Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Bowl Season (12-23)

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State (vs Northern Illinois)

Raynor is a great play thanks to being a freshman fully entrenched in this offense so you know he will play and a great matchup against Northern Illinois. Northern Illinois is okay against the pass, but they cannot stop QBs in the run game. NIU allowed 9 TDs on the ground this year and while Raynor is not an elite runner, he does it enough to produce against this NIU defense. Raynor is one of the few guaranteed producers on this limited slate. 

Levi Williams, Utah State (vs Georgia State)

There is a bit of risk attached to Williams, but his upside is elite. He is risky because he was pushed into action due to other QB injuries and those QBs could be healthy again, but he was listed as the starter earlier this week. Williams is a decent passer, but he is an elite runner. In his last start, he rushed 153 yards and 3 TDs and he now faces a Georgia State team that allows 30+ PPG to opponents. This is likely Levi Williams' last college so expect the team to put him on full display in his swan song.

Darren Grainger, Georgia State (vs Utah State)

With Georgia State's top offensive playmaker, Marcus Carroll, now in Missouri; Grainger will need to take on a lot more usage to ensure this offense does not drop off. Grainger is not great at passing or rushing, but he is decent at both. Grainger usually caps out at 200 passing yards while providing 30-50 yards, but he is a consistent scorer. He averages more than 2 scores per game and this game is expected to be high scoring so expect a solid day for Grainger.

Grayson Loftis, Duke (vs Troy)

When Loftis was first thrown into action, he struggled, but what freshman wouldn't? As Loftis got settled, he was able to show why he was such a touted recruit. Loftis has multiple TDs in 3 straight games while passing 250 total yards in his last 2. The matchup against Troy is a bit scary, but Loftis just dominated Pitt so he should be able to handle this Troy defense. The status of fellow QB Henry Belin does add a bit of concern, but Loftis should still be the starter due to his high level play over the past month. Although he could be pulled quickly if he struggles and Belin is healthy.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Braylon McReynolds, South Alabama (vs Eastern Michigan)

McReynolds is basically a free square on this slate. With LaDamian Webb off to the NFL, McReynolds is listed as the starter. In his one game in the role, BMR dominated. He contributed as both a rusher and receiver leading to 149 total yards and 19.9 FDP. The return of fellow running back Kentrel Bullock does limit his upside, but with a price of just $5,500, BMR does not need to go crazy to deliver great value.

Antario Brown, Northern Illinois (vs Arkansas State)

Antario Brown is the most talented RB on this slate and he is playing a horrible run defense. Arkansas State allowed the 16th most rushing yards per game in the nation so Brown is in line for a huge game. The only real concern for Brown will be his availability. There has not been much news on Brown's future which would indicate he is likely staying for another year, but as a successful upperclassman he could be headed to the NFL so make sure you double check his availability before kickoff if you are putting him in your lineup.

Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan (vs South Alabama)

Samson Evans has been one of the hottest fantasy backs in the MAC and now he will get to show off his skills on the national stage. His production is largely thanks to his TD scoring prowess. He has some kind of TD in 8 straight games while producing 12 TDs over that time. Now South Alabama is a stingy run defense, but Evans should be able to score and put up a respectable line against this tough defensive front.

James Madison RBs (vs Air Force)

This situation is very murky with their 2 top backs either in the portal or injured, but whoever ends up being the top back could deliver a terrific value. The most expensive JMU RB is just $4,500 and as a program in transition, expect the offense to be very simple and run heavy which will lead to a huge day for one of the backs. Everyone of these James Madison backs are risky, but if you hit on one of them, they will win you a tournament.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Jalen Royals, Utah State (vs Georgia State)

Royals is an autoplay on any slate. He is the top returning WR not named Luther Burden. He is averaging a monstrous 18.5 FDP all while not being a significant portion of the offense to start the season. He is great and can produce in just about any matchup. This is just his third year so there should not be much concern about his usage being limited. Pencil him in for 15 FDP with 20+ upside.

Chris Lewis, Troy (vs Duke)

Lewis has confirmed he is returning for the 2024 season so he should be in his usual role if not a bigger one with Jabre Barber's status still up in the air. Barber has been a big play machine with 11 TDs this season. He has only topped 100 twice all year so he will need a TD to deliver value on his lofty price, but he has been a TD machine so I like his chances of finding the endzone. 

Jordan Moore, Duke (vs Troy)

If Loftis is the starting QB then Moore is basically a must play. He is averaging 104 yards in their last 3 games together and 4 TDs over that span. Moore will be fairly productive even if Loftis is not the QB, but their chemistry is undeniable and only the Utah State WRs are better plays than Moore is Loftis is his QB.

Arkansas State WRs (vs Northern Illinois)

The Northern Illinois defense is very beatable and one of the WRs will be productive. Courtney Jackson has been the top WR with multiple catches in all but one of his games and the most receiving TDs on the team. Jackson is a bit pricey though, so if you want to save some money roll with Corey Rucker. Rucker has the most yards for the team over the past couple months with 50+ yards in 5 of his last 6 games. This Arkansas State offense will be productive so expect at least one if not both of these guys to be great values. 

DJ Thomas-Jones, South Alabama (vs Eastern Michigan)

DJTJ went from being a tertiary option in this passing attack to the primary option in the blink of an eye. After having no more than 3 catches in his first 11 games, the TE was thrown into a huge role when the backup QB took over. He had season highs in catches, yards and TDs in that game with a 3/56/3 line. DJTJ should once again be a safety blanket leading to great production for someone priced $5,700.

Dream Team

QB: Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State (vs Northern Illinois)

RB1: Antario Brown, Northern Illinois (vs Arkansas State)

RB2: Braylon McReynolds, South Alabama (vs Eastern Michigan)

WR1: Jalen Royals, Utah State (vs Georgia State)

WR2: Jordan Moore, Duke (vs Troy)

WR3: DJ Thomas-Jones, South Alabama (vs Eastern Michigan)

Flex: Levi Williams, Utah State (vs Georgia State)

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