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We have a piece here at RotoBaller to highlight those college football players that are turning heads at the collegiate level that could be playing for your favorite team and fantasy team sometime very soon. You don't want the first time you hear a player being their name called at the NFL draft, right?
We are going to help you get acclimated with these college players earlier than many of your fantasy football league mates. We here at RotoBaller are all about giving you an advantage.
I will highlight one quarterback, one running back, and one wide receiver every week of the college season that put up some really big numbers and let you know what it means for your dynasty leagues. Do these guys have NFL futures? You'll find out!
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Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Quarterbacks
Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma (28-40, 449 yards, 6TD, INT at Texas Tech)
I could have just as easily put Warner here for his monster game of 527 yards against East Carolina, but he's a freshman and we have profiled him before this year. Let's check out someone else this time.
People are quick to see Oklahoma's 6-6 record and blame Gabriel. That's unfair. He has 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions with five more scores on the ground. Is he Caleb Williams? No, but he doesn't have the best team NIL money can buy around him either. This was the first game that Gabriel really delivered on the promise that he showed at UCF in 2019 and 2020 though. You can't blame him for a bad defense or for not playing against Texas.
Pro scouts soured on Gabriel a little since he threw three interceptions in just 102 passing attempts at UCF last year and didn't really have a huge game this year until this one (still a loss). He's a bit undersized at 5'11", but he's elusive and his running skills have been a bit more on display for Oklahoma this year. Gabriel might go undrafted when he comes out next year, but a lof of that will depend on the 2023 season. Regardless, I think he catches on somehwere.
Honorable mention: Michael Penix, Washington; E.J. Warner, Temple
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs
DeWayne McBride, UAB (16 carries, 272 yards, TD at Louisiana Tech)
When a guy breaks the school record for rushing yards on just 16 carries, we take notice. Those of you that pay attention to all levels of FBS already know about McBride. He's a finalist for the Doak Walker Award this year for a reason. McBride ran for 1,366 yards last season, so he's no stranger to me either.
He's no stranger to NFL scouts. McBride had a solid COVID-shortened 2020 and was on radars because of his burst and his size. McBride has also proven to be a capable pass blocker. at 5'11" and 215 pounds, he's a tough guy to bring down. At the next level he projects as an early-down back. He's not much of a receiver, though he has put in work to become better. Some scouts see him as a fifth-round pick if he were to declare after this season. If he sticks around, he may move up into the third round by the end of 2023.
Honorable mention: Kimani Vidal, Troy; Devon Achane, Texas A&M
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers
Trey Palmer, Nebraska (9 receptions, 165 yards, 2TD at Iowa)
Iowa had one of the best defenses in the country coming into this game and Palmer just torched them. This was his third game over 150 yards this season in an offense that was abysmal before Scott Frost was fired and was missing the starting quarterback for two and a half games. Palmer has already declared for the NFL Draft after one year in Lincoln, so let's see when he will go off of draft boards.
Palmer was a four-star recruit out of high school that won a championship as a freshman at LSU. He's tall enough (6'1") to play on the outside but has elite top-end speed. That speed will make him a playmaker on returns at the next level and will keep him on the field in regular offensive sets. He has good hands but will need to work on them more to become a top-level receiver. The potential is there for him to have an impact as a rookie next year on special teams and is some sets that include three or four receivers depending on where he lands.
Honorable mention: Jared Wayne, Pittsburgh; JuanCarlos Santana, Tulsa
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Tight Ends
Rivaldo Fairweather, Florida International (8 receptions, 152 yards, 3TD vs. Middle Tennessee State)
All three of Fairweather's touchdowns this season came in this game. That's more a reflection of how bad the FIU offense has been as opposed to Fairweather's skills. Fairweather has the size to block, but his hands make him feel like more of a receiving tight end at the NFL level. That is going to make him a part of a timeshare unless he gets stronger. Still, with hands like this, he is going to have a chance to catch on somewhere in the NFL even if he isn't drafted.
Honorable mention: Dalton Kincaid, Utah; Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Be sure to stay tuned all season long to see these coming attractions!
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