College fantasy football waiver wire pickups to avoid
You’re probably looking for some help for your college fantasy football team. Especially if you’re not in first place. Here are some players you should pass over on the waiver wire.
Auburn QB Bo Nix
Nix has done well as a true freshman starting quarterback for a top-10 team as Auburn’s offense has been a lot better with coach Gus Malzahn back calling the plays. But don’t count on him to be a reliable option for your college fantasy football team. There’s a reason he’s only owned in 13 percent of leagues. Nix scored over 30 points against Mississippi State in Week 5 but is still averaging fewer than 20 points per game. And Auburn is the only team with four games against top-10 opponents remaining on the schedule. There are better options out there, even if you believe that Auburn is for real.
Stanford RB Cameron Scarlett
It’s easy to think that Stanford running backs always produce after seeing the stats of guys like Toby Gerhart, Christian McCaffrey and Bryce Love. But take a close look at Stanford’s production this year. Scarlett has scored eight touchdowns in each of the last two seasons as Love’s primary backup but has just one through five games in 2019. And that’s with 12 or more carries in each of those games. Stay away from Stanford’s offense as Pac-12 play gets going.
Michigan State RB Elijah Collins
Collins probably shows up on the first page of available running backs in your fantasy league. Scroll past him. His season fantasy points total is inflated by playing five games — many running backs’ teams have already had an off week this season and a big game in Week 2 against Western Michigan. Nearly half of his rushing total came in that win over Western Michigan and he’s averaging fewer than 3.7 yards a carry in the four other games. He’s scored a touchdown in each of Michigan State’s last three games but you can’t count on that to continue.
Alabama WR Devonta Smith
Smith had what may end up being the greatest receiving game of the 2019 season on Saturday against Ole Miss with 11 catches for 274 yards and five touchdowns. But don’t buy high on him. Any of Alabama’s top four wide receivers — reigning Biletnikoff winner Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Smith and Jaylen Waddle — are capable of a monstrous game and seven of Smith’s eight touchdowns this season have come in two games. He’s had fewer than 55 yards receiving in the other three. If you’re looking for week-to-week consistency, you can find a few better options.
USC WR Tyler Vaughns
Vaughns can look like an enticing add, especially with Graham Harrell coordinating USC’s offense. Stay away. His two best games of 2019 came in the first two weeks of the season. Vaughns has just 15 catches for 158 yards and a score over USC’s last three games. USC is a hard team to figure out. Don’t get clouded by that confusion.
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.
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