Target Acquired: Week Seven

Welcome to another edition of Target Acquired. If you’re new to the series, let me catch you up. Dynasty strategy has many layers to it, but one of the more fun aspects of it all is player research and analysis. And whether you play in devy leagues, “normal” dynasty leagues, or just love college football, it’s a blast to dig into some of the best NFL prospects in the country. This series takes a look every week at a mix of college football players who just bolstered their chances of making it to the pros with a stellar performance.

Some will be names you recognize. Others will be the deepest of sleepers that no one knew until yesterday. Regardless, the point is to tuck these names away as your prepare for all of your drafts, trades, and just-for-fun research in the future.

The draft gets closer every day, and I have my set of “Targets Acquired” for any and every format out there.

Quarterback

JT Barrett, Ohio State

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It’s impossible to stay out of the spotlight when you’re the quarterback for THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Most college football fans have heard his name. But most people also think they have Barrett figured out. You might hear things like, “Yeah, he’s a great mobile college quarterback, but he isn’t made for the pros.” That might prove to be true. However, when you really break down what he’s accomplished in Ohio State’s gadget offense it’s pretty incredible.

Barrett’s posted 63% career accuracy, a 4:1 TD/INT ratio, plus nearly 3000 rushing yards. And he just won’t slow down. JT’s 3 touchdowns, 261 yards through the air, 59 yards on the ground, and a rushing touchdown helped lead the Buckeyes to another lopsided victory over Maryland this past week. Barrett is going to stay well below the radar with all of the big name quarterbacks coming out in 2018, but he could come out of nowhere and steal the show.

Running Back

Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech

Travon kicked off his college career with a boom, rushing for 1043 yards and seven touchdowns as a true freshman at Virginia Tech. Sadly though, things looked like they took a turn for the worst after that. But if you read in between the lines McMillian has just has had his value sapped by mobile quarterbacks in the last two seasons. Jerod Evans (2016 QB for VA Tech) logged more rushing attempts than McMillian did last year. He only knew how to do three things: hit the first read, chuck it deep, and tuck and run way too early.

This season, quarterback Josh Jackson already has the same total number of rushes as Travon with 55. Virginia Tech coach, Justin Fuente, needs to tell his quarterbacks to settle down and get Travon the ball. Travon totaled 18 touches for 101 yards and a score this past week against Boston College as Virginia Tech coasted to victory. Hopefully Travon continues to eat so he can go pro next spring.

Benny Snell, Kentucky

Snell is another running back that posted a hyper-productive freshman season. In just 11 games of work last season Benny Snell compiled nearly 1100 yards on the ground. He may not be the most impressive athlete, but Snell often makes up for that with his solid vision and decisiveness. Snell is on pace for an even better sophomore effort now.

He carried the Kentucky offense with 117 yards on the ground for his third 100-yard game of the year against Missouri this past weekend. It may take a couple more productive years, but NFL scouts won’t be able to deny his insane production against solid SEC competition much longer.

Wide Receiver

Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State

Any time a three-star (or worse rated) wide receiver has a decent freshman season it often gets brushed under the rug as a fluke. But Kelvin won’t stand for that. Nope. Kelvin Harmon decided he would silence any would-be critics by grabbing 33 passes through the first six games this season for 434 yards and a couple scores. While that’s not insane production, it’s a clear sign of development in the 6’3” sophomore.

This past weekend, Kelvin made yet another statement in a huge win against Louisville. Kelvin led his team in receiving with six catches for 133 yards and a score. Putting up big numbers like that in huge divisional games is how you get noticed. Expect to hear Harmon’s name called before the end of day two in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Terry Godwin, Georgia

How in the world could anyone get excited about a Georgia wide receiver this year? Georgia throws the ball an insane 73% of the time. They don’t care. The Bulldogs know what they’re good at and dare their opponents to stop them. However, whenever Georgia needs a big play through the air they call Terry Godwin’s number. Godwin is averaging an insane 27.3 yards per reception this season for 327 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Terry only had two catches this past weekend for 70 yards and a score, but the entire Georgia receiving corps only combined for 126 yards. Godwin will likely stay for another season after this year, but if he has another decent season as Georgia’s lead dog (ha, it’s funny because they’re the Bulldogs) expect to see him get drafted in 2019.

Tight End

Hunter Bryant, Washington

This future NFL move tight end won’t play a professional snap until at least 2020, but he deserves some attention right now. Hunter is “only” 6’2” but can pack a punch with his impressive strength for a freshman. Hunter is fast, strong, agile, and is already looking like a major asset on an already phenomenal offense.

He led the Huskies nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown in their 38-7 destruction of California this past weekend. The NFL has already started utilizing a higher percentage of slightly shorter or leaner “H-back” and “move” tight ends. By the time Hunter goes pro that may nearly be the norm. This young stud may be the best tight end in his draft class when that day comes.

IDP (Individual Defensive Player)

Joe Bachie, LB Michigan State

Joe Bachie isn’t a big name in NFL Draft circles just yet, but his unbelievable game-changing performance against Michigan this past weekend may have just changed that. His stat line could stand by itself as all you really need to know about how dominating Bachie was this past week. Bachie notched himself 10 tackles, an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, and single-handedly ended the game with a pass deflection on Michigan’s final Hail Mary play.

If Bachie continues to make plays as the middle linebacker in Michigan State’s 4-3 defense he could one day be a mid-round NFL Draft pick. Jot his name down now as he may slip out of many IDP fantasy owner’s memories before his draft season arrives.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Target Acquired. Let me know if you have any questions on any of these guys. If you want me to watch any specific upcoming games closer than others just let me know via Twitter @FF_TravisM. Best of luck to you in all of your fantasy leagues!

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