Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Breakout CFB Performances From Bowl Games

Mike Marteny takes a look at 2022 breakout collegiate stars that will be available in your fantasy football dynasty drafts within the next year or two. Who shined in their team's bowl games?

With the NFL getting ready to go into a lull, it's about time to let the college guys have one more shot. Some of the players that were featured in this column this year have declared for the draft and will be high picks, such as Bijan Robinson and Mohamed Ibrahim. Some of them such as DeWayne McBride and Tyjae Spears will have futures at the next level, but we don't know in what capacity. Bowl games give other players a chance to shine with some sitting out and gives guys with pro hopes one more chance to showcase their talents. Who helped their stock in bowl season?

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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• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Quarterbacks

Jalon Daniels, Kansas (37-55, 544 yards, 5TD, 2INT vs. Arkansas)

Putting up video-game numbers against a SEC defense will land you on this list. The Jayhawks were left for dead down 18 heading into the fourth quarter. Daniels led a comeback for the ages and forced overtime where the Jayhawks finally fell in the third extra period.

The Jayhawks' season went sideways when Daniels got hurt against TCU and missed six weeks. We are getting a glimpse of what Kansas will look like next season. If the Heisman weren't based so heavily on school and record, you might see a guy like Daniels get invited to New York. We can dream, can't we?

Daniels is a little undersized for a pro quarterback, but with the recent success of guys like Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts (who are both around the same size as Daniels), we could still see him get a shot. He has proven that he can throw the ball well enough and he's deceptively elusive. Daniels will at least get a chance at the next level at some point.

Honorable mention: Austin Reed, Western Kentucky; Caleb Williams, USC

Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs

Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi (2-3, 19 yards, 1TD; 21 carries, 329 yards, 2TD vs. Rice)

Gore had a game for the ages, setting all kinds of records in the LendingTree Bowl. He showed his ability to wear many hats in this game. He didn't catch a pass in this game, but he did prove to be a capable pass catcher throughout the course of the season when he wasn't throwing passes.

Junior is built much like his father, who played 16 seasons in the NFL and will likely be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer when he is eligible. I'm not saying that Junior can accomplish the same thing, particularly the longevity that his father had, but I'm not not saying it either. Gore seems to be happy staying at Southern Miss and could be a Heisman contender in 2023 if anyone besides a quarterback were eligible.

When Gore's time comes to turn pro after next season, he is going to have a lot of scouts after him. The game has changed some since his dad last played an NFL game in December of 2020, but the pedigree alone will get his foot in the door, say nothing of the huge stats he has put up in college.

Honorable mention: Tyjae Spears, Tulane; Jordan Mims, Fresno State

Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers

Malik Nabers, LSU (1-1, 5 yards, TD; 9 receptions, 163 yards, 1TD vs. Purdue)

Perhaps what makes this game so impressive for Nabers is that his numbers could have been even better had Purdue been able to keep this close. Nabers caught his last pass with nearly 19 minutes left in the game.

Nabers has good ball skills and probably could play both sides of the field if that were a thing anymore. He's not the tall receiver that the NFL likes, but he is strong enough to get separation and will only grow into his frame considering he is just 19 years old. NFL scouts are already looking at Nabers despite a relatively uneventful freshman campaign at LSU. With Kayshon Boutte sitting out this game to prepare for the draft, Nabers finally got his chance to shine.

Honorable mention: Luke Grimm, Kansas; Johnny Wilson, Florida State; Brenden Rice, USC

Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Tight Ends

Brock Bowers, Georgia (7 receptions, 152 yards, 1TD vs. TCU)

This is the type of game that scouts said Bowers was capable of the entire time. It just seemed like the Georgia offense was playing possum much of the season. They were deliberately vanilla for much of the season and unleashed all hell on the Toadies when they had a chance to repeat. Bowers was showcased in this game because TCU had no answer for him whatsoever.

Long regarded as a good blocker, Bowers is so much more than that. He is an elite athlete, boasting a 40-inch vertical jump even at 6'4" and 240 pounds. He's not a road-grader type of tight end, but he has the speed and hands to not just succeed in the NFL, but to thrive and be an All-Pro.

Honorable mention: Treyton Welch, Wyoming; Sam LaPorta, Iowa

Come back next season as I will continue to highlight the coming attractions for the NFL all college season long!

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