With College Football returning this weekend, here is a breakdown of all the DFS relevant player on the DraftKings’ main slate.
Eastern Kentucky vs Marshall
Eastern Kentucky – (14.25-Point TT)
Offense – Eastern Kentucky has a new head coach in Walt Wells and a new offensive cordinator in Andy Richman. Richman spent time with Wisconsin from 2008 to 2010. He was the run game coordinator at New Mexico State where they threw the ball 56.37% of the time (#13). They ran 70.6 plays per game (#69).
Parker McKinney ($5,200) – McKinney only completed 51% of his passes last year for 1,335 yards on 208 attempts. He is 6-3, 208-pounds and offers a little bit of dual threat ability. He rushed for 327 yards on 70 carries last season. This team should throw more, but McKinney probably isn’t in play.
Alonzo Booth ($5,100) – Booth is a 6-1, 250-pound running back, who only eclipsed 100 yards one time last year. He is the goal line back, but Eastern Kentucky shouldn’t be doing much of that. He isn’t a pass catcher and only had three receptions last year.
Keyion Dixon ($4,700) – Dixon is 6-3, 185-pounds and he was the team’s leading receiver last year. He caught 30 balls for 476 yards in ten games. He returns as the top wide out.
Jackson Beerman ($3,400) – Beerman was the team’s fourth leading receiver with 12 catches for 188 yards last year. He is 6-5, 206-pounds and functions more down the field.
Matt Wilcox ($4,000) – He should be the team’s number two receiver this year after catching 21 balls for 155 yards in eight games. He stands 5-10, 185-pounds and will work more in the slot.
Defense – This team played pretty good defense last year, but they don’t have a hope in the world against this Marshall team.
Marshall – (38.25-Point TT)
Offense – Doc Holliday returns as head coach and Tim Cramsey returns as offensive coordinator. Last year, Marshall passed 41.3% of the time (99th) and ran 68.8 plays per game (85th). There’s no reason to change here. The offensive line returns 4 starters including both tackles. They actually had 3 tackles who made starts last year.
Grant Wells ($7,300) –Wells is 6-2, 210-pounds and reportedly ran a 4.70 40-yard dash out of high school. Labeled a pro-style quarterback, it remains unlikely Marshall asks much of Wells in this matchup. They should lean on the run.
Brenden Knox ($8,000) – Knox is 6-0, 223-pounds and fresh off a 270-carry, 1,387-yard rushing season. He also caught 14 balls for 129 yards. He projects for some of the highest volume, but Marshall likely moves to other backs as they roll Eastern Kentucky here.
Sheldon Evan ($4,300) – Last year’s second-leading rusher likely sees additional volume in positive game script. He carried 69 times for 375 yards last year. He is 5-11, 200-pounds.
Broc Thompson ($5,700) – He finished as Marshall’s third leading receiver with 334 yards on 19 catches. He will play on the outside.
Willie Johnson ($6,900) – Johnson finished as Marshall’s second leading receiver with 349 yards on just 13 catches. He is 6-0, 176-pounds.
Talik Keaton ($5,000) – He should play in the slot I’m guessing, but he is 6-1, 188-pounds. He caught nine balls for 140 yards last year.
Corey Gammage ($4,300) – Gammage started Week 1 with a ten-target game and faded as the year went on. Now he is with the second team, but I’m bullish on the talent. He is 6-4, 227-pounds.
Xavier Gaines ($5,200) – Gaines was the team’s fourth leading receiver at the tight end position. He interestingly carries the ball a little bit too. He caught 27 balls for 306 yards last year. He is 6-2, 220-pounds
Defense – They return 4 starters, but it doesn’t matter much. They should roll Eastern Kentucky.
Middle Tennessee vs Army
Middle Tennessee – (26 TT)
Offense – Ryan Stockstill is still the coach of Middle Tennessee State and he has been in this position since 2006. He still has Tony Franklin as his offensive coordinator and this tandem ran the 114th fastest offense (66.3 plays per game). They also passed 48.83% of the time (56th). They notched 224.5 passing yards per game (68th) and 166.6 rushing yards per game (55th). They return 4 starters on the offensive line.
Asher O’Hara ($6,200) – O’Hara is the returning starter from last year. After completing 62.7% of his 335 passes for 2,616 yards. He is the best dual threat QB we have on the slate after he rushed for 1,058 yards last year.
Jayy McDonald ($4,300) – Middle Tennessee had two running backs opt out of the season, leaving former JUCO transfer Jayy McDonald atop the depth chart. He is 5-9, 191-pounds and finished third on the team in rushing last year with 40 carries and 204 rushing yards. This is probably a time share to some degree
Frank Peasant ($3,000) – Peasant is an incoming freshman, who stands 5-10, 221-pounds. He was listed as the second back on the depth chart. They also have senior Brad Anderson, who rushed for 170 yards on 37 carries last year. Interestingly, Anderson led all backs with 14 targets. He even had more than Chaton Mobley
Chaton Mobley ($5,700) – Mobley heads over to receiver after rushing for 208 yards on 52 carries last year. He only had eight catches, so this is an interesting move. He probably gets used as a gadget guy here.
Jarrin Pierce ($4,700) – Pierce is projected to play as an outside Z-receiver this year. He finished as the teams’ second-leading receiver with 42 catches for 562 yards.
Jimmy Marshall ($4,200) – Marshall projects to play in the slot and this could be the best matchup in the passing game. Army returns both boundary corners and they played well last year. He finished with 35 catches for 513 yards as the team’s third-leading receiver.
CJ Windham ($5,900) – Windham is expected to step up and play on the outside, with Ty Lee departing. He caught 13 balls for 233 yards last year. He averaged 17.9 yards per receptions
Defense – This team was extremely bad on defense last year, allowing 192.8 rushing yards per game. They only return one starter on the defensive line. They also return two linebackers and
Army – (29 TT)
Offense – Jeff Monken is the head coach and he has a lot of experience with the triple option from his time at Navy and Georgia Southern. Army should continue their slow pace, triple option style of football. They only return two starting offensive linemen. Jabari Laws is still recovering from offseason surgery as well, so Christian Anderson gets the nod here as the starting QB.
Christian Anderson ($7,400) – Anderson only played sparingly last year in relief for Kelvin Hopkins and Jabari Laws. He rushed for 429 yards on 67 carries (6.7 yards per carry). He stands 6-1, 195-pounds and should offer decent upside as a rusher here, despite the slow pace of the game.
Sandon McCoy ($4,800) – McCoy is a 5-11, 230-pound full back, but don’t be fooled. Army smashed opponents with their fullbacks and they score a lot of touchdowns. Last year, McCoy notched 134 carries for 576 yards and 10 scores.
Artice Hobbs ($4,400) – Hobbs played some receiver last year, but he transitions back to slot back for Army this year. He is 5-9, 175 pounds and carries 28 times for 158 yards last year. He also caught 13 passes for 335 yards, so this is an explosive athlete. Volume is his main concern.
Brandon Walters ($3,500) – The 5-11, 185 Brandon Walters is projected to play the other slot back position. He only carried four times for one-yard last year, but should get his chance early.
Isaiah Alston ($3,000) – He is a 6-4, 200-pound incoming freshman. He was listed as a starter on the depth chart.
Camden Harrison ($3,900) – The 6-2, 208-pound Harrison led Army in receiving last year with 25 catches for 433 yards (17.3 yards per reception). He should lead the team in targets, but they throw about ten times per game.
Defense – Army returns only 4 starters on defense.
SMU vs Texas State
SMU – (46.25 TT)
Offense – Sonny Dykes is still the head coach of SMU. Garrett Riley is the new offensive coordinator with Rhett Lashlee heading to the Miami Hurricanes. He was the running back’s coach at App State last year, where they ran 70.7 plays per game (68th) and threw 39.5-percent of the time (110th). I’m guessing SMU slows a bit and leans slightly more run heavy with such a seismic shift. Riley already said he is calling plays. We also know that SMU should absolutely demolish Texas State. SMU only allowed 17 sacks last year and they return four starters on the offensive line.
Shane Buechele ($9,000) – Buechele returns for this second season with SMU after completing 62.7-percent of this 490 passes last year. He also added 105 yards with his legs. The pass attempts should drop a bit here, but the coaching change and projected game script. However, he still projects as the top raw quarterback play on the board.
TJ McDaniel ($7,000) – McDaniel finished as the team’s third leading rusher last year, but both Xavier Jones and Ke’Mon Freeman are gone. McDaniel carried 41 times for 236 yards last year. He is listed atop the depth chart, but this expects to be a committee situation. He is 5-11, 194-pounds.
Ulysses Bentley ($5,300) – SMU listed Ulysses Bentley as the second running back on the depth chart, but he only carried seven times last year. He is 5-10, 184-pounds. The coaching staff continues to hint at a timeshare, so don’t be surprised to see Tyler Lavine and Tamerik Williams mix into the backfield here too.
Reggie Roberson ($8,200) – Roberson unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury mid-way through 2019. He was a monster with 43 catches for 803 yards in just eight games last year. He should return as the team’s leading receiver. Roberson is widely considered one of the fastest players in college football and has an NFL future. He is 6-0, 200-pounds.
Rashee Rice ($4,800) – He ended up playing a good amount last year as a true freshman. Rice is 6-1, 189-pounds and primarily plays on the outside. He caught 25 balls for 403 yards. Most of that came when Roberson and Myron Galliard were both hurt last year. He should see ample opportunity.
Danny Gray ($3,500) – Gray is a huge JUCO recruit that picked SMU over TCU. He is 6-1, 180-pounds and another extremely fast receiver. He is expected to take over the slot role, where James Proche had 100 catches. He should be heavily owned today at just $3,500 on DraftKings.
Kylen Granson ($6,000) – At 6-3, 235-pounds, Granson is one of the more underappreciated receiving tight ends in football. Last year, he caught 43 balls for 721 yards and 9 scores. His volume probably isn’t as stable with everyone healthy, but he is worth a look.
Defense – They return one defensive lineman, three linebackers, two corners and zero safeties. This defense was pretty brutal after allowing 288.5 passing yards and 156.3 rushing yards per game. Experience should help.
Texas State – (22.75 TT)
Offense – Jack Spavital is back for his second season as head coach. His team threw 60.1-percent of the time (5th) and ran 66.7 plays per game (109th).
Brady McBride ($5,600) – He is supposedly a dual threat who rushed for 1,142 yards and 21 scores in high school. He is 6-0, 204-pounds and will get his first football action after originally going to Memphis.
Brock Sturges ($5,200) – Brock Sturges is a 5-11, 200-pound All-American JUCO transfer. He looks capable as a receiver, with 13 catches in 11 games. He rushed for 1,089 yards on 210 carries. This should be some form of a committee though.
Caleb Twyford ($4,600) – Twyford led Texas State in rushing last year, with 108 carries for 488 yards and a pair of scores. However, He stands just 5-11, 175-pounds. He profiles more as a receiving back, which compliments Sturges pounding style. They should split work to some degree.
Jahmyl Jeter ($3,300) – Jeter reportedly split some time with the first team early in camp as Sturges waited for his NCAA hardship waiver. He is still waiting for a waiver himself. As are potential starters Waydale Jones (Wake Forest) & Silas Robinson (Arkansas)
Jeremiah Haydel ($4,500) – Haydel returns as the team’s third-leading receiver after securing 32 catches for 324 yards. He is 6-0, 170-pounds. Haydel should lead the team in receiving. However, the depth chart is curious behind him, with Trevis Graham and Javen Banks listed as backups.
Marcell Barbee ($3,000) – Barbee is a JUCO transfer, who stands 6-2, 200-pounds. Target projections are next to impossible for Barbee and Dru Jackson. For what it’s worth Texas State rotated receivers a lot last year.
Drue Jackson ($3,000) – Jackson is another JUCO transfer, who stands 6-1, 195-pounds. He is the favorite to play in the slot right now.
Chandler Speights ($3,000) – Standing 5-9, 170-pounds, Speights was listed as the other starting slot. Their tight end has Covid-19, so they don’t have a starting tight end on the depth chart. He caught 1 pass past year.
Trevis Graham ($3,800) – Listed as the backup to Haydel. He was the team’s third-leading receiver with 28 catches for 353 yards last year.
Javen Banks ($5,400) –Listed as the backup to Drue Jackson. He was the team’s second-leading receiver with 20 catches for 367 yards last year.
Jah’Marae Sheread ($4,900) – Listed as the backup to Chandler Speights. He caught 21 balls for 236 yards last year.
Defense – They lost three starters in the secondary. They’re replacing a ton of production here.
Houston Baptist vs North Texas
Houston Baptist – (22 TT)
Offense – Their coaching staff is the same and they return most of their good players. They run a very fast offense that skews extremely pass heavy. This could be a potential target on the run back of some stacks.
Bailey Zappe ($5,000) – Zappe is the returning starter at 6-2, 180-pounds. The threw an absurd 560 times last years for 3,811 yards and 35 scores. He also offers some dual threat ability with 183 rushing yards, but nothing crazy here.
Dreshawn Minnieweather ($5,500) – This is likely a timeshare with Ean Beek, but Minnieweather was the far more efficient ball carrier. He carried 105 times for 756 yards and 7 scores. He is 6-0, 215-pounds.
Ean Beek ($4,600) – Beek also carried a decent amount. He had 132 carries for 695 yards. However, Beek looks like the superior pass catching back after recording 30 receptions last year. He looks like a pass catching back at 5-9, 175-pounds.
Ben Ratzlaff ($4,900) – Ratzlaff led the team with 1,139 receiving yards on 87 catches. He also scored 12 touchdowns. He is 6-2, 190-pounds.
Jerreth Sterns ($4,100) – Sterns played a larger role in the short and intermediate game, with 105 receptions for 833 yards and nine scores. He is 5-8, 180-pounds.
Jaylon Johnson ($3,500) – He caught 14 balls for 183 yards.
DJ Dormeus ($3,200) – He caught 15 balls for 204 yards. Both of these receivers should play a larger role, but I’m not sure which one steps up.
North Texas – (46.5 TT)
Offense – Seth Littrell is still the coach here and Tommy Mainord coordinates the passing game. North Texas threw 54.53-percent of the time (21st) and ran 72.2 plays per game (55th).
Austin Aune ($7,900) – Both quarterbacks are expected to play, making them both unplayable in DFS outside of random GPP fliers. Aune threw five passes last year for 136 yards
Jason Bean ($8,100) – Beane threw 35 passes for 176 yards.
Tre Siggers ($7,500) – Siggers led the team in rushing last year with 152 carries for 853 yards. He also caught 11 balls for 60 yards. This is expected to be a timeshare between Siggers and DeAndre Torrey. Siggers is 5-8, 200-pounds.
DeAndre Torrey ($8,300) – Torrey looked like the man heading into 2019, but he dealt with injury and lost the starting job to a timeshare. Torrey is also small at just 5-7, 195-pounds. Last year, he carries just 73 times for 380 yards and a pair of scores. He is the better pass catching back with 25 and 16 receptions the past two seasons.
Jaelon Darden ($7,300) – Darden finished as the teams’ leading receiver in 2019. He secured 76 catches for 736 yards and 12 scores. He should return as the alpha here. Darden plays the slot. He is 5-9, 174-pounds.
Jyaire Shorter ($6,400) – Shorter finished as the team’s third leading receiver, with 24 catches for 473 yards and 9 scores. He primarily plays on the outside. He is 6-2, 215-pounds.
Deonte Simpson ($4,800) – Simpson only reeled in 18 catches for 240 yards last year, but he stepped up to play the other outside receiver position when Hutch White missed time. He remains the favorite to start here. He is 6-0, 186-pounds.
Jason Pirtle ($4,000) – Pirtle is the team’s starting tight end and he secured 17 catches for 263 yards and five scores last year. He could be worth a look as a dart throw, but I prefer the cheap receivers.
Arkansas State vs Memphis
Arkansas State – (27.75 TT)
Offense – Blake Anderson has been the head coach since 2014. Keith Heckendorf is also back for his second season as Arkansas State’s offensive coordinator. They return all 5 starters from their offensive line. They ran 74.8 plays per game (22nd) and passed 52.17-percent of the time (35th).
Logan Bonner ($6,100) – We have another time share at quarterback and it sucks. This game is awesome for DFS and it’s impossible to stack with the time share. Bonner started most of the year till injury. He is a pocket statue, but he averaged 294.6 passing yards per game.
Layne Hatcher ($6,300) – Hatcher is more of a dual threat, which we like for DFS. Both passers averaged north of 30 pass attempts per game. Unfortunately, neither can be trusted here outside of GPPs.
Marcel Murray ($6,100) – Murray is 5-11, 197-pounds. He led the team in rushing with 820 yards on 170 carries. He also led the team in 2018, with 860 yards. He offers pass catching ability with 16 and 15 receptions each of the last two years.
Jamal Jones ($3,900) – Jones is a 5-9, 193-pound change of pace back. He rushed 84 times for 375 yards last year. He should mix in for carries here, but Murray is the preferred play.
Jonathan Adams ($6,200) – Arkansas State loses Omar Bayless and Kirk Merritt, so Jonathan Adams steps up as the number one receiver here. He finished with 62 catches for 851 yards as the teams second-leading receiver last year. He is a pure perimeter receiver. He is 6-3, 220-pounds.
Brandon Bowling ($3,700) – Bowling played sparingly in the slot last year behind Kirk Merritt. He finished with 28 catches for 263 yards and a pair of scores. He is 5-9, 190-pounds and looks like a slot receiver.
Dahu Green ($5,200) – He originally transferred from Oklahoma, but he has missed so much time after sitting out a season and dealing with injuries. He caught five balls for 86 yards last year. He is 6-0, 183-pounds. He had season-ending injuries each of the past two years.
Reed Tyler ($3,200) – Tyler should function as the team’s primary tight end, but so much of the offense flows through receivers. He is 6-3, 245-pounds. He secured eight catches for 113 yards last year.
Defense – Jarius Reimonenq started some games last year, but Samy Johnson is completely green at corner. They also return one safety in Antonio Fletcher. They return only one starting linebacker in Caleb Bonner. Jeffmario Brown played 303 snaps as an edge, but he wasn’t’ a huge factor. They return one starter on the defensive line in Forrest Merrill, but he only played five games last year. The edges consist of a JUCO transfer in Vidal Scott and rotational player Terry Hampton.
Memphis – (46.25 TT)
Offense – Ryan Silverfield is back for his second season as head coach of Memphis. They also have Kevin Johns in his second year as head coach of the Tigers. Memphis rushed for 187.5 yards per game (35th) and passed for 290.7 yards per game (19th). Overall, they passed 46.31% of the time (76th) and ran 72.9 plays per game (47th). Memphis returns three offensive line starters in Obinna Eze, Manuel Orona-Lopez, and Dylan Parham. Isaac Ellis also played over 300 snaps for this offense, giving them solid experience up front.
Brady White ($7,200) – White returns for his third season as Memphis’ starting quarterback. He passed for 4,014 yards and 33 scores last year on 421 attempts. He eclipsed 300 yards on six occasions, which is important. He offers nothing as a rusher.
Kylan Watkins ($6,300) – Kenneth Gainwell opted out of the season and Memphis already lost Antonio Gibson and Patrick Taylor to NFL Draft. Watkins finished with 325 yards on 62 carries last year. Most of his work came when Patrick Taylor went down with an injury early in the year. He is 5-11, 170-pounds and looks like the team’s top pass catching back.
Rodrigues Clark ($5,200) – He was labeled the starter ahead of this game. Clark carried 26 times for 85 yards last year. He is 6-0, 200-pounds. Memphis often uses two backs, so the rotation will be intriguing here.
Asa Martin ($4,000) – Martin is a 5-11, 209-pounds transfer from Auburn. Beat reporters have speculated that he sees somewhere between 8-10 touches. All of these backs are respectable dart throws.
Damonte Coxie ($7,700) – Coxie led Memphis with 1,276 receiving yards on 76 catches last year. He is 6-3, 200-pounds and should dominate targets again here.
Calvin Austin ($5,000) – Austin is the favorite to take over the Antonio Gibson role in the slot. He caught 17 balls for 315 yards last year. He also rushed 4 times in the Gibson mold. He is 5-9, 162-pounds.
Tahj Washington ($3,700) – Washington is the favorite for third wide receiver duties after catching three balls for 32 yards. This is a role vacated by Kedarian Jones. He is 5-11, 175-pounds.
Sean Dykes ($4,200) – With Joey Magnifico out of the picture, Sean Dykes is the starting tight end. He only caught two passes last year and should find himself behind the receivers.
Defense – Memphis had an atrocious defense last year, allowing 260 passing yards and 213.9 rushing yards per game. They return eight starters this year, but does that matter after they were so bad?
Stephen F Austin vs UTEP
Stephen F Austin – (23.75 TT)
Offense – They ran 75.17 plays per game and passed 52.1-percent of the time. Both are solid marks, but UTEP likely tries to slow the pace here.
Trae Self ($5,900) – Self completed 53.4-percent of his passes for 2,550 yards on 397 attempts. He threw 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He offers some dual threat ability, but not much. He rushed for 195 yards on 64 carries.
Da’Leon Ward ($5,900) – Formerly of Texas Tech, Ward carried 125 times for 534 yards last year. He formed a time share with Josh McGowen. Ward should function as the primary back with McGowen mixing in.
Josh McGowen ($4,000) – McGowen carried 110 times himself for 483 yards. Both backs offer receiving ability. Ward caught 21 balls and McGowen caught 17.
Xavier Gipson ($6,100) – Gipson finished as the team’s leading receiver with 52 catches for 934 yards last year.
Remi Simmons ($3,000) – Simmons finished as the team’s fourth leading receiver with 23 catches for 281 yards.
Josh Allison ($4,000) – He had 3 catches for 21 yards.
Lawton Rikel ($3,200) – He caught 7 balls for 118 yards.
UTEP – (30.75 TT)
Offense Dana Dimel is back as head coach here. UTEP threw 46.85% of the time (73rd) and ran 66.4 plays per game (111th). This isn’t great for DFS.
Gavin Hardison ($7,700) – He threw 61 times last year, completing 44.3-percent of his passes for 335 yards. He doesn’t look like much of a dual threat. This is a tough evaluation ahead of this game. He isn’t my favorite option.
Quardraiz Wadley ($6,500) –Wadley missed last year with an injury, but he led the team in rushing in 2018. He rushed 123 times for 627 yards and 7 scores. He only secured 7 receptions. He is 6-0, 220-pounds.
Joshua Fields ($3,900) – Fields was the third-leading rusher last year, with 59 carries for 312 yards. He also added 5 receptions. He is 5-9, 195-pounds.
Justin Garrett ($5,500) – Garrett led UTEP with 40 catches and 446 receiving yards. He primarily plays the slot
Jacob Cowing ($5,100) – Cowing was UTEP’s leading receiver with 31 catches for 550 yards. He also plays a lot of slot.
Walter Dawn ($4,200) – Dawn caught just six passes for 78 yards last year, but he is expected to take an increased role. Interestingly, he played mostly slot too. Not sure what how UTEP will divvy this up.
Devaughn Cooper ($6,600) – Cooper caught ten passes for 147 yards last year, so he is another potential contributor here.
Trent Thompson ($3,000) – Thompson only caught a pair of passes last year for 31 yards. He can be ignored here.
