Predicting the best players in college football is different from projecting fantasy football values and bargains in various circumstances. Which players – who won’t get drafted in first rounds of fantasy drafts – could provide surprisingly good returns on investments in later rounds of drafts? Here are some quarterbacks to consider.
Tanner Mangum, BYU Cougars
The biggest thing Mangum has riding for him is his experience. He has played a lot of games as a starter over the past few seasons, even though he was not the opening day starter for BYU. His predecessor, Taysom Hill, was often injured, giving Mangum a lot of starts and ample familiarity with the offense. He is not the most gifted thrower or the most chiseled physical specimen, but he will make a lot of the plays younger and less experienced quarterbacks won’t make. He is also more likely to cut down on interceptions and a lot of the negative plays that can drag down a fantasy profile.
Troy Williams, Utah Utes
The Utah quarterback is similarly experienced, with the main difference being – relative to Mangum at rival BYU – that Williams was the main man under center last season. He has been through a full ride and will start all over again this season. Williams has been through a full range of pressure situations, so he will not be intimidated by anything that comes his way in 2017 – he will have had exposure to it. Utah also has one of the better defenses in the Pac-12, which means Williams has a better chance than most Pac-12 quarterbacks of facing short fields and getting more opportunities to score and ring up positive statistics. Those are some “hidden value” elements of a Williams fantasy buy.
Austin Allen, Arkansas Razorbacks
The Hogs didn’t have a great defense last year, and if they don’t have a great defense this year – which is fairly likely – the great thing about anyone who drafts Allen is that Arkansas will have to keep pace in shootouts and track meets. It’s a college football fantasy dream: garbage points.
Allen should get a lot of chances to throw the ball in general, but more specifically, he will likely throw a lot of passes when trailing in games against Alabama, LSU and Auburn. This is a prime example of a quarterback who will load up on yards and touchdowns in fourth quarters when his team trails by 15 to 20 points. This is how Allen can make a difference in college football fantasy circles. There are a lot of SEC players who are viewed more highly but he could be a sneaky asset in fantasy.
Tanner Lee, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Lee played at Tulane, for a terrible team with a bad offense and subpar wide receivers. He now goes to Nebraska, where the quality of everything and everyone around him will be a lot better. That dynamic alone should significantly boost his numbers and magnify all of his talents. He could prove to be even better than the adjustment to a better environment could indicate. This could be a hidden gem pick.
Nebraska will get a bit of a challenge in their first game of the season when Arkansas State visits. It’s a game where Nebraska is favored by 17 points but they could lose if they are not focused. However, a Sun Belt defense should present a strong fantasy opportunity for Tanner Lee.
Jacob Park, Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State is viewed as an improving team, and Park is part of that belief in Ames. He has battled for the starting job for a long time, having jockeyed with Joel Lanning for repetitions last season. If Park comes of age this season, the Big 12 remains a quarterback’s paradise which is waiting to be taken by a talented and improving passer. Park contains a lot of potential.
The Cyclones will get their season started at home against Northern Iowa, which is a cupcake of a matchup. Look for them to shine and for Park to have a strong game out of the games.
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