This article is part of our DraftKings College Football series.
This slate features the New Year's Six, plus the Citrus and Outback Bowls.
QUARTERBACK
Deshaun Watson, Clemson (vs. Oklahoma) - $8,600
Watson checks in as the most expensive quarterback in the slate, but I see little reason to fade him. He averaged a whopping 42.98 fantasy points over his last six games, largely due to his increased rushing. He topped 100 yards rushing in four of his last six outings while throwing for at least 279 yards in each contest. It goes without saying that the quarterback has the ball in his hands all night, but Watson takes that to an extreme.
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss (vs. Oklahoma State) - $7,000
Kelly has been a bit erratic throughout the course of the season, but over the last three games, we've seen the good Kelly. He rushed for six touchdowns in his last three games, adding seven touchdown passes. Vegas thinks the Rebels will score about 37 points, which should give Kelly every opportunity to provide his owners with four touchdowns. It's a relatively weak quarterback group due to some likely lower scoring matchups, leaving Kelly looking like a bargain.
Others to consider:Kevin Hogan, Stanford (vs. Iowa) - $6,100; DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame (vs. Ohio State) - $7,300
RUNNING BACK
Jalen Hurd, Tennessee (vs. Northwestern) - $6,000
Let's get the ugly part out of the way first. The Wildcats rank 13th nationally against the run, seven times holding opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, including an astonishing minus-26 yards allowed against Wisconsin. The matchup, and Hurd's skillset keep his upside largely in check, as Hurd has topped 120 yards just twice while also having multiple touchdowns in only two games. But there's something to be said for a workhorse, and that's what Hurd is. He averages 21.1 carries and in a game that seems like it will be a grind, Hurd has a chance to eclipse that average.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson (vs. Oklahoma) - $5,600
Likely due to quarterback DeShaun Watson's huge stat lines, the casual fan probably believes the Tigers' offense is a wide open, pitch it around the yard attack. That couldn't be further from the truth, however, as the Tigers average 45 rushing attempts each time out compared to 35 passes. Yes, Watson gets his share of carries, but Gallman is another workhorse who seems somewhat underpriced. Gallman topped 100 yards in five of his last six outings, scoring at least once in five as well. Gallman and Hurd make fo nice safe plays in both cash and tournament settings.
Joe Mixon, Oklahoma (vs. Clemson) - $5,200
Mixon is likely the ultimate tournament play. He's seen 10 or more carries only five times, but thanks to 25 catches in addition to his rushes, he's put up 1,094 total yards and 11 touchdowns. His price is a little high for a player who could really hurt your roster. But a few big plays could lead to serious rewards for Mixon owners.
Jaylen Walton, Ole Miss (vs. Oklahoma State) - $4,400
Walton was somewhat surprisingly useful the last five weeks of the season, topping 70 yards four times. He also saw increased use in the passing game, as 13 of his 22 catches have come during this span. He has little competition for carries and with the Rebels spreading the ball around in their passing attack, Walton's volume offers a cheaper way to get in on a likely high scoring affair.
Others to consider:Dalvin Cook, Florida State (vs. Houston) - $8,800; C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame (vs. Ohio State) - $6,800; Gerald Holmes, Michigan State (vs. Alabama) - $3,900; L.J. Scott, Michigan State (vs. Alabama) - $4,200
WIDE RECEIVER
Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma (vs. Clemson) - $6,800
Shepard is the most expensive receiver available, and it's quite possible he's often matched up with Clemson's shutdown corner, Mackenzie Alexander, in the Orange Bowl. But Shepard has 47 catches in his last five games and seemingly offers the best mix of low floor and high ceiling among the top receiving options. Although Clemson ranks fifth nationally against the pass, it allowed three touchdown passes in each of its last two games.
Kermit Whitfield, Florida State (vs. Houston) - $4,200
The Noles' passing game didn't exactly hum since Sean Maguire took over under center, but he'll have an opportunity to change that against a Houston defense that ranks 111th nationally against the pass. It's been so bad at times for the Cougars that Navy's triple-option offense threw for 312 yards against them. Whitfield was shut down in his last outing against Florida, but against lesser defenses in Chattanooga and North Carolina State, Whitfield accounted for 208 of Maguire's 383 passing yards and all four touchdowns.
Jake Butt, Michigan (vs. Florida) - $3,700
Generally speaking, I'm avoiding the Florida-Michigan game at all costs. But Butt offers some consistency for your roster at a cheap price. Butt has at least four catches in every game since Week 9, failing to top 10 fantasy points just once. While this game figures to be incredibly low scoring, it feels like the type of contest where Butt can make five to seven catches on third downs and red-zone opportunities.
Others to consider:Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State (vs. Ole Miss) - $3,900; Travis Rudolph, Florida State (vs. Houston) - $3,900; Antonio Callaway, Florida (vs. Michigan) - $3,500; Michael Thomas, Ohio State (vs. Notre Dame) - $5,100; Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss (vs. Oklahoma State) - $6,600
