It’s that time of year again as the college football season officially kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 27, with the first full slate of games set for Thursday, Aug. 28, through Saturday, Aug. 30. However, you can refer back to these rankings and this information well after that, so be sure to bookmark the page, especially if you play in Daily Fantasy leagues. Plus, I’ll have a weekly piece for DFS owners, so check back on RotoExperts.com early and often.
TOP SEVEN
1) Antwan Goodley, Baylor: The Bears offense really can look video game-like, especially when playing an inferior opponent. With Baylor opening against subpar defenses from SMU, Northwestern State, Buffalo and Iowa State, Goodley could be pushing 600 receiving yards before October. Last season, Goodley and Levi Norwood totaled 118 receptions and 21 scores. Goodley is the much better option, but if you miss the boat on draft day, remember Norwood in the middle rounds.
2) Deontay Greenberry, Houston: Greenberry hauled in 82 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 scores last season, averaging 100.2 yards per game despite having to get used to a freshman quarterback in the third game after starter David Piland went down to injury. It worked out, however. John O’Korn proved to be a star in the making, and with a full offseason to get better, he and Greenberry could be one of the best pass-catch duos in the country. Like Goodley above, Greenberry’s partner in crime is Daniel Spencer, who is a legitimate Fantasy option worthy of a roster spot, too. A fast start is likely, as two of Houston’s four out-of-conference foes are from the FCS.
Justin Hardy will have a triple-digit catch total again in 2014. Photo Credit: Daniel E. Dobish
3) Justin Hardy, East Carolina: It’s hard to believe Hardy was only offered a scholarship from Fayetteville State during the recruiting process. There are a lot of coaches kicking themselves for letting this talent slip through their fingers. Hardy had a ridiculous 114 receptions, third-most in the country, while posting 1,284 yards and eight scores. Sometimes, it is good to look for Fantasy options on teams with a poor defense, as the struggles of a guy’s defense will actually get him on the field more.
4) Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: Strong has the good fortune of having QB Taylor Kelly back, and that’s great news for Fantasy owners and fans of the Sun Devils. The AZ State offense amassed 39.7 points per game last season, and they’ll flirt with 40 points per contest again this season. Strong will be a big part, too. He had 75 receptions for 1,122 yards and seven scores, and his 15.0 yards per reception was very impressive. Opposing defenses knew the ball was coming his way and still didn’t stop him. Now, he’ll have JUCO transfer Eric Lauderdale in the mix, and rather than take targets away from Strong, he might actually see more with an added threat and slightly less defensive attention.
5) Jamison Crowder, Duke: Crowder is like the second coming of Clarkston Hines, and fans in Durham know that is big. If Crowder can post his third straight 1,000-yard season, he will become just the second ACC receiver to ever accomplish that feat, joining Hines. He is the gasoline for the Duke offense, which surprised last season en route to an ACC Championship Game appearance and high-profile bowl game against Texas A&M. QB Anthony Boone has had a strong spring, and there is no reason to believe Crowder takes a step backwards barring an injury.
6) Tyler Lockett, Kansas State: Lockett was a surprise last season, posting 1,262 yards with 11 TDs on 82 yards. That was good for an eye-popping 15.6 yards per grab. The K-State passing offense was among the most efficient in the nation last season, and QB Jake Waters has a lot more experiencing heading into the new campaign. Some players also produce against the weaker opponents, but shrivel up against the big boys. Not Lockett. He went for 440 all-purpose yards in last year’s narrow loss to Oklahoma. In other words, don’t be dissuaded to start Lockett when Auburn, Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State pop up on the schedule.
7) Nelson Agholor, Southern California: Agholor will step in and fill the shoes of departed Marqise Lee for Trojan Nation. He already was a legitimate Fantasy option last season, leading the team in receiving yards (918) and receiving scores (six). He made a lot of highlight reels in the return game, too, but expect that part of his game to decrease and for him to be an even bigger factor in the offense. A 1,200-yard season with over 100 receptions and double-digit scores is expected.
SLEEPERS
Quinshad Davis, North Carolina: Davis posted just 48 receptions last season, but 10 of them were good for touchdowns. And when he got his hands on the ball, he was just as good as any elite receiver in the nation with 15.2 yards per catch last season. QD should be front and center in the UNC offense this season, and that offense should be much better with either QB Marquise Williams or Mitch Trubisky at the helm.
Tommy Shuler, Marshall: The Thundering Herd offense was impressive last season, and while QB Rakeem Cato and departed TE Gator Hoskins might have been household names for Fantasy owners, Shuler shouldn’t be overlooked. He has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and the 5-foot-7 speedster found the end zone 10 times. He’ll be the primary option for Cato, and he could do even better than his average of 108 receptions over the past two seasons.
Lequon Treadwell, Mississippi: Ole Miss isn’t generally on the tip of people’s tongues when talking up the SEC, but they’re a program on the rise with solid players on both sides of the ball. Treadwell has been garnering attention on Twitter and YouTube for his highlight-reel catches in practice, and he appears destined for stardom. While he managed just 608 yards and five scores last season, he will be the apple of QB Bo Wallace‘s eye in the Rebels’ offense, especially since he’ll be moving from the slot to a wideout position. That will improve his average of just 8.4 yards per catch, perhaps nearly doubling that number.
DEEP SLEEPERS
Titus Davis, Central Michigan: Everyone in your Fantasy draft will be tripping all over themselves to get the big names early, but you will have a great starting option in your pocket to blurt out late on draft day if you remember Davis. He was right up there with the big boys, posting 61 receptions for 1,109 yards and eight scores, and he is the leading returning receiver in the MAC with 100.8 yards per game.
D’haquille Williams, Auburn: Williams is considered the No. 1 JUCO transfer in the nation, and the word is that he will step right into the starting lineup in Gus Malzahn’s offense. With plenty of attention paid to star receiver Sammie Coates, Duke Williams should see plenty of one-on-one coverage, and that won’t end well most times for opposing defensive backs.
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