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:
Tyler Van Dyke, Miami – I was ready to count TVD out after watching him earlier in the year against Virginia, but the sophomore quarterback has steadily improved with each passing start, posting 30+ fantasy points in back-to-back games after throwing for 400 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh. Take a look at that upcoming schedule. Doesn’t anything scare you with Georgia Tech, Duke, Virginia Tech and Florida State to close out the year? Nope.
Cam Rising, Utah – Rising has been exceptional since taking over the starting job, and was again on Saturday, completing 17 of 27 passes with over 230 total yards and a pair of touchdowns. After the rocky start against Washington State, Rising now has posted four-straight performances of 25 fantasy points or more.
Chase Garbers, California – Masterful performance from Garbers against Oregon State, putting up over 40 fantasy points with four touchdowns and 318 total yards of offense. Garbers averaging 27 FPPG this season isn’t a huge surprise. It’s the consistency, which we’ve rarely every seen from either the senior QB or this Cal offense as a whole in the past. Has now scored 24 or more fantasy points in six of the last seven games. Lowly Arizona next week for Garbers and the Bears.
Running Backs:
Will Shipley, Clemson – Interesting that Will Shipley’s ownership did not change last week, still sitting at 27 percent, despite taking over the lion’s share of the carries against Pittsburgh. With Kobe Pace out against Florida State, the freshman went off with 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with four catches coming out of the backfield. With upcoming matchups against Louisville and UConn over the next two weeks we should see guaranteed points, but how much will he truly play with the lack of depth? Even when Pace returns from COVID, this is Shipley’s backfield moving forward.
Tavion Thomas, Utah – So much for those injury concerns. AND so much for that stingy UCLA run defense as Thomas rushed for 160 yards and four touchdowns in the rout of the Bruins. Next up – the worst rush defense in the Pac-12 in Stanford, followed by an Arizona D that just run over by Keaontay Ingram.
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin – Snap counts are dead even between the freshman running back and Chez Mellusi, but Allen continues to be the far more effective option of the two, now with four straight 100-yard performances on the ground. Allen should roll the next three games with Rutgers, Northwestern and Nebraska on the docket.
Malachi Thomas, Virginia Tech – We were hesitant on Thomas as a waiver wire option despite his three-touchdown performance against Syracuse last week as the Hokies were missing a few players in the backfield due to injury. Weren’t exactly sure the freshman would see a similar workload against Georgia Tech. Welp, he did, rushing for 107 yards on 26 attempts. Two below-average defenses on the horizon for Thomas in the coming weeks with Boston College and Duke upcoming.
Dylan McDuffie, Buffalo – Kevin Marks was not in uniform on Saturday as he “didn’t feel up to speed” this week according to coaches. Once he is, I’m not sure he gets his job back as McDuffie now has 100 yards rushing in three straight games with five touchdowns in the last four weeks. Conflicted to put him here at 28 percent ownership and Marks potentially returning, but I think this is McDuffie’s job moving forward as he was the more effective rusher of the two even when Marks was healthy.
Keaontay Ingram, USC – Debated heavily where to put Ingram on this article because competition must be considered here with the dreadful Arizona defense. But this has been building for a while now with Ingram who has now gotten the bulk of the work in the USC backfield for the second-straight game, and now hit double-digit fantasy points in five consecutive weeks. With USC potentially using a two-QB system moving forward, Ingram might now be the focal point of the Trojans’ offense.
Wide Receivers:
Ryan O’Keefe, UCF – At least six receptions in the last four games, averaging nearly 10 targets per game in that span with three touchdowns. QB Mikey Keene looks to be steadily improving with each start which benefits O’Keefe, and UCF should have a big offensive day next week against a dreadful Tulane defense.
Nathaniel Dell, Houston – Dell sits at just 30 percent ownership so I feel it necessary to include him still after his 165-yard, three-touchdown performance against SMU. Double-digit targets in five of the eight games played this year, and dominating the team target share at 28 percent. Clayton Tune appears fully healthy after the back injury midseason. And if Alton McCaskill is out for any length of time, Houston may have to lean on Dell and the passing game even more.
Worth A Look
If you have the roster room, these prospects are worth a look.
Quarterbacks:
Jonah Johnson, New Mexico State – Johnson tossed two interceptions and didn’t throw a passing touchdown, but still managed 29 fantasy points in the loss with over 300+ total yards and two rushing scores. Bye week upcoming for New Mexico State, but gets a suspect Utah State defense the following week.
Jaren Hall, BYU – Best performance of the season for Hall against Virginia with over 390 yards of total offense and four touchdowns as BYU put up 66 points on the Hoos. Cupcake matchup next week against Idaho State for Hall so his production could be limited if BYU doesn’t play their starters. Then a bye week before taking on Georgia Southern. Some very favorable matchups on the horizon but a late-season bye week hurts Hall’s value a bit.
Running Backs:
Jordan Mims, Fresno State – I let out a big “WOW” once I saw Jordan Mims’ stat-line of 29-186-2 against one of the best rush defenses in the country in San Diego State. I know Mims is very talented but didn’t think that was possible against the Aztecs. Ronnie Rivers was in street clothes on Saturday, and while it appears he isn’t that far away from returning, there is a difference between normal health and football health.
Kimani Vidal, Troy – Only reason Vidal isn’t higher on this list is the brutal upcoming schedule against some of the best defenses in the Sun Belt. Schedule aside, Vidal has been a monster the last two weeks now that he’s fully healthy, getting 20+ carries and topping 100 rushing yards against both Texas State and Coastal Carolina. The distribution of carries is very promising for Vidal’s outlook the remainder of the season with this no longer being a split backfield.
Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh – Abanikanda had just six carries against Miami as Pitt was playing catchup for much of the day, but still found the end-zone twice, and now has posted double-digit fantasy points in five straight games. Remaining schedule includes North Carolina, Virginia and Duke who are all 10th or lower in the ACC in rush defense.
Jevyon Ducker, Northern Illinois – So much for head coach Thomas Hammock saying that Antario Brown would be available this week. Didn’t see a single snap, leading to another monster day for Jevyon Ducker who rushed for 183 yards on 31 carries. Identity of this NIU offense is established – feed whoever is the RB1. When Brown comes back, that’ll be a tough decision for the staff that I wouldn’t want to make.
Elelyon Noa, Utah State – With Calvin Tyler out for the season, Noa looks to have a stranglehold on the RB1 job with 23+ carries in each of the last two games with over 200 rushing yards in that span. Takes on the 102nd ranked rush defense this week in New Mexico State.
Minnesota backfield – Down to two now in the Minnesota backfield following the Bryce Williams injury on Saturday. Still getting a rotation between Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise Irving, but both topped 100 yards rushing against the worst run defense in the Big Ten vs. Northwestern. Should be able to find success against next week against the 12th ranked defense in the Big Ten in Illinois.
Keandre Miller, TCU – Don’t know what exactly is going on behind the scenes with Zach Evans but we do know he was in a walking boot on the sidelines. Miller started in his place against Kansas State, rushing for 102 yards on 13 carries, while adding four receptions in the passing game. We’ll see by Tuesday what the status is for Evans next week against Baylor at home.
Johnny Ford, Florida Atlantic – Another productive week for Ford who saw the bulk of the carries against a tough UTEP defense, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions as a pass-catcher. Now averaging 22.4 FPPG over the last four games.
Wide Receivers:
Gary Bryant Jr. AND Tahj Washington, USC – I understand with limited roster spaces available that this might not be feasible, but when asked which player to add between Bryant and Washington, my first answer will be both. If not able to do so, at the moment, I think I side with the slot receiver here slightly after recording two touchdowns against Arizona. For starters, I do think he’s the better player, and has been more productive this season. On the flip-side, Washington was targeted 10 times compared to just four for Bryant this past week. I compare this situation to when Trey Potts went down for Minnesota. I don’t think we see a target hog at receiver like we did with Drake London. Both receivers will be valuable moving forward. Looks like Kyle Ford will move into the starting lineup now in place of London, FWIW.
Tez Johnson, Troy – Troy’s team leader in targets (64) and receptions (48) should being seeing the ball even more moving forward now that Reggie Todd is suspended indefinitely. The sophomore slot receiver has been targeted 10 times in each of the last two games, topping 80 yards with a TD in both contests.
Ryan O’Keefe, UCF – O’Keefe has benefitted from Jaylon Robinson being out of the lineup with 24 receptions on 30 targets in the last three games alone. Everything is close to the line of scrimmage with an aDOT of just 7.3 so we aren’t seeing big yardage totals, but O’Keefe has some value in PPR formats. 100 total rushing yards in the last two games combined as well, as they’re finding success using O’Keefe on jet sweeps.
Cedric Tillman / Velus Jones, Tennessee – Guess it’s time to trust Josh Heupel and this passing offense even in unfavorable matchups such as on the road at Alabama. Tillman has had at least six targets in each of the last four games, finding the end-zone three times in that span. Same logic applies to Jones as these two have separated themselves as the top options for Hendon Hooker in the passing game. Tough matchup against Kentucky next week, where I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wildcats attempt to slow the game down with the Chris Rodriguez and their running game.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, New Mexico State – Double-digit targets in each of the last four games. Full-point PPR option only.
Longshots
Need to see more from these guys before pulling the trigger, unless you are in the deepest of leagues.
Quarterbacks:
Mikey Keene, UCF – Breakout game for Keene who tossed five touchdown passes against lowly Temple. Next week, a matchup with Tulane who has given up the most fantasy points in the country to opposing quarterbacks this season. A definite streamer option.
Jake Bentley, South Alabama – Bentley is making us look pretty intelligent for having him on the WW the last few weeks, coming off his second-straight game with four passing touchdowns in the rout of Arkansas State. I still think he could be worth an add, but he’s down here on the list with two of the best defenses in the Sun Belt upcoming with Troy and Appalachian State. Still, seems like this offense is finally finding its stride under offensive coordinator Major Applewhite.
Running Backs:
Ellis Merriweather, UMass – Can’t believe I’m advocating a UMass player this late in the season but Merriweather now has two 100-yard rushing performances in the last three weeks. And look at the schedule upcoming with Rhode Island and Maine. If your league doesn’t apply FCS deductions, I’d look to Merriweather as a potential streamer the next two weeks.
Terion Stewart, Bowling Green – This is the Terion Stewart we expected in the preseason, now with three rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks. Had a season-high 157 rushing yards against Buffalo despite being on the field for just 32 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
Blake Watson, Old Dominion – Now three straight 100-yard rushing performances for Watson who also topped 20+ carries for the third week in a row. ODU gets the worst scoring defense in C-USA next week with Florida International.
Christopher Brooks, California – Brooks is still in a timeshare with Damien Moore but seems to have a slight edge here with higher carry totals and snap counts over the last three weeks. Rushed for just 83 yards on 20 attempts, but found the end-zone twice as a pass-catcher. Seems a safe bet to top double-digit fantasy points next week against Arizona. We all saw what Keaontay Ingram just did to that defense.
Ta’Zhawn Henry, Houston – Dana Holgorsen did not provide much update on Alton McCaskill who left the game against SMU with a leg injury. MRI is happening this week so we’ll find out the extent soon enough. Henry did not find much running room vs. the Mustangs with 49 yards on 21 carries, but would become the RB1 if McCaskill should be out an extended period.
Wide Receivers:
Josh Kelly, Fresno State – We’ll see what the status of Jalen Cropper is this week as he suffered an injury against San Diego State and did not return. Cropper was on the field in the second half, but had a knee brace and spent a lot of time with friends/family after the game. Does this signify an extended injury? I don’t know. Josh Kelly was the primary beneficiary with a team-high 11 targets in Cropper’s absence.
Steve Jenkins, UNLV – Four TDs in the last five games for Jenkins, who had a career high 11-119-1 on 14 targets against Nevada. Seems like the Rebels might have something in FR quarterback Cameron Friel here so that benefits all UNLV receivers.
Joshua Moore, Texas – It was a miserable day for Moore against Baylor with a fumble and a dropped touchdown, but still managed to post 17.4 fantasy points with five catches on 10 targets with a score. That’s three TDs in the last three games with 25 targets in that span with Jordan Whittington likely not returning this season.
Key’Shawn Smith, Miami – A player that we’ve covered extensively in our DFS writeups, Smith now has 14 receptions on 23 targets in the last three games. Finally found the end-zone for the first time this season against Pittsburgh.
Trevon Bradford, Oregon State – There was a lull in the middle of the season for Bradford with just four catches between Week’s 3-6, but has come up big in the last two games with 12 receptions on 15 targets and three touchdowns.
Jahcour Pearson, Ole Miss – The former Western Kentucky transfer has been on the field plenty of the last four weeks but the production hasn’t been there – mainly due to drops. Production was there Saturday with 7-135-0 on a team-high nine targets, and he could benefit more potentially moving forward if Braylon Sanders returns from injury soon. Having Sanders back in the lineup helps everyone involved. Liberty up next for Ole Miss in a get-right spot for this offense.
Dynasty:
Andrel Anthony, Michigan – Coming out party for the East Lansing native who didn’t have a single catch heading into the rivalry matchup with MSU. Anthony was tied for the team lead with 10 targets against the Spartans and two incredible touchdown receptions where he ran away from defenders on a 93-yard TD and Moss’D a Michigan State defender for his second score. Not sure how much Anthony will help a roster the remainder of the year, but there’s going to be talent on this Michigan offense next year with Anthony, Blake Corum and J.J. McCarthy at QB.
Donaven McCulley, Indiana – Will have to watch some game clips this week of Indiana / Maryland, but from reading game recaps, sounds as though Indiana may have found their QB of the future in 4-star FR Donaven McCulley. Completed just 14-of-25 passes but tossed two touchdowns, didn’t turn the ball over, and almost led a 4th-quarter comeback on the road in his first start.
Byron Cardwell, Oregon – Trying to trade for Cardwell as we speak in league I’m not in contention in after the freshman rumbled for 127 yards and a touchdown in garbage time against Colorado. CJ Verdell and Travis Dye won’t be around next year so it will be a battle for the RB1 job between Cardwell, Seven McGee and Trey Benson, with the 210-pound Cardwell throwing the first punch in what is likely to be a heated competition next offseason.