Have you ever been to a garage sale or thrift store and found an absolute STEAL? I feel like the Week 8 waiver wire is just that… Bargain Bin Steals. Another week has come and gone. Your league-mates look at these guys and just keep leaving them on the shelves. But not you! You come here for the G5 names, so you know the REAL value. These G5 Bargain Bin Steals are 70%+ available in Fantrax leagues. Let’s start bargain-hunting!
G5 Bargain Bin Steals
Quarterbacks
Tommy Ulatowski – Kent State
Fantrax Rostership: 4%
Total Fantasy Points: 90.3
Fantasy Points Per Game: 18.1
Tommy Touchdown! It was a surprise to me that he did not win the job out of the spring, but never fear…Tommy Touchdown is here! His last 2 contests have netted him 40.45 and 42.7 fantasy points. He has thrown for 345 yards (3 passing TDs) and 394 yards (4 passing TDs), respectively. Kent State has been playing catch-up a lot this season, and I don’t see that changing. Since taking over, Ulatowski has led Kent State to back-2-back 30+ point games. Look for Tommy Touchdown to continue to build his legacy there in Kent, Ohio.
Spencer Petras – Utah State
Fantrax Rostership: 12%
Total Fantasy Points: 119.5
Fantasy Points Per Game: 29.9
Spencer Petras was in my article last week. I typically don’t repeat guys, as there are so many options in college football. However, I believe Petras needs to be more widely owned. His rostership increased from 5% to 12%. In Week 7, he threw the ball 59 times, completing 41 passes for 461 yards. He currently sits 5th in the G5 in passing attempts per game (39.5), 2nd in the G5 in passing yards per game (317.75), and 1st in the G5 in passing completions per game (26). They have New Mexico in Week 8. The over/under for that game is 78.5 points! Look for there to be fireworks on Saturday at 4 pm EST.
Running Backs
Elijah Gilliam – Fresno State
Fantrax Rostership: 4%
Total Fantasy Points: 65.7
Fantasy Points Per Game: 11
Elijah Gilliam is a must-add before their Week 8 matchup against Nevada. Starting running back, Malik Sherrod has been banged up and may miss a few games. In his absence, Gilliam had 120 yards rushing, 4 receptions, and 1 touchdown in Week 7. That was good for 22.8 fantasy points. Earlier in the season, Sherrod missed the New Mexico game. Gilliam had 54 yards rushing, 4 receptions, and 1 touchdown (16.9 pts). Fresno State has Nevada in Week 8. The Nevada defense just allowed 154 yards rushing to Anthony Hankerson last week. Look for Fresno State to get Gilliam going in this one. This very well may be the best G5 Bargain Bin Steal for the rest of the season.
Delbert Mimms III – Eastern Michigan
Fantrax Rostership: 10%
Total Fantasy Points: 86.4
Fantasy Points Per Game: 14.4
Delbert Mimms has scored 30.6 and 18.5 fantasy points in back-2-back weeks. He has seen 25 and 24 opportunities, respectively. Eastern Michigan plays Central Michigan in Week 8. The last three weeks, Central Michigan has allowed Braedon Sloan to rush for 94 yards (1TD), Marquez Cooper to rush for 111 yards (1TD), and Anthony Tyus to rush for 95 yards (0TDs). I look for Eastern Michigan to lean on Mimms in Week 8. I anticipate we see 20+ opportunities, close to 100 yards rushing and one touchdown. What a G5 Bargain Bin Steal before Week 8!
Wide Receivers
Raylen Sharpe – Fresno State
Fantrax Rostership: 6%
Total Fantasy Points: 82.6
Fantasy Points Per Game: 13.8
Raylen Sharpe is a G5 Bargain Bin Steal for me before Week 8. I expect the Bulldogs to be down a wide receiver this week (Josiah Freeman). Freeman hasn’t done a whole lot this season, but he is 2nd on the team in touchdown receptions. Over the last 4 Weeks, Sharpe has seen the following amount of targets: 9, 7, 16, 7. He has turned those targets into 5, 6, 10, and 6 receptions for 58, 49, 116, and 60 yards respectively. He had 0 touchdowns during that stretch; however, he has still managed fantasy outings of: 18.2, 18.2, 21.6, and 12 points. I would pick up Raylen Sharpe this week if you have room on your roster for this G5 Bargain Bin Steal. If you wait too long others may notice this real worth.
Adrian Norton – Akron
Fantrax Rostership: 9%
Total Fantasy Points: 100.1
Fantasy Points Per Game: 14.3
Adrian Norton is that thing you hide in the store because it is the last of it and you want to buy it…but you forgot your wallet. So you hide that item in a spot that only you would know where to look for it. Where have I hidden this gemstone? This week I have hidden him on his bye week. Since Week 2, we have seen him score double-digit fantasy points outputs in every contest. His average targets per game, 7.3, ranks 32nd in the G5. He is also averaging 76.9 yards per game which ranks 21st in the G5. His 3.8 receptions per game is concerning, but his 15.5 average depth of target (ADOT) makes those opportunities count. The Zips have Eastern Michigan and Buffalo after their Bye Week. The ball is now in your court. Did you forget your wallet in the car and will pick him up this week while he is on this Bye? Or did you forget your wallet at home and will wait another week before you scoop him up? Oh crap! Someone watched you hide him…you better act quickly!
Tight End
Terrance Carter – Louisiana
Fantrax Rostership: 19%
Total Fantasy Points: 70.6
Fantasy Points Per Game: 11.8
What if I told you the #11 tight end on the season is available in 81% of leagues? Talk about a G5 Bargain Bin Steal! Terrance Carter’s last 4 Weeks have resulted in: 17.9, 2.4, 12.4, and 20.7 fantasy points. He is one of four tight ends in the G5 to average 4+ targets, 3+ receptions, and 50+ receiving yards per game this season. Who are the other three? Harold Fannin Jr., Tanner Koziol, and Holden Willis. Carter has 3 touchdowns on the season, which is 2 behind the G5 tight end leader (5). Go grab Terrance Carter while he is still widely available.
I have done my best to dive into the G5 landscape by bringing some names to your attention. Most leagues have had their waivers run, yet these individuals are still widely available in 70% or more of leagues. If your league utilizes a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), I bet you can get away with a small bid for any of these individuals. If you are looking for other additions, be sure to check out John Laub’s article, College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 7 Gemstones. Or you can catch me every Monday night ~10:30 pm EST on YouTube or X as Justice and I bring you The G5 Hive Live. We break down the week that was and look forward to the week ahead.