2018 CFF Wide Receiver Profiles part II

By John Laub
John Laub

 

 

     CFF Wide Receiver Rankings 2018 part II     

           

                   College Fantasy Football
 

 

 

 

8. Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State
The distribution of passes in the Wolfpack’ offense will dramatically change this season: Jaylen Samuels and Nyheim Hines combined for 133 targets last year and both are no longer on campus. Last season, quarterback Ryan Finley targeted Kelvin Harmon 117 times and the wide out recorded a 69% catch rate. The junior playmaker should see a substantial increase in passes after being named to the Second Team All-ACC in 2017. He became the first player at North Carolina State to eclipsed 1,000 yards since 2003 and grabbed 69 passes for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns. Harmon totaled triple-digits in yards six times and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. In 2016, he earned the Philip Rivers’ Award for Freshman of the Year after setting a rookie school-record with five touchdowns. Harmon has prototypical NFL size at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds with a thick and muscular frame. An outstanding hands fighter, the junior employs a noble swat and first-rate burst to gain separation. He has excellent body control and a huge catch radius to snatch passes away from defensive backs. A quality route runner, Harmon high points the ball well and corrals it with strong and soft hands. In early CFF drafts, the North Carolina State wide out is a value pick in the fifth round.
 

2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 74 for 1,190 and 11
Total Fantasy Points: 259 (21.5 ppg.)

9. Cody Thompson, Toledo
The Rockets captured the Mid-American Conference crown last year and return one of the most experienced and explosive wide receiver corps in the nation with Cody Thompson (Sr.), Diontae Johnson (Sr.) and Jon’Vea Johnson (Jr.). Thompson kicks off the season with at least a catch in 30 consecutive games and ranks among the elite receivers in school history: sixth in yards (2,665), eighth in touchdowns (20) and second in yards per catch (20.0). Two seasons ago, the senior home run hitter earned First Team All-MAC after snatching 64 passes for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last year, Thompson suffered a season-ending broken right leg and only played in five games. The former high school quarterback is a big-play athlete and is excellent at escaping coverage with double moves. An exceptional and precision route runner, he beats opponents in one-on-one matchups, runs tight routes to gain separation and spins and jukes to elude tacklers. Thompson wins jump balls with his 6-foot-2 and 205-pound frame and is a tough and relentless competitor. CFF fanatics can expect a return to All-MAC status for the fifth-year competitor in 2018.
2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 64 for 1,070 and 12
Total Fantasy Points: 243 (20.3 ppg.)

10. Andy Isabella, UMass
Boston houses the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Eagles and Bruins: In Bean-town, the media and fans often disregard UMass football. Among all FBS schools, the Minutemen employ one of the underappreciated QB-WR duos—Andrew Ford and Andy Isabella—in the nation. Isabella led the team in every receiving category last year with 65 catches for 1,020 yards and ten touchdowns. He was one of only 10 players to record three touchdowns beyond 65 yards. The senior also carried the football 14 times for 135 yards and a touchdown. A speedster, Isabella is a versatile competitor who lines up all over the formation. Coach Mark Whipple can rely on eight returning offensive starters, including all five starting linemen. Surrendering over 31 points per game last season, the Minutemen are likely to participate in plenty of shootouts again, and there will be a plethora of points in the passing game for CFF fanatics. UMass also enjoys a favorable schedule with only two speed bumps: Boston College and Georgia. Isabella is a centerpiece of a CFF roster in 2018.
2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 72 for 1,160 and 8
Total Fantasy Points: 236 (19.6 ppg.)

 


11. Gary Jennings, Jr., West Virginia
In 2018, the Mountaineers passing game is locked and loaded to take down Big 12 opponents: Defenses must account for David Sills, V and Gary Jennings, Jr., who both continually make plays for QB Will Grier. Jennings caught 97 passes for 1,096 yards last season, but scored only once. He was the only player in the nation with over ninety catches who did not score at least seven touchdowns. The departed Ka’Raun White snatched 12 touchdown receptions last year, and Jennings is likely to acquire the lost market share at West Virginia. In three seasons, the senior has played in 34 games, recording 114 catches for 1,377 yards and four touchdowns. In 2017, West Virginia fell short of expectations, posting a 7-6 mark. Coach Dana Holgorsen arguably has the best wide receiver unit in the nation and will surely throw the football down the field on a regular basis with a star-laden cast on offense. Jennings is an inexpensive asset in the Mountaineers’ offense, and CFF owners can acquire a piece of the action in Morgantown, WV without paying a top-shelf price.
2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 86 for 1,120 and 8
Total Fantasy Points: 246 (20.5 ppg.)

 

Cum Laude

 

12. Devin Butler, Syracuse
Coach Dino Babers took over the Orange three years ago and implemented his hurry-up spread scheme. Despite an improved offense, the record has fallen short of expectations. Syracuse graduated wide receivers Steve Ismael and Ervin Philips, who combined for 194 receptions last year. Devin Butler is the next man up for Babers. In high school, Butler played quarterback and defensive back and converted to wide out in college. In 2016, he played in five games as a freshman before suffering a season-ending injury. As a sophomore, he played in all 12 games and finished third in receptions (33) and yards (327) behind Ismael and Philips. He also completed four of six passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. At 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds, the junior has bulked up over the offseason in preparation for the upcoming campaign and has become the leader among the inexperienced wide receivers. Butler has nice body control, good quickness and stress-free lateral movement, which portend success in 2018. Do not let Butler slip too far down CFF drafts boards during the summer. 
2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 70 for 1,050 and 9
Total Fantasy Points: 229 (19.1 ppg.)

13. Teddy Veal, Louisiana Tech
After winning nine games for three consecutive seasons, the Bulldogs captured only seven contests last year. During his tenure, Coach Skip Holtz (38-28) has never kicked off the season with the same signal caller; however, the streak ends this year as QB J’Mar Smith returns behind center for Louisiana Tech. The junior field general will rely on Teddy Veal in the passing games. A slot maven, Veal earned Second Team C-USA after finishing among the league leaders in receptions (74), yards (950) and touchdowns (7). A transfer from Tulane, the former Green Wave game breaker snatched 88 passes for 1,025 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons in New Orleans, leading the team in receptions (48) and yards (644) as a sophomore in 2015. Smith progressed throughout the 2017 campaign and should be an improved thrower in the fall, which bodes well for Veal and the aerial assult.
2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 78 for 1,100 and 8
Total Fantasy Points: 236 (19.7 ppg.)

 


14. KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State
Coach Jeff Tedford, who inherited a one-win program, turned Fresno State around immediately, guiding the Bulldogs to 10 victories last year. Tedford’s alma mater became only the second club to go from 11 losses to double-digit wins. One of the leaders of the turnaround, KeeSean Johnson paced the Bulldogs in catches, yards and touchdowns each of the past two campaigns. In 2017, the redshirt senior was named Second Team All-Mountain West after snatching 77 passes for 1,013 yards and eight touchdowns. As a sophomore, Johnson earned All-Mountain West honorable mention, totaling 66 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. He has recorded a catch in a school-best 36 consecutive games, which commenced in 2015. Johnson, 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, runs very good short and intermediate routes and seeks to improve as a vertical threat in 2018. Quarterback Marcus McMaryion and Johnson are a discounted dynamic duo in CFF drafts.
2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 81 for 1,140 and 9
Total Fantasy Points: 249 (20.8 ppg.)

15. Penny Hart, Georgia State
How good is Penny Hart? His resume speaks volumes: 2015 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, 2015 First Team All-Sun Belt and 2017 First Team All-Sun Belt. Regrettably, a preseason hamstring injury and broken foot sidelined Hart for the 2016 campaign. The Panthers’ playmaker led the Sun Belt in receiving during each of his two full seasons. In both 2015 and 2017, he surpassed over 1,100 yards and 70 receptions, while scoring 16 times. Entering the upcoming crusade, Hart ranks first in the nation among active FBS wide outs in receiving yards (2,218), touchdown catches (17), and he is fifth in receptions (153). In Georgia State history, he trails only Albert Wilson and Robert Davis in career receptions, yards and touchdown catches. Hart has also totaled nine career 100-yard games. The Georgia State star has a very high floor for CFF managers with an elevated ceiling if the Panthers resolve their quarterback quandary. 
2018 Projections
Receptions, Receiving Yards and TDs: 68 for 1,200 and 8
Total Fantasy Points: 236 (19.6 ppg.)