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:
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue – 38+ fantasy points in each of the last two games for O’Connell with a combined 80 completions on 106 passing attempts and seven touchdowns in that span. Perfect storm here O’Connell performing well, Purdue’s inability to run the football, and receivers stepping up outside of David Bell. Have to like his chances at putting up numbers the final two weeks against Northwestern and Indiana.
Running Backs:
Blake Watson, Old Dominion – Watson owners rejoice! Five straight 100-yard rushing performances and just look at that closing schedule with Middle Tennessee and Charlotte. Should easily finish the year with seven-straight.
Sean Tyler, Western Michigan – Still a 50-50 split in the Western Michigan backfield with Tyler and La’Darius Jefferson, but the former has been far more effective this season, averaging over six yards a carry with five touchdowns in the last four weeks. Gets the 109th ranked rush defense in the country on Tuesday in Ohio.
Devin Neal, Kansas – Are we confident Kansas can replicate this offensive performance again next week vs. TCU? At the very least, Neal has a VERY favorable matchup against a Horned Frogs defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing RBs in the country. Owned in just 11 percent of leagues, majority of which are probably dynasty.
Wide Receivers:
Trayvon Rudolph, Northern Illinois – The NIU game notes for this week are not out yet, so we’ll have to wait and see if Tyrice Richie is listed on the depth chart. If not, fire up Rudolph again vs. Buffalo as he was targeted 14 times last week, resulting in 8-108-0.
Gary Bryant Jr., USC – Neither Bryant nor Tahj Washington found the end-zone on Saturday but we might’ve gotten the answer as to how the offense will look without Drake London in the lineup. Results weren’t great overall, scoring just 16 points, but duo at receiver combined for 27 of the 41 total targets on Saturday. If that keeps up the remainder of the season, these two should have productive stat-lines to close out the year – hopefully with Jaxson Dart at QB.
Mitchell Tinsley, Western Kentucky – Has been consistent much of the year, but really starting to turn it on the last month with 20+ fantasy points in three of the last four games, including a season high 41.8 points at Rice on Saturday. Targets have also seen a slight uptick, averaging nearly nine per game, compared to just six targets per contest through the first six weeks.
Cedric Tillman / Velus Jones – Annual Week 12 SEC matchups this Saturday against either G5 or FCS opponents with the Vols taking on South Alabama. Tillman and Jones continued to be under-owned on Fantrax and put up some big-time numbers against Georgia this past week with 10-200-1 for Tillman, with Jones also finding the end-zone on 11 targets. Will also be one less mouth to feed in the Tennessee passing game as WR3 Javonta Payton left the game with an injury. South Alabama does have one of the better defenses in the Sun Belt, but should be no match for the high-flying Tennessee O.
Worth A Look
If you have the roster room, these prospects are worth a look.
Quarterbacks:
Will Levis, Kentucky – We mentioned in our DFS writeups how Levis has put up some big numbers even in blowout situations dating back to the start of the season. 22 fantasy points for Levis this week against Vanderbilt and a New Mexico State defense that allowed 55 points to Alabama is upcoming next Saturday. Best part – no deduction penalties for facing an FCS opponent, though you could make the argument the New Mexico State football program should be relegated.
Brett Gabbert, Miami (Ohio) – Not ready to say Gabbert is a must-start next week against Bowling Green, but it’s close as he’s thrown for nine touchdowns in the last two games alone. No doubt Gabbert is playing exceptional football at the moment, but what works in his favor is that the RedHawks cannot run the football effectively this year, and are having to lean on the pass more than previous years. Bowling Green has been really good on the backend this year, ranking 18th in the country in yards allowed per game, but were just carved up by Toledo for 270 yards and three scores.
Rocky Lombardi, Northern Illinois – Which team has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points in the country to opposing quarterbacks? That would be the Buffalo Bulls, whom Lombardi faces this week as NIU looks to seal up a trip to the MAC title game. The former Michigan State transfer has 93 fantasy points over the last three games.
Timmy McClain, USF – If you were tailing our Timmy McClain unders on prop bets last week, we apologize. The true freshman showed everyone what a bright future he has after throwing for 245 yards with two total TDs in the loss to Cincinnati. Gets a primo matchup this week against Tulane who is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points in the country to opposing QBs. McClain will, at the very least, give us a safe floor with his rushing ability.
Jordan Travis, Florida State – Boston College is only allowing 20.2 FPPG to opposing QBs this season, so Travis won’t be a must-start, but he’s performed well anytime he’s been a starter, averaging 22.8 fantasy points on the year. Has shown tremendous growth as a passer, and we know what Travis can do as a runner, with 62 yards and two scores this past week against Miami.
Running Backs:
Jalen Mitchell, Louisville – Not the season we expected from Jalen Mitchell but have to love the matchup on Thursday against a Duke run defense that has given up…well, that’s it, they’ve given up. 200+ yards allowed in the last three games and a whopping 12 touchdowns in the last four. Hassan Hall has transferred so really the only person Mitchell is battling for carries with is his quarterback.
Tucker Gregg, Georgia State – Gregg now has six rushing TDs in the last three games, and an enticing matchup this week against the worst rush defense in the country in Arkansas State. Split backfield between Gregg and Jamyest Williams, but Gregg is finding paydirt consistently.
Shamari Brooks, Tulsa – Deneric Prince made an appearance vs. Tulane but it was Brooks who led the way with 71 yards and a TD on 19 carries. Why do we consider Brooks an add this week if available? No. 11 rush defense in the AAC this week in Temple who seems to have given up on the year.
Johnny Ford, Florida Atlantic – Back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances from Ford who is now averaging 21.6 FPPG over the last six weeks. Gets Western Kentucky next week in a game where you know FAU will be looking to chew clock with the running game.
Marcus Williams, Louisiana Tech – Williams was a HUGE hit on our WW report last week given the matchup with Charlotte, and if you rostered him, it paid off in droves as he rushed for 100+ yards and four touchdowns. Southern Miss is 76th against the run – Williams’ matchup this week – but have allowed over five yards a carry in four out of the last five games with 10 rushing TDs given up in that span.
Dominique Johnson, Arkansas – Johnson rushed for just 39 yards on 14 carries but did add a touchdown reception against LSU. Arkansas beat writers correctly predicted that it would be Johnson getting the bulk of the carries for the Razorbacks, and that came to fruition Saturday. Probably not starting him this week against Bama, but gets a matchup with Missouri to close the year.
Carson Steele, Ball State – Back-to-back 100-yard performances for Steele with 20+ carries in both games. Steele looks to be the primary option now in the Ball State backfield, taking on a mediocre Central Michigan run defense next week that is allowing 18.3 FPPG to opposing RBs. Only posted 11 fantasy points against NIU as he was vulture by two rushing TDs from Justin Hall.
Wide Receivers:
Tanner Knue, Eastern Michigan – Shame that Eastern Michigan didn’t have Knue for the entire season, because he’s been exceptional since making his return in Week 10 with 17 receptions on 22 targets in the last two weeks. Western Michigan is allowing 21 FPPG to opposing WR1s and over 11 FPPG to WR2s this season, and the volume looks to be there for Knue to have another good week the way EMU throws the ball.
Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech – The Bulldogs have used three different QBs this season, but Harris remains a target hog, averaging 8.6 per game and has found the end-zone four times in the last four weeks. A priority in full-point PPR formats.
Longshots
Need to see more from these guys before pulling the trigger, unless you are in the deepest of leagues.
Quarterbacks:
Kurtis Rourke, Ohio – 29+ fantasy points in each of the last three games, and is showing off some athleticism that we didn’t know he possessed, rushing for 40+ yards in that span. I’d only rely on Rourke this week if in dire need as he faces a Toledo defense that is allowing just 18.1 FPPG this season to opposing QBs.
Donovan Smith, Texas Tech – New head coach Joey McGuire might have a building block when he takes over in the sophomore QB who completed 25-of-33 for 322 yards and three touchdowns in the upset of Iowa State. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Smith is a load to bring down in the run game as well, rushing for 61 yards on 10 attempts. I know Smith passed the test this week, but it’ll be a risk starting Smith next week against the best defense in the Big 12 in Oklahoma State. Like Smith for dynasty purposes looking towards 2022.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU – Have to assume the FR will get the nod against ULM next week after playing the majority of the contest against Arkansas. Made some crucial mistakes with a pair of interceptions, but already looks to be an upgrade over Max Johnson. Will the staff let Nussmeier turn it loose against the Warhawks?
Running Backs:
Keyvone Lee, Penn State – Lee saw the majority of the carries on Saturday against Michigan with 88 yards on 20 attempts. All four Penn State running backs record a snap against the Wolverines, so maybe the staff has settled on their guy moving forward? Gets the 11th ranked run defense in the Big Ten next week in Rutgers.
Tyjae Spears, Tulane – Same messaging as previous weeks – Spears has taken over the backfield and topped 100 rushing yards against Tulsa. Faces the 120th ranked rush defense this week in USF.
Aaron Dumas, New Mexico – This has been building for a few weeks, and the true freshman finally had his breakout performance with 143 yards and a TD on 23 carries vs. Fresno State. This would only be an option if in need in the deepest of leagues, though it’s not a terrible matchup against Boise State next week who ranks 92nd against the run.
Wide Receivers:
Michael Mathison – Akron is throwing the ball far more proficiently with Zach Gibson at the helm, leading to better results from the receivers, including Mathison who now has eight receptions in each of the last two weeks. He and Konata Mumpfield have over 40 percent of the team’s target share so if Akron is passing, good chance its going in either direction.
Isiah Cox, Ohio – As Rourke goes, so does Isiah Cox who’s posted 60+ receiving yards on 17 receptions in the last three games with three TDs in that span.
Antoine Green, UNC – If you’re league doesn’t apply an FCS penalty in scoring, I think Green could be a safe play next week against Wofford as he’s assumed the WR2 role next to Josh Downs. Got a bit lucky this week as his long TD reception was due to the defender falling down, but did score twice against Pittsburgh. Assuming UNC lights up the scoreboard against Wofford, should be a safe bet that Green is on the receiving end of at least one Sam Howell passing TD.
Collins Bros, Clemson – At this point in the season for Clemson, it’s probably best to just play some of the younger players in hopes of development for 2022. In addition, we saw Justyn Ross on crutches in street clothes on the sidelines against UConn, so have to assume we don’t see him in a Clemson uniform again. Dacari and Beaux Collins combined for 11 receptions on 22 targets against the Huskies with no other receiver targeted more than four times.
Jake Bailey, Rice – I’ve stopped paying attention to Rice football this year so I really don’t have a lot of context to add here. Bailey has been targeted 10+ times in the last three weeks with 80+ receiving yards in each game.
Dynasty:
Titus Swen, Wyoming – I believe Xazavian Valladay has another year of eligibility, but I’d still be looking to add Swen to my rosters as he’s gotten a bit more run of late with 220 rushing yards in the last two weeks. I’ve seen some compare him to previous Wyoming great Brian Hill with his rushing style. Worst case scenario, it’s a split next year with Valladay in a run-heavy offense so there isn’t a lot of downside to add him.
Dylan Goffney, SMU – Danny Gray was scene on crutches and in a boot after suffering an injury against UCF which is never a good sign. Goffney came on in place of Gray, and the Mustangs offense didn’t appear to lose a step as the freshman was targeted 12 times, resulting in 10-88-0. If Gray is out long-term, Goffney looks to be a player that could help immediately. Should be an add regardless in dynasty as Gray, Reggie Roberson and potentially even Rashee Rice could be gone after the season.
Logan Diggs, Notre Dame – I’d have to check in with some of my trusted Notre Dame confidants, but I believe I read there were some questions going around as to whether or not Chris Tyree would be able to handle RB1 duties in 2022 once Kyren Williams leaves for the NFL (which I assume is this year). Diggs has gotten more run of late as the RB2 behind Williams, and performed well with 64 yards on nine carries in the win over Virginia. At worse, he is RB2 next year and probably in a split backfield.
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