Two weeks of data is better than one and the college football landscape is starting to take shape. Whether you’re flying high at 2-0 or looking to dig yourself out of an 0-2 hole, the C2C week 2 waiver wire should all be difference makers.
As always, will distinguish between waiver setups, because general waiver advice is not one-size-fits-all in campus to canton leagues. For those with limited waivers, I’d only look at the first section because these players should be rostered in all leagues and can be difference makers. Feel free to churn the bottom of those rosters with some additional names for those with unlimited waivers. Lastly, the watch list section provides some names that you should pay attention to but shouldn’t necessarily be rostered.
LIMITED WAIVERS
Keylon Stokes, WR – Tulsa: Stokes is old enough to be my grandpa, but he’s the leader of a dynamic receiver group in an offense that is top 20 in total pass attempts through two weeks. The math here is simple. Tulsa loves to throw. Tulsa loves to throw it to Stokes. And Stokes loves to make things happen. His 19/304/2 line thus far is impressive, and I don’t expect him to slow down soon. Guys like Charlie Jones, Kris Thornton, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are probably already rostered in your leagues, but Stokes can compete with these guys all year as potential WR1 risers. Take the (likely) discount on Stokes and profit.
Luke Musgrave, TE – Oregon State: Look at us recommending a TE this week. By this point, you probably have a better idea of your strength (or weakness) at that position. For those looking to strengthen, Musgrave should be a big target. Recently named to Bruce Feldman’s “Freak List,” Musgrave is a key target for an Oregon State offense that has been better than expected early this year. He’s averaged eight targets per game thus far, lines up in the slot or outside almost 50% of the time, and has an ADOT of 12. Those are some key numbers if we’re looking to predict future fantasy points (which, duh, we are).
There’s some NFL upside with Musgrave as well, which makes him slightly more intriguing than someone like CMU’s Joel Wilson, who has performed similarly this season. Unless it’s a 2TE league, I’m spending 10% or less on Musgrave (and 5% or less on Wilson if you’re looking his way). In more elaborate TE set ups, go as high as 20%.
**Editor’s Note: After publication, it was announced that Musgrave is injured and out this week. While this does not change Musgrave’s value in the long-term, if you are looking for a short-term solution then Wilson should be your guy.
Khalan Laborn, RB – Marshall: Week 2’s unofficial Cinderella is Marshall, who beat Notre Dame this weekend on the back of Laborn. We can’t pretend that Laborn came out of nowhere. He’s a former 5-star recruit who has bounced around from Florida State, to JUCO, and now to the Thundering Herd. It took a temporary Rasheen Ali opt-out to bring Laborn back into the limelight, but we don’t care about the how, we just want those sweet, sweet fantasy points.
In a week 1 blowout, Laborn split carries with Ethan Payne. There was no such split this week. Laborn saw the lion’s share of snaps (60 to 12) and touches (31 to 5). He finished the day with 163 yards and a score. We don’t have any indication of Ali’s return, but at this point the points are too good to pass up.
UNLIMITED PICK UPS
LaJohntay Webster & Jahmal Edrine, WR – Florida Atlantic: This FAU offense is legitimately fun. Led by N’Kosi Perry, this offense runs a fair amount of plays and is just dangerous enough to produce some big fantasy scores during the season. Webster and Edrine are probably the most dynamic players on this team and are two of the three most targeted guys in the unit. FAU does get UCF and Purdue in their next two games, which could be rough but also produce some positive game script. After that though, the schedule is considerably softer with North Texas, Rice, UTEP, FIU, UAB, and Middle Tennessee in succession. I want a piece of this offense moving forward, but take caution
Qualan Jones, RB – Baylor: The Baylor rush attack has been fruitful the past few years, and with the departure of key producers Trestan Ebnar and Abram Smith, a large portion of the touches here are up for grabs. Many here at Campus2Canton assumed Taye McWilliams could be that guy, but he’s struggled early and got banged up this weekend. Qualan Jones is the other “bigger” back on the roster, and Baylor has used him a lot in the red zone. He had two TDs this weekend on 16 touches, and his role could continue to expand if McWilliams falters. I’m not wasting a selection on him if there’s a limit on my waivers, at least not this early, but I am happy to add him if I have unlimited waivers.
WATCH LIST
Chase Roberts, WR – BYU: Watch list players generally don’t have a guaranteed role moving forward. Last week we highlighted UNC receiver Kobe Paysour, filling in for an injured Josh Downs, and MD running back Roman Hemby, currently in a rotational role. Like Paysour, Roberts may not have a role once Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney return from injury, but he’s been so good over the past few weeks that he could still be a factor. And he may be next man up after Nacua leaves this offseason.
Roberts was the key man in BYU’s win over Baylor in the receiving game. He turned his 12 targets into an 8/122/1 stat line. He’s a big target for Jaren Hall. I don’t know if or when Romney is supposed to return, but if he’s out another week or two I could be convinced to pull the trigger on Roberts in deeper leagues or those with unlimited waivers.
