CFF Waiver Wire Targets – Week 6
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:
Hajj-Malik Williams (UNLV)
Fantrax Ownership 9%
Season Stats: 16 Att, 13 Comp, 182 P-Yds, 3 P-TD, 0 INT, 22 Ru-Att, 207 Ru-Yds, 1 Ru-TD
Williams took over the starting QB job last week and made the coaching staff wish they gave him the job back in fall camp. Before last week’s game against a good Fresno State team, Williams had only accumulated 10 carries for 88 yards. He was efficient running the offense and gave the passing attack some much needed accuracy on the deep balls. He was used pretty evenly between his throwing and running abilities. All but two teams remaining on the schedule have worse run defenses compared to their pass defenses which is also good for his balanced dual-threat offensive attack style.
Next three weeks opponent (pass/run def rank): Syr (52/60), UtSt (127/112), OreSt (50/83)
Ben Wooldridge (ULLaf)
Fantrax Ownership 9%
Season Stats: 115 Att, 79 Comp, 992 P-Yds, 9 P-TD, 3 INT, 26 Ru-Att, 108 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD
Wooldridge is a veteran QB who has been playing college football since 2018. If you remove the Kennesaw State game where the offense did not need to throw the ball, Wooldridge is averaging 32 pass attempts/game. His TD/INT rate is improving and he does provide some rushing production to offset the INTs. I think Wooldridge is an option in deeper leagues and can provide some good spot-starts as a QB2 in your line-up.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): SMiss (70), App (115), CoCar (67)
Jeff Retzlaff (BYU)
Fantrax Ownership 9%
Season Stats: 146 Att, 89 Comp, 1206 P-Yds, 11 P-TD, 5 INT, 34 Ru-Att, 156 Ru-Yds, 1 Ru-TD
With the BYU rushing game being hit with the injury bug, Retzlaff has stepped up to carry the offense. He’s been off and on with his fantasy performances but his off days coincide with bad defensive match-ups. In the three games that were not bad defensive match-ups Retzlaff is averaging 32.3 pass attempts for 285 yards and 2.67 TDs per game. There is a game against an FCS team which is inflating those stats a little. After his Week 6 bye he has the most favorite run in his remaining schedule.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, Ariz (85), OkSt (92)
Caden Veltcamp (W Ky)
Fantrax Ownership 27%
Season Stats: 108 Att, 76 Comp, 883 P-Yds, 8 P-TD, 4 INT, 31 Ru-Att, 42 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD
Veltcamp is still showing an ownership rate of under 30% so he makes this article again even though he did not have a fantastic performance the last two weeks. Having the starting QB in the Western Kentucky offense is always good to have on your team, but the schedule is moderate at best for good match-ups. If you’re in a dynasty or keeper league I would advice taking Veltcamp, but if you’re not in one of those leagues formats I would recommend picking him up if he can plug some weak spots for your QB roster schedule matching.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, UTEP (66), SamHu (63)
Tyler Huff (JacSt)
Fantrax Ownership 11%
Season Stats: 91 Att, 62 Comp, 880 P-Yds, 5 P-TD, 4 INT, 48 Ru-Att, 269 Ru-Yds, 2 Ru-TD
It took a while for Huff to get adjusted to the FBS level as he transferred from FCS Furman. He has taken over as the starting QB as this season has progressed. His passing workload is up and down, throwing the ball 14 times at the lowest and 34 times at the highest points this season. His fantasy value is in his legs and he has averaged 14.33 rushing attempts/game over the last three weeks and scored a rushing TD in two of those three games.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): KennSt (118), NMS (54), BYE
Sawyer Robertson (Bayl)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Season Stats: 98 Att, 59 Comp, 787 P-Yds, 6 P-TD, 2 INT, 24 Ru-Att, 116 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD
Robertson stepped into the starting QB role when Dequan Finn got injured. Since taking over the offense Robertson has brought new life to the Baylor offense. Over the last two weeks he is averaging 34.5 pass attempts for 236 yards and 2.5 TDs in the air per game, along with 11.5 carries for 55.5 yards and 1 TD on the ground per game. His dual-threat ability makes him an attractive option knowing that many Big XII games will be offensive shootouts. You’re going to have to wait until Week 8 to put Robertson in your line-up, but that will start a three week stretch of good match-ups.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): IaSt (2), BYE, TxTch (123)
Bryson Daily (Army)
Fantrax Ownership 19%
Season Stats: 24 Att, 12 Comp, 240 P-Yds, 3 P-TD, 0 INT, 82 Ru-Att, 492 Ru-Yds, 8 Ru-TD
Daily has come on in the last two weeks and serves as the primary rushing threat in this option offense. During the last two weeks he is averaging 23.5 carries for 148.5 yards and 3 TDs per game. Last week’s performance might be the ceiling for what you can expect from Daily, but he still has several nice match-ups remaining throughout the schedule. Baily is a spot-starter and shouldn’t be viewed as an every week player for your line-up.
*Note that defensive rankings listed below are for rush defense due to Army’s offensive system*
Next three weeks opponent (run def rank): Tuls (74), UAB (118), ECU (27)
Tommy Ulatowski (Kent)
Fantrax Ownership 1%
Season Stats: 35 Att, 16 Comp, 354 P-Yds, 4 P-TD, 1 INT, 12 Ru-Att, -1 Ru-Yds, 1 Ru-TD
There’s an equal chance that Ulatowski could be a flash in the pan or someone that helps propel your team into the playoffs if you need serious help at QB. He took over the starting QB job last week and went on to throw the ball 28 times for 345 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. The scoring efficiency is very high for the amount of attempts he had and there could be regression coming. But he put up those stats against an Eastern Michigan pass defense that ranks #111 in fantasy points allowed. What is intriguing is a three-week run starting in Week 7 against Ball State and ending in Week 9 against Western Michigan’s #86 ranked pass defense. I’m only recommending Ulatowski if you’re in a deep league and in need of schedule matching/bye week spot start QBs.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, Ball (133), BGSU (96)
RUNNING BACKS:
Caden Durham (LSU)
Fantrax Ownership 28%
Season Stats: 29 Att, 244 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD, 7 Tgt, 6 Rec, 130 Rc-Yds, 2 Rc-TD
I am breaking on of my primary rules when looking at a waiver wire options by selecting Durham. I believe in focusing on workload because a player who touches the ball more has more opportunities to accumulate stats. Durham has only had double digit touches (12 & 11) twice this season and in the “Keep Or Cut?” articles I mentioned that LSU is using a three headed monster at RB. What I can’t ignore is just how good Durham is when the ball is in his hands and especially in the passing game. He is averaging a receiving TD every three receptions and is averaging 21.67 yards/reception. Taking Durham off the waiver wire is understanding that his workload could go up or stay the same, and it might be difficult guessing which games to place him in your starting line-up. The risk is worth the reward because he has an excellent chance to see his workload increase as the season plays out.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): BYE, Miss (2), Ark (20)
Jaden Nixon (WestMi)
Fantrax Ownership 6%
Season Stats: 54 Att, 360 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD, 6 Tgt, 5 Rec, 47 Rc-Yds, 0 Rc-TD
Nixon is another waiver wire option that was created due to injury of another player. When starting RB Jalen Buckley went down with an undisclosed injury, Nixon took over as part of a 1-2 punch at RB. Nixon has been the most productive so far and is putting up amazing fantasy numbers the last two weeks. As long as Buckey remains injured, you should keep riding Nixon’s hot hand. There next four weeks are mouth watering from a defensive match-up standpoint.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Ball (123), Akr (125), Buff (94)
Star Thomas (Duke)
Fantrax Ownership 20%
Season Stats: 99 Att, 480 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD, 4 Tgt, 4 Rec, 86 Rc-Yds, 1 Rc-TD
Thomas was splitting carries with Jordan Moore before Moore went down with an injury. With him out of action Thomas has been fed a workhorse load of carries and making the most of those opportunities. Over the last three weeks Thomas is averaging 23 carries for 133 yards and 1 TD per game. North Carolina and UConn were the toughest run defenses of that stretch, and those teams are about middle of the pack nationally in fantasy points allowed. There are great match-ups starting in Week 11, but just one in Week 8 before that. We’ll have to see if Thomas is still commanding this workload once Moore returns to the field.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): GaTec (12), BYE, FlaSt (81)
Ahmad Hardy (ULMon)
Fantrax Ownership 6%
Season Stats: 71 Att, 298 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD, 2 Tgt, 1 Rec, 7 Rc-Yds, 0 Rc-TD
Head coach Bryant Vincent has a history of running a great rushing offensive attack. I’ve been waiting to see if one player may emerge this season and its looking like Hardy is that guy. Last week was just the second time that Hardy has gotten more than 15 carries in a game. Against Troy he ran the ball 28 times for 107 yards and 1 TD. While Hardy’s workload has fluctuated this season, he has scored in every game except one. There are only 2 bad match-ups and plenty of prime match-ups left on the schedule.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): JMU (33), SMiss (128), BYE
Rahsul Faison (UtSt)
Fantrax Ownership 8%
Season Stats: 67 Att, 395 Ru-Yds, 1 Ru-TD, 8 Tgt, 6 Rec, 11 Rc-Yds, 0 Rc-TD
Faison has become the bell cow for the offense, averaging 23 carries and 131.5 yards per game over the last two weeks. He finally scored a TD last week, but expecting him to score two weeks ago against Utah was not reasonable. Faison has the workload you want to see, and has some quality match-ups sprinkled throughout his remaining schedule. Faison will be a good spot start RB2/3 for your starting line-up.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Boise (88), UNLV (22), NM (131)
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Christian Fitzpatrick (Marsh)
Fantrax Ownership 7%
Season Stats: 32 Tgt, 14 Rec, 246 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD
I’m leading off the WRs with Fitzpatrick because I think can serve a vital role on your roster. The next three weeks are filled with bye’s and you’re going to need a good spot-starter who can fill in your starting line-up each of these three weeks. That’s what his schedule brings to the table, very good match-ups for fantasy success. When you remove the Ohio State from Fitzpatrick’s stats he’s averaging 9.67 targets for 4 receptions, 73 yards and 1 TD per game. Those aren’t mind blowing numbers but he’s been very consistent with his production and has a nose for the endzone. He will make an excellent safe floor spot-start play.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): App (115), GaSo (110), GaSt (105)
Ted Hurst (GaSt)
Fantrax Ownership 23%
Season Stats: 34 Tgt, 19 Rec, 349 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD
Hurst came through with another big game last week against Georgia Southern. He had 13 targets but only caught 4 of them (OUCH) for 112 yards and a TD. He is the work horse WR for the Georgia State offense. In the last three games Hurst has averaged 10.33 targets for 107.67 yards and 1.67 TDs per game. Once you clear Week 9 the schedule begins to open up nicely.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, OD (32), Marsh (42)
Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)
Fantrax Ownership 26%
Season Stats: 27 Tgt, 19 Rec, 221 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD
The USC offense looks like it is starting to click in Big Ten play. Lane appears to be emerging as the top passing target on the team. He has scored in all but one game this season, and last week against Wisconsin he had 13 targets for 10 receptions, 105 yards and 2 TDs. Last week’s workload shouldn’t be expected each week, but there’s a good chance he could start averaging 7-8 targets/game moving forward.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): MIN (1), PSU (14), MD (91)
Eric Rivers (FLInt)
Fantrax Ownership 3%
Season Stats: 31 Tgt, 19 Rec, 353 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD, 1 Att, 16 Ru-Yds, 1 Ru-TD
Florida International has a coaching staff that doesn’t throw it a ton, but they will feed their top receiver the majority of the targets. Rivers is the WR1 for FIU this year and he has grown in that role these last three weeks. During that timeframe he is averaging 6.67 targets for 5.33 receptions, 99.67 yards and 0.67 TDs per game. One of those games was against an FCS school, but the other two were against the #30 and #45 ranked pass defenses for fantasy points allowed. It appears the coaches feed more passes into the play calling the tougher the pass defenses are. From Week 7-10 Rivers faces pass defenses ranked between #49-#66.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, Lib (49), UTEP (66)
Doran Singleton (E Mi)
Fantrax Ownership 6%
Season Stats: 46 Tgt, 31 Rec, 311 Rc-Yds, 2 Rc-TD, 2 Att, 10 Ru-Yds, 0 Ru-TD
Singleton is this year’s fantasy WR “Steady Eddie.” There’s nothing flashy about his stats but he receives a solid workload and is very reliable and consistent. If you remove the Washington game he is averaging 10.5 targets for 7.5 receptions, 77.5 yards, and 0.5 TDs per game. Weeks 8-10 is the best stretch remaining on the schedule, and he has two nice match-ups during the playoff weeks.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): MiaOH (37), C Mi (94), Akr (117)
Junior Vandeross (Toled)
Fantrax Ownership 15%
Season Stats: 31 Tgt, 20 Rec, 267 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD
The last match-up with Western Kentucky didn’t produce the offensive fireworks we were hoping for. Vandeross still managed 9 targets for 6 receptions in last week’s game. He remains in the article this week since his ownership rate is still well under 30%. If you pick up Vandeross you’ll have to be willing to sit him on your bench for a while. Once he hits Week 9 of the season the match-ups get really juicy for the rest of the fantasy season.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): MiaOH (37), Buff (53), NIU (16)
Raylen Sharpe (Fres)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Season Stats: 38 Tgt, 25 Rec, 249 Rc-Yds, 1 Rc-TD, 2 Att, 74 Ru-Yds, 0 Ru-TD
Sharpe has slowly come out of nowhere this season to become the targets leader for Fresno State. Sharpe didn’t come on until Week 3, and in the three games since he is averaging 10.67 targets for 7 receptions, 74.33 yards and no TDs per game. The lack of TDs is the biggest knock on Sharpe, and the fact he’s only cracked 100 yards in a game once is another. Sharpe still is a decent option if you’re looking for bye week help in Weeks 7-8.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, WaSt (125), Nev (75)
Eric McAlister (TCU)
Fantrax Ownership 29%
Season Stats: 22 Tgt, 16 Rec, 322 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD
Its taken McAlister to adjust to Power 4 play after transferring in from Boise State. While it was anticipated that he would be a starter in Week 1, that wasn’t the case. He’s slowly been building more playing time and over the last two weeks has now become of TCU’s most productive WRs. In the last two games McAlister has averaged 6.5 targets for 5 receptions, 107 yards and 1 TD per game. He’s also scored in each of the last three games.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Hou (47), BYE, Utah (48)
Traeshon Holden (Oreg)
Fantrax Ownership 14%
Season Stats: 18 Tgt, 15 Rec, 211 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD, 1 Att, 21 Ru-Yds, 0 Ru-TD
The Oregon offense can support two fantasy relevant WRs and it looks like we now know who that #2 guy is. Holden appears to be the deep threat that we thought Evan Stewart was going to be as he’s averaging 14 yards/reception. Over the last three games Holden is averaging 4.67 targets for 4 receptions, 58.3 yards and 1 TD per game. The workload and yardage are a bit low for my normal taste, but he is consistently being targeted for deep TD passes. The bulk of his good match-ups don’t begin until Week 10 so you’ll have to wait for a while to get him in your line-up.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): MSU (57), OSU (7), Purd (24)
Jaden Williams (TxSt)
Fantrax Ownership 4%
Season Stats: 28 Tgt, 22 Rec, 292 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD
The Texas State passing game has been difficult to get a feel for this season. The ball is being spread around to multiple WRs, and when one guy gets a heavy workload one week, it seems like it’s a different guy that gets the heavy workload the next week. Because of these this I’m bring up caution with Williams. He’s only had one bad game this season, scored in half of the games he’s played, he’s averaging 13.27 yards/reception, and averaging 7 targets/game. There are things to like about Williams, but as a mentioned before what’s not to like is the unpredictable nature of guessing which Bobcat WR is going to have a good day each week.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Troy (43), ArkSt (46), OD (32)
Jakobie James (UMass)
Fantrax Ownership 3%
Season Stats: 36 Tgt, 20 Rec, 406 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD
Last week James had his best game of the season seeing 8 targets for 4 receptions, 150 yards and 1 TD. James has scored in back-to-back weeks now, and in 3 of his last four games. He’s had two stinker games and there’s discernable pattern behind why he didn’t produce in those games. In-fact James’ performances good or bad have no connection with the rank of the opposing team’s pass defense. This makes James a harder suggestion for the waiver wire because you can’t anticipate when he’s going to have a good or bad game.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): NIU (16), MIZ (22), BYE
Matt Sykes (Rice)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Season Stats: 38 Tgt, 24 Rec, 306 Rc-Yds, 2 Rc-TD, 2 Att, -4 Ru-Yds, 0 Ru-TD
The Rice passing game has not lived up to the preseason expectations. EJ Warner has been average (at best) and that has held back the fantasy value of the receive core. Over the last two weeks Sykes has stood out from the rest of the WRs with a total of 25 targets, 14 receptions, 179 yards and 1 TD. If he continues getting this workload he will hold fantasy value even if the scoring opportunities are few and far between.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, UTSA (120), Tul (34)
TIGHT ENDS:
Eli Stowers (Vand)
Fantrax Ownership 27%
Season Stats: 31 Tgt, 19 Rec, 220 Rc-Yds, 1 Rc-TD
Stowers has become a favorite pass catcher these last match-ups against Georgia State and Missouri. During this two game stretch he is averaging 13.5 targets/game for 8 receptions, 83.5 yards and 0.5 TDs per game. The Georgia State game is the only game where he has scored a touchdown and gone for 100+ yards. The competition gets really tough moving forward but that is typically a good thing for fantasy tight ends.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Bama (41), KY (13), Ball (133)
Anthony Torres (Toled)
Fantrax Ownership 10%
Season Stats: 17 Tgt, 10 Rec, 107 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD
I’m not a fan of Torres’ workload but I feel like you can’t ignore how this guy has a way to find the endzone. In games with opponents ranging from FCS, to Group of 5, to Power 4 he has scored in three of his four games. I think he and QB Tucker Gleason have a connection in the red zone and that is how Torres is scoring so many touchdowns on this small of a workload. He’s on a bye this week which means many people may ignore him for a roster add this week.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): MiaOH (37), Buff (53), NIU (16)
Matt Lauter (Boise)
Fantrax Ownership 6%
Season Stats: 19 Tgt, 14 Rec, 210 Rc-Yds, 3 Rc-TD
Lauter has seen his role within the offense grow the last two weeks. During that span he is averaging 6.5 targets for 5.5 receptions, 93.5 yards and 1.5 TDs per game. I wouldn’t expect many more 2 TD games like he had against Washington State though. The TE position fits into Boise’s play action passing game very well.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): UtSt (127), Haw (38), BYE