Navigating the ever-fluctuating landscape of devy fantasy football leagues can be challenging. Whether you’re a seasoned devy league manager looking to optimize your roster or a newcomer searching for effective trading strategies, the key to success often lies in knowing which players to buy low and sell high. And when it comes to buying low, the best way to do so is to acquire a player before they ultimately break out. In this Devy League advice series, we draw from the insights of experienced Devy league experts to help you maneuver your way through the trading waters.

This week, we asked our featured Devy experts to identify breakout candidates at RB, WR, QB and TE. Their responses and accompanying analysis are provided below.

Be sure to follow our featured experts on Twitter and check out their respective websites (both are linked below their analysis).

• More Dynasty Articles & Advice
• Dynasty Startup Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
• Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
• Dynasty Draft Simulator

Devy Fantasy Football League Breakout Candidates

What RB has the best shot of having a breakout year in 2023 and why?

Roman Hemby (RB – Maryland)

“Roman Hemby for Maryland has a great shot to break out this year and become a riser for the NFL Draft. He is an athletic runner who has a stout build to both hit home run rushes while also grinding out. Being used in the passing game on a team with a bad defense could mean big numbers, showing why he is a major sleeper.”
– Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown)

CJ Baxter (RB – Texas)

“The easy answer is true freshman CJ Baxter, Texas. Baxter is a five-star talent who should easily surpass Jonathon Brooks for the lead role early in the season. The stacked Texas OL and WRs should create plenty of space for him to work with to break off a number of huge plays as a true freshman.”
– Travis May (Mojo)

*Editor’s note: we do not yet have a profile for CJ Baxter.

Audric Estime (RB – Notre Dame)

“Despite the direction that many organizations are moving with smaller and speedier backs, big-bodied bruisers still play a role in the NFL. I cannot wait to see Audric Estime at Notre Dame this year. A four-star recruit, the third-year runner kicks off the 2023 season atop the depth chart and looks poised to smash opponents. The 5’11” and 233-pounder will rise up DEVY boards throughout the campaign.”
– John Laub (Football Diehards)

Trey Benson (RB – Florida State)

“Benson had seven carries or less in four of his first six games against FBS opponents as he waited his turn behind Treshaun Ward/Lawrence Toafili. Then over the last five regular season games, Benson was a certified monster, running for 595 yards, 6.0 YPC, five touchdowns and a 42.4% broken tackle rate with 4.0 YAC. He’s a balanced runner that can create bad angles and explodes through soft contact. I just drafted Benson at the 4.07 selection as the RB13 in a startup C2C league and could not believe my good fortune. I think Benson will become a top-3 2024 RB by the end of the season and can be had at a big discount this offseason.”
– Eric Froton (NBC Sports Edge)

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What WR has the best shot of having a breakout year in 2023 and why?

Juice Wells (WR – South Carolina)

“Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. for South Carolina should break out and continue where he left off last year. Wells was a transfer from James Madison to the Gamecocks and came on late last season as a dynamic weapon both in the screen game and deep. He has great footwork and deep speed, so making an impact in the SEC is incoming.”
– Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown)

Antonio Williams (WR – Clemson)

“Williams was already the team’s WR1 as a true freshman last year, but the Clemson offense struggled overall. He should thrive in a new high-flying offensive system with developing five-star quarterback Cade Klubnik and new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley at the helm calling plays.”
– Travis May (Mojo)

Malachi Corley (WR – Western Kentucky)

“Malachi Corley (WR – Western Kentucky) I recently recorded a DEVY deep-dive video and profiled the Hilltoppers’ Malachi Corley as an underrated receiver before the season starts. In general, I am a little weary in regard to Group of 5 prospects, but there are exceptions. Corley has NFL size at 5’10” and 210 pounds and the quickness and speed to play professionally. He will post stupendous production this year and open eyes across the nation. His performance and the Senior Bowl and Combine will determine potential draft capital. I am all in on Corley as a DEVY asset.”
– John Laub (Football Diehards)

Keon Coleman (WR – Florida State)

“At 6’4/215, Coleman is able to assert himself using physicality to help him dominate at the catch point, reeling in 12-of-18 contested targets at Michigan State with a solid 4.8% drop rate. He outperformed 2nd-round Packers WR Jayden Reed last season and is now in a more explosive offense at Florida State that should crank out 40 points per game this season. I think Coleman does the same thing to super-sized drops-machine Johnny Wilson this year and takes control of the Noles’ WR room while earning a Day 2 NFL Draft selection.”
– Eric Froton (NBC Sports Edge)

What QB or TE has the best shot of having a breakout year in 2023 and why?

Jake Briningstool (TE – Clemson)

“Jake Briningstool of Clemson has big breakout potential. With Davis Allen gone and a new offense with new OC Garrett Riley (from TCU), expect more usage from the TE position and Briningstool’s high recruiting pedigree to come out. He flashed NFL-type talent last year and now should have sole possession in a better offense. His QB, Cade Klubnik, is also a breakout candidate this year.”
– Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown)

Mason Taylor (TE – LSU)

“Mason Taylor, LSU. He was third in receptions for LSU as a true freshman in 2022, and his usage was trending upward late in the year. He snagged 16 catches for 200 yards in the last four games. He could operate as the de facto WR2 for the Tigers as a sophomore this fall.”
– Travis May (Mojo)

Bo Nix (QB – Oregon)

“Looking at ECR rankings, I was shocked that Bo Nix is so far down on the list. He is my No. 6 DEVY QB prospect. The former Auburn signal-caller is a dual-threat playmaker who performs well off script. At 6’3″ and 214 pounds, Nix has the physical stature and arm strength to catch the eyes of NFL scouts and organizations next spring. My QB model identifies the Ducks’ quarterback as a second-round draft pick, and the national industrial scouting complex is starting to highlight Nix as a potential first-round selection. ”
– John Laub (Football Diehards)

Tyler Van Dyke (QB – Miami)

“How quickly everyone forgot about TVD (6’4/224) in the wake of his injury and OC Josh Gattis-marred 2022 campaign. This is still the same TVD that rescued a 1-2 Miami in the wake of D’Eriq King‘s injury and proceeded to go 6-3 with 2,931 yards and a 25-to-6 ratio. With new OC Shannon Moore ready to incite a rerun of Rhett Lashlee’s spread concepts, Van Dyke is in position to have a big season that will rekindle the promise he showed last year. If a flawed passer 24-year-old passer like Will Levis can get second-round draft capital based on his big arm, wait until scouts watch TVD test tight throwing windows and thread those needles with his shoulder cannon.”
– Eric Froton (NBC Sports Edge)

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