Fantasy Football

2016 Dynasty Fantasy Football: Top Three College Wide Receivers to Watch

In this article I’ll be taking a look into the future for all my Dynasty Fantasy Football owners. These are the top wide receivers in college football you need to be watching this season. They will be ranked in the order I anticipate them impacting the NFL. Also, all of these players will be eligible to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, although, they are not all obligated to do so.

1. Mike Williams, Clemson

Williams is my No. 1 wideout as of right now. Had he not sustained a severe neck injury in last year’s season opener, he could have possibly been the top wideout off the board in the 2016 NFL Draft. He took over as a starter with Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant gone and caught 57 passes for 1,030 yards and six TDs in 2014.

Williams is imposing at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and runs a ridiculous 4.48 40-yard dash. There is no absence of athleticism to couple with his model size. There is very little he doesn’t do well. This doesn’t mean he’s not raw or that he does need to develop as an elite receiver. However, there’s no blatant weakness in his game. The most glaring flaw that needs upgrading is his footwork when generating separation. His hands are solid, and he can snatch the ball in close or use his huge catch radius to grab it out of the sky. He’s an impressive route runner that knows how to defeat defensive backs both over the top and in chain-moving clashes.

Barring another grim injury in 2016, Fantasy owners will fall be salivating over him heading into 2017. I anticipate him being the top rookie wideout taken in Fantasy drafts next season. Expect him to have a colossal statistical season and an extraordinary combine following another ultra-competitive season at Clemson, which may end in another title game. He is a prospect that needs to be on the radar of all dynasty owners.

2. Juju Smith-Schuster, USC

Smith-Schuster will have scouts captivated next spring. He’s coming off an 89 catch, 1,454 yards and 10 TD 2015. It looks like he’s a lock to be drafted in the Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft. His uncommon mixture of size and speed makes him enticing as a future superstar Fantasy wideout. However, many scouts believe he may translate to NFL better as a defensive back.

The USC standout is 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and runs a sub 4.5 40-yard dash. He can beat you with speed and can physically dominate you and flat out take the ball away. The already accomplished receiver is only 19 years old, which is undoubtedly a positive in the eyes of dynasty owners. Nonetheless, dynasty owners will have to monitor his position status when next year’s draft rolls around.

3. Malachi Dupre, LSU

Dupre was a five-star recruit and is bizarrely talented. However, much like the wide receiver that lines up opposite him, Travin Dural, the LSU lack of passing attack holds him back. Miserable quarterback performance and an abundantly run-heavy offense thwart their exceptional wideouts from reaching their immense potential. That doesn’t discount how amazing Dupre’s upside is.

His ceiling is as high as anyone in the NCAA. Dupre is 6-foot-4 with dangerous downfield speed, and he can jump through the roof. He’s a raw route runner, but better than he gets credit for. The lack of offensive creativity at LSU really restricts his versatility. His numbers appear underwhelming at first glance with 43 catches, 698 yards, and six TDs. Were he in even an average passing game, he’s a lock to be a 1,000-yard receiver.

I expect him him to ascend into the first round in next year’s draft as long as he doesn’t unexpectedly uncover any flagrant flaws in his game. Not being given the opportunity to showcase your full potential doesn’t always necessarily work against you when it comes to draft your value in scout’s eyes. With a big-time combine, his potential will be too tempting for NFL scouts to overlook. Dynasty owners should be just as excited as NFL teams.

Previous post

2016 Dynasty Fantasy Football: Top Three College Running Backs to Watch

Next post

Daily Fantasy Golf Strategy: John Deere Classic