FanDuel has a unique slate available this weekend, including some players we have not spent much time on. We wanted to highlight a few under-the-radar players that can make you some cash this weekend.
QUARTERBACKS:
Brennan Armstrong: Virginia Cavaliers ($9,900 at North Carolina)
Brennan Armstrong entered into the 2021 season better known for his rushing capabilities than his passing. Thus far, Armstrong has taken a big step forward as a passer and has accumulated fantasy points that way. We have now seen the ceiling for Armstrong as a passer and as a rusher. If we get both in the same game, you have a DFS week-winning performer on your hands.
Michael Pratt: Tulane Green Wave ($9,700 at Ole Miss)
Michael Pratt entered into the collective college football consciousness when he played lights out football against Oklahoma in the opener. Traveling to Oxford to take on the Rebels this week, I imagine points will be plenty in this one.
Seth Henigan: Memphis Tigers ($9,500 vs. Mississippi State)
Seth Henigan has looked anything but a true freshman thus far in his young college football career. We know that Calvin Austin is the engine of the Tigers’ offense. Henigan knows this as well. Facing off with Will Rogers and the Mississippi State offense, Henigan will have to keep pace, which will lead to ample opportunities for fantasy points.
Sam Hartman: Wake Forest Demon Deacons ($8,900 vs. Florida State)
DFS can be as much about the match-up as it is the player. Sam Hartman has performed well thus far in the 2021 season. Combine that with the fact that Florida State has been battered by opposing offenses. This week could be a high watermark for Hartman.
Stetson Bennett: Georgia Bulldogs ($8,500 vs. South Carolina)
Keep an eye on this one leading up to game time and have a backup plan in place. Questions surround who will be under center this week for the Bulldogs–JT Daniels or Stetson Bennett. Bennett played good ball last week. Against South Carolina, I imagine the trend will continue if Stetson Bennett is indeed the starter.
Payton Thorne: Michigan State Spartans ($7,500 at Miami)
Payton Thorne has been an efficient passer so far in 2021. The issue has been volume. Thorne has thrown just 25 and 21 passes in the two games this season. You are hoping for a more high-scoring, competitive game between the Spartans and the Hurricanes. If Thorne can get around 40 passing attempts, he will have a nice fantasy day.
RUNNINGBACKS:
Brandon Thomas: Memphis Tigers ($9,600 vs. Mississippi State)
Brandon Thomas has been red hot to start his 2021 season. Averaging close to 10 yards per attempt, Thomas has been dynamite. Thomas is also receiving the volume that you would hope out of a back this dynamic.
Tank Bigsby: Auburn Tigers ($8,000 at Penn State)
Tank Bigsby is one of the more talented backs in college football. It feels like he has fallen in the cracks as far as media coverage is concerned. Priced at $8,000 Tank Bigsby can pay off in a big way this weekend.
Cam’Ron Harris: Miami (FL) Hurricanes ($7,200 vs. Michigan State)
The results have not been there for Cam’Ron Harris, but the volume has been. Harris also had to play against Alabama. The positive results are coming for Harris.
TreVeyon Henderson: Ohio State Buckeyes ($6,600 vs. Tulsa)
TreVeyon Henderson is a blur with the football in his hands. It did not take long for the Buckeyes to realize that Henderson needed to get more touches. I would expect this trend to continue. With Ohio State coming off a tough loss to Oregon, this could be the game where Henderson takes over.
Christian Beal-Smith: Wake Forest Demon Deacons ($8,300 vs. Florida State)
Christian Beal-Smith has been the most effective runner for Wake Forest so far in 2021. The Demon Deacons have not asked him to touch the ball much so far due to game script more than anything else. I like Wake Forest to light up the scoreboard in this one, and Beal-Smith should be a catalyst.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Josh Downs: North Carolina Tar Heels ($8,400 vs. Virginia)
In the absence of Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, we knew that someone would emerge as a pass-catcher for the Tar Heels. With 17 receptions in two games this season, Josh Downs has been that player. The North Carolina/Virginia game could be a back-and-forth affair. Josh Downs should have a similar involvement against the Cavaliers.
Sean Dykes: Memphis Tigers ($8,300 vs. Mississippi State)
Rarely do we recommend tight ends in this section, but when you see a 9-catch, 143 yards, two touchdown stat line, your eyes open. Memphis/Mississippi State should be a light show and will have fantasy points to be had by all. Dykes should pick up right where he left off.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Ohio State Buckeyes ($7,400 vs. Tulsa)
Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson get all the headlines, and rightfully so. Don’t forget about Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba was a go-to option for the Buckeyes a week ago. In DFS, you need to tell yourself a narrative. Jaxon Smith-Njigba continuing to integrate himself into the Buckeye offense is possible.
Jayden Reed: Michigan State Spartans ($8,200 at Miami)
Jayden Reed has emerged as the primary target in the Spartans passing game. Reed has been a consistent performer so far in 2021. I anticipate a closer contest against the Hurricanes this week, which should mean more passes. Fire up a Payton Thorne/Jayden Reed stack and reap the rewards.
Jameson Williams: Alabama Crimson Tide ($8,000 at Florida)
I wanted to bring up Jameson Williams in this column because I believe he is playing in the shadow of John Metchie III. Alabama is so dominant that they are always going to spread the ball around. Many DFS players are going to be on Metchie. If you want to go the opposite way and gain a potential advantage against the field, fire up Jameson Williams in your DFS lineups instead.
I like beer. I like football. Sometimes, both at the same time.
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