Man, this NFL season. If you have managed to go undefeated in your league to this point, props to you. Luck is certainly on your side. Not Andrew Luck, of course, but real luck. The luck that is nice to have. The kind that benefits you and doesn’t let you down. I mean, if luck let you down, that would be bad luck. Andrew Luck, if you will. Did I draft Andrew Luck thinking he’d miss only a couple weeks? Strange you ask, but maybe…I’m not bitter.
I’m actually not too terribly bitter since I grabbed Deshaun Watson. He has been one of the best pickups of the fantasy season so far, but never know, there could be one this week that tops it. With all of these injuries, we certainly need to find some value on waivers. We also need to account for the Bills, Bengals, Seahawks, and Cowboys players on bye this week.
Let’s jump right into it and see if we can find some gems to win you the championship! I will be giving you some suggestions of players you should add or drop, with each player’s ownership in ESPN leagues.
Quarterback Adds
Well, you definitely can’t feel good about about playing Sam Bradford against the Packers this week. Even if he’s ruled active, he needs to prove to us that he can walk without a limp first. We may get Derek Carr back early, but I’d be lying if I said I had any confidence in him playing and being good this week. On top of injuries, we will also lose Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Tyrod Taylor, and Andy Dalton to a bye week. Let’s take a look at who might be available to fill in.
QB Case Keenum, MIN (1.4%)
I don’t expect the Vikings to play Bradford this week, so Keenum will get the start at home against the Packers. He’ll have to pass a lot in this one, which makes him extremely valuable as a bye week fill-in.
QB Jacoby Brissett, IND (15.9%)
After passing for 314 yards last week, the dual-threat gets to play the Titans this week.
QB Kevin Hogan, CLE (0.1%)
This is a desperation play in a deep league. After replacing Kizer in week five, he looked pretty good. The Browns play a Texans team who is now without Watt and Mercilus rushing the passer. We do not know who will be under center to start this game quite yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they make this switch to see what he can do for a full game.
Running Back Adds
At this point in the season, having two good, healthy running backs is a luxury. It seems like we lose a couple each week, but there are some interesting names out there on waivers this week. Also, the move of Adrian Peterson to Arizona, at the time of writing this, is interesting. I wouldn’t invest too much into him, but give me all the Alvin Kamara in New Orleans! We also have a couple elite backs on bye this week, so let’s take a look at these “adds.”
RB Jerick McKinnon, MIN (29.3%)
Did you listen to me last week, or did you decide to listen to the “experts” talk up Murray? The Vikings will need to pass in this matchup against Green Bay, so expect McKinnon to see plenty of work.
RB Aaron Jones, GB (65.6%)
Showtyme lived up to his nickname in Dallas! Again, I hope you listened to me last week. I received plenty of criticism for talking up Jones instead of Williams, and surprisingly, I couldn’t seem to find those critics after he ran for 125 yards. Strange. I have a feeling Montgomery plays this week, but Jones is clearly a must-own for Montgomery owners, and his performance should ensure he has a role going forward.
RB Alex Collins, BAL (33.3%)
I’m a big fan of Collins, and his workload should continue to increase, as long as he protects the football. The only spark this offense has right now is Mike Wallace, and it’s an inconsistent one. Collins is one of those players who can just make a play, despite what the rest of his team does. The Ravens are basically forced to give him the ball to remain relevant, offensively.
RB Andre Ellington, ARI (50.2%)
Like I said last week, Ellington kept up his pace in the receiving game. The Cardinals made a trade to bring in Adrian Peterson, but don’t panic, I don’t expect much of an impact to Ellington’s value. Peterson obviously won’t be in there for passing downs, and I don’t really think he’ll be that effective behind this line anyways.
RB Marlon Mack, IND (3.4%)
Mack earned more touches after running for 91 yards Sunday.
RB Shane Vereen, NYG (20.3%)
The Giants lost three wide receivers for the year, and likely one more for this week. While it is a tough matchup with Denver, the Giants need to give the ball to somebody. Eli will certainly struggle to throw it to the receivers covered by Harris and Talib, so the Giants may be forced to use a heavy dose of Vereen.
RB Elijah McGuire, NYJ (14.6%)
The Jets could be without both Powell and Forte, which would force the rookie into the lead role against the Patriots.
RB Wayne Gallman, NYG (26.9%)
The Giants may be without both Perkins and Darkwa, so much like Vereen, someone has to touch the football.
RB Adrian Peterson, ARI (47.5%)
I just said that I don’t think Peterson will be that effective, but you never know. If you have the roster space, it may be worth stashing him to see if he can somewhat return to form.
RB Matt Breida, SF (7.1%)
Breida out-snapped Hyde in week five, and the coaches said it had nothing to do with Hyde’s health. Basically they’re going to feed the hot guy.
RB Chris Ivory, JAC (4.6%)
Ivory is a must-own for Fournette owners. With the workload Fournette is getting, it would not be a surprise if he gets banged up. Think ahead with this move.
Pass Catcher Adds
Holy crap, the Giants should think about investing in a foot and ankle specialist. They lose three receivers for the season, in the SAME GAME to these injuries, and Sterling Shepard’s status is up in the air. Have fun in Denver, Eli Manning. Here’s my list of wide receivers and tight ends you should take a look at.
WR Devin Funchess, CAR (55.7%)
Funchess is available in half of leagues because of his name. He is currently WR14, and the best receiving option on the Panthers.
WR Marvin Jones Jr., DET (60.6%)
Expect Jones to be involved against the Saints this week, especially if Golladay misses again.
WR Mike Wallace, BAL (55.8%)
Mike Wallace has finally woke up, after posting double-digit fantasy points in the past two games. “Elite” Joe Flacco will continue to target Wallace when nothing else seems to work.
WR Will Fuller V, HOU (56.1%)
After a guy catches two touchdowns in back-to-back games, you can’t ignore them. Obviously the pace is unsustainable, but it shows that Watson trusts him to score.
WR Nelson Agholor, PHI (19.6%)
Mentioning Agholor makes me nervous, but scoring in 3-of-5 games needs to be mentioned. As long as Alshon Jeffery stays on the field, Agholor will never be the defense’s focus.
WR Roger Lewis, NYG (0.2%)
I am definitely not playing him this week against Denver, and the week after against Seattle is iffy. If you don’t get him, just wait, because the owner may drop him after two tough matchups and a bye week. He’s the top receiver on the depth chart now, so he has value.
WR Jermaine Kearse, NYJ (40.6%)
Speaking of being the top receiver on the depth chart, I cannot count the amount of times I’ve recommended picking up Kearse. He currently is WR22, out of the players still active.
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, NYJ (36.1%)
ASJ is the first Jets tight end to score a touchdown since Kellen Davis in 2015. On a per game basis, he is ranked as TE7, which is above which is above players like Walker, Graham and Rudolph.
TE Ed Dickson, CAR (8.9%)
Dickson shocked us with a 62-yard performance in week four, then blew us away with 175 yards last week. He has the opportunity for another good day in week six, since he plays the Eagles.
Drops
QB Eli Manning, NYG (64.5%)
He has basically nobody to throw to and travels to Denver this week.
QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (84.3%)
Big Ben is certainly not a must-drop, but I’m not playing him. He seems to have checked out. Keep Roethlisberger on your bench until he does well. If you do not have the space, feel free to dump him.
RB Chris Johnson, ARI (36.6%)
The Cardinals have released Johnson after trading for Adrian Peterson.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, TB (56.7%)
Doug Martin returned with a spark, so feel free to drop Rodgers.
RB Terrance West, BAL (52.5%)
West barely has positive fantasy points over the past three weeks combined. He has been phased out, as they incorporate Collins more and more.
RB Jamaal Williams, GB (23.9%)
Clearly the running backs to own in Green Bay are Montgomery and Jones.
WR Odell Beckham Jr., NYG (100%)
Out for season.
WR Brandon Marshall., NYG (72%)
Out for season.
TE Dwayne Allen, NE (12.6%)
Some picked up Allen last week after the news of an inactive Gronk broke. Allen unfortunately did not catch a pass. In fact, he hasn’t caught one all season.
