Week six was certainly an entertaining one and saw some interesting storylines as far as waiver wire targets are concerned. In our week seven edition of hot pickups for the 2018 fantasy football season we take a look at some emerging backfield options as well as a few receivers who have ascended up the depth chart. We also see a preseason WR2 who fell from grace return to fantasy relevance.
Taylor Gabriel is still available in 78 percent of yahoo leagues. Now while I know the Bears are coming off of a bye week the low ownership number is still inexcusable. Gabriel is worthy of a significant portion of your FAAB budget as he is trending toward WR3 value and is already a solid flex play. His value only increases during the byes so owners who find themselves in a league where Gabriel is still available should look to make the add. A potential championship lottery ticket, add Gabriel where available.
Marquise Goodwin has found himself dropped in 59 percent of yahoo leagues. While this is perfectly understandable given hs struggles with CJ Beathard at quarterback, if Monday night was any indication, their connection is indeed growing and Beathard does indeed have the arm to hit him deep. Goodwin finished MNF with a monster 4-126-2 line and forced his way back to fantasy relevance especially with a heavy bye week on tap for week seven. Goodwin cost a pretty penny on draft day and now can be stashed as a free agent pickup, add Goodwin where available
Chris Godwin has somehow fell to 56 percent ownership and needs to be added where available. Godwin is a strong bye week filler who is a standalone flex2 matchup play for the Buccaneers high powered offense. Godwin hauled in six of his nine targets for 56 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons and continues to impress with his 0.65 fantasy points per route, good for seventh among receivers. Add Godwin where possible.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling has at the very least earned regular snaps in the slot going forward. With Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison out yet again this past Monday MVS stepped up to the tune of three receptions off of six targets for 103 yards. With the sparkling total this week MVS has now averaged five receptions and 86.5 yards per game in his two starts, a yardage total that would place him top fifteen in the NFL. Still available in 89 percent of yahoo leagues MVS could come at a discount heading into a bye. MVS will still make his rookie mistakes as evidenced on MNF but should be owned in all competitive leagues as he could be a potential championship lottery ticket if he has indeed passed Randall Cobb on the depth chart with his strong showing the past two weeks.
Jermaine Kearse has come on strong lately in the targets department and should continue to have a steady role in this offense with Quincy Enunwa sidelined for 3-4 weeks and generally struggling being the focus of opposing defenses. Currently available in 99 percent of yahoo leagues Kearse exploded for 94 yards off of nine receptions in week six and could be in line for another big game against the Vikings. Kearse will assume the top target possession receiver role while Enunwa is sidelined and could see more targets in weeks where Enunwa has tough covers. Add Kearse where available as a bye week filler who has a chance to garner standalone value by the end of the byes.
DJ Moore continues to see his role increase for the Carolina Panthers and is a strong ‘stash and laugh’ candidate. Moore is still another step away from fantasy relevance but has monster potential playing with a cannon armed quarterback like Cam Newton. Available in 83 percent of Yahoo leagues Moore should be stashed where possible as a possible lottery ticket. Moore possesses WR3 upside this season but has a waiver wire floor weekly, making him a truly volatile play, especially with Cam Newton as his QB. Stash Moore where possible.
Available in 84 percent of yahoo leagues Chester Rogers looks to have taken over as the number one receiver in the absence of TY Hilton. With TY Hilton on the shelf Rogers has stepped up and is second on the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards and air yards, and first among receivers. Rogers is shaping up as a solid bye week filler and should be added where needed. As of today it is Carlos Rogers and not Ryan Grant who fantasy owners will want on their rosters going forward.
While Willie Snead is actually one of our deep league specials, the fact that his ownership numbers are still not higher heading into a heavy bye is concerning. Available in 91 percent of yahoo leagues Snead continues to see a fantasy relevant amount of targets. Snead capably parlayed his ten targets in week six to seven receptions for 90 yards. Snead’s six targets per game are probably more than some of what many of the players we have on the ends of our benches are seeing and thus it is time to make the add in competitive leagues.
The Arizona Cardinals’ Christian Kirk who is available 86 percent of yahoo leagues, led the team with seven receptions and and 66 receiving yards in week six. Over the past four weeks Christian Kirk is second on the team in the air yards, first in receiving yards, first in receptions and first in targets, seemingly taking over as Josh Rosen’s top option in the passing game. Kirk will remain inconsistent in his rookie season but has shaped up as a solid flex2 bye week option with WR3 upside. Make the add where needed.
Courtland Sutton remains an intriguing ‘stash and laugh’ option as he continues to see end zone looks from Case Keenum (13th among wideouts with four). Keenum continues to struggle for the Broncos but Sutton has continued to be utilized in high leverage fantasy scenarios. The 95 percent available Sutton is a mere bench stash at this point but is worth rostering in the event that Case Keenum turns it around or the Broncos finally decide to turn to Chip Kelly. Furthermore Sutton would become an immediate must own if an injury were to befall Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders. Stash Sutton where at all possible.
Left for dead in 68 percent of yahoo leagues Peyton Barber finally had a strong game for the Buccaneers offense tallying 106 yards and a touchdown off of 17 touches in week six. While the 31 percent owned Ronald Jones is our preferred backfield target in Tampa, as long as Barber is still the starter he belongs on rosters; even if it is just as deep league bye week filler. Make the add where needed.
Duke Johnson is available in 62 percent of yahoo leagues following a horrible start to the season but may be showing some signs of life with Rashard Higgins on the shelf. It has been made apparent that Duke Johnson is currently the teams third best receiver and hopefully the game plan and Baker Mayfield’s reads continue to take this into account. Duke hauled in four of his five targets for 73 yards this past Sunday against the Chargers while also adding a team high 36 yards rushing on two attempts. Duke is likely to remain wildly inconsistent with Carlos Hyde operating as a workhorse out of the backfield but it is on Hue Jackson and staff to incorporate Duke in the passing game, even when Hyde is on the field. Duke can easily be a fantasy difference maker once again and should be owned in all competitive leagues, even if it is only for bye week filler purposes for now.
Marlon Mack is and has been a legitimate NFL running back. Available in 74 percent of leagues Mack should be scooped up wherever available as the most talented runner on this roster. Mack always profiled as more of a committee back but fortune has smiled upon him as the only back to emerge during his lengthy absence was receiving specialist Nyheim Hines. Mack will be leaned upon as the featured runner going forward while also seeing some action in the pass game. Mack posted a solid 89 yards rushing on 12 attempts against the New York Jets in week six and should see steady volume week to week going forward. Add Mack where possible as a bye week RB3.
The ageless Frank Gore is currently available in 90 percent of yahoo leagues and continues to operate as the Dolphins lead option in the running game. Kenyan Drake continues to outtouch him but both make for solid bye week fillers at this point. Gore went off for 101 yards rushing off of 15 carries and added a 18 yard reception in his week six matchup against the Chicago Bears and will look to build on his momentum going forward. Coach Adam Gase has made it readily apparent that he does not view Drake as a workhorse so there should not be many concerns here about the more explosive Drake taking on a featured role. Add Gore where needed.
Deep league specials: Albert Wilson is available in 91 percent of yahoo leagues and should be a strong bye week filler for as long as Ryan Tannehill is on the shelf; available in 91 percent of yahoo leagues Cole Beasley played inspired this past Sunday, while his breakout game may be his high water mark for the season he is still a serviceable bye week filler in deeper leagues; also 91 percent available Tyrell Williams is more of a boom or bust option as a bye week filler but with a heavy bye this week he may fit your needs; at 99 percent availability Torrey Smith is a solid deep league bye week filler option; the 98 percent available David Moore found the end zone again in week six and is worth a look in ocean deep leagues; the 92 percent available Jalen Richard is a fine ppr bye week filler for those in a running back pinch; speaking of running back pinch, Ito Smith has now scored in three straight games and at 91 percent available is a solid bye week filler for as long as Devonta Freeman is sidelined; Raheem Mostert shocked the world this past Monday night and while this backfield will still be utilizing Matt Breida as their lead back most weeks Mostert looks like a solid ocean deep league add after his 87 rushing yard week six performance.
