This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
SEC Preview: Guice As Nice
For each conference preview, we will have first-,second-, and third-team All-Fantasy teams as well as sleeper and bust selections. To the right of each player's name will be their overall positional ranking.
All-SEC Fantasy Team
First Team
QB: Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State (4)
RB: Derrius Guice, Louisiana State (1)
RB: Nick Chubb, Georgia (24)
WR: Calvin Ridley, Alabama (17)
WR: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M (20)
TE: Hayden Hurst, South Carolina (3)
Second Team
QB: Jalen Hurts, Alabama (13)
RB: Devwah Whaley, Arkansas (9)
RB: Damarea Crockett, Missouri (20)
WR: J'Mon Moore, Missouri (18)
WR: Donald Gray, Mississippi State (36)
TE: Isaac Nauta, Georgia (11)
Third Team
QB: Shea Patterson, Mississippi (9)
RB: Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M (36)
RB: Kamryn Pettway, Auburn (37)
WR: Deebo Samuel, South Carolina (41)
WR: Jauan Jennings, Tennessee (58)
TE: C.J. O'Grady, Arkansas (13)
Sleepers
Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
Perhaps no player enters the SEC with more intrigue this season than Stidham. The Baylor transfer had a terrific stretch during his freshman campaign in 2015 before breaking his ankle. Stidham will be asked to run much more at Auburn, though he is fully healthy and was the No. 1 rated dual-threat prospect at quarterback coming out of high school. Expectations are high for Stidham, though he should shine in the run-pass option offense, as he has the wheels as well as the arm to make all the necessary plays.
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Last season was supposed to be Scarbrough's coming out party, but it took him a while to get going. He lost his starting job to Damien Harris, only to have a superb run down the stretch to help Alabama get to the National Championship game. Scarbrough rushed for 364 yards and six touchdowns in the final three games of the season (SEC Championship, CFP Semifinal and National Championship, respectively). Both Harris and Scarbrough return, but Scarbrough remains the more tantalizing option. With more reps under his belt, he could end up looking more like Alabama's Heisman running backs of recent memory.
Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida
Will Malik Zaire line up for the Gators under center? Regardless of who takes the snaps, Florida will once again lean heavily on its running game. Scarlett scored in six-straight games at the beginning of the season, but tailed off towards the end of the 2016 campaign. Still, he averaged five yards per carry and crossed the 100-yard mark three times in conference play, including at LSU. The Gators also return most of their offensive line, which should only serve to aid Scarlett as well.
A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi
Big things are expected from sophomore quarterback Shea Patterson. With Quincy Adeboyejo and Damore'ea Stringfellow gone, Patterson will be forced to rely on a youthful crop of targets. Brown was more of a big-play receiver than teammate Van Jefferson last season, though both wideouts figure to be heavily involved this season. Still, Brown averaged 14.2 yards per catch as a freshman and is a great bet to become the go-to receiver in this offense due to his ability to stretch the field and use his athleticism.
Austin Cantrell, TE, Arkansas
The Razorbacks lost six of their top seven pass catchers from a season ago. Though much is expected from fellow tight end C.J. O'Grady, Cantrell is actually the second-leading returning receiver for the Hogs behind Jared Cornelius. Cantrell had 13 catches and two touchdowns a season ago. Arkansas has a rich recent tradition of promising tight ends, including Hunter Henry and Jeremy Sprinkle. Cantrell may not be quite in the same mold as those two beasts, but the sophomore should see plenty of looks due the bevy of departures.
Busts
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Lock threw for nearly 3,400 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore, should have a capable running back this season in Damarea Crockett, as well as a bona fide No. 1 receiver in J'Mon Moore. So why no love? Lock completed less than 55% of his passes last season; that placed him 12th of the 15 qualified starters in the SEC last season. He also tied for the third-most interceptions among qualified quarterbacks. Add in that he does not have the wheels of a Nick Fitzgerald or Jalen Hurts to make up for his suspect accuracy, and Lock could be in for a disappointing junior campaign.
Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt
Webb has been continuously overlooked throughout his time at Vanderbilt, largely due to the Commodores' poor record during his tenure. Unfortunately, his statistics have also been on the downturn since his freshman campaign. He failed to rush for 1,000 yards as a junior, and rushed for a career-low four touchdowns on the ground. Converted linebacker Khari Blasingame is a redshirt junior and could take reps away from Webb, who will be playing his last season for Vandy. Expect Blasingame to get his fair share of touches, which could negatively impact Webb's numbers.
Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina
Dowdle eventually became the bell cow for the Gamecocks in 2016, but he may have some competition in 2017. North Carolina Ty'Son Williams is an even bigger back and drew rave reviews in practice. Meanwhile, A.J. Turner should also be in the mix as a kind of change-of-pace back. Dowdle also struggled against stiffer opponents last season, so it remains to be seen how he will respond to in conference play. A combination of inconsistency and too many mouths to feed may end up hurting Dowdle.
D.J. Chark, WR, Louisiana State
Chark is the de facto No. 1 receiver for the Tigers, but that may not end up being a positive development. With both Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre gone, that means he'll draw coverage from the top corner on the opposing defense every game. Not only that, but the Tigers will remain a running squad behind Heisman-hopeful Derrius Guice. Add in that quarterback Danny Etling has been satisfactory at best during his time under center, and it may be difficult for Chark to get loose even despite his athleticism and big-play ability.
Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida
If we're ranking players on sheer talent, Callaway might be tops at his position in the entire conference. Callaway can impact the game as a receiver, running back and returner. Unfortunately, Callaway has battled both nagging injuries as well as off-field issues during his brief time at Florida. It remains to be seen whether he'll be suspended for the season opener against Michigan due to a May 13th citation for possession of marijuana. Callaway will also have to deal with yet another quarterback under center for the Gators. Callaway is a huge boom-or-bust candidate, but with his previous issues and suspect quarterback play to deal with, banking on a 1,000-yard season from the junior could be a mistake.
