CFF Waiver Wire Targets – Week 2
CFF Waiver Wire Targets – Week 2
College Fantasy Football championships are won and lost on the waiver wire. You don’t want to chase a “fool’s gold” player, so instead focus on guys that will hold their fantasy value week after week. Purple Reign has identified the players you need to target on this week’s waiver wire to ensure that “Your CFF Reign Starts Here.”
QUARTERBACKS:
Behren Morton (TxTch)
Fantrax Ownership 24%
We were all hoping that Morton’s shoulder injury was a thing of the past and it looks like that’s the case as the offense took off in Week 1. Morton threw 42 pass attempts for 30 completions, 378 yards and 5 TDs. Maybe the best thing for Morton is how the Red Raider defense looked awful, opening the door for the offense to be involved in shootouts for most of the season.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): WaSt (53), NorTx (133), AzSt (98)
Devon Dampier (NM)
Fantrax Ownership 20%
Dampier was let off his leash against Arizona and we got to see what this dual threat can really do. He threw the ball 42 times for 260 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs. He also ran the ball 15 times for 130 yards and 2 TDs. This was a big change from the 3 rushes he had in Week 0. It looks like Dampier is the prototypical Bronco Mendenhall QB after all.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): BYE, Aub (40), Fres (73)
Ethan Vasko (CoCar)
Fantrax Ownership 23%
In Week 1 Coastal Carolina did anything it wanted to on offense and Vasko never fully flexed his fantasy muscles. He threw for 249 yards on just 12 completions for 2 TDs and one tipped pass INT. Vasko has good running skills but they didn’t show up much on the stat line as he ran the ball 12 times for 39 yards and one TD. Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): FCS (150), Temp (129), UVA (113)
Kirk Francis (Tuls)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Francis entered last week’s game as one of three co-starters. He took the first snaps of the game and never looked back. Francis went 23/30 for 299 yards and 4 TDs passing, coupled with 17 yards rushing. The offense was clicking with Francis under center and Tulsa has one of the better fantasy friendly schedules in the country for QBs.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): ArkSt (114), OkSt (69), LT (124)
Kyle McCord (Syr)
Fantrax Ownership 30%
Syracuse got a competitive game from season opener Ohio, and that provided a perfect backdrop to see how this coaching staff will utilize the offense. The coaches let McCord cut it loose as he went 27/39 for 354 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT. The workload was nice, but also was the fact the coaches continually went to the air when inside the 10 yard line.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): GaTec (105), BYE, Stan (131)
JC French (GaSo)
Fantrax Ownership 7%
What better way to make your starting debut than to throw 50 passes? While French did throw the ball that much, his completion percentage was just 56% while playing at home. The workload is still nice to see as he amassed 322 yards and 2 TDs passing, along with 39 yards and 1 TD rushing. Don’t expect him to maintain this high workload but 35-40 pass attempts per game is realistic though.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Nev (125), FCS (150), MissSt (55)
Tucker Gleason (Toled)
Fantrax Ownership 19%
Gleason had no issue carving up the Duquesne secondary in his season opener. He went 15/24 for 202 yards with 3 TDs. Gleason didn’t showcase his rushing skills but still managed 16 yards rushing on 5 carries. Gleason has an excellent match-up this week with UMass at home.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Umass (132), MissSt (55), W Ky (95)
Owen McCown (UTSA)
Fantrax Ownership 8%
McCown had a nice debut start against Kennesaw State. He completed 73.7% of his passes to go 28/38 for 340 yards and 3 TDs. While he did rack up 10 rushing attempts he managed to finish the day with 0 yards and 1 TD. His passing volume should be good enough for him to have good fantasy value.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): TxSt (77), Tex (6), FCS (150)
Diego Pavia (Vand)
Fantrax Ownership 25%
I will admit that I did not see Pavia being this successful on a Vandy team playing quality Power 4 opponents. Virginia Tech struggled to keep him corralled as Pavia passed the eye test. He went 12/16 for 190 yards and 2 TDs in the air, and ran the ball 26 times for 104 yards and 1 TD. Pavia is a perfect fit for this read option based offense but I’m still conflicted on how much use you will get out of him once conference play starts.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): FCS (150), GaSt (96), MIZ (29)
Emmett Brown (SJSU)
Fantrax Ownership 1%
Brown struggled in his first start, turning the ball over twice on his first two drives. That didn’t faze Brown as he went on to throw the ball 34 times for 298 yards and 3 TDs. Brown is a pure pocket passer and will have to rely on high volume passing for his fantasy value. San Jose State does have a very talented WR core to help Brown maintain his fantasy value.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): AF (35), KennSt (134), WaSt (53)
Brendan Sorsby (Cin)
Fantrax Ownership 25%
Sorsby was a favorite sleeper player of CFF analysts this summer and his performance in the opener made us look correct. He went 22/31 for 383 yards and 2 TDs passing, paired with 5 rushing attempts for 5 yards and 2 TDs. He also displayed a natural connection with leading WR Xzavier Henderson as they connected on 7 of 11 attempts with one another.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Pitt (37), MiaOH (26), Hou (117)
Maalik Murphy (Duke)
Fantrax Ownershp 25%
Murphy didn’t light up the field like many of the other QBs highlighted in this article, but what I did like was that he threw the ball 40 times. There were too many deep balls that were thrown just a yard too deep that turned TDs into incompletions. But that was another good sight, he is very close to being a major threat for the deep bomb once he gets a tiny more touch on those throws. He ended the game 26/40 for 291 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): NW (56), UConn (102), MidTn (63)
Anthony Colandrea (UVA)
Fantrax Ownership 20%
While Virginia opened up with Richmond, there were some really nice things to see in Colandrea’s performance. First and foremost, he did not throw an INT which was a problem for him last season. He also had a 73.9 completion rate compared to last season’s 62.6%. He is a dual-threat QB who ran the ball 73 times last season, and he had 11 rushing attempts and a TD in this season’s opener.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Wake (72), MD (43), CoCar (82)
Jake Garcia (ECU)
Fantrax Ownership 4%
I eagerly watched to see how Garcia would drive the helm of this new offense in his first start. He commanded a good 36 pass attempt workload, completed 64% of those passes for 308 yards, 4 TDs, but unfortunately also had 3 INTs. He did provide a little rushing production as well going for 39 yards on 7 attempts. Garcia might be a guy you only add to your watch list right now, as you’ll want to monitor if the INT problems continue moving forward.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): OD (44), App (83), Lib (54)
RUNNING BACKS:
Justin Marshall (ColSt)
Fantrax Ownership 28%
Marshall’s performance may have been the most surprising thing to happen in this game against Texas. Colorado State was playing from behind for almost the entire game but the coaches made the commitment to feed Marshall a total of 25 times. He took those opportunities and averaged 4.2 yards per carry against the Longhorns for a total of 106 yards with no TDs. If Marshall can get this type of workload and performance against Mountain West teams he will be a high end fantasy asset this season.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): FCS (150), Colo (121), UTEP (71)
Desmond Reid (Pitt)
Fantrax Ownership 7%
With RB Rodney Hammond ruled ineligible for the season, Reid stepped in to take over the vacated carries. Reid logged 14 carries when the next best RB had five. Against Kent State Reid averaged 10.4 yards per carry to total 145 yards on the day with a TD to match. He was also targeted 4 times, catching three for 11 yards. This was an impressive FBS debut for the Western Carolina transfer.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Cin (117), WVU (74), FCS (150)
Anthony Tyus (Ohio)
Fantrax Ownership 7%
Tyus dominated the RB carry distribution getting 10 more carries than Ricky Hunt. Despite QB Parker Navarro carrying the ball 16 times, Tyus took his 16 carries for 203 yards and 2 TDs playing on the road at Syracuse. Averaging 12.7 yards a carry against a Power 4 team is eyebrow raising.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): SoAl (75), FCS (150), KY (66)
Floyd Chalk (SJSU)
Fantrax Ownership 12%
Chalk spent the first half of the game splitting carries with Jabari Bates, then Chalk pulled away and showed that he is the bell cow for this rushing game. Bates ended the game with 6 carries while Chalk logged 18 carries for 87 yards and 2 TDs. Chalk moved up from Grambling to San Jose State and the lack of yardage on those 18 carries shouldn’t be focused on too much.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): AF (32), KennSt (134), WaSt (55)
Sire Gaines (Boise)
Fantrax Ownership 15%
It was expected that Jambres Dubar was going to be the RB2 in the Bronchos offense, the season opener showed us that Gaines is the solid RB2. He logged 12 carries for 110 yards and 1 TD. Georgia Southern couldn’t stop Boise State on the ground and these stats should not be expected each week from Gaines. But having the Boise State RB2 on your roster (assuming there’s room) is a very smart move.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Oreg (9), BYE, FCS (150)
Demond Claiborne (Wake)
Fantrax Ownership 16%
I have my doubts on the Wake Forest rushing game once they hit conference play, but Claiborne’s 7.9 yards/attempt can’t be ignored. He ran the ball 17 times for 135 yards and 1 TD, but the lack of any involving in the passing game is a little disheartening. I would only recommend Claiborne in very deep leagues or Power 4 only leagues.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): UVA (95), Miss (46), BYE
Ahmad Hardy (ULMon)
Fantrax Ownership 0%
The UL-Monroe rushing game completely perplexed me this week. The team released their depth chart for the first week but both the top two RBs didn’t log one carry in the game. Hardy (who was not on the two deep) stepped up and carried the ball 19 times for 103 yards and 1 TD against Jackson State. I am a believer in this rushing system which is why I’m throwing Hardy out there. Since we don’t know what happened to the top 2 RBs last week I would advise not to start Hardy in week 2 and be ready to drop him if Hunter Smith comes back and takes the lion’s share of carries.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): UAB (90), BYE, Tex (23)
Kay’Ron Adams (MSU)
Fantrax Ownership 21%
Adams started the day as the RB2 behind Nathan Carter but by the end of the game anyone watching could see that he is the best RB on the team. Adams only logged 9 carries compared to Carter’s 19, but Adams turned those into 101 yards (63 on one TD run) and a TD while Carter could only amass 48 yards and no TDs. I’m not saying that Adams will be the RB1 next week, but in time he will take over that role in the offense.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): MD (34), FCS (150), BC (127)
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Damon Ward (NorTx)
Fantrax Ownership 30%
The word about Ward was spreading over the summer and it took just one game for everybody to know his name. Against South Alabama he was targeted a staggering 15 times with 12 receptions for 230 yards and 2 TDs. The Mean Green passing game was red hot in the season’s opener and it doesn’t look like its going to cool off this year.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): FCS (150), TxTch (49), Wyo (61)
Nick Nash (SJSU)
Fantrax Ownership 28%
The big question this summer for the San Jose State passing game was which WR will move to the slot WR and be the target hog? That question was answered Thursday night as Nash had an eye-popping 16 targets for 10 receptions, 170 yards, and 2 TDs against Sacramento State. If Nash is available in your league grab him now, as he won’t be available next week.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): AF (35), KennSt (134), WaSt (53)
Savion Williams (TCU) Fantrax Ownership 17% - Williams was a target machine last weekend as the offense designed multiple ways to force the ball in his hands. He had 17 passes thrown his way, catching 11 of those for 85 yards and 1 TD. The yardage is lagging far behind that target count and I have doubts Williams will have many more sub 100 yard games this season if he’s seeing 15+ targets. He has the blueprint to be the unquestioned WR1 on this team. Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): FCS (150), UCF (88), SMU (14)
Tai Felton (MD)
Fantrax Ownership 8%
Felton came into the season looking like the favorite to be the leading WR and he showed that’s what he wants to be in Week 1. With a new QB making their first start Felton was targeted 9 times, catching 7 balls for 178 yards and 2 TDs. While the Big Ten schedule will be tougher than UConn was last week, having a standout heavy workload WR will compliment Roman Hemby nicely.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): MSU (87), UVA (113), FCS (150)
Trebor Pena (Syr)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Syracuse showed the country they are not afraid to air the ball out this season, and especially in the redzone. Pena’s 7 targets last week were only second best to TE Oronde Gadsden’s 12 targets. Both Pena and Gadsden were redzone targets with Pena scoring 2 TDs to go with his 6 receptions for 78 yards. He was also used in the running game with 3 carries for 9 yards and a rushing TD in the redzone. The different ways that the coaches are using Pena make it look like he will be a “Swiss army knife” player.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): GaTec (105), BYE, Stan (131)
Jack Bech (TCU)
Fantrax Ownership 11%
While Bech is showing as a WR in most leagues, some have him listed with duel WR/TE designation. If you have the ability to play him at TE in your league his value goes up dramatically. Even as a pure WR, He was targeted 9 times with 6 receptions for 139 yards and 1 TD at Stanford. Bech is the main pass target for the inside of the offense, a perfect compliment to Savion Williams on the outside. Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): FCS (150), UCF (88), SMU (14)
Corey Rucker (ArkSt)
Fantrax Ownership 12%
CFF analysts have been saying all summer that somebody is going to have to step up and be Jaylen Raynor’s WR1. Rucker decided that role was for him and demonstrated it last week with 13 targets for 9 receptions, 179 yards and 1 TD. As the competition level increases the need for the passing game to be active will rise as well even if it is in “garbage time.”
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Tuls (122), Mich (1), IaSt (21)
Coy Eakin (TxTch)
Fantrax Ownership 9%
Eakin started to earn high praise from the coaching staff in fall camp and his performance translated to the season opener. He was the second highest targeted WR with 8 on the day for 76 yards and 2 TDs. His performance was low yardage-high scoring dependent and that’s something to monitor over the next weeks. Players like that can be more susceptible to boom/bust performances. This offense will have enough pass attempts to feed two fantasy WRs.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): WaSt (53), NorTx (133), AzSt (98)
Giles Jackson (Wash)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Earlier in the summer I made the call the Jackson would likely end up the WR2 for the Husky offense. Denzel Boston is the solid WR1, but Jackson had a bigger workload in Week 1. He had 10 targets for 10 receptions and 98 yards. You can expect him to keep getting peppered with targets as the year plays out.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): E Mi (68), WaSt (53), NW (56)
Jimmy Horn (Colo)
Fantrax Ownership 29%
I am cautiously advising on Horn being a good pick up. The new Buffaloes offense focuses to push the ball to Travis Hunter on the outside, or use the two slot positions to make big plays when Hunter is stretching the field. Horn was far more productive from the slot than LaJohntay Wester was. Horn had 9 targets for 7 receptions, 198 yards and 1 TD. This very well might be Horn’s best game of the year but its hard to ignore the target share he commanded.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Neb (20), ColSt (76), Bayl (121)
Luke Wysong (NM)
Fantrax Ownership 9%
For two weeks in a row Wysong has led New Mexico in targets with 18 total. In Week 1 he had 11 targets for 8 receptions, 129 yards and 1 TD and did that against Power 4 Arizona. The Dampier to Wysong connection looks to be real strong for 2024.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): BYE, Aub (40), Fres (73)
Coleman Owen (Ohio)
Fantrax Ownership 1%
Owen showed the nation that he is the only reliable WR for Ohio this season. In the season opener he had 15 targets, caught 10 of those passes for 137 yards with no TDs. He did this while playing on the road against Power 4 opponent Syracuse. The combination of this workload and against Power 4 competition makes me optimistic for the rest of Owen’s season.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): SoAl (36), FCS (150), KY (39)
Devonte Ross (Troy)
Fantrax Ownership 1%
While Troy isn’t a pass heavy offense, they do tend to force feed their top WR. Ross looks to be this year’s Boss Hog in that offense as he had 11 targets and 7 receptions for 103 yards and 1 TD. Playing a team like Nevada gives us a great indication of how the coaches plan to use Ross once conference play starts. Touchdown production over the season might be the biggest question I have with Ross at this time.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Mem (106), Iowa (4), FCS (150)
Cade McDonald (MiaOH)
Fantrax Ownership 1%
Miami showed last season that this offense is willing to feed the top WR, and Week 1 gave us a glimpse at who that player is in 2024. McDonald had 9 targets for 8 receptions, 105 yards but no TDs. His stats aren't as sexy as other guys on this list, but he is commanding a good workload in a system that can generate fantasy points for their WR1.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): BYE, Cin (100), ND (7)
TIGHT ENDS:
Max Klare (Purd)
Fantrax Ownership 18%
Klare tied with two other players to have the most targets in the offense with five. He was able to turn those into 5 receptions for 71 yards and 1 TD. Purdue is a team that will need to lean on their TE making Klare a nice fantasy gem.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): BYE, ND (7), OreSt (34)
Benji Gosnell (VaTec)
Fantrax Ownership 0%
What makes Gosnell so attractive in my eyes is that QB Kyron Drones was continuously look for Gosnell when a key passing conversion was needed. He ended Week 1 with six targets for 4 receptions, 61 yards and no TDs. I think this Drones/Gosnell connection won’t be a flash in the pan and should hold up as the weeks play out.
Next three weeks opponent (def power rank): Marsh (32), OD (44), Rut (42)