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Fantasy football: Top 5 collegiate prospects to watch for 2018

By Jay Marsdale

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tries to escape the tackle of Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tries to escape the tackle of Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball away from Mack Wilson #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball away from Mack Wilson #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

No. 4: RB Sony Michel (Georgia)

Yet another SEC player that is set to make an immediate NFL impact is Georgia running back Sony Michel. There are quite a few SEC running backs that are talented enough to make a big impact at the next level in 2018, but Michel has the highest upside potential.

Michel is the perfect running back for today’s pass-happy NFL. He proved this season at Georgia that he is a huge threat as a receiver as well as a runner. With Georgia determined to run the ball as much as possible, Michel’s receiving talents weren’t displayed often. However, when he was given an opportunity to catch it out of the backfield, he made the most of it averaging nearly 10 yards per catch.

Michel has the ability to make even the best defenders look silly in the open field. There are few players in the country who have the elusiveness of Michel. Even while playing in a timeshare backfield at Georgia with Nick Chubb, Michel still managed over 1,300 yards this season. 

There are few running backs in college football who can say they averaged over a touchdown a game. Michel is one of those backs. Every time he touched the ball for the Bulldogs, there was a chance it was going for six points. That type of big-play ability is what us fantasy football players search for when drafting a running back.

Much like Alvin Kamara for the Saints this season, Michel has the chance to become a top fantasy running back from the start because of his undeniable talent. Teams that miss out on Saquon Barkley early in the firstvround should have no problem scooping up Michel in the early-to-mid second round and looking like geniuses later.

I believe the best spot for Michel to land would be Indianapolis. The Colts need to address their abysmal offensive line with their first pick next year. If they do that, Michel would be perfect to slide in as their future star runner behind that improved line. With Andrew Luck hopefully healthy again, Michel and receiver T.Y. Hilton should shore up the offensive side of the ball for the Colts immediately.