RADIO
We close out the 2022 calendar year with four college football games, including the National Semifinal games. Which teams are important enough to get to play before the world gets drunk to celebrate the end of 2022? Let's find out!
We start in Nashville with Iowa and Kentucky facing off (again) in the Music City Bowl. Next up is the Sugar Bowl from Nawlins between Alabama and Kansas State. The afternoon takes us to the desert for the Fiesta Bowl between Michigan and TCU. We close out in Athens West with the Peach Bowl between Georgia and Ohio State. How's that for a slate?
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy college football lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/31/22, locking at noon Eastern. I’ll provide multiple player suggestions for players at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, aiming to highlight one option at the high, middle, and lower end of the salary scale. Good luck, RotoBallers.
DraftKings CFB DFS Picks - Quarterbacks
Bryce Young, Alabama ($8,500)
If you're looking for that smash matchup that is above and beyond all others on the slate, you're not going to find it here. As much of a disaster as Iowa and Kentucky are, their defenses are really good. SuperToad might have the worst defense on the slate and it's still good. In situations like this, I'll back the guy who has been there before. Just because Young doesn't have the receivers of the last couple of years doesn't mean he is no longer putting up good numbers. He just isn't putting up video game numbers. Young is the warm, safe blanket that you hide under to avoid the disaster going on around you.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan ($5,900)
Six of McCarthy's 20 passing touchdowns this season have come in the last two games alone. The Wolverines are more comfortable letting him throw than they were a couple of months ago. Make no mistake about it: this is still a run-first team. McCarthy isn't going to put up eye-popping numbers that break the slate. What he can do is give you a very safe floor at a very reasonable price.
Also consider: Max Duggan, TCU ($7,900); Will Howard, Kansas State ($6,600); Kaiya Sheron, Kentucky ($5,200)
Want some more CFB DFS tools? If you like what you see here, don't forget to sign up for your RotoBaller CFB DFS Premium Pass. Use code MARTENY and receive 10% off your purchase! You'll love the College Football DFS Lineup Optimizer, DFS Cheat Sheets Premium Slack Chatrooms to help you out in real-time.
DraftKings CFB DFS Picks - Running Backs
Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State ($7,000)
West Virginia is the only team in the last seven games to hold Vaughn under 20 DraftKings points. TCU was the only other one to hold him under 27. He's the focal point of this offense no matter who is taking snaps. I would be surprised if Adrian Martinez starts this game, but I wouldn't be surprised if he plays in a few packages. That makes Vaughn a little less of a slam-dunk, but not enough to move me off of him.
Donovan Edwards, Michigan ($6,600)
This is not a slate where you want to go cheap on running backs, especially when Michigan is still riding Edwards like they did Blake Corum. Corum is one of the few pieces that Michigan could lose and not take a huge step backward. Edwards racked up 401 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Ohio State and Purdue with Corum out. He is my favorite play on the entire slate regardless of price or position, and he would be even if he cost $2k more.
Also consider: Miyan Williams, Ohio State ($7,300); Kendre Miller, TCU ($6,800); Kaleb Johnson, Iowa ($4,400)
DraftKings CFB DFS Picks - Wide Receivers
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State ($8,100)
Wisconsin was the only team that Harrison didn't crack double digits on. This is a tough matchup for Ohio State, but Georgia hasn't faced a receiver like Harrison this year. Last year they had to tangle with all of the Alabama guys and Jameson Williams got the best of them in the SEC Championship. Regardless of the outcome of this game, I think Harrison at least produces a solid stat line. Honestly, you can never really count Ohio State out. The last time it didn't look like they belonged in the playoffs, they won the whole damn thing...
Jermaine Burton, Alabama ($5,700)
It took most of the season, but the guy that jumped from Georgia to Alabama finally made an impact with his new team. Burton hauled in 15 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns over the last three games for the Tide. I am a bit concerned that his best game came against Austin Peay, but the success against Ole Miss and Auburn at least proves that he has a rapport with Bryce Young. I might play the two of them together once, but my exposure to Alabama will be under the field. Kansas State is a good team.
Sam LaPorta ($4,200) or Luke Lachey ($3,800), Iowa
The Hawkeyes have no experience at quarterback and relied heavily on the tight ends anyway. LaPorta missed the regular season finale against Nebraska, but Kirk Ferentz said he should be ready for the game. If LaPorta starts, use him. If not, it's an easy pivot to Lachey. Both have massive upsides for the price. They aren't game-breakers, but the volume alone makes them high-upside bargain plays.
Also consider: Quentin Johnston, TCU ($6,500); Malik Knowles, Kansas State ($5,900); Barion Brown, Kentucky ($5,200); Cornelius Johnson, Michigan ($4,800)
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
