort, and costs his team yards. When he’s not the primary read, he’s completely disengaged. When he’s tasked with blocking on the backside, he never does. When he’s asked to block a frontside run, he often blocks for two seconds, checks behind to see if he needs to keep blocking, and loses the block. He’s as much a question mark as anyone in the class, and his wide range of outcomes introduces hesitancy in his long-term outlook.

NFL Comparison: Rashod Bateman

Omar Cooper Jr. | Indiana

6000, 199 LBS | RAS: 8.80 | Position Rank: 5 | Prospect Grade: 77.08 | Round Grade: 2nd

Cooper has been a late riser for many, and there’s enough in his profile to believe he can be a No. 1 option for a team if he lands in the right situation (though he’s likely best as a No. 2, similar to how he was deployed at Indiana in 2025). He’s a compact, sturdy player who gains yards after the catch with efficiency. His low center of gravity and lower-body strength allow him to break arm tackles and maximize the possibility of every screen or short pass that comes his way. He’s an excellent athlete, still learning how to pace himself through his stems. He often goes at 100 mph, keeping corners balanced and staying with him. Improving his throttle would improve his ability to separate, though he generally doesn’t have many issues separating. He’s excellent at the catch point, with explosive jump-ball ability compensating for his smaller stature. The catch to win the game against Penn State was arguably the catch of the year in all of college football, as he displayed the body control and focus required of a top-end wideout. Cooper will need to grow as a blocker and continue refining his routes, but he should be viewed as a player an NFL offense could revolve around.

NFL Comparison: Chris Godwin Jr.

De’Zhaun Stribling | Ole Miss

6021, 207 LBS | RAS: 9.57 | Position Rank: 6 | Prospect Grade: 76.78 | Round Grade: 2nd

Stribling was the most surprising evaluation of the entire class, as he graded out significantly higher than expected before the NFL Scouting Combine, and emerged as an even more complete prospect. He’s one of the most elite athletes at the position, with a 4.36s 40-yard dash highlighting his biggest strength. He’s a nightmare to cover on deep balls, as he can blow right past coverage. With the Ole Miss offense, he wasn’t utilized as a deep threat, but rather as an elite playmaker with the ball in his hands. 63.5% of his targets were under 10 yards, and he excelled at every level. When asked to run intermediate and deep routes, he averaged 16.22 yards per route run. To put that into perspective, Jordyn Tyson averaged 9.16, and Makai Lemon averaged 14.82. Stribling isn’t just a speed guy, though. He’s fluid in and out of breaks, especially when pushing vertically and breaking off for comebacks. He’s excellent at generating yards after the catch, combining his elite speed with physicality. He’s not elusive with the ball in his hands, but it generally doesn’t matter. He’s not an elite route runner, but he does enough at his size to believe he can be an impact player. He’s strong, consistently fighting off physical corners. He’s arguably the most underrated player in this receiving class, though how he’s deployed at the next level is critical to his career path.

NFL Comparison: Brian Thomas Jr.

Dear Readers,

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Take Cam Skattebo at Sacramento State. He was pretty much their whole offense. He then transfers to Arizona State and immediately becomes the same thing, just on a bigger stage, but was the same player we saw in FCS. Same with Bhayshul Tuten going from NC A&T to Virginia Tech. He didn’t need time to adjust; he just needed the touches. You will notice a trend with these players: the ones who do hit will get opportunities or earn them early in the season. The backs that don’t succeed will be what I call depth chart fillers. But here’s the part that really stands out to me and why I’m so selective with this group. The number of players transferring up has more than tripled since 2019, and at the same time, 55% of these guys played less than 300 snaps. That’s a huge number of guys coming up to chase their dreams at a higher level to not see the field at all or very minimally after being the star on their FCS team.

So here’s where I’m going to probably lose you along the way, but when targeting these guys, I’m not looking for the FCS stars that were amazing at their level; most of them that transfer up was. I’m looking at the landing spot and potential roles based on where they landed. I value opportunities and touches over true talent when looking at these players. Now, some of these guys are true talents, and that’s kind of the trend you will see.

Landen Chambers — Central Arkansas → UCF

Landen Chambers checks a box I care about immediately: he produced like a true focal point of an offense. At Central Arkansas, he was a workhorse RB that ran for 100+ in 8 straight games. Now he’s at UCF, where he joins another transfer, Duke Watson. I consider Chambers a better RB in terms of true workload potential. Watson, I see more as a speedy back to change the tempo. I honestly think in terms of who starts, it’s probably interchangeable, but Chambers will get opportunities.

DJ Crowther — Dartmouth → USF

Crowther is just a tough runner. That’s the best way I can put it. At Dartmouth, he put up nearly 1,000 yards in 10 games, and when you watch film, he just runs hard and seeks contact. Now he’s at USF, he’s competing for RB1 with Alvon Isaac. He actually complements him well as a more powerful back to Isaac, who is the speedier guy. Whoever starts, he has the best opportunity to get on the field early and often, which is what I want with these RBs.

Marquis Gillis — Delaware State → Arizona State

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And now it’s time to lock it in. In this episode, we take one last full run through our rankings at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end, breaking down how the board looks heading into rookie draft season and, more importantly, why.

We dig into:

• The players who separated themselves at the top of each position

• The tiers that matter (and the ones people are overthinking)

• Where we’re planted against consensus and why

• How to approach this class across dynasty, devy, and C2C formats

Every class has its strengths, its landmines, and its leverage points.

This episode is about identifying all three and making sure you’re prepared when you’re on the clock. Find the full podcast below and video.

Christian’s Rankings

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ADP isn’t just a ranking; it’s behavior. It shows you what the market is afraid of, what it’s overconfident in, and what it hasn’t caught up to yet. Every spike in value has a reason. Every fall has a story. And most of the time, those moves are driven more by perception than actual long-term outlook.

That’s where the opportunity is. If you can identify the players being pushed up too aggressively, you can pivot and let others overpay. If you can spot the ones being ignored or discounted, you can build value without having to force it. Dynasty isn’t won by hitting on every pick; it’s won by consistently drafting into value pockets while the rest of the room is chasing noise.

This is about slowing the game down, reading the room, and understanding where the market is vulnerable right now.

Round 1

1.01 – Josh Allen, QB1, BUF
1.02 – Bijan Robinson, RB1, ATL
1.03 – Drake Maye, QB2, NE
1.04 – Ja’Marr Chase, WR1, CIN
1.05 – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB2, DET
1.06 – Puka Nacua, WR2, LAR
1.07 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR3, SEA
1.08 – Jayden Daniels, QB3, WAS
1.09 – Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR4, DET
1.10 – Malik Nabers, WR5, NYG
1.11 – Brock Bowers, TE1, LV
1.12 – Lamar Jackson, QB4, BAL

Round 2

2.01 – Joe Burrow, QB5, CIN
2.02 – Caleb Williams, QB6, CHI
2.03 – Trey McBride, TE2, ARI
2.04 – Justin Jefferson, WR6, MIN
2.05 – Ashton Jeanty, RB3, LV
2.06 – 2026 1.01
2.07 – CeeDee Lamb, WR7, DAL
2.08 – De’Von Achane, RB4, MIA
2.09 – Omarion Hampton, RB5, LAC
2.10 – Drake London, WR8, ATL
2.11 – Jaxson Dart, QB7, NYG
2.12 – Justin Herbert, QB8, LAC

Round 3

3.01 – Jalen Hurts, QB9, PHI
3.02 – Patrick Mahomes, QB10, KC
3.03 – Jonathan Taylor, RB6, IND
3.04 – Tetairoa McMillan, WR9, CAR
3.05 – Colston Loveland, TE3, CHI
3.06 – James Cook, RB7, BUF
3.07 – Trevor Lawrence, QB11, JAX
3.08 – Bo Nix, QB12, DEN
3.09 – George Pickens, WR10, DAL
3.10 – Nico Collins, WR11, HOU
3.11 – Brock Purdy, QB13, SF
3.12 – Chris Olave, WR12, NO

Jalen Hurts at QB9 Is a Market Mistake

Quarterback value is still getting pushed aggressively, but there are cracks if you’re paying attention. Jalen Hurts coming off the board as QB9 is one that stands out immediately. That doesn’t line up with reality.

We’re talking about a player who has double-digit rushing touchdown upside every year, a locked-in fantasy floor, and multiple seasons of elite production. Even in what felt like a “down year,” he still finished as QB8. That’s the worst-case outcome. You’re drafting his floor at QB9.

This is what happens when the market starts to overthink things. A slight dip in rushing, some contract noise, new system talk, it all gets baked in too aggressively. Meanwhile, the profile hasn’t changed. He’s still one of the safest high-end QB bets you can make and the market is giving you a discount because of short-term uncertainty. That’s an edge.

The 2026 1.01 Is Being Priced Like a Guaranteed Hit

One of the biggest signals in these early rounds is how aggressively future picks are being valued. The 2026 1.01 going in Round 2 isn’t just a data point, it’s a statement. The market is telling you it believes this is a premium asset.

And when you look at the type of player it likely represents, someone like Jeremiyah Love, it’s hard to argue against it. Love looks the part. The efficiency is there. The production is there. The explosive traits are obvious. This isn’t just hype, you’re looking at a profile that checks a lot of the boxes we chase in elite dynasty running backs. And more importantly, the projected landing spots matter.

Tennessee. New York. Situations where a player like Love could walk into immediate volume and become the focal point of an offense. That kind of outcome is exactly what you’re betting on when you take the 1.01 this early. At that point, you’re not just drafting a pick, you’re drafting a potential RB1 asset before it fully hits. That’s why I’m comfortable with it in this range. If your build leans youth, upside, or you’re looking to control a future elite asset, this is a strong selection at ADP. It gives you flexibility, insulation, and access to a ceiling that’s hard to find once the season plays out. This isn’t just a mystery box. It’s one the market feels very confident about, and in this case, I think it’s justified.

George Pickens at WR10 Is a Sell Window

Then you get to players like George Pickens going at 3.09 as WR10. I’m still selling at that price. The production was great. The situation looks solid right now. But dynasty isn’t just about what happened last year, it’s about how stable that value is moving forward. And with Pickens, there’s just too many variables.

Contract situation is up in the air. Potential team changes. Role volatility depending on where he lands long-term. You’re paying for a peak outcome tied to a situation that might not even exist a year from now. That’s not the type of profile I want to be buying at WR10. This is exactly the type of spot where you let someone else pay for the ceiling while you pivot into something more insulated.The one deal I love below is Pickens and the 1.08 for Puka Nacua. That’s an elite way to tier up to an elite asset as long as Puka stops biting people.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• George Pickens FOR T.J. Hockenson + Kenneth Gainwell + Bryce Young

• George Pickens FOR AJ Barner + DJ Moore + Jakobi Meyers

• George Pickens + 2026 Pick 1.08 + 2026 Pick 3.01 FOR Nico Collins + 2026 Pick 1.07 + 2026 Pick 2.10

• Bo Nix + George Pickens FOR Omarion Hampton + Joe Burrow

• George Pickens FOR Emeka Egbuka

• George Pickens + Isiah Pacheco FOR Kyren Williams + Parker Washington

• George Pickens + 2026 Pick 1.06 FOR Jayden Higgins + Tetairoa McMillan + Cade Otton + Brian Robinson

• George Pickens + 2026 Pick 1.08 FOR Puka Nacua

• Cam Ward + George Pickens FOR Trevor Lawrence + 2027 1st

• Rachaad White + George Pickens FOR Kenneth Walker + 2026 Pick 2.05

• Gunnar Helm + George Pickens FOR Tre Harris + 2026 Pick 1.10 + 2026 Pick 2.10 + 2027 3rd + 2028 2nd

• George Pickens + 2026 Pick 2.02 FOR Harold Fannin + 2026 Pick 1.12 + 2026 Pick 4.12

• George Pickens FOR Josh Jacobs + Jakobi Meyers

• George Pickens FOR 2026 Pick 1.03 + 2026 Pick 3.03

• George Pickens FOR 2026 Pick 1.07 + 2026 Pick 2.07 + 2027 1st + 2027 2nd

• George Pickens + James Cook + Chig Okonkwo FOR Ladd McConkey + 2027 1st + 2027 3rd + 2027 1st + 2027 3rd

• George Pickens FOR De’Von Achane

Tetairoa McMillan at WR9 Is a Bet on Volume Over Ceiling

Tetairoa McMillan is one of the more interesting dynasty assets right now because you’re either in or you’re out. There’s not much middle ground. Coming off a WR15 finish as a rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year, the production is real. A 26%+ target share in Year 1 isn’t something you just ignore. He was the offense. And with Brad Idzik stepping into a larger role and continuity in place, it’s easy to see the path to another strong season.

But this is where it gets tricky. You’re still tied to Bryce Young. And right now, that doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence when you’re talking about ceiling outcomes. Young hasn’t shown he can support a true elite fantasy WR season yet, and that matters when you’re drafting a player as WR9 overall.

There’s also real risk that Carolina adds more pass-catching talent. They’re not locked into this being a one-man target funnel long term. If that target share dips even slightly, you’re relying on efficiency from an offense that hasn’t proven it can consistently deliver it.

That’s where the hesitation comes in. I don’t hate the price. WR9 is fair if you believe the volume sticks and the offense takes a step forward. But if McMillan is your WR1, I do think your ceiling gets capped unless we see a real leap from both him and the offense. Ironically, this feels very similar to the Drake London arc.

Strong talent. Heavy volume. Question marks at quarterback. And you’re waiting for everything to align at the same time to unlock that true elite ceiling. That’s the bet you’re making here.

Round 4

4.01 – Emeka Egbuka, WR13, TB
4.02 – 2026 1.02
4.03 – Tyler Warren, TE4, IND
4.04 – Garrett Wilson, WR14, NYJ
4.05 – Chase Brown, RB8, CIN
4.06 – Christian McCaffrey, RB9, SF
4.07 – Kenneth Walker III, RB10, KC
4.08 – TreVeyon Henderson, RB11, NE
4.09 – Dak Prescott, QB14, DAL
4.10 – Ladd McConkey, WR15, LAC
4.11 – Harold Fannin, TE5, CLE
4.12 – 2026 1.03

Round 5

5.01 – Breece Hall, RB12, NYJ
5.02 – Jordan Love, QB15, GB
5.03 – Bucky Irving, RB13, TB
5.04 – Rashee Rice, WR16, KC
5.05 – Quinshon Judkins, RB14, CLE
5.06 – Luther Burden, WR17, CHI
5.07 – Rome Odunze, WR18, CHI
5.08 – Saquon Barkley, RB15, PHI
5.09 – 2026 1.04
5.10 – Tucker Kraft, TE6, GB
5.11 – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR19, ARI
5.12 – A.J. Brown, WR20, PHI

Round 6

6.01 – Tee Higgins, WR21, CIN
6.02 – Kyren Williams, RB16, LAR
6.03 – Brian Thomas Jr., WR22, JAX
6.04 – Baker Mayfield, QB16, TB
6.05 – Zay Flowers, WR23, BAL
6.06 – Jared Goff, QB17, DET
6.07 – Sam LaPorta, TE7, DET
6.08 – 2026 1.05
6.09 – Javonte Williams, RB17, DAL
6.10 – Jameson Williams, WR24, DET
6.11 – Travis Etienne, RB18, NO
6.12 – Josh Jacobs, RB19, GB

Dear Readers,

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This isn’t surface-level noise. This is 22 storylines you actually need to know right now and more importantly, why they matter for Devy, CFF, and C2C.

Spring practice is where the real clues start to show up. Depth charts begin forming, freshmen start flashing, transfers either hit or stall out, and position battles quietly take shape before the summer hype machine kicks in. This is where you get ahead of the market. If you’re trying to win in these formats, this window matters more than people realize. Early reports tell us who’s already earning trust, who’s trending toward real roles, and who’s just hype with no substance.

That’s what we do here. We cut through the noise, focus on what actually matters, and give you the edge before everyone else catches up.

Let’s get into it.

Daniel Hill Is Trending Up But This Backfield Isn’t His Alone

It’s hard not to get pulled in by Daniel Hill right now. He looks different. Leaner, quicker, moving better, and the staff keeps bringing up his explosiveness. That’s what Alabama needs because last year the run game had no juice. It was all hard yards with nothing breaking open. Hill cleaned up the diet, dropped weight, and by his own words feels faster and healthier. If that version shows up in the fall, this offense looks a lot different. But we still have to be honest about what we saw last season. The production wasn’t there yet. It was flashes, not a true breakout.

Hill feels like RB1 right now, but this isn’t a locked-in workhorse role. More 10 to 15 carries than someone dominating volume. AK Dear is the name that keeps coming up behind him. The efficiency popped in a small sample and he’s already getting buzz this spring. Riley gives you something in the passing game, Crowell has five-star upside when healthy, and there’s enough depth here to keep this a rotation.

That’s really what this comes down to. Alabama doesn’t need just one guy, they need explosive plays. If Hill’s added burst is real, he can be a big part of fixing that and become a strong C2C and CFF value. If not, this turns into a committee where everyone gets touches and nobody fully hits. The upside is there, but you’re still betting on it showing up.

Chris Marshall Might Be Playing for His Last Shot And It Shows

This feels like it for Chris Marshall. One year left, new stop, and a real opportunity to finally put it all together. The talent has never been the question. Former five-star, elite size at 6’3, 220+, and you’re hearing the same thing out of Arkansas camp over and over again. He’s a problem. Physical, can win at the catch point, and has more speed than people expect. Teammates and coaches keep calling him a dog, and early spring buzz is pointing to him being one of the focal points in this receiver room.

But we’ve seen this story before. The flashes have always been there. The consistency hasn’t. Stops at Texas A&M, Ole Miss, JUCO, Boise State. Suspensions, dismissals, injuries. It’s been a lot. Even last year you saw the upside with nearly 600 yards at almost 20 yards per catch, but it still didn’t fully come together. That’s why this year matters more than anything. Arkansas didn’t bring him in to be a role player. They brought him in to be a difference maker.

And honestly, this might be his best setup yet. Fresh start, clear opportunity, and a staff that addressed everything head on from the jump. Now it’s just about showing up every day and stacking it. If he does, the upside is obvious. He can lead this room and push himself back into the NFL conversation. If not, this is probably the last chance slipping away. For devy and C2C, this is a pure bet on talent finally matching consistency.

Florida QB Battle Still Wide Open But Jadan Baugh Looks Like a Star

There’s still no separation at quarterback for Florida, and at this point in spring, that’s worth paying attention to. Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo are both rotating with the first team, both moving the offense at times, and neither really taking control. You’ve seen flashes from both, but also mistakes. Philo threw a pick, Jones had drives stall out, and overall it feels like a true split. With plenty of time before the season, the staff isn’t rushing anything, but the reality is simple. Nobody has grabbed the job yet. This battle is going to carry into fall.

While the QB situation is still unsettled, Jadan Baugh looks exactly like what Florida needs him to be. He picked up right where he left off. Physical, explosive, and more complete than people probably realize. At his size, you expect downhill power, but he’s showing he can win on the perimeter, catch the ball, and create in space. That combination is what makes him different. He’s not just a volume back. He’s a problem.

And the role is clear. Baugh is the guy in this backfield. He’s coming off a 1,000-yard season and should be the engine of this offense regardless of who wins the QB job. The only real question is what’s behind him, because Florida is still figuring out that rotation. From a fantasy standpoint, that’s all you need to know. The QB battle might take time, but Baugh is already locked in as one of the more important backs in college football this season.

Georgia WR Room Finally Has a Breakout Candidate

We might finally have a Georgia wide receiver worth caring about. Talyn Taylor didn’t give us much last year on the surface. Injuries, a crowded room, and a season that never really got going. But even then, he still worked into the rotation early and contributed on special teams, which usually tells you the staff saw more than the box score showed.

Now the situation has flipped. The room has cleared out, targets are there, and Taylor is stepping into a real opportunity. Former five-star, legit speed, and you’re already hearing the right things coming out of spring. Teammates are talking about his burst, his effort, and how he moves. That’s what you want to hear heading into a second-year jump. This is the type of profile that hits. Talent, opportunity, and a path to volume in an offense that has been searching for a true difference-maker at receiver. If Georgia is going to take that next step, they need someone to emerge, and right now Taylor looks like the best bet.

Kentucky WR Room Is Wide Open And That Matters in Will Stein’s Offense

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1.) I think the average C2C player is better at this format than most “analysts.”

I’ve seen it over and over again. There’s a huge difference between talking about players and actually playing the format at a high level. At the end of the day, I’m not here to sound smart, I’m here to win. Some of the processes people push simply don’t work, no matter how good they sound. I’m always going to follow people who are actually in the trenches and competing, not just talking from the sidelines and acting like the star player.

2.) Originality is dead in this space.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen an idea, and within hours it’s being recycled everywhere. I’m not talking about just top players. I’m talking about full on copy and paste ideas and formats. It’s like nobody wants to actually think for themselves anymore, they just want to be next in line.

3.) A lot of “analysts” care more about looking smart than helping you win.

I see it constantly all over X draft this guy or can’t miss prospect with zero context. We all know exactly what engagement farming is. I don’t play that game. I care about helping people win, not about pretending I’ve got everything figured out. And if you’re following takes without doing your own work, that’s on you when it goes wrong.

4.) Being early is more important than being right (at least in this space).

Every offseason turns into a competition of who can say “I called him first.” I get it but I don’t care about that. I care about whether it helps me win leagues. I’m not in this for credit, I’m in this to be right when it matters and help the people who follow me win leagues.

5.) Consensus is one of the biggest traps in this format.

A group of people decide where players “should” go, and if you step outside of that, suddenly you’re wrong? I don’t buy that. Once the season starts, nobody will remember where you drafted a guy, when he produces and wins you a league you will look smart. I’ll take being different over being comfortable with the crowd every single time.

6.) I think mock drafts have done more harm than good.

They have their place, especially for people new to the format, but let’s be honest most mocks don’t reflect reality at all. There’s no real pressure, no real league dynamics, just people taking turns picking players. My real drafts never look like mocks, and I don’t expect yours to either. Just don’t put to much stock into mock drafts and go to your player pool in your league and prep that way.

7.) Hits get pushed… misses get ignored.

I see it all the time. People will run with their hits and act like they never miss. I know I’ve missed plenty, that’s part of it. But what I won’t do is pretend I’m perfect. Some people in this space will delete posts or block people when their misses get brought up. I’m not doing that. I know what I got right, and I know what I got wrong and I’m still here. I stay away from these creators because they will eventually get weeded out anyways.

8.) The deeper the player pool, the more people get exposed.

Talking about top 100 players is easy. Anybody can do that. But once I get deeper into the pool, that’s where the difference shows. If someone can actually break down a player from a smaller school with real detail, I take that seriously. If it’s just “G5 guy with upside,” I already know they’re not doing the work and counting on someone else to do the work then recycle the information to you for clicks or engagement.

9.) Most people don’t even follow their own rankings.

I’ve seen it first hand. People will post rankings for you to follow, but when it comes time to draft, they don’t use them. That tells me everything I need to know. A lot of rankings are just there to look good and match the market, not actually guide decisions. I don’t trust that, and neither should you.

10.) A lot of people are too scared to look stupid.

I’ll say this, this one hits me too. I’ve taken stands that didn’t work out, and I’ve been wrong. But I’m not afraid of that. A lot of people are, though. They stay close to the same takes as everyone else so if they’re wrong, they’re wrong together. I’m not built like that. I’d rather stand alone, be different, and deal with the outcome later. Just be careful when following people and do your own research before you blindly follow someone’s takes.

Bonus: 5 Players Everyone’s Overlooking

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start on your league, whether that’s dynasty, devy, or C2C, consider joining either our Substack or Patreon. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content designed to help you stay ahead of the field.

For those who want everything in one place, Patreon gives you full access to all content, including everything published on Substack, plus exclusive tools, rankings, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Patreon

Subscribe now

Read more