Devin Duvernay: 2020 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Position: WR
School: Texas
Class: Senior
Date of Birth: September 12, 1997
Height: 5-11 Weight: 200lbs
Athletic Testing
40-Time: 4.39
Speed Score: 104.7 (82nd-percentile)
Burst Score: 121.9 (53rd-percentile)
Agility Score: 11.33 (38th-percentile
Catch Radius: 9.95 (41st-percentile)
Bio
Devin Duvernay, cousin of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, was an All-American, two-time all-state and three-time all-district selection during his time at Sachse High School in Texas. He was also the 2015 100-meter state champion as a track athlete. Duvernay received scholarship offers from more than 30 schools as a top-five wide receiver recruit and four-star prospect. He originally committed to Baylor but in light of the school’s sexual assault scandal, opted for Texas. Duvernay started two games as a freshman and caught 20 passes for 412 yards (20.6 YPR) and tied for the team lead with three touchdowns. He actually saw his numbers go down in his sophomore season (9-124-0) while starting one fewer game.
See Where Devin Duvernay Lands In Our 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Duvernay, whose twin brother Donovan plays defensive back for the Longhorns, became more involved in the Texas offense in his junior season. He hauled in 41 receptions for 546 yards (13.3 YPR) and four scores in 14 starts. The light fully came on in 2019, though, when he took over the full-time slot role for Lil’Jordan Humphrey who entered the NFL Draft. Duvernay led the nation in receptions (106 on 129 targets) and finished fourth in yardage (1,386) and caught nine touchdowns. Nearly 40-percent of his receptions came on screen passes as the team tried to take advantage of his fantastic run after the catch abilities. His 2019 performance was enough to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors.
After underwhelming during Senior Bowl week, Duvernay predictably blazed at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.39 in the 40 which, at 5-11, 200-pounds, makes for a 104.7 (82nd-percentile) Speed Score. He displayed above average burst and 38th-percentile agility.
College Stats
Devin Duvernay College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com
Positives
+32.5-percent (59th-percentile) Dominator
+26.8-percent Target Share
+Led the nation in catches and finished fourth in yardage
+2.7-percent drop rate; consistent hands; Five drops on 180 catchable passes in career
+23 forced missed tackles; 6.8 YAC per reception
+2.99 yards per route
+60-percent contested catch rate
+26 career kick returns
+10 rush attempts in 2019
+3.16 yards per team attempt
+8.2 receptions per game
Negatives
-13.1 (27th-percentile) YPR
-22 (17th-percentile) Breakout Age
-Below-average ball skills
-Caught the most screens in the country (42) which was 40-percent of his reception total
-Almost no experience vs contact at or around the line of scrimmage
-7.9-yard average target distance
-Averaged 361 yards per season before 2019 breakout
Highlight Reel
Best Comparable Player (PlayerProfiler): Malcolm Mitchell
NFL Draft Projection: Early Day Three
Bottom Line:
Despite his 4.39 speed, Duvernay was rarely utilized in the deep quadrants of the field at Texas, as evidenced by his low 7.9-yard average target distance and 13.1 yards per reception. In fact, Duvernay was rarely used in any area of the field before his senior season. He caught just 70 passes and averaged 361 yards in his first three seasons and didn’t break out until age 22. And even when he did, 40-percent of his receptions came at or behind the line of scrimmage.
There is some level of upside with Duvernay based on his speed and final season production and market share numbers, but there are major red flags concerning his age-adjusted metrics. He will likely come off the board sometime early on Day Three to a team looking to add a developmental athlete in the slot. In dynasty rookie drafts, Duvernay makes for a decent pick with a low floor and limited ceiling in the early fourth round.
Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, NFL.com, PFF
