Any fantasy owner knows that a late-round snag can make all the difference when it comes to winning games. After conducting several mock drafts, this piece will provide several high-ceiling guys at low-ceiling prices heading into the 2018 College Fantasy Football season.
2018 College Fantasy Football Value Plays
QB Eric Dungey, Syracuse
Eric Dungey is one of those guys that played as a freshman and seems like he won’t ever leave. Dungey has thrown for 6,472 yards and 40 touchdowns along with 1,239 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.
Having Dino Babers as his coach alone makes him a top-five round pick and that’s not even taking into account that he is lightning fast on his feet. I have seen Dungey fall to the tenth round due to his previous injury problems over the past two seasons. If you are able to snag Eric Dungey as a third option at quarterback, you’ve given yourself an incredible option that will likely be featured in your lineup weekly so long as he stays healthy.
QB Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee
Alas, the College Fantasy Football goldmine that was Richie James is now a San Francisco 49er, but the man who helped him become a top-tier fantasy receiver, Brent Stockstill is back for one last ride with the Blue Raiders.
Stockstill fell as deep as the 12th round in one mock draft and it’s certainly due to his injury history. Stockstill is almost assured of close to 4,000 passing yards and has personnel in Ty Lee and Gaitlin Casey to really do some damage this season if he stays healthy. If you get the chance to snag a QB2 in the 12th round, by all means, pull the trigger.
RB Rodney Smith, Minnesota
Would you like a possible RB1 at a bench price? Well, you are in luck because Rodney Smith has all the potential in the world to be that guy. Smith ran for 2,135 yards over the past two seasons, including 977 last season while sharing carries with Shannon Brooks and Kobe McCrary. McCrary graduating, Brooks out for the season, an easier schedule, and the up and coming coach PJ Fleck at the reigns, spells a huge 2018 campaign for the senior Smith. Smith looks to be an 8th-10th round pick and has the ceiling of an RB1 so don’t fret taking a receiver in Round 1, a sleeping dragon rests in the eighth round.
RB Travon McMillan, Colorado
Travon McMillan showed out in his freshman season at Virginia Tech with 1,107 total yards and eight touchdowns. A coaching change derailed his Virginia Tech career leading to his eventual transfer to the Colorado Buffaloes.
McMillan is a strong runner and the perfect guy to come in and replace Philip Lindsay. McMillan is rightfully a later round back due to his sudden transfer, but he has RB2 upside if utilized correctly. Right now, McMillan is considered a 14th-16th round pick based on recent mock drafts so it should be illegal to steal a back with this much potential this late.
QB TaQuon Marshall, Georgia Tech
I may not be the largest advocate for triple-option players, but its hard to ignore the placement of TaQuon Marshall. Marshall is going in the 15th round at the latest. Marshall accounted for 1,146 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground which bodes well for solid quarterback numbers in four-point passing touchdown leagues.
Given that he’s a triple-option quarterback that calls his own number more often than not, Marshall has QB2 potential and he’s going incredibly late for a mobile quarterback. If he’s still available after the 11th round, he’s definitely worth the pickup.
WR Nick Westbrook, Indiana
Many College Fantasy Football owners have already forgotten about absolute baller Nick Westbrook because of his unfortunate season-ending injury on the opening kickoff of Week 1 last season. Westbrook snagged 54 passes for 995 yards and was expected to take over the Hoosier offense. His injury resulted in an incredible season for Simmie Cobbs who finished with 73 receptions and 841 yards as the leading receiver.
Westbrook could easily go for 1,000 yards as the true No. 1 option for Indiana this season and I’ve seen him go completely undrafted. Don’t sleep on Westbrook this season because he’s definitely not sleeping for another season.
RB Andrew Clair, Bowling Green
Andrew Clair took 107 carries for 725 yards as the number two guy for the Bowling Green State Falcons in 2017. In case you aren’t doing the math, that is 6.8 yards per carry on over 100 carries which stands among the best. Leading rusher Josh Cleveland graduated and now Clair has the backfield all to himself.
Another benefit Clair receives is that of Jarret Doege who played admirably in the final five games of the season and the best thing to open up a strong runner is a strong passer. I’ve seen Clair go as late as Round 16 which is substantially lower than most experts have him ranked. If he’s still there after Round 13, snag him up and let him ball out for you in 2018.
For more great College Fantasy Football analysis, check out all of Justin’s work on FantraxHQ.com.
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