Quarterbacks
Kilton Anderson, QB-Coastal Carolina
Anderson completed 10-of-14 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the Chanticleers’ 58-21 win at Campbell. The senior quarterback has accounted for at least three touchdowns in the two games since the opener at South Carolina and Coastal Carolina starts conference play this week.
William Brown, QB-SMU
The true freshman relieved starter Ben Hicks in the second half of SMU’s loss at Michigan and led the Mustangs to 13 second-half points. It remains to be seen whether or not Hicks keeps his starting spot, but Brown’s dual-threat ability makes the offense more dynamic. It may be a bit too soon to pick up Brown, but if you own Ben Hicks, can you risk losing a starting quarterback in an Air Raid offense?
Malik Cunningham, QB-Louisville
We have to assume that Jason Pass will be benched in favor of Malik Cunningham for the Cardinals’ Week 4 road game at Virginia. Cunningham replaced an ineffective Pass for a second consecutive week and led Louisville to a 20-17 win over Western Kentucky. In two appearances this season, Cunningham has completed 16-of-25 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, while adding 183 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Running Backs
Bryce Williams, RB-Minnesota
Williams took over as Minnesota’s No. 1 running back when Rodney Smith was lost for the season with a knee injury and coaches have shown a lot of confidence in the freshman. In the past two games, Williams has carried the ball 58 times for 228 yards, which leads us to believe that his touches won’t be limited anytime soon.
BJ Smith, RB-Troy
BJ Smith carried the ball eleven times for 70 yards and two touchdowns in Troy’s 24-19 road win at Nebraska. The junior running back is only averaging ten carries per game, but he has scored a touchdown in each of the Trojans’ first three games.
Trey Sermon, RB-Oklahoma
One week after losing running back Rodney Anderson to a season-ending knee injury, Oklahoma’s offense may have been dealt another blow in their Week 3 win at Iowa State. Senior running back Marcelias Sutton left the game with a leg injury and didn’t return. If Sutton is out for an extended period of time, Trey Sermon becomes an incredibly valuable fantasy asset.
Pooka Williams, RB-Kansas
Williams has helped lead the Jayhawks to consecutive wins after the team opened the 2018 season with a disheartening home loss to Nicholls in Week 1. Relying on a Kansas running back can be a little risky, but the freshman could be worth the risk if you need depth. In two games, Williams has carried the ball 32 times for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
Shawndarrius Phillips, RB-Florida International
Phillips still has some rotation to worry about, but he certainly has been the Panthers’ best ball carrier. In the past two games, the junior running back has rushed for at least 90 yards and a touchdown, and has now scored in all three games of 2018. Phillips may not be high on many fantasy owners’ priority list with a Week 4 matchup at Miami, but he’ll add depth to deep FBS rosters.
Jordan Cronkrite, RB-South Florida
After a nine-carry performance in Week 2 against Georgia Tech, Cronkrite was the Bulls’ workhorse back in USF’s win at Illinois, carrying the ball 22 times for 136 yards and a touchdown. South Florida has had a different leading rusher in all three of their games, so be careful how high you prioritize Cronkrite on your waiver list.
Ta’Zhawn Henry, RB-Texas Tech
After rushing for 55 yards and two touchdowns in Texas Tech’s 77-0 rout of Lamar in Week 2, Henry ran for 111 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday’s win over Houston. Even when Da’Leon Ward returns to action, the 5-foot-7 and 170-pound freshman should still get touches.
Receivers
Blake Banham, WR-Eastern Michigan
Banham has quietly established himself as one of the top fantasy receivers in the MAC three weeks into the season. The converted running back has hauled in 23 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns.
Irv Smith, TE-Alabama
All of a sudden, there are enough balls to go around at Alabama, and that does include the tight end. Smith has topped the 40-yard mark and caught a touchdown pass in each of the past two games.