College Fantasy Football: Studs and duds at wide receiver
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 wide receiver.
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RELATED: Studs and duds at quarterback | RBs
STUDS
1. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
Chase has surged to the top of the fantasy receiver rankings as he’s become a favorite target for LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. The former high four-star has broken huge plays in recent weeks. So far this season, Chase has caught 57 passes for 1,116 yards and 13 touchdowns but he’s not the only LSU receiver in the top five, which is even more impressive for the Tigers’ offense.
2. Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State
Hodgins had been leading the fantasy game for receivers, but he got edged out recently by Chase. However, the former four-star is having a fantastic season, better than any other Pac-12 receiver, as Oregon State continues an impressive rebuild in Corvallis. Hodgins is by far the Beavers’ top receiver with 73 catches for 1,021 yards and 13 scores. To put that into perspective, the next-best Oregon State receiver has just 35 catches for 310 yards and two TDs.
3. Michael Pittman, USC
Pittman is part of one of the best receiving corps in the country, along with Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but it’s the former high four-star who’s doing best in the fantasy game. He’s a favorite target of USC QB Kedon Slovis, and Pittman is delivering in a big way with 82 catches for 1,118 yards and nine scores. The UCLA secondary should watch out this weekend.
4. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Lamb missed the Baylor matchup last weekend, so watch the injury report this week leading into the TCU game. But even sitting out last week, he’s fourth in fantasy points for receivers. That’s how dominant Lamb has been this season with 44 catches for 983 yards and 13 touchdowns. Oklahoma is going to throw the ball and Lamb is by far quarterback Jalen Hurts’ favorite target, so if he plays, he’s going to produce.
5. Justin Jefferson, LSU
LSU’s offense has been insanely productive this season through the passing game and Jefferson leads the way with 71 catches. The former two-star also has 1,010 yards and 11 scores. Chase and Jefferson have proven to be unstoppable and Arkansas has no chance against them this weekend.
DUDS
1. Rondale Moore, Purdue
Moore is still owned in 74 percent of leagues in hopes that he can come back, but the fantasy season is almost over and he’s not in the lineup yet. As a freshman, Moore caught 114 passes for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. But Moore has only played in four games this season due to injury and he’s totaled 29 catches for 387 yards and three scores. It’s been a rough season for Moore and for Purdue.
2. Kalija Lipscomb, Vanderbilt
There was a fair amount of optimism coming into this season for Vanderbilt’s offense as it had legitimate game-changers at running back, receiver and tight end. Instead, it’s been one disappointment after another and the season has gone into the tank. Lipscomb, who had 17 touchdown receptions over his last two seasons, has only two this year with 36 catches for 387 yards. Owned in 71 percent of leagues, Lipscomb and Vanderbilt’s entire offense is not delivering.
3. Collin Johnson, Texas
Johnson had an outstanding junior season as he caught 68 passes for 985 yards and seven touchdowns as he and Lil’Jordan Humphrey established a major outside receiving threat for the Longhorns. But Johnson has been slowed by injury issues this season, only playing in six games with 35 catches for 497 yards and two touchdowns. Owned in 67 percent of leagues, the expectations for Johnson were high and they have not been met. Very much like Texas’ team as a whole.
4. Quartney Davis, Texas A&M
By no means is Davis having a bad season, with 41 receptions for 489 yards and four touchdowns, but Texas A&M spreads the ball around in its passing game, quarterback Kellen Mond runs the ball a lot and the Aggies love to establish the run game. So, Davis has to battle a bunch of other receivers, along with tight end Jalen Wydermyer, who has six touchdown receptions. The Aggies play Georgia this weekend and that could be a defensive battle, which is unfriendly for fantasy receivers.
5. K.J. Hill, Ohio State
Ohio State averages more than 51 points per game. The Buckeyes' offense looks nearly unstoppable. And Hill is having a great season with a team-high 38 receptions for 423 yards and six touchdowns, but he’s ranked No. 66 among all wide receivers in the fantasy game. And the reason why is because Ohio State’s rushing attack is so potent, quarterback Justin Fields has been so dynamic running the ball and so many receivers have made plays that the fantasy points get spread around too much. Ohio State is great, and Hill is having a great year, but this is fantasy football and his points aren’t adding up.