While NFL fantasy football is incredibly popular, Devy Fantasy Football (Devy) offers an exciting twist that takes the game to a whole new level!
Unlike college fantasy football, which focuses purely on college players for one season, Devy bridges the gap between college and NFL fantasy leagues, making it an excellent choice for those who want a long-term challenge and a deeper connection to both college and professional football.
If you’re an NFL fantasy veteran looking for something fresh and challenging, Devy might be the perfect fit for you!
Why You Should Play Devy Fantasy Football
What is Devy Fantasy Football?
Devy leagues allow you to draft and stash college players on your roster before they even declare to enter the NFL Draft. These players, also referred to as “developmental” prospects, are part of your dynasty team. Once they enter the NFL, they seamlessly transition to your pro roster. This format gives you an early stake in the future stars of the NFL while keeping the college game in focus.
Let’s dive into why you should give Devy fantasy football a shot and how it can elevate your fantasy game!
Why Play Devy Fantasy Football?
It’s Fun & Unique!
Fantasy football is all about the thrill of drafting, researching players, making tough lineup decisions and competing with friends. Devy adds a new dimension by giving you access to college football’s brightest prospects. Instead of debating between the players of 32 NFL teams, you’ll be strategizing with a pool of players from 136 college programs.
Devy also gives you the joy of discovering hidden gems. While everyone in your NFL league is focused on established stars, you’ll have bragging rights for spotting the next big thing while they were tearing it up in college.
Learn the College Football Landscape
One of the best aspects of Devy leagues is how it immerses you in College Football. You’ll learn about players, teams, rivalries and systems, all while enjoying the action. It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the stars of tomorrow before they enter the NFL. As you watch College Football, you’ll gain insights into how players fit into various schemes, making you a more knowledgeable fan, and a tougher competitor in your NFL dynasty leagues.
More Football to Enjoy
Devy leagues give you a stake in College Football beyond just scouting incoming NFL rookies. You’ll find yourself tuning in on Saturdays, following your prospects and enjoying the extra excitement of cheering for your players before the NFL slate even begins.
Test Your Fantasy Skills
Devy leagues are a true test of your fantasy football expertise. You’ll need to:
- Draft strategically: Consider a player’s college production, team system and NFL potential.
- Think long-term: Balance immediate college impact with future NFL value.
- Manage your roster carefully: Unlike standard leagues, Devy rosters evolve over years, requiring patience and foresight.
With a wider pool of players and more unknowns, Devy is perfect for seasoned fantasy players who want a greater challenge.
Get a Head Start in Rookie Drafts
Playing Devy leagues gives you a significant edge in NFL dynasty rookie drafts. While other fantasy managers are scrambling to research incoming rookies, you’ll already have in-depth knowledge of the best prospects.
By the time your rookie drafts begin for dynasty fantasy football leagues, you will already know who the big-name stars are and which lesser-known players could be sleepers. You will have insight into how players performed in college systems and whether that will be similar to their NFL destinations. This edge can help you dominate your NFL dynasty leagues for years to come.
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How Does Devy Fantasy Football Work?
Roster Setup
Devy leagues operate like traditional dynasty leagues but with a twist: each team can draft a set number of college players (e.g., three to five Devy spots). These players don’t contribute to your weekly scores but are “stashed” on your roster until they join the NFL.
Draft Formats
In Devy fantasy football, how you handle the draft can significantly shape your league’s dynamic. These are three common approaches to setting up your league:
Traditional Mixed Startup Draft
In this format, all players — NFL veterans and Devy-eligible college players — are included in one combined draft. Managers must balance building a competitive NFL roster with stashing promising college prospects. It’s a strategic challenge as you weigh the immediate value of proven NFL players against the long-term potential of future stars.
Separate Drafts for NFL & Devy Players
Alternatively, leagues can hold two separate drafts: one for NFL veterans and another for Devy prospects. Often, the order of the Devy draft is set in reverse order of the NFL draft, creating balance and giving teams who pick later in the NFL draft an early shot at top college talent. This method allows managers to focus on building their NFL roster first before diving into scouting college players.
Placeholder Picks in the Startup Draft
A third option is to include placeholders for Devy draft picks in the initial startup draft. Instead of drafting college players outright, managers can select placeholders (e.g., “Devy Pick 1.01”) during the startup draft. After the startup draft concludes, a separate Devy draft is held to fill those placeholders. This approach adds an extra layer of strategy as managers must decide when to prioritize securing Devy picks over established NFL talent.
Each format offers a unique flavor to the Devy experience. The choice depends on your league’s preferences and how much emphasis you want to place on long-term planning versus immediate competition.
Scoring & League Settings
Devy leagues mirror traditional dynasty fantasy football scoring formats. Commissioners can customize roster sizes and construction, including how many Devy players per fantasy team. Like the variety of other fantasy football leagues, scoring settings could be Points Per Reception (PPR) or standard, and other settings can be adjusted to suit the league’s preferences.
Types of Devy Leagues
Standard Devy
In standard Devy leagues, you focus on a limited number of college players. This is a great starting point for those new to the format, as it limits the depth of player research required. Teams are typically drafted via a traditional supplemental rookie draft, and you may usually hold up to 3 Devy players at any one time.
Deep Devy
For hardcore fantasy enthusiasts, deep Devy leagues allow you to draft players from all levels of College Football, including under-the-radar prospects. You’ll even find leagues where high school players are eligible! This normally has a separate depleted rookie draft and multiple-round Devy draft, although sometimes these drafts may be combined.
Campus to Canton (C2C)
This hybrid format combines a Devy dynasty league with a college fantasy football league. Your college players score points in the college league while simultaneously being stashed for your NFL roster. This format is perfect for those who want to maximize their engagement with both college and NFL fantasy football.
Key Tips for Success in Devy
Regardless of your league format or settings, there are a few overarching strategies to keep in mind while playing Devy:
- Research Early: Stay on top of recruiting classes and player development.
- Balance Immediate and Long-Term Value: Some players will be college superstars but have limited NFL potential. Draft wisely!
- Follow Team Systems: Certain college programs (e.g., Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State) consistently produce NFL talent.
- Monitor Depth Charts: Playing time is key in College Football, especially when targeting younger players.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about fantasy football and want to take your game to the next level, Devy fantasy football is a must-try. It combines the thrill of NFL dynasty leagues with the excitement of scouting and tracking future NFL stars. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to dominate your rookie drafts, deepen your knowledge of College Football and enjoy even more football action every weekend.
Join a Devy league today and discover the future of fantasy football!
RELATED: Devy Supplemental Fantasy Football Draft Targets
Thanks for reading my article on Why You Should Play Devy Fantasy Football. For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta – USA TODAY Sports*
