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:
Behren Morton, Texas Tech – Did I miss something in the last two weeks as to why Morton wasn’t the most added player on Fantrax? Maybe just that many people are settled at the quarterback position? We know Morton will start again on Oct. 22nd against West Virginia as Tyler Shough won’t be able to return from injury then, and I suspect he’s QB1 from here on out.
Jason Bean, Kansas – 38-point fantasy performance from Bean in a game where he threw two interceptions and didn’t even utilize his legs much on the ground. Shows you (1) how proficient this offensive system is under Lance Leipold, and (2) the upside of Bean when he eventually does use his legs. Tougher task this week against the No. 3 defense in the Big 12 in Baylor but will likely be projected at close to 30 fantasy points is my assumption.
Running Backs:
Sieh Bangura, Ohio – Last time Bangura will be mentioned on the report at 28% ownership. Wasn’t the peak offensive performance we’ve come to expect from Ohio this season, but Bangura still found the end-zone twice on 25 attempts against West Michigan. Bangura has also been featured in the passing game moreso than we’ve seen in the past with Ohio running backs with 15 receptions on 19 targets now. There really isn’t anything not to like here.
Casey Filkins, Stanford – Anyone noticed a difference since Filkins took over the starting job for the injured E.J. Smith? Me neither. Double-digit fantasy points in all six games played and the same effectiveness as Smith in the receiving game as well.
Wide Receivers:
Kaden Prather, West Virginia – Probably a slim chance he’s still available in your league but sitting on only 20% ownership, and a player that has really been trending up since Week 1 essentially. Six receptions in each of the last five games and had his breakout against Baylor with 109 yards and a score. Bryce Ford-Wheaton can still be a productive fantasy option, but he’s WR2 now.
Isaiah Winstead, East Carolina – Winstead has been on the list for weeks now, but finally saw a dramatic spike in ownership. Last chance at him if he’s somehow available after yet another monster performance with 154 yards and nine receptions. 31% target share by a receiver is must-have territory.
Sam Wiglusz, Ohio – Final appearance for Wiglusz as well here on the WW report. Didn’t produce the big fantasy numbers that he did the previous two games, but was still targeted 11 times against Western Michigan, resulting in eight receptions for 76 yards. 69% of Wiglusz targets this season have now come in the last four games.
Zion Bowens, Hawaii – Followed up his 100-yard performance last week by finding the end-zone again vs. Nevada, finishing with a team-high six targets. Still far from great, but you’re seeing signs each week that the Hawaii offense is taking gradual steps. Helps immensely with your No. 1 WR back in the lineup too.
Worth A Look
If you have the roster room, these prospects are worth a look.
Quarterbacks:
DJ Irons, Akron – Wasn’t his best performance on Saturday, including two fumbles, but it was another productive fantasy outing from Irons with over 300 yards of total offense. Now averaging 28.6 FPPG in three MAC games to start conference play.
Kyle Vantrease, Georgia Southern – We knew coming into the year that Georgia Southern would be pass-first – that’s how it’s always been with OC Bryan Ellis. But this kind of production is surprising to everyone. 3rd in the country in passing yards. 2nd in attempts. Still owned in just 19% of leagues.
Running Backs:
Damien Martinez, Oregon State – Was just a matter of time before Martinez assumed the starting job, and that takeover happened Saturday. Team-high 16 carries for 111 yards against a decent Washington State defense. I’m hesitant to say we get B.J. Baylor or Jermar Jefferson-like numbers right out of the gates for the 3-star true freshman, but I also considered placing him in the must-add section above. So that should indicate where he stands in terms of priority.
Tony Mathis Jr., West Virginia – West Virginia’s running game didn’t miss a beat without CJ Donaldson as Mathis ran for 163 yards and a pair of scores against Baylor – the No. 3 rush defense in the Big 12. Up next…the second worst rush defense in the conference with Texas Tech. If Donaldson’s out again, Mathis is a startable option in a pinch.
Marion Lukes, Central Michigan – Frustrating for me personally as I have been holding onto Myles Bailey in dynasty all year after he was essentially splitting snaps with Lew Nichols coming out of the gates this season. Will have to dig this week as I didn’t see the game but Bailey did get the start it appears but played all of eight snaps, giving way to Lukes who had 211 total yards of offense and three scores. Lew Nichols is banged up coming out of Week 6, and with CMU sitting at 2-5, you wonder if he rushes himself back with any kind of injury. I’d say Lukes is more a priority in dynasty than redraft right now with Lew Nichols possibly back this week.
Malachi Thomas, Virginia Tech – Jumped right back into the starting lineup a week ago after coming back from injury and now has led the Hokies in carries each of the last two games. Numbers aren’t overwhelming, it’s the Virginia Tech offense, but the schedule to close out the year is why Thomas is appealing. Not playable against NC State, but finishes with Georgia Tech, Duke, Liberty, and Virginia.
Percy Agyei-Obese, James Madison – Consecutive 100-yard performances for PAO, though I will say the upcoming schedule to close out the year is why he’s not higher on the list for me. Marshall is the second-ranked run defense in the Sun Belt. Then a P5 opponent following a bye week in Louisville. That’s potentially three weeks of the CFF schedule with Ageyi-Obese doesn’t put up big numbers.
Avery Morrow, Colorado State – Topped the century mark for the second straight week on the ground against Utah State. CSU can’t throw the football worth a damn without Clay Millen – and really couldn’t with him either – so we’re seeing the coaching staff adapt to a different game plan. Morrow gets the worst rush defense in the Mountain West this week in Hawaii. This is a one-week stop gap play though.
Devin Mockobee, Purdue – We will not see Mockobee get 30 carries again this season is my guess, and Jeff Brohm stated Monday that the sophomore running back is “nicked up” in advance of this week’s matchup with Wisconsin. While the rushing output of 30 attempts is a definite outlier for a Purdue RB1, Mockobee has been plenty productive, scoring double-digit fantasy points is every game played this season.
Wide Receivers:
Xavier White, Texas Tech – Fully dependent on Myles Price’s status moving forward. White will not be of value if Price is in the lineup. If he’s out, White is close to a must-start, especially with Behren Morton at quarterback. 17 receptions in the last two games.
Trey Cleveland, Texas Tech – Every Texas Tech receiver is going to get a significant bump in value with Morton starting, but tough to decipher which one is “the” guy to own moving forward. Of late, it’s been Trey Cleveland who saw a spike in snaps last week against Kansas State, before posting 9-100-0 on a team-high 16 targets vs. Oklahoma State. Does Cleveland have Daewood Davis like upside of an outside receiver in Kittley’s system? Can’t say for certain, but worth a pickup because of said upside.
Elijah Spencer, Charlotte – Still trails Grant Dubose for the team lead in targets, but Spencer has arguably been the most consistent Charlotte receiver this season, averaging 7.4 targets per contest. Spencer has found the end-zone in each of the previous four games with a combined 263 receiving yards the past two weeks.
Kody Epps, BYU – The Cougars were trailing for much of the day, so game script dictated BYU throwing more than usual, but Kody Epps had a team-high 9-125-1 on 14 targets. That’s now back-to-back 100-yard performances and six touchdowns in the last five weeks.
Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse – Season-highs for the sophomore hybrid receiver with 141 yards and two scores on 10 targets, giving him three 100-yard performances in the last four outings. If counting just Syracuse receivers only, Gadsden has separated himself with 32% target share.
Jerjuan Newton, Toledo – Didn’t think we would see an “alpha” for the Rockets this season at receiver, but Newton has had a mini-breakout of late with four receiving touchdowns in the last two games. He’s found the end-zone in four of six. Newton is now tied for the team lead in targets at 37, but has definitely benefitted from DeMeer Blankumsee not having played the last two games.
Smoke Harris / Tre Harris, Louisiana Tech – The Harris Bros continue to dominate for Louisiana Tech in the passing game, combining now for 49% of the team’s target share and 8-of-15 touchdowns. We knew about Tre coming into the year given how outside receivers are the primaries in Sonny Cumbie’s offensive scheme. Smoke is the surprise for me with slot receivers not being a priority, now with 26 of his 43 targets coming in the last three games alone.
Georgia Southern Receivers – I mean, pick one. Derwin Burgess, Jeremy Singleton, Khaleb Hood have been productive all year long. And now Amare Jones is getting into the mix with 34 targets in the last four games.
Arizona Receivers – Essentially the same premise here as the Georgia Southern receivers above, but with the Wildcats you have a team that doesn’t always run the ball effectively and is likely to be playing in pass-happy game scripts the rest of the season. Star freshman Tetairoa McMillan had his breakout performance with 132 yards and a pair of scores, while Dorian Singer continues to produce with at least 88 yards receiving in four of the last five games.
Longshots
Need to see more from these guys before pulling the trigger unless you are in the deepest of leagues.
Quarterbacks:
Parker McNeil, Louisiana Tech – McNeil has prior history with Sonny Cumbie at Texas Tech, so not a total shocker he’s assimilating well to this offense. Season-high 424 yards against North Texas this weekend and has thrown 14 touchdowns which is tied for 5th in Conference USA. La Tech is now dead last in the conference in rushing, and not very good in general, so there should be plenty of favorable game scripts coming McNeil’s way.
Michael Pratt, Tulane – Pratt has come back from injury and posted back-to-back 300-yard passing performances and had his best game of the year against USF with four total touchdowns. Competition must be taken into consideration here with USF being one of the worst defenses and teams in all of FBS. There are no cupcakes for Tulane the remainder of the year either if looking at the upcoming schedule. But…Pratt is playing well and Tulane has a TON to play for, now sitting at 6-1 atop the AAC.
Chandler Rogers, Louisiana-Monroe – Another situation of favorable game scripts where ULM is inconsistent running the football, averaging just 3.49 YPC, and the Warhawks figure to be trailing often. Saturday was the second time this season Rogers scored over 33 fantasy points, and is now averaging 28 FPPG in Sun Belt play.
Running Backs:
Daba Fofana, Navy – Wasn’t as productive this week as he was against Tulsa with three rushing touchdowns, but 21 rushing attempts in back-to-back games now for Fofana. The Midshipmen are averaging around 30 yards per game more this season than they did in 2021.
Kevorian Barnes, UTSA – We’ll see what transpires this week, but Kevorian Barnes provided a spark to the UTSA running game against FIU with 128 yards and two scores. Trelon Smith apparently had a boot on and Brenden Brady was next to him on the sidelines, with the latter looking like he could’ve come back in if needed. Does that staff roll with the youngster moving forward?
Lincoln Pare, Texas State – We’re so focused on the Texas State passing game that we can forget about their backfield. Not that it’s anything spectacular, but the former Arkansas State transfer is averaging 18.5 carries a game over the last month, dominating the volume share. Pare is also a factor in the passing game with at least two receptions every week over that four-game span.
Peny Boone, Toledo – Starting to think we should just take our preseason advice of completing avoiding this backfield. But hard to ignore 85 yards on 21 attempts for Boone – all season-highs.
Wide Receivers:
Adonicas Sanders / Jose Barbon, Temple – Double-digit targets in each of the last two games for Barbon with a combined 219 receiving yards in that stretch. Sanders is just two targets behind Barbon on the season, as the two now combine for 48% of the total team share. Temple is still just 9th in the AAC in passing, but up around 35 yards per game more than a year ago.
Gavin Holmes, Baylor – Anyone that goes for 210 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions deserves an honorable mention on the WW report. But didn’t we just see this from Monaray Baldwin in Week 5? And if Blake Shapen happens to miss any time, then we’re even less interested here.
Tyrone Howell, Louisiana-Monroe – In the same vein as Holmes above, this 244-yard, 3-TD performance from Howell feels more like an outlier rather than what to expect weekly. But Howell now has found the end-zone in consecutive weeks, and converted on 13 of his 14 targets in that span.
Jaylin Noel, Iowa State – Don’t know that a Matt Campbell offense will ever abandon the run, but this offensive line is putrid. And they don’t have a Breece Hall to clean up the mess. Good news for Xavier Hutchinson owners but also sophomore slot man Jaylin Noel who is now averaging nearly eight targets a game over the last month. Breakout game against Texas with 94 yards and two scores. Xavier Hutchinson is still around, so this is not a priority add. In dynasty leagues, I’d absolutely have Noel scooped up by now if you still can.
Colbie Young, Miami – Yep, I have no idea who this is. But now I’m wondering why the coaching staff waited so long to play this 6-foot-5 JUCO transfer. Young now has touchdowns in back to back games and was targeted a team-high 12 times against the Hokies. Similar to Noel above, Miami is struggling to run the football with any consistency which means TVD airing the ball out to this young WR corps. Frank Ladson is also deserving of some consideration with 26 targets in the last three weeks.
Caullin Lacy, South Alabama – Another player this season that I was just a year off in predicting their breakout. The sophomore slot receiver has found the end-zone in three of the last four games and topped 100 receiving yards in the last two weeks. The trio of Lacy, Jalen Wayne and Devin Voisin now account for 65% of the team’s total target share.
