Target Acquired: Week Seven

Welcome to week seven of the 2018 Target Acquired series. If you enjoyed the series last year, you’re in for a good time! 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 you prepare for all your drafts, trades, and just-for-fun research in the future.

2018 football is revealing the best future NFL playmakers and I have my set of “Targets Acquired” for any and every format out there.

QUARTERBACK

Jarrett Guarantano, Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers have been reeling, searching for some sort of continuity over the past few seasons. Jarrett Guarantano may be that stabilizing force they need. Guarantano had a rough 2017 as a true freshman competing with fellow quarterback Quinten Dormady, but he clearly grew from it. He had been an adequate starter this season making sound decisions most weekends heading into the Auburn game Saturday, but he absolutely dominated the Tigers. Guarantano threw for 328 yards and two scores against a defense that had been allowing less than 200 yards passing per game.

At 6’4”, 210 pounds, with mobility and arm strength, Guarantano just thrust himself into the 2020 NFL Draft conversation. If he continues to show accuracy, controlled aggression downfield, and sound decision-making expect him to become a draftnik favorite as he nears his inevitable NFL Draft.

RUNNING BACK

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Keaontay Ingram, Texas

As I mentioned in last week’s Target Acquired, Texas is back! And yes, the quarterback and wide receivers get plenty of love, but don’t overlook this true freshman running back. The Longhorns kicked off the season wanting to feed Tre Watson (California grad transfer), but Ingram is just the better back by far and it seems Texas is figuring this out. He saw an average of around nine touches per game over the first three weeks of this season. However, over the last three weeks, he’s averaging 16 touches per game and outperforming the other Texas backs with ease.

Ingram recorded his first 100-yard game (of many to come) this past weekend against Baylor. He’s going to get a lot of his touchdowns vultured by mobile quarterback Sam Ehlinger, but don’t worry about that. Ingram is quietly putting together one of the most impressive freshman seasons in the country. He should be on every devy drafter’s radar next spring.

David Montgomery, Iowa State

Yes, everyone has heard of David Montgomery at this point. He’s been my 2019 RB1 for about a year now. But he had been struggling some this year, causing some to doubt his elite status. All doubts need to cease. He dropped the hammer on West Virginia’s College Playoff hopes this past weekend rushing for 189 yards and a score.

Montgomery is arguably the most elusive back in college football, possesses vision, quickness, and strength. He is everything the 2019 class needs to find any amount of fantasy football relevance. Acquire David Montgomery if you’re interested in the first running back taken in the 2019 NFL Draft.

WIDE RECEIVER

Collin Johnson, Texas

Collin Johnson is another name that many know in devy leagues, but he’s beginning to push his way into the top tier of wide receivers for 2019. In prior seasons his play to play consistency was quite frustrating, but this season he’s a changed man. Johnson has at least three receptions in every game this season and is averaging about six receptions per contest.

Many worry that at 6’6”, Johnson will be pigeon-holed exclusively as a red zone threat, but he’s so much more. Johnson has improved as a route runner every year for Texas. He shows flexibility and even decent burst out of brakes for a big guy. Imagine a Devin Funchess that isn’t slow and bad and you would have Collin Johnson. He could and should plug into an NFL offense right away with some success given his traits and surprisingly balanced skill set.

Tyler Johnson, Minnesota

The Minnesota Golden Gophers don’t typically provide fantasy football fans with much, but Tyler Johnson should be a fun exception. If you’re a fan of dominator rating (production metric of team’s receiving offense) then Johnson is your guy. As a sophomore, he accounted for 45% of Minnesota’s receiving yards and 78% of their receiving touchdowns. That’s dominance. Yes, The Golden Gophers didn’t pass much in 2017, but Johnson was their entire offense when they did.

This year he’s at again. Johnson’s accounted for 43% of his team’s receiving yards and 67% of the touchdowns in 2018 and isn’t showing signs of slowing down. Even against tougher competition like Ohio State this past weekend he dominated, grabbing eight receptions for 119 yards through the air. Johnson’s going to wow at the NFL Combine when he comes up and soars up draft boards. Get yourself ahead of the curve on this monster of a wide receiver.

TIGHT END

Mitchell Wilcox, South Florida

As you may have heard before, tight end production is extremely hard to come by in college. That means when a tight end starts averaging four catches per game you should probably pay attention. Mitchell Wilcox wasn’t highly utilized in 2016 and 2017, but he’s coming into his own this year. He’s already caught 22 receptions for 311 yards in just five games this year. He added five catches for 95 yards as South Florida’s leading receiver just this past weekend.

At 6’5”, 245 pounds, he moves up the seam and through his routes impressively smooth. If Wilcox continues this pace of production, expect his name to be called in the mid rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft.

IDP (INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER)

Devin White, LSU (Linebacker)

Devin White is already considered a top off-the-ball linebacker for the 2019 NFL Draft, but for fantasy purposes, his ceiling is nearly limitless. White may just be the next tackle vacuum to make an instant impact on fantasy rosters. He racked up another 13 total tackles against Georgia this past weekend. And that sounds like a lot, but it’s pretty typical for White.

Dating back to the start of 2017, White is averaging ten tackles and one tackle for loss every time he suits up. His motor is relentless. He has perfect inside linebacker size for today’s NFL at 6’1”, 240 pounds. Get ready to select White way too early in all your leagues when he comes out.

I hope you enjoyed the seventh Target Acquired of the 2018 season! 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. Also, since college daily fantasy is back be looking for some #TouchdownTime videos from me on that via Twitter! Best of luck to you in all your fantasy leagues!

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