By MV November 17th 2015
The Julian Edelman injury was painful for the New England Patriots and for fantasy owners, but it presents a great opportunity for all of the other owners. This means that there are a lot of targets that need to go around.
As we get closer to the playoffs it is time to review the rules of your leagues. Many leagues do not allow pick-ups during the playoffs. Over the next few weeks we will look at some speculative adds for the playoffs. Starting next week we will talk about some kicker/defense combinations that can be added for streaming week 14-16.
The basic rule of thumb is to keep the cost of your pick-up beneath 20% of your total FAAB for any one player. There are always exceptions to this rule and it is contingent upon a ton of variables; what week we’re in, situation, opportunity, etc.
Quarterbacks
Matt Hasselbeck IND – He plays the Falcons in week 11. Here is to taking a shot on the 40 year old living out his glory years and recapturing excellence in an ugly divisional race. The Colts are very much still alive and Matt has a chance to succeed for the first time since his pre-12th man Seahawks days.
Brock Osweiler DEN – This is another decent QB stream option for week 11 against the Bears as Peyton has been ruled out. Brock has a chance to audition for the job for future years and has an awesome opportunity to start by lighting up the Bears.
Mark Sanchez PHI – Mark has clearly been the favorite to take the job in terms of fantasy. He makes a lot of mistakes, but he is fearless and will make a lot of plays. I like his chances to keep the job for the resto of the year.
Kirk Cousins WAS – Kirk is beginning to make a case to remain a starter in the NFL. Relax though it was the New Orleans defense last week. Kirk has a decent schedule from a fantasy perspective down the stretch (CAR, NYG, DAL, CHI, BUF and PHI) and can be teamed up with another stream option for this week against Carolina.
Running Backs
Denard Robinson JAX – If TJ Yeldon cannot play (in a walking boot Monday) then Denard will get the start for Thursday Night Football. This would be a decent start if Yeldon was ruled out.
James White NE – James looks to be the clear-cut 3rd down back in New England which carries a ton of value in PPR formats. While he did not have a big statistical outing this Sunday he played on 38 snaps. With Edelman out James will see more volume in this high-powered passing attack.
Shaun Draughn SF – Shaun looks to be the lead back in San Francisco if Carlos Hyde does not return. Exciting right? But really, he had 16 carries for 58 and caught 4 of 5 targets for 38 yards.
Rod Smith DAL – Rod Smith is a big back (6’3 226) from The Ohio State University. After today’s release of Christine Michael Rod steps in as the #2 back in an offense that has the best offensive line and Darren McFadden in front of him. That is enough for me to add him everywhere I possibly can.
Jay Ajayi MIA – This one is tough because he has Lamar Miller in front of him, but he is a must add in keeper leagues. Jay runs with a ferociousness and quick burst through the line to the second level. The Dolphins may want to see what kind of workload he can carry if and when the Dolphins are eliminated from contention. He could be a decent stash in redraft leagues just for that chance during the fantasy playoffs.
Jordan Todman PIT – I will give you two words to believe in handcuffs in Pittsburgh: DeAngelo Williams.
Wide Receiver
Danny Amendola NE – With Julian Edelman out through at least the fantasy playoff season someone has to pick up the volume. Look for Amendola to fill the shoes the rest of the way.
Kamar Aiken BAL – Kamar has carved out a #1 WR role in this offense. He had 14 targets and will continue to get plenty of looks.
Dwayne Harris NYG – It really looks like Dwayne is taking over as the #2 WR in this offense. Reuben Randle has been relatively ineffective this season and Harris could see an increase in targets down the stretch. Don’t read too much into the Hakeem Nicks signing this week.
Roddy White ATL – Roddy complained about not getting enough looks before the bye week. With Leonard Hankerson’s cement hands Roddy would be a guy that we look at to get some targets and will have decent PPR value from here on out.
Harry Douglas/Dorial Green-Beckham TEN – Neither WR has impressed in their Titans debuts, but with Kendall Wright still ailing from a sprained MCL (questionable for TNF) and Justin Hunter sent to the IR for the rest of the year these are the #1 and #2 wide outs for Tennessee. Both are available in most leagues and can be used as PPR spot starts this week.
Dontrelle Inman SD – With Malcolm Floyd leaving MNF with a shoulder injury Dontrelle steps in as the #2 WR in San Diego. Not a bad place to be a wide receiver.
Tight End
Zach Miller CHI – The Zach Miller resurgence has been great. He is 10 for 165 and 3 TD’s over his last 2 games. He probably won’t be busting long ones every week, but he has built the confidence of this team and the Bears have a legitimate target along with Jeffery and Martellus Bennett. Zach was a promising star in the NFL but his injuries have held him back the last 3-4 seasons. He looks healthy to us.
Coby Fleener IND – Matt Hasselbeck heavily relied on Fleener as a check down option when Luck was out earlier in the season. I am positive that trend will continue the next few weeks.
Scott Chandler NE – Look for the Patriots to run more double tight end sets now with Julian Edelman sidelined. Chandler has the goods to be a decent start in TD heavy leagues or championship formats (1.5 PPR for TE).
Garrett Celek SF – 2 catches for 12 yards, but with 2 big TD’s. Not terribly excited about this one, but in championship formats (1.5 ppr for TE’s) he could be a decent spot start as a flex.