CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 5

Throughout the college football season, I'll pick two guys from every active conference who either caught my eye in the previous week or who have a favorable match-up in the near future. As always, I'll get to any questions or comments you have in the comments section below.

First though, here are the guys who made me look good last week;

Army QB Christian Anderson (38.6 points)
Syracuse RB Sean Tucker (30.6 points)
Oklahoma State RB Jaylen Warren (27.4 points)
Alabama TE Jahleel Billingsley (24.5 points)
UAB TE Gerrit Prince (24.5 points)
Texas Tech WR Kaylon Geiger (24.0 points)

Also wanted to give everyone a friendly reminder to keep up with news updates all the way up to the games as we saw QB Jaxson Dart, QB Austin Kendall & RB King Doerue all be ruled out prior to their teams' games with various injuries.

Slate Background: Our Thursday Night primetime game is Virginia at Miami. Friday Night has an interesting slate of games including Houston at Tulsa, Iowa at Maryland and BYU at Utah State. My fantasy goggles are on the following contests from the upcoming Saturday slate; Arizona State at UCLA, Arkansas at Georgia, Duke at North Carolina, Texas at TCU, Louisville at Wake Forest, Ole Miss at Alabama and Auburn at LSU. So many intriguing match-ups and I'm not even talking about those sneaky non-power five schools.

*Fantasy Points referenced in article are DK format.
**To qualify for recommendations, players must be rostered in less than 50 percent of Fantrax Leagues

AAC

Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina

Mitchell has two straight 100-yard rushing games and has been fantastic in the passing game with 14 catches for 145 yards scattered over four games. He's also notched a touchdown in three of four games. East Carolina's upcoming game against Tulane will be sneaky competitive which means there should be adequate points for fantasy purposes. Mitchell has been one of the best in the conference over the first month of the season and is rostered in just 14 percent of leagues.

Rashee Rice, WR, SMU

Rice is likely the last piece of the Mustangs offense that we can realistically recommend with the under 50% roster rule as he's rostered in 42 percent of leagues. The SMU offense continues to flourish under QB Tanner Mordecai (90 percent rostered) and Rice has been ultra-efficient while grabbing 14 of 15 targets for 227 yards and five touchdowns. Teammates Reggie Roberson (80 percent rostered) and Danny Gray (57 percent rostered) with Rice are all in play as Mordecai is averaging five touchdown passes per game. That shouldn't change against USF and Navy over the next two weeks, so I like Rice to continue his streak of four games with double-digit fantasy points and a touchdown.

Week 4 Rewind; East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers (11.9 points - 17/26, 238 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) & Houston WR Nathaniel Dell (7.1 points - 3 REC, 41 yards)

ACC

Cam'Ron Harris, RB, Miami

Harris is averaging 15.5 touches per game which is enough volume to be rostered in more than 21 percent of leagues. The Hurricanes had a brutal start to the season against Alabama, Appalachian State and Michigan State which all have formidable defenses. Once Miami was able to take on Central Connecticut in Week 4, Harris flourished with 40.3 fantasy points including a 100-yard rushing game, two rushing scores and an 83-yard touchdown reception. With QB D'Eriq King dinged up, take an opportunity to watch Harris on Thursday Night against a Virginia defense that has allowed 595 rushing yards and 96 points over their last two contests.

Billy Kemp, WR, Virginia

Staying in that Thursday Night primetime game which should light up the scoreboard, I like Kemp who is coming off back-to-back games with double-digit targets. The versatile senior has 25 catches for 281 yards and three touchdowns on 33 targets in the first four games. He's available in 79 percent of leagues and the Cavs defense is so bad that he'll be able to produce in tandem with Dontayvion Wicks (53 percent rostered). Kemp's value was also recently boosted as Keytaon Thompson was spotted with a cast on his left wrist in their loss to Wake Forest.

Week 4 Rewind; Syracuse RB Sean Tucker (30.6 points - 34 touches, 196 yards, 1 TD) & Miami WR Charleston Rambo (6.6 points - 2 REC, 46 yards)

BIG 12

Casey Thompson, QB, Texas

After putting up 70 points on Texas Tech and Thompson attempting all of the passes in that game, I'm not sure there's any indication that Texas would go back to Hudson Card. The Longhorns offense is truly explosive and could be the best in the conference. Go out and get Thompson who's rostered in just 21 percent of leagues as he's likely a top play for the rest of the season.

Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State

While the season has not started as anticipated in Ames, Iowa, it's benefitted the fantasy stock for Hutchinson as Iowa State is going to need to throw the ball more despite having all-world running back Breece Hall. That's been apparent in their rocky 2-2 start as Hutchinson is averaging eight targets per game and has 24 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns. He's well on pace to surpass the 64 catches for 771 yards and four touchdowns on 92 targets he had in 2020. That's why he should be rostered in more than 38 percent of leagues, especially considering Iowa State's upcoming opponent in Kansas.

Week 4 Rewind; Oklahoma State RB Jaylen Warren (27.4 points - 31 touches, 204 yards) & Texas Tech WR Kaylon Geiger (5 REC, 100 yards, 1 TD)

BIG TEN

Payton Thorne, QB, Michigan State

Thorne really struggled against Nebraska this past week while logging a season-low 183 passing yards and throwing his first interception of the season. Prior to that game, he had thrown four touchdowns in two straight weeks. I would expect Thorne to get back to significant production this week as the undefeated Spartans take on a Western Kentucky team who just recently gave up 373 passing yards to Indiana. Thorne's rostered in just 24 percent of leagues and he should be throwing to wide-open receivers as the Hilltoppers will have all they can handle with RB Kenneth Walker.

Isaiah Williams, WR, Illinois

This will be a spot-start recommendation as Illinois welcomes a Charlotte defense who is giving up all kinds of offense on a weekly basis. Williams has been far from efficient while reeling in just 25 of 46 targets, but he should see enough volume as the number one receiver in a potentially high-scoring game to have him rostered in more than 13 percent of leagues where he is currently. He had eight catches for 101 yards on 18 targets against UTSA, so a similar stat line would be ideal for those on scouring the waiver wire for a wide receiver for your fantasy line-up.

Week 4 Rewind; Minnesota RB Treyson Potts (18.3 points - 28 touches, 143 yards) & Purdue RB King Doerue (DNP - Undisclosed Injury)

C-USA

Chris Reynolds, QB, Charlotte

Reynolds is a guy that has been in this article many times and he, unfortunately, didn't deliver against Gardner-Webb (18.1 points) or Georgia State (11.7 points), but was amazing against Duke (37.7 points) and more specifically Middle Tennessee (41.8 points) this past week while accounting for five total touchdowns. The 49ers will hit the road to play Illinois, a team that has yielded an average of 448 yards per game. With Charlotte's defense also giving up tons of yards, this could be a nice fantasy spot to take advantage of as Reynolds is rostered in just 28 percent of leagues.

Jordan Myers, TE/RB/WR, Rice

This is a no-brainer recommendation as Myers currently has a WR/TE designation in Fantrax leagues, however, has moved to the RB position with the Owls. Against Texas Southern, the senior did a little bit of everything while racking up 51.8 fantasy points on 26 carries for 160 yards and four touchdowns as well as four catches for 48 yards. He's rostered in just 13 percent of leagues and if you can get him at the TE position, he's likely better than any option there for the rest of the year.

Week 4 Rewind; Louisiana Tech QB Austin Kendall (DNP - Undisclosed Injury) & UAB TE Gerrit Prince (24.5 points - 6 REC, 65 yards, 2 TD)

MAC

Devin Maddox, WR, Toledo

Because the Rockets alternate between Carter Bradley and Dequan Finn at quarterback, it makes a lot more sense to go with Maddox who is rostered in just nine percent of leagues. He's been their big play receiver while averaging 20.6 yards per catch and will have an opportunity to show off those skills at Massachusetts this week. 

Rocky Lombardi, QB, Northern Illinois

RB Harrison Waylee is rostered in 51 percent of leagues and is my favorite play for the Huskies this week against Eastern Michigan, but I'll bite on Lombardi after he accounted for four total touchdowns against Maine. His three rushing touchdowns helped him post a career-high 46.2 fantasy points. While I don't think he'll be that good again, he will have the opportunity for some production against an Eastern Michigan team who has averaged 407 yards of total defense per game.

Week 4 Rewind; Eastern Michigan WR Hassan Beydoun (12.7 points - 4 REC, 27 yards, 1 TD) & Western Michigan QB Kaleb Eleby (15.3 points - 17/28, 200 yards, 2 TD)

MWC

Haaziq Daniels, QB, Air Force

Daniels has been a consistent source of touchdowns through the first four games with eight total scores. He's had at least 13 carries in every contest and is coming off a season-high 164 rushing yards with two touchdowns against Florida Atlantic. Rostered in just four percent of leagues, he should have no problem moving the ball downfield with his legs once again at New Mexico. I also like RB Brad Roberts once again who is still rostered in just 17 percent of leagues.

Josh Kelly, WR, Fresno State

The Bulldogs are a hard team to figure out as they went toe-to-toe at Oregon, knocked off UCLA on the road and then struggled with UNLV at home. Their one sure thing is that QB Jake Haener is going to chuck the ball around with at least 42 passing attempts in three of their five games. Kelly, available in 76% percent of leagues, has been his second favorite target behind WR Jalen Cropper with 23 grabs for 401 yards and two touchdowns on 28 targets. He should have a serviceable day against a bad Hawaii defense this week.

Week 4 Rewind; Wyoming QB Sean Chambers (10.0 points - 15/26, 149 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 20 rushing yards) & Air Force RB Brad Roberts (13.7 points - 13 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD)

PAC-12

Chase Garbers, QB, Cal

Garbers has gotten better and better each week this season, including completing 73.2 percent of his passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 76 yards and another score in a close 31-24 loss at Washington this past week. The senior signal-caller will go up against a Washington State squad this week that won't have many answers for him on the defensive end as they have given up over 400 yards of total offense in three of their four games in 2021. Garbers is available in a surprising 87 percent of leagues.

Keaontay Ingram, RB, USC

Ingram was impressive against the Beavers with 116 total yards and two touchdowns on 18 touches. He's had double-digit fantasy points in three of four games with the Trojans. USC will play Colorado who has given up roughly 440 yards of offense in each of their last two games, including 441 rushing yards to Minnesota two weeks ago. With Ingram rostered in just 19 percent of leagues, this is a good play if in need of a running back.

Week 4 Rewind; USC QB Jaxson Dart (DNP - Knee Injury) & Arizona WR Stanley Berryhill (13.0 points - 5 REC, 75 yards, 6 carries, 5 yards)

SEC

Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama, TE

Against Southern Mississippi, TE Cameron Latu had three grabs for 57 yards and two touchdowns, yet I still like Billingsley long-term for fantasy rosters. Billingsley had five catches for 105 yards and a touchdown this past weekend which makes it an easy repeat recommendation for me. Alabama and Ole Miss is going to be a ton of fun this week and Billingsley is your chance to get a piece as he's rostered in just 38 percent of leagues. The talented junior has a good chance to record a score in his third straight game.

Rocko Griffin, RB, Vanderbilt

I'm fairly confident this will be the only time this season that I recommend a player form Vanderbilt. With Re'Mahn Davis out for the season, Griffin recorded a 100-yard rushing game against Stanford in Week 3. While yes, he only had 13 yards on 10 touches against Georgia this past week, there's not many teams in the nation that can move the ball versus the Bulldogs. The Commodores will play Connecticut and I full expect Griffin to have a productive outing. The best part is that he's available in 99 percent of leagues.

Week 4 Rewind; Auburn QB Bo Nix (6.2 points - 13/27, 156 yards) & Alabama TE Jahleel Billingsley (24.5 points - 5 REC, 105 yards, 1 TD)

SUN BELT

James Blackman, QB, Arkansas State

If Blackman can get his second straight start at Georgia Southern, his roster percentage of three percent needs to increase as the Red Wolves have a couple of stud receivers in Corey Rucker and Te'Vailance Hunt. Georgia Southern's defense has been one of the worst in the nation while giving up 495 yards of offense per game, including 328 through the air. Of course Layne Hatcher is always looming, however, Blackman did play the entire game against Tulsa.

Te'Vailance Hunt, WR, Arkansas State

No reason to shy away from that match-up against Georgia Southern and Hunt is rostered in just 26 percent of leagues. Whether it's Blackman or Hatcher at quarterback, Hunt should be a solid play. Through four games, he has 21 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Although he has just six grabs for 66 yards in his last two, the targets have been there which suggests he could have a closer output to the 15 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns he had in the first two games.

Week 4 Rewind; Georgia Southern QB Justin Tomlin (9.3 points - 11/24, 175 yards, 1 INT, 33 yards rushing) & Troy WR Tez Johnson (8.7 points - 6 REC, 27 yards)

INDEPENDENTS

Christian Anderson, Army, QB

Keep riding the hot hand with Anderson as he didn't do anything against Miami of Ohio which should cause him to not be picked up in more leagues. Even though he was recommended for leagues last week, he's rostered in just three percent of leagues. He averaged a ridiculous 15.7 yards per carry on 15 carries last week and is at 7.4 yards per carry for the season. Army is averaging 345 rushing yards per game and he's worth yet another start at Ball State before they play at Wisconsin the following week.

Week 4 Rewind; Army QB Christian Anderson (38.6 points - 0/5, 15 carries, 236 yards rushing, 2 TD)

DEFENSE RECOMMENDATIONS

UTSA (vs. UNLV) - The Roadrunners have been stout at home while outscoring opponents 81-13 in games against Lamar and Middle Tennessee. I think they can do the same versus UNLV. UTSA is available in 96 percent of leagues.

Michigan State (vs. Western Kentucky) - The Spartans appear to be at a different level than the Hilltoppers, so they should be able to contain that offense.

West Virginia (vs. Texas Tech) - If the Mountaineers can slow down Oklahoma, they should be able to slow down a beat-up Red Raiders squad. Rostered in four percent of leagues.

Week 4 Rewind; Wyoming at Connecticut (2.5 points - 22 PA, 3 Sacks, 1 TA), Houston vs. Navy (13 points - 20 PA, 2 Sacks, 1 TA, 1 TD) & San Diego State vs. Towson (9 points - 21 PA, 2 Sacks, 1 TA, 1 TD)

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference above, here are my top recommendations for the week by position:

QB: Texas Casey Thompson, Cal Chase Garbers, Army Christian Anderson

RB: East Carolina Keaton Mitchell, USC Keaontay Ingram, Miami Cam'Ron Harris

WR: Iowa State Xavier Hutchinson, Fresno State Josh Kelly, Virginia Billy Kemp

TE: Rice Jordan Meyers, Alabama Jahleel Billingsley

D/ST: West Virginia (vs. Texas Tech), UTSA (vs. UNLV), Michigan State (vs. Western Kentucky)