2023 Top 10 Devy Running Backs

The first question you might be asking yourself is, “What is Devy?”

Simply put, “devy” is short for “developmental.” Devy is a specific format of dynasty fantasy football that allows managers to draft college players and keep them as they enter the NFL. This is a format that is beginning to gain some momentum as dynasty leagues continue to gain popularity.

We have ranked over 400 players as devy prospects. Most devy leagues do not draft more than 75 players in a given year, but we wanted to make sure you were fully prepared for the deepest of leagues. This article is the beginning of a series in which I provide deeper analysis of my top 10 prospects at each position.

I’m excited to be taking over the Devy fantasy football content for Fantasy Points. Next up: the 2023 running backs.

If you are interested in our full rankings (400+ prospects), Fantasy Points subscribers can find them here: 2023 Fantasy Football Devy Rankings - RB.

2023 Devy RB Rankings

1. TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State

HT: 5’ 10” WT: 214 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2024

Strengths

• Burst & acceleration

• Home-run ability

• Vision

Analysis

TreVeyon Henderson was an immediate impact player in 2021 at Ohio State, running for 1,248 yards and 15 TDs on 183 carries. He also showed off some receiving chops, with 27 catches for 312 yards and 4 TDs. His vision, burst, and explosiveness were evident from the moment he stepped onto the field. In fact, Henderson was so hyped as a prospect that some were debating whether he should be the devy RB1 over Bijan Robinson heading into last season.

In 2022, Henderson broke a bone in his foot early in the season, which affected him quite a bit. His patented burst and explosiveness were clearly not the same. He received nearly 100 fewer touches, and his yards per carry dropped from 6.8 to 5.3. It was a brutal year that led many to question whether Henderson should even be the RB1 with Robinson heading to the NFL.

I’m still a huge believer in Henderson. His ceiling is simply too high for me to not have him as my RB1. Although the injury history is a legitimate concern, and that needs to be taken into consideration when drafting him.

2. Nicholas Singleton | Penn State

HT: 6’ 0” WT: 228 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2025

Strengths

• Rare size-speed combo

• Home-run ability

• Acceleration

Analysis

Nicholas Singleton is a 6’0”, 228-pound running back from Penn State with rare acceleration and home-run ability for his size. Stop me if you have heard that before. It’s hard not to watch Nicholas Singleton and see shades of Saquon Barkley in his game. Singleton stepped onto the field and immediately made an impact for the Nittany Lions, running for 120-plus yards in two of his first three games. For the season, he ran the ball 156 times for 1,061 yards and 12 TDs. His 6.8 yards per carry matched TreVeyon Henderson’s freshman year. 6.8 yards per carry is actually a good threshold in college that generally shows a running back who is both explosive and efficient.

Coming from an option-based running attack in high school, there are nuances to being a college running back in college that Singleton is still learning. Regardless, the sky is the limit for Singleton.

3. Quinshon Judkins | Ole Miss

HT: 5’ 11” WT: 210 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2025

Strengths

• Vision

• Decisiveness

• Ability to break tackles

Analysis

Quinshon Judkins stormed onto the college scene as a true freshman, leading the SEC in rushing with 1,567 yards and 16 TDs on 274 carries. He was a true bell cow as a freshman, displaying his vision, decisiveness, and contact balance from the jump. According to PFF, he was top 10 among all runnings backs in several key categories, including yards after contact (929), missed tackles forced (76), and 10-plus yard runs (42).

All these numbers are impressive, but given the fact he did them as a true freshman in the SEC with another NFL running back — Zach Evans — in the backfield makes it even more remarkable. If he can continue to grow as a pass catcher, then he should be the RB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft.

4. Raheim “Rocket” Sanders | Arkansas

HT: 6’ 2” WT: 237 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2024

Strengths

• Physicality

• Athleticism

• Pass-catching ability

Analysis

Raheim Sanders came into college football with positional uncertainty. The prevailing thought is that he would play wide receiver after doing that for much of his senior year in high school. However, Arkansas HC Sam Pittman immediately put him at the running back position after seeing a need for bigger backs on the roster. In 2022, Sanders’ second full season as a running back, he displayed his full potential as a runner and pass catcher with 222 carries for 1,443 yards and 10 TDs while also catching 28 passes for 271 yards and 2 TDs.

His nickname is “Rocket” as he was known for his size-speed combination coming out of high school, but it is his physicality combined with his athleticism that sets him apart as a runner. On top of that, he is an excellent pass catcher as a former high school wide receiver. Last year, he played at 227 pounds and looked extremely explosive for his size.

As of Spring 2023, Sanders is up to 237 pounds. I’m very intrigued — and a little concerned — to see what he looks like at that weight. If he can maintain his explosiveness, then he is going to move up draft boards quickly with his skillset. It must also be noted that he is still learning the nuances of playing the running back position, so there is still more potential to be realized with Sanders.

5. Cedric Baxter | Texas

HT: 6’ 1” WT: 210 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2026

Strengths

• Cutback ability

• Contact balance

• Size-speed combo

Analysis

Cedric Baxter fits the mold of the running back type I like in the NFL — bigger backs who have the potential to be workhorse, three-down backs. Baxter is currently my RB1 in the 2023 recruiting class, slightly ahead of Justice Haynes. He is a one-cut runner who shows the decisiveness and elite cutting ability to turn upfield on a dime when he sees the hole. One of the things that sticks out on his high school film is the fact that he is never being caught from behind on tape. He also displays great contact balance with the ability to run through arm tackles and lose very little, if any, speed in the process.

He is already 210 pounds, and rumor has it that he has spent very little time in the weight room in high school, so there is plenty of physical upside once he has a year in a college strength and conditioning program. The one big question mark is whether he can be a pass catcher at the collegiate level, as there is limited film of him catching passes in high school. However, he did play in some 7-on-7 tournaments and proved to be more than capable of catching passes in that setting.

6. Donovan Edwards | Michigan

HT: 6’ 1” WT: 204 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2024

Strengths

• Rare pass-catching ability
• Home-run ability
• Explosiveness

Analysis

Donovan Edwards exploded versus Ohio State, and throughout the postseason, after Blake Corum’s knee injury. Over that span, Edwards had 520 yards rushing and 3 TDs on 70 carries. His home-run hitting ability was displayed in those games. with rushes of 85, 75, 60, and 54 yards. The crazy thing is the best part of Edwards’ game didn’t really show up over that stretch: his pass-catching ability. He is the rare 200-plus pound running back who could be a legitimate NFL wide receiver if he chose to. He can run routes underneath or catch passes downfield with ease.

Edwards is the RB archetype in the modern era of the NFL. His one major area of improvement is that he is all-or-nothing in his running style — he is either getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage or taking it to the house. With more consistency, Edwards’ potential is out of this world.

7. Justice Haynes | Alabama

HT: 5’ 11” WT: 205 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2026

Strengths

• Contact balance
• Rare agility
• Vision

Analysis

Justice Haynes is the son of former Georgia star and NFL running back Verron Haynes. Haynes enrolled early at the University of Alabama this spring and immediately put the entire running back room on notice. In a backfield full of former 5-stars, Haynes already appears to be moving into the rotation as a true freshman, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up as the RB2 by the end of fall camp.

Haynes is by far the most complete running back in the 2023 class, with advanced running skills and his ability to catch out of the backfield. He has the contact balance we look for in our top running backs as well as the rare ability to make cuts without losing any speed. With the frame to gain 10-15 pounds easily, it would not be surprising to see Haynes’ drafted as the first running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.

8. Braelon Allen | Wisconsin

HT: 6’ 2” WT: 240 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2024

Strengths

• North-south runner
• Size-speed combo
• Physicality

Analysis

Braelon Allen burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old true freshman who took the Big 10 by storm, rushing for 1,268 yards and 12 TDs on only 186 carries. He is truly an athletic unicorn with his ability to run with such power and speed at 6’ 2” and 240 pounds. Allen is a north-south runner who, once he sees a hole, immediately hits it with confidence. When you watch Allen run, it’s hard not to see shades of Derrick Henry in his game. In 2022, he ran for over 1200 yards and 11 TDs, but did so with less efficiency (230 carries) after struggling through injuries.

There are a few concerns with Allen that must be addressed. At 6’2”, Allen struggles to lower his pad level enough to protect his legs, leaving himself susceptible to injuries to the lower half of his body. He is also pretty limited in the passing game to this point in his career, with 21 total catches through two seasons. Ultimately, Allen is going to be a phenomenal running back in the NFL who will be fun to have on our fantasy teams.

9. Will Shipley | Clemson

HT: 5’ 11” WT: 205 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2024

Strengths

• Pass-catching Ability
• Athleticism
• Speed

Analysis

Will Shipley was highly productive in his true sophomore campaign with 1,424 total yards and 15 TDs on 248 touches, including 38 catches. Shipley appears to be the type of running back the NFL values. Despite being only 205 pounds, Shipley is a tough runner who continually fights for extra yards. However, it is his pass-catching ability that makes him truly elite. He is a very good route runner and is dynamic with the ball in space. He is not quite as fast as Jahmyr Gibbs (still runs in the 4.4s), but has that type of receiving ability.

Shipley’s downside, in my opinion, is that his running style is not sustainable with his frame in the NFL. He needs to learn how to avoid violent collisions in order to prevent injuries over a 17-game season. If he can learn to do that, then I think he will be very successful at the next level.

10. Kaytron Allen | Penn State

HT: 5’ 11” WT: 218 lbs

Draft Eligible: 2025

Strengths

• Great feet
• Contact balance
• Pass-catching ability

Analysis

Kaytron Allen is the second Penn State sophomore running back on this list. At 218 pounds, Allen has some of the best footwork of any running back in college football. He is so light on his feet, yet also has incredible contact balance at the same time. To be quite honest, Allen is a more skilled runner than Nicholas Singleton at this stage of his career, which is why they essentially split carries in the backfield. In addition, he is also a very good pass catcher out of the backfield with 20 catches in 2022.

To me, Allen is one of the best all-around running backs in college football. The one downside, if you can call it that, is Allen appears to be a “jack of all trades, master of none” running back, which may ultimately cap his ceiling.