Academy players can be ducks. But! They can be an alternative if you are in a server where any youth causes a bidding war. And they are an alternative to Mr. Scout if you want to have a player in your team 4 seasons more than a Scout could possibly be (22 is youngest remember, so 18 can look like a good deal) Even on a team that has measly Token situation with no PT, I still consider them. They are more often than not good players, and their market value is usually higher than players available on the TL. So I figure if I am underwhelmed I can sell him for and get as much $ as the same amount of T to a bank loan. I have bought dozens of Academy players (on various teams) and well over two thirds have been good players.

It's just an option.