College Fantasy Football: Studs and duds at tight end
The college fantasy football playoffs are upon us. It’s time to look back at the fantasy season to see which players performed the best and some that didn’t put up the big numbers. We move to tight end.
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RELATED: Studs and duds at quarterback | RBs | WRs
STUDS
1. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
When Iowa State gets in the red zone, Kolar is a favorite target of quarterback Brock Purdy and it’s paid off in fantasy points. The former three-star leads the Cyclones with seven receiving touchdowns on 41 catches for 549 yards. Kolar could have another big showing against Kansas this weekend.
2. Kyle Pitts, Florida
Florida is on a bye week so Pitts has already played in 11 games, which gives him a significant advantage in fantasy points coming in right behind Kolar heading into this weekend. The former four-star leads the Gators in many receiving categories with 46 receptions for 566 yards and five touchdowns.
3. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
Receiver K.J. Hamler and Freiermuth are by far the top two targets in Penn State’s passing attack and with Hamler questionable against Ohio State with a head injury, the Nittany Lions tight end should see a lot of targets. A mid-level four-star prospect in the 2018 class, Freiermuth has 34 catches for 424 yards with seven touchdowns this season. He’s a big red-zone target and quarterback Sean Clifford always looks his way.
4. Hunter Bryant, Washington
Washington entered this season looking for playmakers among its pass catchers and Bryant has stepped up in a big way. A big, physical, athletic target, Bryant was a former four-star who’s caught 41 passes for 647 yards but has only three touchdowns this season. If those TD numbers could be ramped up a little, Bryant might be the best tight end for fantasy teams in the country.
5. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Purdue has had injury issues at quarterback and at receiver this season with Rondale Moore only playing in four games, but the Boilermakers have been able to throw the ball around a little bit and Moore’s departure in a way has given Hopkins more opportunities to catch passes. The former two-star has 45 receptions for 561 yards and three touchdowns this season to rank fifth at the position in fantasy points.
DUDS
1. Grant Calcaterra, Oklahoma
Calcaterra could have had a major role in Oklahoma’s passing game this season but injuries have sidelined him and he’s only played in five games. The former four-star who’s still owned in 44 percent of leagues despite seeing limited action this season has just five catches for 79 yards.
2. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s offense was supposed to have a three-headed monster in running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, receiver Kalija Lipscomb and tight end Jared Pinkney. It has not turned out that way. The Commodores average just 15 points per game and Pinkney has just 15 receptions for 157 yards this season. That’s good for only 23 fantasy points all year, a huge disappointment.
3. Jack Stoll, Nebraska
No pass-catcher on Nebraska’s roster has more than two touchdown catches all season as the Huskers’ offense has struggled. Stoll was expected to put up big numbers, but he’s caught just 21 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown. As an example of how tough it’s been passing the ball for the Huskers, Stoll’s receptions are good for third on the team.
4. Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin
Owned in 52 percent of leagues, there have been a couple factors holding back Ferguson from putting up more impressive numbers. First, Wisconsin is going to give the ball to running back Jonathan Taylor a lot and rightfully so. Second, the passing game targets numerous receivers and Ferguson is just one of them as six players have 20 or more catches. Ferguson is very talented, but from a fantasy perspective he hasn’t been a dream.
5. Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is only averaging about 214 passing yards per game as the rushing attack has worked better so Keene has not been targeted a ton this season. The former three-star has only 17 catches all season for 175 yards but he is second on the team with four touchdown receptions. The Hokies have been playing better, but this weekend against Pitt could be a grinding game both ways.