ADP Reality Check: Re-Grading Devy Picks 37-72 (Rounds 4–6)

Re-Evaluating Rounds 4–6: Hidden Gems, Missed Swings & Where Their Value Stands Now

The second half of any devy draft is where things really start to separate managers who play the board from managers who chase helmets. Rounds 4, 5, and 6 are where you find the speculative swings, depth stashes, transfer gambles, traits bets, and “if-this-breaks-right…” picks that can make or break your long-term build.

Some of these players have leveled up and turned into legitimate assets.
Some have completely face-planted. And a few are just stuck in that frustrating middle ground; flashing enough to stay rostered but not enough to feel confident about.

This is the range where devy volatility lives.

Rounds 1–3 gave us a mix of elite hits, QB landmines, breakout stars, and value surprises but rounds 4–6 are a different ecosystem entirely. These selections often reveal how well a manager identifies long-term profiles, betting markets, and developmental paths. You’ll see big risers, painful misses, and some players who might still be one move away from a stock explosion.

Before we dive into these rounds, if you missed the first half of this series (Rounds 1–3), you can read it here:

ADP Reality Check: Re-Grading the Top 36 Devy Picks (Rounds 1–3)

Let’s get into it and take a fresh, honest look at which later-round bets aged well, which ones torpedoed, and who deserves a second chance moving forward.

4th Round

Round 4 is where devy drafts start to get chaotic and this year’s group delivered exactly that. You’ve got a mix of reliable starters who pushed their value, some steady risers who look like they should’ve gone two rounds earlier, and a handful of heavy misses that remind us why this game can humble anyone on any pick.

That’s the beauty of devy. The fourth round is where managers take their shots, bet on traits, chase upside, and hope their evaluations age well. Some did. Some didn’t.

Let’s dive into the next 12 picks and see who hit, who missed, and who still has a real path to climbing back up the board.

4.01 – Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

Cade Klubnik was supposed to be one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season, a former five-star with Heisman sleeper buzz, a projected riser who could finally elevate Clemson’s offense back to national relevance. Instead, this season became the full collapse of the Klubnik dream. Clemson has six wins, the offense sputtered from Week 1 on, and Klubnik’s evaluation now looks like a cautionary tale in devy projection.

Physically, Klubnik still looks the part. At 6’2”, 210, he plays like a quarterback carved out of granite, fearless, athletic, and willing to take hits you’d rather he didn’t. He’s mobile enough to escape pressure, tough enough to run over defenders, and still throws one of the prettiest deep balls in college football when everything lines up. His arm talent has never been the question. He can throw off-platform, off-balance, off-script and look good doing it.

But the NFL isn’t graded on vibes, off-platform highlights, or recruiting pedigree. It’s graded on consistency and processing and that’s exactly where Klubnik continues to fall apart.

He remains one of the streakiest quarterbacks in the Power 4. When he’s hot, he looks like the guy Clemson thought they recruited. When he’s cold, he’s ice-cold. Clemson’s 1–3 start this year highlighted all the worst tendencies: locking onto his first read, missing post-snap rotations, sailing throws into coverage, and getting repeatedly crushed by free blitzers he never identifies.

His openers have also been inexplicably bad. Across Clemson’s last three season openers, Klubnik has completed just 58% of his passes for 581 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. That is not the résumé of an ascending devy asset, that’s the résumé of a volatile quarterback who struggles to see the field and stalls drives with mental errors.

The tools still flash. The toughness is undeniable. An NFL team could absolutely talk themselves into him as a traits-based backup late on Day 3. But the gap between what Klubnik looks like and what Klubnik plays like has never been wider. Devy managers were hoping for a Heisman leap — instead they got a QB who’s fighting to stay draftable.

Stock: ↘️ Slight Dip
Verdict: The traits keep him on the radar, but the processing issues, inconsistency, and Clemson’s offensive regression sunk whatever Round 2–3 NFL hope used to exist. He’s trending toward a Day 3 backup profile.

4.02 – Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee

Nico Iamaleava’s devy arc is the definition of “the fall feels faster when the rise was built on projection.”

Once viewed as a future superstar with five-star tools, elite pedigree, and flashes of brilliance at Tennessee, Nico entered 2025 needing a clean season at UCLA to reclaim his draft buzz. Instead, everything that could go wrong did and then some.

The UCLA offense was a disaster from the opening month. Iamaleava opened the year with losses to Utah, UNLV, New Mexico, and Northwestern, looking overwhelmed, out of rhythm, and nowhere near the player many believed would break out. His season high in passing yards is just 255, and he has failed to crack 200 yards in seven different games. The offense wasn’t helping him, but he didn’t elevate it either.

The concussion against Nebraska, his second major injury scare, shut down any momentum he had begun building during a brief midseason stretch where he leaned on his legs and flashed some of the creation ability that once made him a coveted prospect. His final numbers at UCLA this seaosn if he misses the USC game (1,728 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT) paint the picture clearly: raw, inconsistent, and nowhere near draftable today.

What makes Nico so frustrating is that the traits are still there: Length + mobility, functional athleticism, and a willingness to push the ball even when it backfires. Todd McShay and other analysts have noted that if he stays another year, gets healthy, and resets in the right scheme, he could re-enter the 2027 conversation. But right now? He’s closer to being a portal question mark than an NFL name.

Devy managers who spent a premium pick on him have taken a hit across multiple seasons, and while you can’t outright cut him due to the upside, the path back to meaningful value requires a total reboot including the possibility he isn’t even at UCLA next year after the coaching change.

Stock: ↘️ Major Dip

Verdict: He’s undraftable today and miles away from the Round 1 buzz he once had. You hold because the traits still exist, but this is a longshot reclamation project that needs a transfer, a reset, and a miracle year to revive.

4.03 – Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon

What a brutal miss and one of the biggest disappointments of the entire devy cycle.

Makhi Hughes entered 2025 as a projected star. A back-to-back 1,300+ yard rusher at Tulane, a preseason All-American, and ESPN’s No. 1 RB in the transfer portal, he was expected to slide directly into the Jordan James role and become the next great Oregon workhorse. Instead, his stint in Eugene lasted four games, 17 carries, and a complete collapse of the profile many believed could make him a top-5 back in the class.

Hughes never gained traction in Oregon’s rotation. Freshman phenom Dierre Hill Jr. took over immediately. Veterans Jayden Limar and Noah Whittington held their roles. And Jordon Davison emerged as the staff’s go-to goal-line hammer. Hughes wasn’t just behind, he was buried, logging just 18 total snaps in four games.

The decision to redshirt and Oregon agreeing to honor the request, was a clear signal that both sides saw the writing on the wall. The problem isn’t Hughes’ talent. His Tulane tape still shows one of the best pure runners in the G5: great patience, leg drive, contact balance, and vision. But this flameout at a Power Conference program hurts his NFL projection badly. Scouts already wonder about G5 production translating, and this gives them ammo.

The silver lining?
He gets a reset with two years of eligibility left. He will transfer again, he needs to, and as long as he lands somewhere he can be the unquestioned RB1, he can salvage devy value. But the days of viewing him as a high-end NFL prospect are likely over unless he completely dominates immediately at his next stop.

Stock: ⬇️ Major Fall

Verdict: Hold only if your league is deep. The profile isn’t dead, he can still be a monster at a G5 or mid-tier P4 program but the P5 miss is a real stain on the résumé. If anyone still believes he’s a “future Oregon RB who broke out,” sell and take the profit.

4.04 – James Peoples, RB, Ohio State

Another RB room miss and one that stings because the opportunity looked so clean on paper entering the year.

James Peoples was supposed to be the next man up. The recruiting pedigree, the explosive high school profile, the flashes in limited work as a freshman… everything pointed toward a sophomore breakout in a wide-open Ohio State backfield.

Instead, he was completely overtaken by true freshman Bo Jackson, who seized the job so decisively that Peoples became an afterthought.

Through the year, Peoples has logged:

• 61 carries for 244 yards (4.0 YPC) and 3 TDs

• One game with double-digit carries

• A backfield role that shrank as the season progressed

• A clear RB3 outlook heading into next year

The talent isn’t dead, Peoples still runs with good burst, solid pad level, and functional power. He flashes enough to remind you why he was a top-10 RB recruit. But the lack of trust from the staff, combined with the emergence of Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, has made his path to relevance almost nonexistent in Columbus.

The reality:
If Peoples wants a shot at devy relevancy, a transfer feels inevitable. The tools are still there for him to be a productive back in the right system, but another year stuck behind Jackson would officially seal the fate of his devy value. Right now, he’s lukewarm at best; not dead, but barely holding onto relevance.

Stock: ↘️ Down

Verdict: Hold if your roster is deep, but be realistic. The upside case now hinges almost entirely on a transfer that gives him volume and a fresh start. If anyone in your league still believes in the Ohio State brand boost, you can sell and walk away clean.

4.05 – Ousmane Kromah, RB, Florida State

Kromah entered the season with RB1 hype in the freshman class and to be fair, the talent was never the issue. The disappointment comes from how the season actually unfolded.

He opened the year looking every bit like a future workhorse:
7 carries vs. Alabama, then 9, 9, and 12 in the next three games. He showed the power, the balance through contact, and the “never goes down on first hit” toughness that made him such a coveted recruit. He also flashed legit receiving chops with 59 yards on 3 catches early.

But then… the usage vanished.

In the last five games, Kromah hasn’t cracked more than 7 carries in a single outing. The workload cratered to 4, 4, and then just 3 carries for 22 yards vs. Clemson. And even though his efficiency has stayed strong, 5.96 YPC, second-best on the team, he hasn’t sniffed a high-leverage opportunity.

He still hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown, with Sawchuk hoarding all the goal-line work. Yet Kromah has quietly been productive:

• 67 carries, 381 yards (5.7 YPC)

• 9 receptions, 147 yards, 1 TD

• One of the most efficient backs on the roster

• Easily the best combination of size, power, and versatility in the room

The saving grace for devy managers? Mike Norvell is returning and the offseason writing on the wall is crystal-clear:

If Norvell wants to save his job, Kromah has to be a centerpiece next season. He’s still the future of this backfield. He still has NFL-caliber tools. And his value will likely rise simply due to projected volume and the flashes we did see in 2025.

Stock: ↗️ Slight Rise (on projected role, not production)
Verdict: Hold. The floor never fully collapsed, and the ceiling remains intact. If Kromah gets the expected RB1 workload in 2026, this year will look like a minor speed bump. Don’t sell now. The breakout is still very much on the table.

4.06 – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

No player in these rounds took a bigger reputational hit and recovered more of it by season’s end than Dante Moore. His 2025 campaign is a full emotional arc: early-season superstar, midseason meltdown, late-season resurgence; all wrapped into one of the most volatile devy profiles in the class.

Early on, Moore looked like the guy. Oregon was undefeated, he was posting Heisman-level numbers, and evaluators were eyeing him as a potential QB1 in the 2026 class. The arm talent flashed every week, the layered throws, the velocity, the touch, the Mahomes-style creativity on the move. Everything pointed upward.

Then the slide hit.

Week 7 vs. Indiana was the turning point. He threw two brutal fourth-quarter interceptions, Oregon lost at home, and the Heisman talk evaporated. The next stretch didn’t help: bad weather games, a broken nose vs. Wisconsin, labored performances vs. Iowa. His numbers fell off, his rhythm fell apart, and suddenly he was no longer the shiny future top-5 pick.

But the important part? He battled through it. And the late-season rebound mattered.

Moore has now stacked back-to-back 250+ yard games and reminded everyone why he was being mentioned as a Heisman favorite in the first place. The high-end traits — arm elasticity, precision throwing from multiple platforms, anticipation, the ability to process pressure, and that rare blend of timing + flow — are all still there.

Mel Kiper, McShay, and multiple NFL evaluators still see him as a potential top-5 overall pick if he declares in 2026. His mechanics are advanced, his feel in structure is noticeably improved, and even in Oregon’s roughest stretch, he proved he can elevate the offense rather than just survive it.

Even with the dip, the profile remains extremely strong:

• Elite arm talent

• High-level anticipation

• Mature mechanics

• Scheme versatility

• Flash creation ability

• Big-game poise

• NFL frame (needs 8–12 more pounds)

And if he comes back for one more year? He joins Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith as a lock for Round 1 of 2026 devy startups.

Stock: ↘️↗️ Neutral-to-Up (Volatile season, but ceiling remains elite)
Verdict: Hold with confidence. The shaky middle stretch scared off the casual devy managers but the NFL still loves him, and the tools remain special. If he returns to school, he’s a top-5 devy pick. If he declares, he could be the QB1 in the class.

4.07 – Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

Talk about rising from the ashes; Kaytron Allen is the perfect example of a devy asset who refused to fade quietly. Once viewed as the “other” Penn State running back behind Nick Singleton, Allen has completely flipped the narrative. In 2025, he didn’t just resurrect his value… he rewrote his legacy.

Allen carved up defenses all season long, culminating in a monster 181-yard game against Michigan State and ultimately becoming Penn State’s all-time leading rusher with 3,954 yards. Surpassing Evan Royster and Saquon Barkley along the way. For a player many pegged as a future UDFA or late Day 3 pick, his senior-year surge has forced the NFL to take a long, hard look.

Allen’s game is tailored for Sundays:

• Decisive one-cut runner who sees creases before they appear

• Exceptional contact balance and forward momentum that converts tough yards

• Downhill efficiency that wears out defenses over four quarters

• Mentality of a pro: embraces timeshares, understands his role, and grinds

While he doesn’t offer dynamic receiving ability or blistering top-end speed, his vision, toughness, and reliable early-down work translate immediately to an NFL committee. He profiles like a back who steps into a rotation Day 1 and earns 10–15 efficient touches a game. The pass-catching limitations cap his ceiling, but his floor is rock solid, especially for teams running zone-heavy concepts where his decisiveness thrives.

The biggest development? He’s gone from “depth RB” to a legitimate Day 2 contender. That’s a massive turnaround for a player drafted in this range of devy startups.

Stock: 📈 Up
Verdict: Hold. Allen’s draft capital is trending up, and his profile screams “instant NFL contributor.” Unless someone in your league wants to pay borderline-Round-2 rookie pick value, you’re better off riding the momentum.

4.08 – Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

Zachariah Branch is one of the most fascinating “value recoveries” in this entire ADP range. After a frustrating 2024 at USC that left managers wondering whether the electric five-star athlete would ever translate into a real wide receiver, Branch’s transfer to Georgia has stabilized his stock and finally given him a platform to grow into something more sustainable than just “gadget/return weapon.”

His 2025 season hasnt been some nuclear breakout, but it was exactly what you needed if you drafted him early and have been holding your breath ever since. Branch delivered 63 receptions for 638 yards and three touchdowns, looked noticeably more disciplined as a route runner, and most importantly; proved he can be a functional WR rather than just a highlight merchant.

There’s still a duality to his profile:

The Good:

• One of the most sudden players in college football

• Elite acceleration and short-area burst

• Can uncover effortlessly vs zone and off-man

• Creates YAC with twitch and surprising toughness

• Brings real value as a returner (and NFL teams care)

• Improved discipline, pacing, and effort in 2025

When he’s used correctly, Branch is a nightmare. His ability to manipulate space, drift to soft spots, and uncover late gives QBs easy answers. His hands have steadied, and he’s playing with more confidence and timing.

The Concerns:

• Undersized with a limited catch radius

• Doesn’t play quite as fast as the high school legend version

• Won’t win many 50/50 balls

• Needs a creative coordinator to weaponize him

• Likely capped as a slot-first player

• Will struggle against long, physical NFL corners

Branch is going to be polarizing because he probably won’t ever be a true WR1 or even a perimeter alpha. But as a dynamic slot player with return value and legit processing in space, he can carve out an NFL role especially with a team that knows how to manufacture explosive touches.

If he returns to Georgia next season (likely), he’s the locked-in WR1 and could make a leap in his route refinement. If he declares, he’s probably a Day 2 swing with elite athletic upside.

Either way, he’s done enough to stop the bleeding and reestablish himself as a real devy asset instead of a fading novelty.

Stock: ⬆️ Up (Value Restored—back in the conversation instead of fading out)
Verdict: Hold. He’s not an alpha, but he’s trending toward a viable NFL slot/YAC weapon with return equity. His upside depends heavily on landing spot, so selling now would be cashing out before the big reveal. Hold and see where this goes

4.09 – Harlem Berry, RB, LSU

One of the biggest freshman swings of this devy cycle has been Harlem Berry and so far, the arrow is pointing straight up.

Berry entered LSU as one of the most decorated high school running backs in the country: over 8,000 rushing yards, more than 150 touchdowns, elite track speed, and rare open-field creativity. The competition level was low in Louisiana 1A ball, but the traits always popped — loose hips, instant acceleration, effortless cut stacking, and the kind of lateral agility that forces missed tackles even without manufactured space.

The early college translation? Extremely encouraging.

Berry has already overtaken Caden Durham and carved out legitimate usage in the LSU backfield: 87 carries, 423 yards, 2 TDs, plus flashes of the receiving upside that made him such a coveted recruit. He looks explosive, comfortable, and creatively natural, a true space-playmaker with three-down potential once he adds mass.

Of course, the unknown is LSU’s future. Brian Kelly is gone, the depth chart could shuffle, and the offensive philosophy may shift. But talent almost always survives coaching change, and Berry is by far the most naturally gifted back on the roster.

His upside profile is exactly what devy managers chase: A true all-purpose back with home-run speed, big-play instincts, and room to grow physically. If he stays at LSU and locks down the RB1 job under the next staff, he has a clear path to becoming one of the top running backs in the 2027 NFL Draft class.

Stock: 📈 Up (Significant rise — trending toward future Round 2 devy pick)
Verdict: Smash hold. Berry has already shown more than enough to validate the hype. If anyone in your league still sees him as “just a freshman committee back,” exploit that immediately, his ceiling is as high as any RB in the class.

4.10 – Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC

Ja’Kobi Lane has been one of the quiet climbers in devy this season, and his rise became even more noticeable down the stretch as he flashed legitimate NFL traits alongside Makai Lemon. Lane pulled in 6 of 11 targets for 108 yards against Oregon, showcasing his YAC ability, body control, and ability to win downfield even while operating as USC’s WR2.

At 6’4”, 200 pounds, Lane checks the size/length boxes teams covet in an outside receiver. His game really pops when working vertically: smooth acceleration, great tracking over the shoulder, and the flexibility to adjust late at the catch point. He’s a natural seam-stretcher and red-zone problem who uses his frame well and consistently presents a friendly target to his QB.

What’s even more encouraging is his unexpected RAC profile. For a big-bodied receiver, Lane shows deceptive agility, fast foot reset ability, and wiry strength that lets him slip through contact and create extra yards. He’s not just a linear athlete, he can throttle, manipulate stems, and win with nuanced pacing.

His weaknesses remain clear: he still has occasional concentration drops, and his route tree is incomplete. He thrives with cushion, but tightening up releases and adding more versatility to his breaks will be critical for unlocking true alpha potential. Still, the size-adjusted fluidity is real, and his flashes hint at a player who could be a legitimate Day 2 NFL prospect.

With Lemon likely declaring, Lane enters 2026 as a near-lock to be USC’s WR1, setting up a massive opportunity spike next season. If he decalres in this calss he seems locked into a day 2 pick.

Stock: ⬆️ Up
Verdict: Strong hold and potential buy. Lane’s blend of size, downfield ability, and developing RAC skills gives him an NFL-template profile.

4.11 – Micah Hudson, WR, Texas Tech

Micah Hudson is the perfect example of a devy profile where the idea of the player has always been far more enticing than the actual on-field results. Two years ago, you couldn’t find a devy analyst who didn’t believe Hudson was a future Round 1 or early Day 2 NFL prospect. The high-school resume backed it up: over 2,500 receiving yards, elite multi-sport athleticism, dynamic YAC ability, and a vertical profile that screamed “future game-breaker.”

But the college career? A complete detour from the projection.

After transferring away from Texas Tech and then returning, Hudson has never found traction. Through this point of the season, he’s sitting at 6 catches for 67 yards, offering none of the dynamic explosiveness or playmaking that defined his prep days. He’s been unable to carve out a role, unable to command targets, and unable to show any growth in route nuance or physicality, all areas that were known developmental checkpoints coming out of high school.

Technically, he’s expected to redshirt, which preserves three years of eligibility. That gives him time, but it also highlights how far behind he is. For a former five-star prospect touted as one of the best playmakers in Texas high school football history, this outcome is a stunning miss so far.

The talent has always been real. The development, consistency, and production simply never followed.

Stock: ⬇️ Major Fall
Verdict: A hold only in the deepest formats where you’re betting on a total reboot. In standard devy? He’s undraftable right now. His next landing spot and 2026 usage will determine whether he even stays on the radar.

4.12 – Kaliq Lockett, WR, Texas

Lockett is one of the toughest evals in this range because his freshman season amounts to a pure incomplete. Texas simply didn’t need him on the field this year, and with the depth chart stacked and Quinn Ewers peppering established options, Lockett slid into a developmental role from Day 1. That’s not necessarily a red flag, it’s almost the norm for high-end freshmen at powerhouse programs but it does leave devy managers with no new information.

As a high school recruit, Lockett checked every box you want from a future boundary WR1: long frame (6’1½” with a big wingspan), effortless ball-tracking, elite body control, and some of the strongest hands in the 2025 class. He consistently won at the catch point, flashed late-separation ability against top DBs, and showed the type of coordinated explosiveness that translates to early-round NFL traits. His junior tape was special: 1,299 yards and 13 TDs with high-level movement skills and fluid in-and-out breaks.

He still must fill out physically to handle stronger press corners, clean up some routine concentration drops, and improve his release package. But the tools are absolutely still there. A redshirt year gives him time to add mass and adapt to the speed of the college game. Lockett will enter 2025 with a real shot to win a starting job.

At this point, his value hasn’t moved because it can’t — we haven’t seen him. But the upside that got him drafted in Round 4 remains fully intact.

Stock: ⟷ Neutral (pure incomplete — hasn’t gained or lost value)
Verdict: Hold. Nothing about his profile has changed, and he’ll enter 2026 with a path to playing time. If he hits, he still has early-round devy upside.

5th Round

Dear Readers,

We’re an independent site thriving thanks to the support of our valued members. By signing up for our Substack or Patreon, you’re directly contributing to keeping our business running. Subscribing to Patreon grants you access to Substack content and all of our exclusive material. Your support is crucial, and we sincerely appreciate your commitment.

Thank you for helping us continue our work.