This article is part of our DraftKings College Football series.
QUARTERBACK
Connor Cook, Michigan State (vs. Indiana) - $6,700
A lack of touchdowns has killed Cook lately. He's topped 300 yards in consecutive weeks but has just three scores to show for his efforts. Cook has a favorable matchup with the Hoosiers, who rank only ahead of Nebraska in passing yards allowed, giving up 334 yards weekly. They've also allowed 17 touchdowns, four times allowing at least three scores through the air in a game.
Eric Dungey, Syracuse (vs. Pittsburgh) - $5,000
There is a clear price break between the top tier of quarterbacks and the next tier(s), as seven quarterbacks check in at $8,000 or more, with the next available being Arizona's Anu Solomon at $6,900. So unless you're willing to spend a third of your budget or more on two top quarterbacks, you have to look for a cheap, serviceable option. Dungey is surprisingly just that. The Orange have scored at least 24 points in every game this year, including against LSU, and Dungey has 12 total touchdowns in the five games he's played. He has 35 rushing attempts over the last two weeks and leads the team in rushing attempts. It's led to a 20.9 point average, and there are only two clear starters cheaper than him; Auburn's Sean White ($4,900) and Northwestern's Clayton Thorson ($4,500).
Others to consider: Tommy Armstrong, Nebraksa (vs. Northwestern) - $6,100; Brad Kaaya, Miami (vs. Clemson) - $5,800; Blake Frohnapfel, Massachusetts (vs. Toledo) - $5,900
RUNNING BACK
Saquon Barkley, Penn State (at Maryland) - $5,600
It would be surprising if Barkley wasn't on most rosters this week. He's coming off of a dominant 26-carry, 194-performance against Ohio State and faces a Maryland defense that has allowed at least 182 yards per game to all five of its previous FBS opponents. Akeel Lynch ($3,900) dressed last week but did not play, and Nick Scott ($3,900) only saw one carry. Barkley appears to have little competition for carries this week.
Shock Linwood, Baylor (vs. Iowa State) - $6,800
Linwood failed to top 100 yards last week for the first time since an eight-carry, 75-yard season opener against SMU. His price fell $400 as a result, and while he's still not cheap, it's likely the cheapest Linwood will be all season. He's scored in five straight, and in a game Baylor will like put up another 50-60 points, Linwood should atone for last week's "quiet" performance.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson (at Miami) - $5,600
Gallman saw his 100-yard streak end at three games last week, but he should be back in that mix against a soft Miami defense this Saturday. The Canes have given up at least 153 yards rushing in five straight games, twice allowing more than 220 yards. They'll also be without linebacker Rafael Kirby due to a knee injury. Gallman is averaging 17.2 points despite scoring in only three games to date, giving him a relatively low floor with the potential for much more.
Others to consider:D'Onta Foreman, Texas (vs. Kansas State) - $3,900; Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech (vs. Duke) - $4,700; Justin Jackson, Northwestern (at Nebraska) - $5,500; Gerard Wicks, Washington State (at Arizona) - $3,600; Elijah Hood, North Carolina (vs. Virginia) - $5,900
WIDE RECEIVER
Rodney Mills, Masschusetts (vs. Toledo) - $3,400
It's easy to overlook Mills, and his pricing indicates many have and continue to do so, likely because he's a tight end. In the three games he's played in, he's caught no less than the four passes for 96 yards he had last Saturday against Kent State. He averages five catches and 100 yards. That alone seems enticing, and facing a Toledo defense ranked 89th against the pass in a game with a total of 63, Mills seems like a winner.
Cody Thompson, Toledo (at Massachusetts) - $3,600
Thompson is the ultimate tournament boom-or-bust play. Despite 15 fewer catches than teammate Corey Jones, Thompson has 91 more yards. Clearly not a volume guy, Thompson has only 16 catches in six games, but he's scored in two straight and is coming off of his second 100-yard game.
Stacy Coley, Miami (vs. Clemson) - $3,900
Coley gets the nod over teammate Herb Waters ($3,800) because I think he has a better chance to score (something Waters has not done all season.) The Canes have not been able to run the ball against ACC competition, which has led to 701 passing yards in the last two weeks. Coley has 202 of those yards and they aren't coming on bubble screens -- Miami is actually putting Coley in position to make plays in space a la his freshman 2013 season. There's plenty of chance Coley gets shut out, but he seems marginally safer than the aforementioned Thompson, and has more upside.
Others to consider:De'Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska (vs. Northwestern) - $3,700; Allen Lazard, Iowa State (at Baylor) - $5,100; Drew Morgan, Arkansas (vs Auburn) - $4,600
My Picks This Week
QB - Anu Solomon, Arizona (vs. Washington State) - $6,900
QB - Brad Kaaya, Miami (vs. Clemson) - $5,800
RB - Saquon Barkley, Penn State (at Maryland) - $5,600
RB - Wayne Gallman, Clemson (at Miami) - $5,800
WR - Corey Coleman, Baylor (vs. Iowa State) - $8,600
WR - Rodney Mills, Massachusetts (vs. Toledo) - $3,400
WR - Dominique Williams, Washington State (at Arizona) - $5,600
Flex - Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech (vs. Duke) - $4,700
Flex - Gerard Wicks, Washington State (at Arizona) - $3,600
To say I'm less than pleased with this entry would be a fair comment. Baylor is the elephant in the room as I find it hard to think teams will win passing on either Seth Russell and/or Corey Coleman. I even had a lineup drafted with Russell and Houston's Greg Ward at quarterback, with the hope being all of my $3,500 guys game me a punchers chance at scoring elsewhere.
As I sit Thursday morning, I'm content with my running back and wide receiver corps. Quarterback and flex could change greatly. I like the shootout potential with Wazzu-Arizona, and though Solomon hasn't been good lately, this looks like a game where he gets some mojo back. Wicks is averaging 8.6 yards per carry, so with any luck he'll see 10 touches and maybe a touchdown for the first time this year.
McMillian's matchup with Duke is less than ideal. And I'll admit to being a die-hard Miami fan, which has me begging for punishment by including Kaaya. Adding him took me out of the running for Stacy Coley, and I'm concerned about Miami's offensive line giving Kaaya time to make plays downfield. I expect lots of changes to be made prior to Saturday kickoff with this entry.
