CFB: Early Top Five College Fantasy Receivers
I’ve ranked running backs, I’ve ranked quarterbacks. Now it’s time for the wide receivers. This list will have much more variables as the season progresses, having to rely on quarterbacks for production. However, I’ll give it my best.
Note: This will probably be the last position I rank. Having played college fantasy for three seasons, QBs, RBs, and WRs by far matter the most.
5. Ty Fryfogle - Indiana
This ranking might feel generous to some, but I’m banking on a strong return from QB Michael Penix Jr. to shoot Fryfogle. When the two were on the field together, they were a top-five QB-WR combo in the country easily. He’s the first Big Ten WR to ever crack 200 yards in back-to-back games. He averaged nearly 20 yards a catch (19.5) on his 37 receptions for 721 yards and seven touchdowns, and would have surely had more if Penix hadn’t gotten hurt. He has a strong frame (6-2 214) and good hands that fight through contact, while also showing explosiveness by leading the Big Ten in 30-yard catches in 2020 (7). If not for the top two guys on this list, he could arguably be the best receiver in the conference.
4. Justyn Ross - Clemson
It has been a while since we’ve seen the full powers of Justyn Ross on display. He led the Tigers in catches (66) in 2019 and yards (1000), looking primed to be drafted in the first round of the 2021 draft after a strong junior season…… that never happened for him. Ross had surgery on his neck and missed the entire 2020 season. He sat out the Tigers spring game, awaiting a doctor’s final evaluation in June to clear him to play. When he’s on the field, he’s electric. He’s physical (6-4 205), is great on deep balls, and should be a prime target for DJ Uiagalelei.
3. Garrett Wilson - Ohio State
While Alabama has had multiple guys on this list the last couple of years, this would be the year for Ohio State to have two fantasy receivers in the top five. The talent in the Ohio State WR room is insane: Olave, Wilson, Smith-Njigba, and Fleming to name a few. Wilson showed he had no problem producing alongside Olave, snagging 43 catches for 723 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 16.8 yards per catch. PFF gave the junior high marks both against single coverage and zone coverage. We don’t know yet who will be throwing Wilson the ball, but having the best set of WR in the country should help ease the transition.
2. Marvin Mims - Oklahoma
Mims is a fascinating player. PFF notes that despite Mims being FOURTH on the Sooners in total routes run, he was by far the most productive receiver of the group, reeling in 37 catches, 610 yards, and nine touchdowns. Imagine what that would look like if Mims’ routes matched his production? He plays in a very favorable conference (Big 12), and his quarterback (Spencer Rattler) should go in the top five of the 2022 NFL Draft. He is EXPLOSIVE, having four of his nine touchdowns go for over 45 yards. That should play.
Chris Olave - Ohio State
The college football world was shocked when Olave announced his return to college football for one last season and instantly slots himself as the best receiver in the country upon his return. Just listen to this blurb PFF wrote about him after the season.
“He has generated a step or more of separation on over 87% of his targets since 2019, the highest rate in the country. Against single coverage over the past two seasons, Olave has racked up 15 receptions to result in a 15-plus yard gain in which he had more than a couple of steps of separation. That trailed only Alabama's DeVonta Smith for the most in the FBS (19) and is five more than the next best Power Five receiver.”
Olave has a clear path to being the No. 1 WR in the 2022 class. When only DeVonta Smith does something more than you, that means you’re doing it pretty well.
Writer
-By: TJ Mathewson