Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Week 0

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: AJ Swann, Vanderbilt (vs Hawaii)

As you read through this list you will see that Vanderbilt will be prominently featured on this list because even a bottom dweller of the SEC like Vandy should absolutely dominate a team like Hawaii shown by their 63-10 romping from a year ago. With a blowout likely in the cards again this year, some may be concerned about Swann's potential playing time, but in last year's blow out then starting QB Mike Wright played three quarters scoring 4 times while eclipsing 300 total yards. AJ Swann is entering his sophomore season and there is no exciting prospect the team will be wanting to see get actual game play like was the case last year with Swann meaning the starting QB could be given an even longer leash. Vanderbilt will score 50+ so a lot of that has to go through Swann.

Caleb Williams, USC (@ SJSU)

We all know what Williams brings to the table at this point, so he obviously will be productive and an obvious choice for DFS lineups. While I will still feature Williams in plenty of lineups, I do feature him here with a warning: Williams is most likely only playing the first half. A half of football is still likely good enough for 20 FD points against a shaky SJSU team so fire him up if you are looking for a safe floor play to round out your lineup. 

Jalen Mayden, San Diego St (vs Ohio)

Mayden took over as the team's starting QB half way through last season and proved he belonged. The dual threat QB brings a danger to this offense that SDSU has not had in years. He has a great arm and can capitalize with his feet when free yardage is available. Combine these plus attributes with a cake matchup against Ohio and you have a dream play for Mayden. A year ago, Ohio was atrocious against the pass, allowing 294 ypg the second in the country and they struggle to key the QB in the red zone, allowing 6 rushing TDs to QBs. While there is a bit of a risk given the conservative nature of the SDSU offense, I expect this to be one of the most competitive games of the slate allowing Mayden to be well worth his price.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Shomari Lawrence, Florida International (@ LT)

This endorsement is more so about FIU's opponent Louisiana Tech than it is about Lawrence. Tech gave up an absurd 243 ypg on the ground and it is not looking like that is likely to change this year. While Lawrence is not guaranteed to be the most productive back on the team, the South Dakota transfer has by far the most experience and success so look for the team to lean on the veteran as the season gets rolling.

Patrick Smith & Chase Gillespie, Vanderbilt (vs Hawaii)

The Hawaii defense is worse against the run than it is against the pass so there will undoubtedly be a Vandy back worth rostering, the question is who? The team has made it obvious they will be rolling out a heavy rotation with at least three different backs working in as the main ball carriers. Smith and Gillespie have been the backs that have been running with the 1s most frequently in camp so I would not be surprised if they end up the top 2 in opportunities. With the work being spread around as much as it will be, these backs will need to score to be worth a roster spot and I like the bigger back Gillespie's chances more since he will likely be worked in on a goal line opportunity, but there is is a high level a variance when projecting this backfield production so proceed with caution.

Sieh Bangura, Ohio (@ SDSU)

SDSU is going to be a tough matchup for Bangura, but the fact that this will be a competitive game that will keep the starters playing deep into the 4th will only stand to benefit the RB. As a freshman, Bangura ascended to the top of the depth chart and once he made it there, the team featured him toting the ball at least 20 times in 6 of his last 7 games. He also catches the ball out the backfield cementing a strong floor for the back with a sky high ceiling which is exactly what you need to cash in a tournament.

Austin Jones, USC (vs SJSU)

The final member of this section is a warning. The highest priced back on the slate cannot be trusted in your lineups because he will definitely be rotating a lot in what should be an easy win and the team does not trust him at the goaline as even when Travis Dye went down last year Brown or Barlow would sub in when the team was inside the ten and now that role will be entrusted to MarShawn Lloyd.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Will Shepard & Jayden McGowan, Vanderbilt (vs Hawaii)

Let's just get the Vandy players out of the way. You should know the spiel by now, Hawaii very bad. Given the low stakes of this game I expect the Vandy offense to get creative and try to air it out as much as possible to see what they truly have in AJ Swann which should mean a lot of opportunity for the team's two returning veterans. McGowan is more of a gadget player so he will get the ball on the edge or in the flat meaning he might not break off too many chunk plays but he should get enough run to be well worth his 5,800 price. Shepard makes me a little more nervous since he is already fully entrenched in this offense so the team may not want to risk his long term health on meaningless snaps leading him to getting pulled when the game starts to get out of hand, but he should already have passed 60 and 5 catches by the time that happens making him a solid floor play at the very least.

Tyrin Smith, UTEP (@Jascksonville St)

I have to be honest, I do not know what to expect from this game. I am a bit worried about a UTEP blowout which would really hurt this play. If this becomes a game, UTEP's top offensive weapon should be heavily involved. After deciding not to follow through on his transfer away from the school, the team's top receiver returns after racking up 1,039 yards and 7 tuddies almost doubling the next closest receiver. So if you think this will end up being a competitive game, Smith is a must start.

Sam Wiglusz, Ohio (@SDSU)

With QB Kurtis Rourke back and healthy, Wiglusz will be back to being a top receiving option. As the QB's favorite target, he totaled 721 yards across the ten games the two played together. the two's chemistry really started to mesh towards the end of the season with Wiglusz hitting the 69 yard mark in 6 of their last 7 games together. Again, SDSU will not be any easy matchup but that will only mean this will be a competitive game and Wiglusz will have to be relied on for the entirety of the game.

Brenden Rice, USC (vs SJSU)

A high risk play that could be a tournament winner. There is a lot that still needs to be seen until anyone can be comfortable or confident projecting the USC receivers, but Rice provides the best bang for your buck. He has been listed as a starter alongside Kyron Hudson. Unlike Hudson, Rice has already proved his chemistry with Caleb Williams so you can be confident he will get a fair number of targets; but if you did not watch their bowl game, Rice could become the focal point of the offense as he has shown the ability to find open space in a defense and you can best believe that if Rice is open Williams will find him. Rice definitely will not play the whole game, but if you feel like you need to roster a USC receiver, Rice is your guy.

Dream Team

QB: AJ Swann, Vanderbilt (vs Hawaii)

RB: Sieh Bangura, Ohio (@ SDSU)

RB: Shomari Lawrence, Florida International (@ LT)

WR: Tyrin Smith, UTEP (@Jascksonville St)

WR: Will Shepard, Vanderbilt (vs Hawaii)

WR: Sam Wiglusz, Ohio (@SDSU)

Flex: Jalen Mayden, San Diego St (vs Ohio)

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