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:
Jacob Zeno, UAB – Trent Dilfer was in the headlines for his blowup on an assistant coach on the sidelines two weeks ago against Tulane. This week he should be praised for the transformation of senior quarterback Jacob Zeno who has now scored 28 fantasy points or more in all but one game this season. Another favorable matchup this week against a UTSA defense that allowed 500 passing yards to Temple this past Saturday.
Chandler Rogers, North Texas – 25 or more fantasy points in four of the five games played this season. Makes you wonder why the UNT staff even considered Stone Earle the starter initially. Faces a Temple defense this week that is allowing the 15th most fantasy points in the country to opposing quarterbacks.
Running Backs:
Tyre Shelton, Louisiana Tech – Does Marquis Crosby get his job back even when healthy? And will he ever be healthy, after missing last week’s contest? Shelton, the Miami (Ohio) transfer who has dual WR/RB eligibility, hit 100 rushing yards for the third time in the last three weeks, and will face a mediocre Middle Tennessee rush defense on Tuesday.
Ayo Adeyi, North Texas – Third time in three games that Adeyi has hit the century mark in rushing yards, and now has a matchup with a Temple defense that is allowing the third most fantasy points in the country to opposing running backs. Adeyi will share the backfield at times with Isaiah Johnson and Oscar Adaway, but he appears to be the team’s top RB for now.
Larry McCammon, Florida Atlantic – Wouldn’t be surprised to see FAU continue to lean more into the run game now that Casey Thompson is out for the season due to injury. And we’ve seen exactly that in the last two games with McCammon garnering 16 and 26 rushing attempts in Week’s 4 and 6. South Florida and their dreadful rush defense are upcoming this Saturday.
Wide Receivers:
Xavier Restrepo, Miami – Last chance at rostering Restrepo as he’s currently owned in just 25% of Fantrax leagues yet has hit 100 yards receiving in three of the last four weeks.
Joey Hobert, Texas State – Three touchdowns in the last three weeks for the former Washington State transfer. A bigger reason that Hobert is a must-add is his increased usage in that stretch with 31 of his 45 targets coming in the last three games. Favorable matchup next week with the 13th ranked defense in the Sun Belt in Louisiana-Monroe.
Eric McAlister, Boise State – Looks like it doesn’t matter which Boise State QB is under center, McAlister will still give us tremendous fantasy production, finishing with 5-170-1 on nine targets in the win over San Jose State. 30% of Boise State’s target share belongs to McAlister.
Tight Ends:
Holden Willis, Middle Tennessee – Essentially a big slot receiver, or TEITO (Tight End In Title Only), created by friend of the site Eric Froton, Willis has carved out a major role in the MTSU passing game with 25 of his 29 targets coming in the last three weeks. Definite add if TE eligibility on Fantrax.
Worth A Look
If you have the roster room, these prospects are worth a look.
Quarterbacks:
Jase Bauer, Central Michigan – I’m guessing the Akron defense was deflated this week after the overtime loss last Saturday to Buffalo, and then learning that QB1 DJ Irons is out for the season. 55 points and almost 300 rushing yards allowed to Antario Brown and this mediocre NIU offense. Bodes well for Jase Bauer this week who’s scored 21 or more fantasy points in the last three games.
Zeon Chriss, Louisiana – Very proficient day from Chriss against one of the better defenses in the Sun Belt, as he combined for four total touchdowns in the win over Texas State. Bye week for Louisiana in Week 7, then takes on a Georgia State defense that is only allowing 15 FPPG to opposing QB1s this season, followed by a Week 9 matchup with arguably the best defense in the Sun Belt in South Alabama. Only reason why Chriss isn’t higher on the list.
Behren Morton, Texas Tech – Morton hasn’t had to do much with Tahj Brooks becoming an absolute workhorse in the Tech backfield, but the sophomore QB played extremely well against Baylor with three passing scores. There will come a time here in the future where defenses will load up against the run and force Morton to beat them. And then we’ll see Tech revert back to their Air Raid ways.
Running Backs:
Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M – Just 49 yards and a touchdown against Alabama on Saturday. The notable stat is that Moss had 16 rushing attempts vs. just seven combined for Amari Daniels and Rueben Owens. Moss is the clear RB1 for the Aggies now.
Jonah Coleman, Arizona – Didn’t get any updates from the coaching staff as to Michael Wiley’s availability leading up to Saturday, so would assume that is the case again this week. Arizona clearly doesn’t need to rush him back with the talented sophomore running for 137 yards on 22 carries in the narrow loss to USC.
Wide Receivers:
Jordan Watkins, Ole Miss – The unforgotten man in the Ole Miss receiver rotation just continues to produce weekly, now with three 100-yard performances in six games and the team leader with 47 targets. Sounds like Tre Harris suffered another injury against Arkansas on Saturday – though not expected to be long term according to Lane Kiffin – so we’ll expect Watkins to continue to be the mainstay in the Mississippi WR room. Zakhari Franklin has been a complete non-factor since returning.
Myles Price, Texas Tech – Very noticeable watching Texas Tech games now with Morton at QB who his No. 1 read is in this passing scheme. 18 of Myles Price’s 38 targets this season have come in the last two games alone. Season-high 10 receptions on 13 targets vs. Baylor. You’ve heard it time and again…Slot receivers in Zach Kittley offenses.
Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas – Steady Eddie in the Arkansas WR room, now topping 70 yards receiving in five of his six games played this season. Has 20 more receptions than the next closest Arkansas receiver.
Monaray Baldwin, Baylor – I really want to know the backstory here with Baldwin and why he did next to nothing in the first three weeks, yet now has looked like one of the best receivers in college football in the last three games. Is it simply just his connection with Blake Shapen? I’d say yes, but his snap counts have also increased dramatically. Either way, Baldwin was close to a must-add for us, but I’m just a tad skeptical how sustainable this run is with how bad Baylor football is in 2023. Could mean positive game scripts, though, as well.
Noah Smith, Sam Houston State – Didn’t realize until this week that projected WR1 Ife Adeyi was lost for the season due to injury, opening up the door for Smith who now has double-digit targets and receptions in the last two weeks. Averaging just 8.5 yards per catch, so definitely more of a priority in PPR formats vs. non. Sam Houston State starting to show minor progress on the offensive side of the ball which bodes well for Smith.
Anthony Simpson, UMass – I’ll admit I haven’t paid much attention at all to UMass receivers, thinking this was just another sinking ship of an offense outside of Kayron Adams. Not so fast (Lee Corso voice). Simpson, an Arizona transfer, just put up his third 100-yard receiving performance in the last four games and is averaging 7.4 targets per game. Can’t start him this week against Penn State, followed by a bye week, but could be an asset in the final month of the CFF season if you have space.
Kenneth Womack, Western Michigan – I held onto Womack in several deep leagues just sitting on my bench waiting for a breakout to happen, as he was an experienced D3 transfer with 54 receptions last year at Sacred Heart. Inched closer to that breakout last week with eight targets against Ball State. Didn’t expect that breakout to happen on the road in the SEC, but 12 receptions for 108 yards on 15 targets against Mississippi State. Passing offense looked strong with Hayden Wolff back under center, which could benefit Womack moving forward.
KC Concepcion, NC State – Rollercoaster of a season for those that invested in NC State players in CFF. Concepcion fits the bill with a 1.7-point performance in Week 5 to Louisville, sandwiched in between two 30-point performances. 27% target share for the true freshman with 45% of the team’s receiving touchdowns.
Elijah Metcalf, Middle Tennessee – Metcalf appears to be what we thought DJ England-Chisolm might have been in the preseason as the team’s WR1. Team leader in targets (43), averaging over 20 FPPG over the last three games. Faces the No. 1 pass defense in the conference this week in Louisiana Tech. Metcalf should be prioritized more in full point PPR.
Jalen Moss, Fresno State – The Bulldogs have 3-4 competent options at receiver, so the production is fluctuating from week to week, but that’s now two 100-yard receiving performances in the last three weeks. Moss, who beat out preseason darling Josiah Freeman for a starting job, has scored a touchdown in four of six games in 2023.
Jalen Royals / Micah Davis, Utah State – Everyone ate against a horrid Colorado State defense, but just look at what these two have done recently. Four touchdowns in the last five games for Micah Davis who saw his most extended action of the season on Saturday. Royals has been a monster the last two games with over 320 receiving yards and five touchdowns. No other Utah State receiver was targeted against Colorado State beyond the top three of Vaughn, Royals and Davis.
Tight Ends:
Ty Washington, Arkansas – The unfortunate injury to Luke Hasz opened the door for sophomore Ty Washington who converted on all seven of his targets for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Aren’t going all in just yet, but OC Dan Enos has an extensive track record of utilizing his tight ends as we saw the last few seasons with Maryland, and even earlier in the year with Hasz.
Longshots
Need to see more from these guys before pulling the trigger unless you are in the deepest of leagues.
Quarterbacks:
MJ Morris, NC State – Was a tad surprised NC State made the move to bench Brennan Armstrong in favor of talented sophomore MJ Morris. Wasn’t perfect by any stretch, barely completing 50% of his throws with three interceptions, but Morris still wound up scoring 34 fantasy points in the win over Marshall. Downside to Morris is that you will not get the rushing stats out of him that we could with Armstrong. And two difficult opponents the next two games with Duke and Clemson upcoming.
Cam Fancher, Marshall – Consecutive 30-point performances for Fancher, including four touchdowns on the road at NC State. Signs of improvement as a passer despite a makeshift WR corps, and always a threat to run on the ground. Will be a matchup-based bye week filler.
Noah Fifita, Arizona – We’re gunna see how loyal this coaching staff is to Jayden de Laura after Fifita’s five-touchdown performance against the Trojans. Sounds like de Laura was making progress towards potentially starting but wound up sitting out. After this performance, wouldn’t be surprised to see the coaching staff take the cautionary approach of telling de Laura to get 100% healthy before coming back. Or at least that’ll be the excuse as they get a early look at their potential QB1 for 2024.
Running Backs:
Zahir Abdus-Salaam, Western Michigan – Have zero clue as to why Jalen Buckley missed Saturday’s contest with Mississippi State and will have to dig for that information this week. Abdus-Salaam filled in admirably with 56 yards and a TD on 19 carries. Speculative add if Buckley is out an extended period.
Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest – Another “just in case” potential add here as Justice Ellison had just one carry against Clemson before limping off the field in the first quarter. Claiborne has arguably been the better player of the two as well, with three of the team’s four rushing touchdowns. If he gets the start next week against Virginia Tech, who just allowed 200 rushing yards to Trey Benson, Claiborne is an excellent streaming option.
Alex Tecza, Navy – Second time in three games that Tecza has topped 100 yards on the ground with three rushing TDs in that stretch. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Tecza make it three times in four weeks with Charlotte upcoming in Week 7.
Kadarius Calloway, Old Dominion – Calloway split the carries with Keshawn Wicks who wound up scoring both of ODU’s rushing touchdowns which was disappointing. But 12 attempts and a 7.8 YPC average is somewhat promising. Another bite at the apple this week facing an Appalachian State defense who is allowing the 18th most fantasy points in the country to running backs.
Isaiah Ifanse, California – Another speculative addition here as Jaydn Ott re-aggravated a previous injury on Saturday against Oregon State. Does Ott miss time now to correct whatever injury that is continuing to ail him? Ifanse has looked excellent in his place the few times he’s done so in 2023. Ran for 86 yards and two scores against a top-tier defense in Oregon State. Also had 137 on 22 attempts earlier in the year against Idaho.
Wide Receivers:
CJ Daniels, Liberty – Three 100-yard receiving performances in the last four weeks for Liberty’s WR1 who leads the team with 17 receptions on 25 targets. We’ve seen in the last few years at Coastal Carolina under Jamey Chadwell that his offenses will feature talented receivers – Sam Pinckney and Jaivon Heiligh to name a few. Daniels, when healthy in his career, has been very productive.
Jaden Bray, Oklahoma State – Longshot bye week filler as it was announced prior to the game that De’Zhaun Stribling would miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Bray led the team with 77 yards on eight targets in the win over Kansas State. This passing offense is a shell of what it used to be in the past, but Bray should see increased targets as a result of Stribling’s injury.
Theo Wease, Missouri – With all the attention paid to Luther Burden, Wease has benefitted with single coverage, now finding the end-zone in four of the last five games, averaging over six targets in that stretch. Tough matchup at Kentucky this week, but this Mizzou passing game is exceeding most expectations.
Drake Stoops / Nic Anderson, Oklahoma – Andrel Anthony suffered an injury in the second half of the Red River Rivalry and did not return, apparently was seen in tears heading out of the injury tent into the locker room. Should Anthony be out an extended period, Jalil Farooq benefits first and foremost, but expect to see increased usage for both Stoops and the 5-star freshman moving forward.
Amare Thomas, UAB – Should be a priority in dynasty leagues as we mentioned last week as the true freshman leads the team with 26 receptions on 32 targets. Just three catches on Saturday against USF but found the end-zone for the second time in three weeks. Seven different UAB receivers caught a pass in the win.
Sean Atkins, South Florida – Beginning to emerge as USF’s top receiver with 66% of his 422 receiving yards coming in the last three weeks with three touchdowns. Was targeted a season-high 11 times vs. UAB – a lot of which did have to do with the Blazers being up by multiple touchdowns most of the day.
Miles Cross, Ohio – Should see increased production from Cross moving forward, not just because we’re into MACtion but also with Jacoby Jones lost for the season due to injury. Had a season-high 7-125-2 on 11 targets vs. Kent State.
Chrishon McCray, Kent State – Surprise, surprise, another MACtion addition. McCray has been exceptional the last two games with over 200 receiving yards on 24 targets.
Rawson MacNeill, Rice – I think Rice might’ve found its next Brad Rozner. MacNeill, a 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman, has been targeted 28 times (31 targets for the season) in the last three weeks with a pair of touchdowns and is averaging over 13 yards per catch.
Dynasty
Players to add for future seasons
Seth Davis, Mississippi State – Jo’Quavious Marks was seen with a walking boot on the sidelines after exiting the game with Western Michigan. Davis, a three-star freshman, saw the bulk of the carries the rest of the way, finishing with 65 yards and a score. Not sure how much workload Davis can handle at 185 pounds in the SEC, but we might get a look at Mississippi State’s future RB1 if Marks misses time.
Devin McCuin, UTSA – Can’t say I know anything about McCuin aside from he’s a freshman receiver that has scored a pair of touchdowns in the last three weeks and was targeted a season-high eight times against Temple.
