We’re ranking the best ACC players at each position according to their fantasy football value.
On Tuesday, we rolled out our ranking of ACC quarterbacks, and on Wednesday, we released our list of running backs.
The next position up is wide receiver. I used standard fantasy scoring while making these rankings. That is:
- 10 receiving yards=1 point
- 1 receiving touchdown=6 points
- 10 rushing yards=1 point
- 1 rushing touchdown=6 points
- 1 return touchdown=6 points
Alongside each name, you’ll notice the abbreviation FPPG. That stands for Fantasy Points Per Game, and it was calculated using their season stats divided by the number of appearances for each player. Obviously, this isn’t fair to players who were backups last season, but that number is far from the be-all, end-all of this ranking.
The rankings were made considering a) The amount of fantasy points that player scored last season, b) The offense that player is in, c) The room for improvement for that player, and d) My gut.
If you’re looking for an ACC fantasy league, I suggest you check out these online leagues.
1. Jamison Crowder, Duke
FPPG: 14.43
Spin: The same Jamison Crowder is back, once again looking to turn his connection with quarterback Anthony Boone into gold. Crowder leads the conference in fantasy points per game among returning receivers, and there’s nothing to suggest he won’t post similar numbers this season. His ability to find the end zone on special teams lifts him above all other receivers.
2. Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh
FPPG: 13.33
Spin: Boyd reached the end zone nine times in 2013 during his explosive freshman season. He should only get better this year, and he’ll likely get more targets with Devin Street no longer on the other side of the field.
3. Rashad Greene, Florida State
FPPG: 11.86
Spin: Greene has been consistently outstanding throughout his Florida State career, and by all accounts he should eclipse 1,000 yards again. He’s a big-play threat capable of tallying 20-plus fantasy points any given week. Without Kelvin Benjamin getting all of the red zone looks, he could crack double-digit touchdowns this year, too.
4. DeVante Parker, Louisville
FPPG: 13.33
Spin: Parker has established himself as an elite receiver and a premier red zone target. He’s second among all returners in fantasy points per game. His numbers could drop a little while he adjusts to new quarterback Will Gardner, but he’s as safe of a pick as you can make at this position.
5. Quinshad Davis, North Carolina
FPPG: 10.23
Spin: The good news for those drafting Davis is that he should get more targets now that Eric Ebron isn’t around, and therefore he should eclipse the 730-yard mark that he reached last year. The bad news is that it will be difficult for him to haul in 10 touchdown catches again. Regardless, he’s a top-tier fantasy receiver in the conference.
6. Stacy Coley, Miami
FPPG: 9.92
Spin: Coley is everybody’s sleeper All-ACC pick, and for good reason. He had 591 receiving yards last season and reached the end zone 10 times in total. Miami’s uncertainty at quarterback diminishes his value some, but he’s a good bet to finish the season in the top 10 in both receiving yards and touchdowns.
7. Charone Peake, Clemson
FPPG: 7.0
Spin: Peake hasn’t had the opportunity to break out yet due to his injury early last season. But playing in the Tigers’ offense, where he’ll be the clear No. 1 target, gives him a high ceiling for fantasy. It’s impossible to compare him to Sammy Watkins, but Martavis Bryant averaged 9.54 fantasy points per game as Clemson’s second target last year.
8. Bryan Underwood, NC State
FPPG: 6.29
Spin: Underwood had a down year in 2013, but so did the entire NC State offense. If you go back to 2012, when Underwood caught 10 touchdown passes, he averaged 9.38 fantasy points per game and would’ve been a must-start in all leagues. With Jacoby Brissett throwing passes now, Underwood should return to his sophomore year form.
9. Demitri Knowles, Virginia Tech
FPPG: 6.31
Spin: Three Virginia Tech receivers (Knowles, Willie Byrn and Joshua Stanford) are all solid No. 2 receivers in fantasy formats. But with all three of them splitting targets, none is a fantasy star. Knowles is No. 10 among returning receivers in fantasy points per game, and he should be able to score more than three touchdowns this season.
10. Ryan Switzer, North Carolina
FPPG: 6.31
Spin: Switzer is a boom-or-bust fantasy option, since 36.6 percent of his fantasy points last season came by way of punt returns. Still, it’s tough to overlook his eight total touchdowns, and he should have a much larger role within the Tar Heels’ offense this season. Players who get touches in a variety of ways carry high fantasy value, and that’s exactly what Switzer does.
11. Adam Humphries, Clemson
FPPG: 4.62
Spin: Few third options post stat lines of 483 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but that’s what Humphries did in 2013. Now Humphries steps into a more prominent role in the Clemson offense, which always churns out fantasy studs. He and teammate Charone Peake should both take a few steps forward this season.
12. Bo Hines, NC State
FPPG: N/A
Spin: Hines would have gone undrafted if it wasn’t for his standout performance in the NC State spring game. He tallied 132 yards on 10 catches, proving that he’ll be a favorite target of Brissett. Hines was recently awarded a starting spot, so he’ll see plenty of snaps during his true freshman year.
Best Available On The Waiver Wire: Willie Byrn (Virginia Tech), Kai De La Cruz (Louisville), Christian Green (Florida State), Eli Rogers (Louisville), Phillip Dorsett (Miami), Bobby Swigert (Boston College), Manasseh Garner (Pittsburgh), Jarrod West (Syracuse), Chris Brown (Notre Dame), DeAndre Smelter (Georgia Tech), Darius Jennings (Virginia), Max McCaffrey (Duke), Ashton Broyld (Syracuse), Travis Rudolph (Florida State), Ermon Lane (Florida State), Demarre Kitt (Clemson)