2020 NFL Draft: Devin Duvernay’s Stock Continues to Rise
By Dan Matney
Devin Duvernay’s development has been interesting to track throughout his career. He was highly rated coming out of high school and hasn’t quite lived up to those expectations, but he’s had a tremendous start to his senior season and improves his stock every week.
The first four games have proven fruitful for the 5-foot-11, 210 pound receiver. Duvernay has already matched his touchdown count from last season and he will surpass 2018’s yardage mark within the next few games.
With Longhorns receiver Collin Johnson missing time with a hamstring injury, Duvernay has stepped in and provided a game-changing presence from the slot.
His impact really began in the Longhorns’ loss to LSU, where Duvernay contributed 154 yards on 12 catches and two touchdowns, one of which kept Texas’ comeback bid alive late in the 4th quarter.
Duvernay has been valuable in the middle of the field, as well as in the underneath passing game. He runs a partial route tree that consists mostly of slants, posts, bubbles, drags, and corners. He tracks the ball well in the air and flashes good body control working along the boundary.
He’s provided a consistent security blanket on third down and converted on several occasions both against LSU and Oklahoma State. Duvernay tends to let the ball get into his pads at times, but he’s tough and has proven he can finish catches through contact.
He isn’t a burner that’s going to consistently take the top off of the defense going vertical, but he has enough speed and quickness to stretch teams in the horizontal passing attack.
Duvernay has surprising strength as a ball carrier and isn’t afraid to lower the shoulder in the open field. He has good vision in space and isn’t the shiftiest player, but Duvernay has nimble feet and quickly regains balance after initial contact.
Texas is still vying for a playoff spot despite one blemish on their record, and their passing game is going to be a big factor in deciding just how far they will go. Johnson will return from the hamstring issue at some point this season, but his prolonged absence continues to allow Duvernay to be the focal point of the passing attack.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Duvernay work his way into Day 2 consideration in the 2020 NFL Draft if he continues to perform at the same level.