Snatch ‘Em Up Now
If they weren’t already drafted in your league, these guys will be hot commodities on the wire this week.
Quarterbacks:
Jalon Daniels, Kansas – Daniels’ late-season surge in 2021 has continued into this season, now averaging 35 FPPG after scoring 48 points in the win at Houston. The Jayhawks are one of seven teams in the country that are averaging over 50 points a game, and that includes two road bouts with somewhat formidable opponents in the Cougars and last week at West Virginia. Another favorable matchup this week with Duke.
Kaidon Salter, Liberty – This is a game I’ll have to go back and watch Salter and how he looked because we didn’t get to see it live, but 36 fantasy points on the road at Wake Forest should make you take notice if you hadn’t already. A bit erratic with the football at times, which is expected from the first-year starter, Salter had some jaw-dropping moments from what we see in the highlights with a 47-yard touchdown run and a 41-yard TD pass that was a laser while scrambling from the pocket. Must-start matchup with Akron next week.
Davis Brin, Tulsa – Air Raid is back at Tulsa, looking like the days of Dane Evans and G.J. Kinne. The Hurricane now lead the country in yards per game through the air (413) and much of which is due to Brin who is completing 64% of his passes and has eliminated the turnover problem that’s given him issues the last few years. Helps that he has a talented WR with four legitimate options.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington – Couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season if you drafted Penix, throwing for 300+ passing yards in all three games with 10 passing touchdowns. If you’re concerned about competition level, facing three below-average defenses, it’s not as though the upcoming schedule is any different. Three of the next four games are against Pac-12 teams allowing 22 PPG or more.
Running Backs:
La’Damian Webb, South Alabama – All G5 opponents from here on out for Webb and turns out it didn’t matter that he was facing UCLA this week, rushing for 100 yards and a score on 16 carries. 53% market share in the South Alabama backfield, and the passing game being dangerous this season really helps open up the running game. Looking forward to seeing this entire offense in Sun Belt action.
Jalen White, Georgia Southern – The Eagles are one of the most pass-happy teams in the country, but once they get inside the 20, it’s lights out with Jalen White who has two rushing touchdowns in each of the first three games. Not just a red-zone guy either, as White is averaging 5.9 YPC. Now go look through Georgia Southern’s upcoming schedule and let us know where White will be forced to sit on the bench. Doesn’t appear to be one.
Wide Receivers:
Cam Camper, Indiana – Third-most targeted receiver in the country behind Tyrin Smith (four games played) and Rashee Rice. Only a 54% conversion rate because of Connor Bazelak’s accuracy issues, but Camper getting a ton of looks in the Indiana passing game which is more than you can say about many of the big-name receivers in CFF entering the year.
Donovan Ollie, Washington State – I’m getting ahead of this train before it is full-steam ahead down the road. Ollie appears to be the WR1 over De’Zhaun Stribling to begin the year, targeted at least eight times in each of the first three games, and found the end-zone twice vs. Colorado State. Slow start to the year, but Cam Ward and this passing offense looks to be trending upwards as they enter Pac-12 play next week.
Worth A Look
If you have the roster room, these prospects are worth a look.
Quarterbacks:
Doug Brumfield, UNLV – Monster performance from Brumfield in the blowout victory over North Texas with over 300 combined yards of offense and four touchdowns. UNLV hits conference play next week with a trip on the road against a Utah State team that is ripe for the picking with their start to the season. Would be cautious about the following week against New Mexico which has the No. 1 ranked defense in the Mountain West currently. But Brumfield is a dual-threat with legit weapons on the outside.
Bo Nix, Oregon – No this is not a mirage. The Ducks have now scored 111 points over the last two games, and Nix is the biggest reason why, scoring 42 fantasy points against both Eastern Washington and BYU. He’s got a legit No. 1 receiver in Troy Franklin, an emerging talent at tight end, and the running game is starting to round out behind him. This could be a dangerous offense as we roll into Pac-12 play.
Running Backs:
Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan – Rarely have we seen an EMU running back get 36 carries in the past decade, so seeing this box score (of course I was asleep) was a shocker. Just look at the upcoming schedule for the Eagles and you’re going to want to scoop Evans up if possible.
Wide Receivers:
Ashtyn Hawkins, Texas State – 31% target share through three weeks for Hawkins, who was targeted 14 times in the loss to Baylor, finishing with 13 catches for 114 yards and a score. Next closest receiver to Hawkins’ 35 targets is Julian Ortega-Jones with 13.
Ricky White, UNLV – All the same reasons here that we listed above for Brumfield. White has emerged as the WR1 for the Rebels with at least seven targets in each of the first three games.
Will Sheppard, Vanderbilt – All the man does is produce. Seven touchdowns in the first four games, including a season-high 39 fantasy points in the win over Northern Illinois. I want to throw some caution here, though, as you’ll notice he’s not in the must add portion. Go look back at Sheppard’s numbers last year and they dropped considerably once Vandy hit SEC play. And they get Bama next. I don’t think the drop off will be as steep this year, especially with AJ Swann now at quarterback, but there will be one.
Troy Franklin, Oregon – The sophomore WR plays in the profitable ‘x’ position in this scheme, and his 4-star talents are emerging in his second year, now with 15 receptions on 17 targets.
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington – Any player that scores three touchdowns in a game must be mentioned on the WW report, as the former Texas Tech transfer had a career day vs. MSU with 153 yards on nine targets. All things level, Polk is still probably the third option in the passing game behind Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze who was making his way back from injury. Would not throw a significant portion of your FAAB in Polk’s direction.
Tight Ends:
Caden Prieskorn, Memphis – Tied for second on the team in targets (19) and has found the end-zone three times in the last two games. Memphis doesn’t have a clear-cut WR1 this year and obviously a history of getting tight end production in the past.
Terrance Ferguson, Oregon – Targets are low for Ferguson with just five in the last two games, which is why I’m slightly hesitant here, but four touchdowns in that span is an eye-opener.
Longshots
Need to see more from these guys before pulling the trigger unless you are in the deepest of leagues.
Quarterbacks:
Matt McDonald, Bowling Green – I don’t know how sustainable this is, but have to include a guy that has thrown nine touchdown passes over the last two games, and averaging 33 fantasy points on the year. Helping McDonald’s cause – Bowling Green is one of the worst rush offenses in the country. If this team wants any shot at competing for a bowl game, they have to throw.
Running Backs:
Calvin Hill, Texas State – Streaming option this week for Hill with a favorable matchup against Houston Baptist. 54% market share in the Texas State backfield and being utilized as a receiver with six targets in last two games. Rushed for 195 yards and a score two weeks ago vs. FIU.
Frank Peasant, Middle Tennessee – Five rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks for Peasant, though competition levels must be considered after facing Colorado State and Tennessee State. Not playable this week against Miami but could be deserving of consideration in C-USA play.
Demie Sumo – All-name first team in college football. Still splitting reps with Jordan Houston in the NC State backfield, but is averaging over eight yards per touch this season after scoring 30 fantasy points in the win over Texas Tech.
Wide Receivers:
Dane Key, Kentucky – The true freshman led the Wildcats in targets for the second straight week, and found the end-zone for the third time in three games. Whereas we saw Wan’Dale Robinson dominate the targets in 2021, we’re seeing it spread around more between Key, Tayvion Robinson and Barion Brown. Key does appear to be the one to own right now, though I’d caution calling him a weekly starter.
Devontez Walker, Kent State – A name that will be popping more once we hit MACtion, but Walker has already found the end-zone twice in three games. Targeted just four times against LIU this weekend, but the passing game wasn’t needed in the 63-10 route. Not playable this week, but conference play is just around the corner.
Justin Marshall, Buffalo – Spent all offseason debating which running back for Buffalo was the one to own…and the answer was nobody. Conversely, the passing game for the Bulls has been a pleasant surprise, with Louisivlle transfer Justin Marshall leading the way now with 17 receptions on 30 targets. Three touchdowns in the last two games. I’d imagine these stats continue as we get closer to MAC play.
Chase Roberts, BYU – Seems like it’ll be a week-to-week ordeal with the BYU receivers and their health status, but Nacua was in a boot all of pregame and Gunner Romney is never healthy. The 6-foot-4 Roberts had a quieter week against Oregon, but still led the Cougars with eight targets.
Odieu Hilaire, Bowling Green – Never heard of the guy before, but he’s got three touchdowns in the last two games, and has been targeted 20 times in that span. All the same reasons here as we state above with McDonald.
Jamari Thrash / Robert Lewis, Georgia State – GSU’s success with the run game is opening up room in the secondary for the receivers, and two of them are producing in Thrash and Lewis. The duo combines for 63% of the team target share, with Thrash having the big day on Saturday with 10-213-1. Lewis leads the team with four touchdowns.
Shocky Jacques-Louis, Akron – Didn’t think anything would come out of a game where Akron scores just six points, but the former Pitt transfer has asserted himself as the WR1 with two 100-yard performances in three games. Leads the Zips with 27 targets in that span.
Dynasty:
Richard Reese, Baylor – Dave Aranda said that Taye McWilliams could be back next week against Iowa State, so we’re not going to suggest adding Reese to your redraft rosters. But the 175-pound freshman got the bulk of the carries against Texas State, finishing with 156 yards and three scores. Size will be the concern looking down the road at just 175 pounds, but he showed some real burst on the few runs we saw from him Saturday.
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa – The true FR running back had a big day vs. Nevada with 104 yards and two scores on just six carries. A player that garnered some positive buzz in fall camp, Johnson should factor more into an Iowa backfield that doesn’t appear to have a clear-cut starter with Gavin Williams and LeShon Williams failing to impress. Though, this is Kirk Ferentz who refuses to make any significant changes on offense so wouldn’t expect much in 2022.
