College Football Preview: Top 5 Fantasy Wide Receivers

Oct 11, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Steve Ishmael (8) makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back P.J. Williams (26) during the third quarter at the Carrier Dome. Florida State defeated Syracuse 38-20. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

College Football Preview is a ‘way too early’ look at each College Football position heading into the 2016 season. The rankings are based on prior performance and expectations heading into the 2016 season.

With the second half of the MLB season now under well, it’s a good time to begin thinking about your college football draft, with the 2016 College Football season only weeks away.

The 2016 Division I-A season kicks off Friday, August 26th, in a unique way, at 10pm ET in the ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia. The game is between the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii and the California Golden Bears. The remaining games of Week 1 play through the Labor Day weekend, starting on Thursday, September 1st and ending with a great one between the Ole Miss Rebels and Florida State Seminoles in the Citrus Bowl at 8pm ET on Labor Day, Monday, September 5th.

So with games beginning only six weeks away, we’ll continue our College Football Preview with the top 5 player options at each position, now reviewing wide receivers. When looking at top wide receiver candidates, we have to strongly consider the quarterback play and offensive scheming, coming into the 2016 season. So you’ll see multiple mentions of key quarterbacks with each selection. Now, let’s take a look:

Next: CFB Fantasy WR No. 5

Oct 16, 2015; Logan, UT, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck (82) runs after catch against the Utah State Aggies at Romney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 Thomas Sperbeck, Boise State

The Boise State Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien, nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, had a very good Freshman year in 2015. Rypien, who didn’t start for the Broncos until late September, threw for 3,353 yards, had a 63.5% completion percentage, 20 touchdowns and 8 INTs. Likely playing a full season, and maturing from 2015, we can expect Rypien’s numbers to improve this season, especially with a more mature group of players around him and a top 3 running back.

Thomas Sperbeck was the beneficiary of most of Brett’s focus in the 2015 season. Sperbeck had 88 receptions for 1,412 receiving yards, 6th in college football, and 8 touchdowns. However, with the emergence of Jeremy McNichols at running back last year, and McNichols expecting to receive more carries this year, it’s possible McNichols could take some snaps away from Sperbeck. But, the Broncos like to throw the ball, and Rypien should continue to get better. With Sperbeck as the leader of the receiving corp at Boise State, a pass-friendly offense, and an impressive 2015 season already placed as a spring-board for 2016, expect Sperbeck to add to his 2015 yard and touchdown totals. Thomas is a solid candidate for a top 5 wide receiver spot in Fantasy College Football this season.

Next: CFB Fantasy WR No. 4

Nov 28, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders wide receiver Richie James (87) carries the ball against the UTSA Roadrunners during the second half at Alamodome. The Blue Raiders won 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Richie James, Middle Tennessee State

The Middle Tennessee State Freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill had quite an inaugural season for the Blue Raiders in 2015. Stockstill had 327 completed passes for 4,005 total yards, 30 touchdowns, and only 9 interceptions. That’s an incredible year for a freshman quarterback and Stockstill could very well be a top 10 QB fantasy QB this year. Well, Brent had to throw all of those completions to someone, and the vast majority went to Richie James, also only a sophomore in 2016.

In James’ Freshman year, he had 108 receptions, tied for 2nd among all wide receivers in college football across the nation. That’s an amazing way to start your college football career! James ended the 2015 season with 1,346 receiving yards, 10th in college football, and 8 touchdowns. The second leading receiver for the Red Raiders in 2015 was Ed’Marques Batties, who had 82 receptions with 1,043 yards and 13 touchdowns. Richie, now the primary target for Stockstill on almost every snap, could inherit some of those stats. It’s hard to believe James will exceed 108 receptions yet again this season, but it’s certainly feasible. But it’s quite reasonable to believe Richie will increase his receiving yards and touchdowns, and is definitely a top 5 CFB WR candidate for 2016. The only thing holding James back from a top 4 spot, James is smaller and usually target for screens and quick throws. Richie does have a burst of speed to break open the field and drive up his total yardage, but he’ll also have some minor games at times too, and that’ll reduce his average yards per catch, and total yardage.

Next: CFB Fantasy WR No. 3

Dec 5, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver Taywan Taylor (2) catches a pass over Southern Miss Golden Eagles defensive back Kalan Reed (11) during the first half of the Conference USA football championship game at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky

With Keyarris Garrett now in the Carolina Panthers camp and Roger Lewis with the New York Giants, Taywan Taylor is the leading wide receiver returning from the 2015 season for total receiving yardage. Taylor had 86 total receptions for 1,467 yards and 17 touchdowns, 2nd only to Corey Coleman, also now in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and likely immediately the Browns top receiver.

So why isn’t Taylor the number one fantasy college football receiver? The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Quarterback. Taylor had Brandon Doughty throwing to him last year. Doughty lead all quarterbacks in total passing yardage in 2015 with 5,055 yards. Brandon is now with the Miami Dolphins. It’s not yet clear who the starter will be in 2016. Nelson Fishback, a redshirt senior from California performed admirably during garbage time last season. Barring any roster changes, Nelson seemed like the obvious next step at QB for the Hilltoppers. But Western Kentucky has new additions to the position, including South Florida transfer Mike White, a Redshirt Junior. While there’s little evidence, yet, to support this, we’d have to assume White has a very solid chance taking over the starting spot, given he transferred from the Bulls, who were in the AAC, and Mike has more eligibility left, giving Western Kentucky more stability at the position if he starts. In 2014, Mike White was the starting USF quarterback, totaling 1,639 yards, but with a completion percentage of only 50.4%, 8 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Not excited stats, so there’s obvious risk. However, Brandon Doughty was an unexciting three-star recruit before Jeff Brohm positioned Brandon into a gun-slinging offense, allow Doughty to become an attractive QB option for he Miami Dolphins. The Hilltoppers will find a way to get the right arm throwing to Taylor.

Next: CFB Fantasy WR No. 2

Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) runs for yards after a catch against Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) during the 2nd half of a game at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Unlike Taywan Taylor and Western Kentucky, the Broncos of Western Michigan have a more stable situation at QB. Zach Terrell is back for his red shirt senior season. Terrell had a great 2015 season, after an almost equally great 2014 season. Last year, Zach had 3,522 yards, a 67% completion rate, 29 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Terrell had two great receivers he was gunner for from the pocket, Daniel Braverman and Corey Davis. Braverman had 108 receptions, tied with Richie James for 2nd among all wide receivers in 2015. Daniel also had 1,367 receiving yards, 8th in CFB, and 20 touchdowns. However, Braverman was drafted in the 7th round by the Chicago Bears.

Corey Davis had only 90 receptions, 12th among all receivers, 1,436 yards (5th among all receivers), and 12 touchdowns. Davis had less touchdowns than Braverman but more yards. So, there’s tremendous upside with Davis in your lineup at wide receiver. If Davis were to get half, or even a quarter, of Braverman’s stats in 2016, he would likely lead every category. You have to assume Davis, who was a top 5 receiver last year, will likely only get better this year and is competing for the top position in college football for 2016

Next: CFB Fantasy WR No. 1

Sep 19, 2015; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver Gabe Marks (9) gets by Wyoming Cowboys linebacker D.J. May (7) during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 31-14. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 Gabe Marks, Washington State

Like Corey Davis, Gabe Marks split great receiving stats with a now NFL wide receiver. Dom Williams, now in the San Diego Chargers training camp, had 75 receptions, 1,040 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Solid statistics. But Gabe Marks was the Washington State Cougars leading wide receiver in 2015. Marks had 104 receptions (4th in CFB) with 1,192 yards and 15 touchdowns.

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