The world of devy fantasy football is always evolving, particularly in the case of drafting devy quarterbacks. The college sports transfer portal and the introduction of “Name, Image and Likeness” (NIL) compensation have fundamentally changed how we should approach drafting and managing our rosters.
Managers have historically been wary of drafting devy quarterbacks due to their poor hit rate at the NFL level. The increasing number of pro-ready QBs staying in school longer presents an opportunity to rethink the approach. Rather than blindly chasing five-star recruits, smart devy managers should be targeting older quarterbacks who have taken advantage of extra development time and emerged as legitimate NFL prospects.
Let’s break down how we can adjust our devy draft strategies to capitalize on these changes.
The Evolution of Drafting Devy Quarterbacks (2025)
Why Have Devy Managers Avoided Drafting Quarterbacks?
In traditional devy leagues, quarterbacks have been risky investments due to their low success rate in the NFL. While it’s tempting to stash the next five-star prospect, many highly ranked high school QBs fail to develop into first-round NFL talents. Even those who do often take years to break out in the league, making them less valuable in formats where roster space is limited.
For every Caleb Williams or Trevor Lawrence, there are multiple players like Spencer Rattler, D.J. Uiagalelei and Tate Martell who were once considered future stars but never lived up to expectations. This volatility has led many devy managers to avoid drafting quarterbacks early, instead opting for safer skill-position players. However, the NIL era is changing the equation by keeping quarterbacks in college longer and allowing them to refine their skills before entering the league.
Factors Creating More Pro-Ready Prospects
Experienced college quarterbacks are now better NFL bets. Thanks in part to the introduction of NIL money, many quarterbacks who would have declared for the NFL early are now staying in school for an extra season or two. This gives them more time to develop, gain experience in high-pressure situations and improve their NFL readiness, all while gaining financial security. Players like Jayden Daniels and Cam Ward are perfect examples.
After an up-and-down start at Arizona State, Jayden Daniels wasn’t a highly sought-after devy asset. However, after transferring to LSU, Daniels refined his game. He put up elite production and became a Heisman Trophy winner and first-round NFL Draft pick in 2024. Devy managers who scooped him up late or added him in supplemental rookie drafts got an absolute steal.
Cam Ward is another quarterback who wasn’t a five-star recruit and didn’t draw much early devy interest. He transferred from Incarnate Word to Washington State and proved himself against tougher competition. After initially declaring for the 2024 draft, Ward didn’t get the feedback he wanted regarding likely draft stock so he transferred to Miami. His 2024 play has now made him a legitimate NFL prospect and candidate for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Should We Wait for Devy QBs to “Emerge”?
The Old Approach: Chasing 5-Star QBs
Many devy managers instinctively chase the next big-name recruit, drafting five-star quarterbacks in the hopes of landing the next NFL superstar. The problem? Most of these QBs take multiple years to develop, and many of them never reach their full potential.
The New Approach: Targeting Late Breakouts & Transfers
With NIL and the transfer portal giving quarterbacks more time to develop, a more effective strategy has been targeting quarterbacks who “emerge” later in their college careers rather than burning devy picks on high school phenoms.
How to Implement in Devy Drafts
Monitor the Transfer Portal Closely
- Many quarterbacks take big steps forward after transferring to a better system or to a coach who maximizes their skill set. Watch for mid-tier QBs making moves to elite programs.
- Be wary of players who end up in “gimmicky offenses” that don’t translate as well.
Prioritize Older QBs in Supplemental Drafts
- Instead of using devy selections on five-star freshmen, consider picking up proven quarterbacks in later supplemental drafts once they’ve solidified their NFL potential.
Look for Multi-Year Starters
- Players with several years of starting experience tend to transition better to the NFL.
- If a QB stays in school for a fifth or even sixth year, it may boost their draft stock rather than hurt it.
- Look at the failures of late breakouts such as Anthony Richardson or Zach Wilson as further proof that time on task helps, whereas Jayden Daniels and Brock Purdy have experienced success.
Avoid Unproven Recruits
- Let others take the high-risk, high-reward swings on unproven five-star QB recruits.
- Save your picks for established prospects or load up on skill-position players and draft the QBs later.
- Focus on older quarterbacks who have already shown improvement to minimize risk and increase the chances of drafting NFL-ready quarterbacks rather than busts.
RELATED: 2025 Devy Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Three-Round Startup
What This Means for Current Devy QBs & Who To Watch
The next generation of quarterbacks presents the perfect case study for this evolving strategy.
Drew Allar (Penn State) | The Next Major Beneficiary?
Drew Allar could have declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, but he has already announced he will return to Penn State for another season. In previous years, a quarterback with his talent may have been pressured to enter the draft early. Instead, NIL makes it financially viable for him to stay in school and refine his game. Allar has the physical tools to be an elite NFL QB, but he’s still developing. This extra year could be crucial to his long-term success.
For devy managers, this is a prime example of why it might be better to wait on quarterbacks. If you drafted Allar as a high school recruit, you’ve now had to wait years for a return on investment. If you targeted him later, after seeing some college production, you’re in a much better position.
Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee) | Boom-or-Bust Devy Asset
Nico Iamaleava has been one of the most polarizing five-star quarterbacks in recent memory. While his physical tools are undeniable, he remains raw and unproven at the collegiate level. Many devy managers drafted him early based purely on recruiting rankings, but he has yet to show he can be an elite college passer.
Tennessee’s offense under Josh Heupel is quarterback-friendly, but it doesn’t always translate to the NFL. If Iamaleava struggles to develop, he could easily follow the same trajectory. Instead of locking in on Iamaleava as a high school recruit, it might be better to wait and see if he can develop into a legitimate NFL prospect before using a devy draft selection on him.
For devy managers, this is a textbook example of why drafting five-star QBs early can be risky.
Arch Manning (Texas) | A Long-Term Devy Hold?
Arch Manning was one of the most hyped recruits in years and he went early in nearly every devy draft.
NIL now makes it more likely that he will remain in college longer, potentially delaying his NFL debut until 2027. Manning is unique from others in that his family has money. He can afford to spend the time honing and developing his craft, especially considering Arch chose Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian to develop his talents.
Finally, after two years as a backup, Manning will become the starter for the 2025 season. It’s unlikely that he starts for one year and then rushes off to the NFL, especially given the current trend towards QBs staying in school longer. Instead, he can choose to take his time and develop as he hopes to leave his own legacy behind.
Arch could certainly still turn into a top-tier NFL prospect. However, devy managers who drafted him in 2023 may have to wait four full years before he plays a snap in the NFL. Meanwhile, a player like Jayden Daniels—who developed later—could have been acquired farther along in the devy cycle and provided immediate fantasy value. This is exactly why the “wait for QBs to emerge” strategy makes sense in the NIL era.
Playing the Long Game in Drafting Devy Quarterbacks
By shifting towards older, battle-tested quarterbacks rather than high-risk five-star recruits, devy managers can stay ahead of the curve and maximize the value of their rosters in this new era of college football. Instead of blindly chasing the next high school phenom, smart devy managers will wait for true NFL prospects to emerge. This gives them a significant edge in roster construction by maximizing their draft picks and devy selections.
Thanks for reading my article on the Evolution of Drafting Devy Quarterbacks! For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports*
