Hello, My name is Robert Jaracz and I’m addicted to Fantasy Football.
I dedicate plenty of time brainstorming trade deals and searching for waiver wire sleepers. I used to play in 15+ fantasy football leagues including Redraft, Dynasty, Keeper, Best Ball, and a Pirate League. However, there’s 1 league I joined a few years ago only because I like the style and thought it was an interesting concept.
I had never heard of a “Devy League” prior to 2020 but the rules are quite simple. It stands for “Developmental” Dynasty League which has a 1 round “Developmental” draft before the College Season begins. Once the players turn pro, they get put on your NFL team and are taken out of the rookie draft pool.
There are a few ways to utilize the additional draft pick. You can trade it to get whatever value you place on it, you can draft a projected 1st round pick in Next Year’s draft, or you can draft underclassmen.
Drafting Underclassmen
Drafting Bryce Young in 2020 as the #1 rated QB is probably the best case scenario for the Devy pick, where the Top QB recruit ends up going #1 overall in the NFL draft.
On the flip side of that is 2021 #1 QB Recruit Quinn Ewers being drafted 231st and sitting 3rd string on the Dolphins. He may end up being able to work into something later but you definitely would prefer a contributor over a bench fantasy guy waiting for an injury or 2. The Dolphins might be the best case scenario for any backup QB in the league but I hate to throw something positive on Tua’s Concussion Consistency.
Looking Ahead for Next Year’s Draft Players
It’s also equally difficult to try and pick next year’s top draft picks because those fluctuate as well. Like any market, the values go up and down. The player value market can be a volatile one.
Ashton Jeanty went #1 in Rookie Drafts this year, unless it was a 2 QB league. Only the deepest of fans would’ve had him as the #1 RB before the 2024 NCAA season, that distinction went to Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon, who just like Quinn Ewers, wound up with a bench role on the Miami Dolphins.
Could the Dolphins end up being led by Quinn Ewers and Ollie Gordon on Offense???
Trade The Pick
If you’re like me and an addict for action, it’s fun to trade the Devy pick. I traded a Devy pick, 1st rd pick, and a 3rd round pick for Saquon Barkley.
You never really know what’s going to happen over 1 season and the trajectory can fluctuate greatly. Using it to acquire a “sure thing” at the expense of acquiring young talent can help those who want to “Win Now“. It’s fun to play around with it.
I have the 2nd pick in a Devy Draft this year after suffering terrible key injuries throughout the season (Aiyuk, CMC, Deshaun Watson, etc). I’m currently sitting with Drew Allar and Branson Robinson as my holdover devy players. I drafted them as Freshmen so you can see with my own examples how volatile it is.
I’ve been digging through the depths of next year’s drafts and here are my Top 5 Devy QB Picks for this year.
- Arch Manning – I’m not alone here and this may all be hype and seeing him use his feet better than Peyton and Eli ever could. He’s poised to have breakout season and Texas is a Playoff contender. He may not come out in 2026 but he’s worth having regardless. We’ll see if he can live up to all the hype.
- Garrett Nussmeier – Other people’s #1 QB but also because unlike Arch, he was a full-time starter and visually looks like he can make all the throws. He won’t beat you with his legs but he can extend plays and throw accurate balls on the move. Seniority should probably put him #1 on the list but Arch has more potential value at the moment.
- Dante Moore – Only a Redshirt Sophomore but having sat behind Dillon Gabriel for a year and getting accustomed to the Oregon way should have him sitting pretty to breakout this season. As a Five-star QB coming out of High School, he hasn’t had the production or playing time which you’d expect. However, like Arch Manning, he’s in a prime situation for success. Oregon isn’t falling off a cliff into the Pacific this year so he’s in a good position to showcase his talents.
- Cade Klubnik – I’m actually not as high on Klubnik as most people and I have him here at 4 because I’m torn. At times, it looks like he’s not a fluid passer and then he throws for 336 yards against Texas. It was hard to know if his stat-line was beefed up playing subpar ACC Defenses or if it was more attributed to his ability to beat up on those defenses. He has plenty of athleticism and I fear he may rely on his athleticism in college whereas the pros will force you to beat them with your arm. If he can improve on his consistency and mechanical fluidity then he may turn out to prove the people like me wrong to count him out. (In Fairness: I’m not counting him out, I always think people can improve…situations permitting).
- DJ Lagway – the Kid is only a Sophomore, so you’d have to hold onto him but if you have a good team and pick a little deeper in the draft, it might be worth a grab and stash approach for him while you can this year. He looked really good at times last year and seems to have untouched potential within him. I’m curious to see where he can lead the Gators this year and to watch his development. A young dual-threat player with a strong arm can go a long way in Fantasy.
Honorable Mention
- Drew Allar – I have him at 6 and I’m a bit of a homer since I picked him as a Freshmen. So I’m a little Biased. He hasn’t looked like the most accurate passer but he also hasn’t had the best WRs to throw to. It only appeared like Tyler Warren could open on their own in the receiving corp last year so maybe some of these transfer guys can help him out a bit. He’ll have his Senior year to refine his game enough to warrant a top pick on him and he just might.
If you like my list or feel like I’m missing out on somebody, please feel free to leave something in the comments.
Postscript
I’m down to 10 Fantasy Leagues. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted really, just that I like it and find it fun to dig through stats looking for treasure and following it throughout the year. I also play in Dynasty and Redraft Baseball Fantasy Leagues as well.
-Rob
The Other Side of Sports 