Power Conferences
I can see many fantasy owners moving off of Maryland RB Nolan Ray, as it seems the Terrapins are utilizing a two-back system with Ray (19 rush attempts) and DeJuan Williams (20 rush attempts).
Minnesota RB Darius Taylor’s fantasy owners had a terrible start to their Saturday after Taylor left the Gophers’ matchup against Northwestern State early in the first quarter after he was forced out of bounds inside the 1-yard line and pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury. Freshman Grant Washington may have been a glimpse into the future after finishing with 126 rushing yards in the 66-0 win.
I did not watch all of the Syracuse–UConn game, but one interesting observation that I made when I tuned in was that QB Steve Angeli seemed to favor throwing to the right side of the field. Very rarely did I see him look left. Maybe it was a coincidence and only occurred when I was watching, but it felt obvious at times. We thought tight end would not be a fruitful position this year after the departure of Oronde Gadsden, but Dan Villari has totaled 12 receptions in the Orange’s first two games.
Similar to last year, Pitt QB Eli Holstein is off to a hot start after throwing four TD passes in back-to-back games to start the year.
Virginia RB J’Mari Taylor has scored five rushing TDs in the Cavaliers’ first two games of the year.
Texas Tech WRs Coy Eakin and Reggie Virgil have opened the year with TD receptions in back-to-back games, while projected preseason WR1 Caleb Douglas has only totaled eight receptions for 81 yards in the first two games.
NC State RB Hollywood Smothers has been utilized solidly to start the year with 39 rush attempts in the first two games, totaling 216 yards and three TDs.
Baylor RB Bryson Washington (31-115-2) and WR Josh Cameron (9-151-2) delivered solid bounce-back performances against SMU. I am expecting Washington to get a heavy workload on a weekly basis.
SMU RB TJ Harden has separated himself from other backs on the roster after his 19-115-3 performance in Saturday’s game against Baylor. WR Romello Brinson topped the 120-yard mark for the second straight week, as he seems to be QB Kevin Jennings’ deep target.
After his three-TD performance against East Texas A&M, it seems Florida State RB Gavin Sawchuk may have the upper hand on the RB1 spot for the Seminoles at the moment.
We definitely have a clear-cut WR1 at Illinois after Hank Beatty topped the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive game. Kaden Feagin feels like the RB1, but I cannot say we have seen anything special from him through two weeks.
Texas QB Arch Manning seems to have chemistry with WR Parker Livingston, but I cannot say the same about Ryan Wingo. Manning’s numbers were drastically better this week, but it feels like a product of playing inferior competition. I am not getting that “wow factor” watching him throw the ball around the field.
There is a good chance that Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne was benched by many fantasy owners given his questionable status all week, and when we look back at the end of the year, I believe his 10-193-3 might rank as his best of the season. There is not a receiver worth rostering in the Demon Deacons’ offense.
I am not seeing much value in the Cincinnati backfield right now and believe that both Evan Pryor and Tawee Walker are expendable.
A solid performance came from Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy (25-112-1) in Saturday’s win over Kansas, but I know his fantasy owners see Jamal Roberts (13-143-1) lurking in the shadows. QB Beau Pribula has been very efficient throwing the ball and has totaled over 300 yards of offense and accounted for at least three TDs in each of the first two games of the year.
Kansas RBs Leshon Williams and Daniel Hishaw combined for only nine rush attempts in Saturday’s 42-31 loss at Missouri.
After two games, I feel that it is not worth having a Colorado player on your roster right now.
Georgia Tech QB Haynes King being a late scratch burned many of his fantasy owners. I believe it was announced before kickoff, but it was not a situation many were tuned into because there was no hint of King not playing. Aaron Philo said it was really a game-time decision with King on which one of them would start. They both practiced this week, and he prepared like he was starting, only to find out before the game that it would be his first career start.
After two games, it feels like the switch at quarterback from Nico Iamaleava to Joey Aguilar was an upgrade for the Tennessee offense. Tougher games are ahead, but Iamaleava was not doing this last year.
It looks pretty clear that Ole Miss WR Harrison Wallace is QB Austin Simmons’ favorite target. Wallace has 16 targets through two games, twice as many as Cayden Lee (8) and Deuce Alexander (8). RB Kewan Lacy is poised for a big 2025 season after anchoring the ground game (28-138-1) in the Rebels’ 30-23 win at Kentucky.
I have been pretty harsh in my criticism of Arch Manning, but Clemson QB Cade Klubnik has been a huge disappointment after two games. You can blame the LSU defense in Week 1 and the weather in Week 2, but he has to produce in Week 3 at Georgia Tech or it will get ugly in the Discord. All the preseason hype coming out of camp around the young backs Davidson and Eziomume has fizzled, as Adam Randall carried the ground game on Saturday (21-112-1).
Three things jumped out at me for Oregon in their matchup against Oklahoma State. They have running backs aplenty. WR Dakorien Moore is legit. QB Dante Moore will be a fantasy factor.
The Wisconsin ground game is not where it needs to be for Dilin Jones to be considered a legitimate fantasy factor right now.
Arkansas QB Taylen Green has been feasting on non-conference foes with 11 total TDs, but the Razorbacks go to Ole Miss next week, and from this moment on I feel week-to-week consistency might be an issue.
We know the value of a Utah tight end, and Dallen Bentley has caught a TD pass in the Utes’ first two games.
At Houston, I feel that RB Dean Connors is worth a roster spot after his 13-132-2 performance against Rice, and TE Tanner Koziol has twice as many targets (14) in two games as WR Amare Thomas (7).
Miami WR Jojo Trader was hampered throughout preseason camp with an injury, and while that may still be an issue, I am not sure there is a reason to hold him right now. The Hurricanes have a couple of reliable targets in Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels, so even if he does return, Trader feels like WR3 at best.
North Carolina RB Davion Gause did have a rushing TD in the Tar Heels’ win over Charlotte, but the backfield seems to be settled into a committee.
Auburn RB Jeremiah Cobb (11-121-2) was a nice one-week addition for those that took advantage of his availability after teammate Damari Alston was ruled out against Ball State.
Purdue RB Devin Mockobee has had some success over the first two weeks, but the Boilermakers’ schedule starts getting more difficult in the weeks ahead and I feel Mockobee does not have much fantasy appeal.
I was not overly optimistic about Boston College RB Turbo Richard after Week 1, but his utilization in Week 2 against Michigan State was much more encouraging, especially his seven receptions in the passing game.
Makhi Frazier seems to be locked into the RB1 spot at Michigan State.
If you have shares of Michigan RB Justice Haynes, you should feel good about his fantasy potential this year. As of now, it seems like the rushing volume split between Haynes and Jordan Marshall will be greater than we projected.
Arizona State RB Kyson Brown left Saturday’s game at Mississippi State with a lower-leg injury. While we await an update on Brown’s injury, it is worth noting that the Sun Devils’ running game looked fine with Raleek Brown (18-110-0) and Kanye Udoh (23-105-1), which is a little concerning if you have Brown on your roster.
LSU TE Trey’Dez Green only had one target against Louisiana Tech, but a bigger issue moving forward is that he suffered a knee injury late in the game, which resulted in him being in a brace and on crutches. Look for an update later this week.
We knew the Alabama receivers would get more love in the passing game with new QB Ty Simpson, and Germie Bernard is capitalizing on the change with 213 yards and two TDs in the first two games.
I am not feeling optimistic about any UCLA fantasy assets right now.
Arizona WRs Kris Hutson and Chris Hunter returned to action, but it was Javin Whatley (5-168-2) that led the Wildcats in receiving on Saturday. If you have Hutson or Hunter, I would probably hold them for one more week and see what the rotation looks like against Kansas State.
After Week 2, I would be cutting bait with Washington State RB Angel Johnson. It seems they will take a committee approach for now, and if you need a roster spot, Johnson is expendable.
What a start to the season for Washington RB Jonah Coleman, who has totaled 334 scrimmage yards and scored seven TDs in the Huskies’ first two games. Coleman’s scoring outburst has certainly impacted the fantasy production of QB Demond Williams.
Group of 5 Conferences
If James Madison is going to continue to rotate QBs Alonza Barnett and Matthew Sluka, neither can be considered a serious fantasy option moving forward.
Take note that Chavon Wright had 27 rush attempts for Northern Illinois against Maryland, whereas Telly Johnson only had 10 attempts. Johnson’s fantasy numbers were better in the Huskies’ 20-9 loss, but Wright’s utilization makes him an appealing fantasy option once NIU gets into MAC play.
An impressive performance came from Jacksonville State RB Cam Cook in Saturday’s win over Liberty, as he finished with 29 rush attempts for 195 yards and two TDs.
It has been an impressive start to the season for Texas State WR Beau Sparks, who has been targeted a team-high 16 times, resulting in 13 receptions for 293 yards and five TDs. The Bobcats do have depth in the backfield, but in deep Full FBS leagues Lincoln Pare may be worth a roster spot.
UTSA RB Robert Henry already has five total TDs and is certainly a must-have player, while the WR duo of Devin McCuin and David Amador II have yet to catch a TD pass. Last year, QB Owen McCown averaged 264 passing yards per game, but through two games this year he is averaging only 170.
Appalachian State RB Rashod Dubinion (47-304-1) and WR Jaden Barnes (14-205-2) are worth roster spots in Full FBS formats.
While Navy QB Blake Horvath was a targeted player in fantasy drafts this season, it seems like RB Alex Tecza is worthy of attention after finishing each of the Midshipmen’s first two games with 15 rush attempts that have totaled 200 yards and two TDs.
The week after Fresno State RB Bryson Donelson had a bounce-back game, he got bit by the injury bug. Head coach Matt Entz said he will be fine after taking a big hit early, but he was in and out the rest of the way, finishing with 38 yards on eight touches. Rayshon “Speedy” Luke stepped up with 86 yards and a TD on 12 carries.
The North Texas passing game feels very similar to last year, as the QB spot may end up being the only position worth rostering with the WRs being inconsistent week to week.
I am not sure what to make of the Miami (OH) passing game against Rutgers. WRs Keith Reynolds (7-120-0) and Kam Perry (4-108-0) each topped the 100-yard mark after not registering a catch in Week 1.
I am sure Wyoming RB Sam Scott got a lot of attention on the Week 1 waiver wire after his 29-132-0 performance, but his Week 2 was not as productive (8-58-1), as the Cowboys used a backfield rotation. Head coach Jay Sawvel had said earlier in the week that he wanted to get more backs involved, and that is how it played out against Northern Iowa. Next week, the Cowboys host Utah.
After two games, Ohio WR Chase Hendricks has been targeted 21 times and has caught 17 passes for 248 yards and a TD.
I am not sure how to assess the Memphis backfield if RB Greg Desrosiers returns next week. If Desrosiers does not play against Troy, I think Sutton Smith is worth a start. RB Makari Bodiford also made the most of his opportunity with 12 carries for 42 yards and two TDs against Georgia State.
Just when I was ready to go all-in on Tulane RB Maurice Turner, he missed Saturday’s matchup at South Alabama with an ankle injury.
I would expect Army QB Cale Hellums to be at the top of many fantasy owners’ waiver wire wishlists after leading the Black Knights to a road win over Kansas State. The junior quarterback ran the ball 41 times for 124 yards and two TDs, while adding 43 yards and a TD through the air.
Through two games, UTEP WR Kenny Odom has been targeted 22 times, resulting in 14 receptions for 221 yards and two TDs.
Tulsa RB Dominic Richardson has carried the ball at least 20 times in each of the first two games, but I do not like the schedule over the next six weeks, so he is a hard pass for me.
It seems as if Hawaii WR Jackson Harris did not play in Saturday’s game against Sam Houston. I have not found anything official or any update.
If you stream DST, here are some Week 3 options to consider:
- Nebraska vs Houston Christian
- Baylor vs Samford
- Rutgers vs Norfolk State
- Toledo vs Morgan State
- Cincinnati vs Northwestern State
- Iowa State vs Arkansas State
- Mississippi State vs Alcorn State
- Kentucky vs Eastern Michigan
