Hot Pickups – Week Five
Jerick Mckinnon – Mckinnon’s significant talent edge on Matt Asiata finally shone brightly this past Sunday against the Falcons albeit on the same day Matt Asiata found the end zone multiple times on way to a career day of his own. Mckinnon’s 135 yards on 18 carries was highlighted by an electric 55 yard scamper that helped us see why even Adrian Peterson was impressed by the rookie. Available in 83 percent of Yahoo! leagues Mckinnon should be the top add where available and is likely worth a large portion of your remaining FAAB budget as he is the likely the last running back available that will be putting up RB2 level numbers this season. Mckinnon is an upside flex option with RB2 upside going forward.
Lorenzo Taliaferro – Lorenzo Taliaferro got the big back snaps ahead of Bernard Pierce for the Ravens this past Sunday but is still plating behind Justin Forsett. Taliaferro is a solid option for deep leaguers and those in a bye week crunch as his role figures to continue to expand if and when Pierce continues to fail to impress. Taliaferro is a flex2 with weekly RB3 upside. Taliaferro is available in 62 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jordan Matthews – Still available in 65 percent of Yahoo! leagues Jordan Matthews saw a health seven targets in week four which is a reason for optimism despite his paltry four reception, 28 yard stat line. The entire Eagles offense was stifled by the inspired 49ers and we expect better days ahead for the rookie starting this week with the Rams.
Allen Robinson – Available in 82 percent of Yahoo! leagues rookie Allen Robinson has the most standard league upside of any Jaguars receiver. Robinson brings a size element that Shorts and Lee cannot provide and Allen Hurns has established himself as the deep threat leaving Robinson as the red zone weapon and second read possession receiver. Robinson has upside WR4 value and should be a WR3 by years end.
Isaiah Crowell – Available in 76 percent of Yahoo! leagues there is reason to believe that Crowell will function as Ben Tate’s primary backup as he has been the more consistent back since Tate went down with his injury. Crowell may actually have the most early down talent in this backfield (Tate is better out of the backfield), so take that into consideration when prioritizing your FAAB and waiver claims.
Jarius Wright – Wright has already developed a solid chemistry with rookie Terry Bridgewater as was evidenced this past Sunday as Wright went off for eight receptions and 132 yards off of ten targets while Greg Jennings and Cordarelle Patterson combined for only eight targets in the passing game. Wright has some deep league flex appeal during the bye weeks and may offer some stand alone value if he can maintain his role as one of Bridgewater’s most trusted targets. Wright is available in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Davante Adams – Adams was a disappointment in week four as he failed to convert on a red zone look for the second straight week again drawing the ire of Aaron Rodgers. We hoped last week would have been Adams coming out party with Boykin inactive but that was not to be the case. We still believe in Adams’ talent, he just probably needs to continue to adjust to the speed of the NFL game and to Aaron Rodgers’ arm. We like Adams as a deep league bye week filler with the upside to become a WR3 mainstay in the Packers offense.
Brian Quick – Regardless of who the Rams quarterback is their number one receiver should be owned in more than 43 percent of Yahoo! leagues. We still like Quick as a deep league bye week filler at the very least and he has flex2 appeal in those same formats as well. There is some concern that Stedman Bailey will take over as the teams top possession receiver coming out of the bye but Quick has proven that he is roster worthy in deep leagues even if he falls down the pecking order a bit. Add Quick where needed.
Andre Holmes – With Rod Streater on the shelf Andre Holmes and Vincent Brown ascended to the starting lineup as the Raiders left Denarius Moore inactive this past week against the Dolphins. Holmes profiles as someone who can have a big week or two as long as Carr returns to man the QB position. Holmes flashed his upside last year and is a measurable monster who can provide some solid deep league value as a bye week filler with the room to grow into a solid flex2 option. Holmes is available in 97 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Odell Beckham – Beckham will be a major boon for the anaemic Giants passing attack and once he gets going he will open things up for the rest of the Giants receivers as well. The Giants will run a three-wide base formation so Beckham figures to have plenty of value as a flex2 with true WR3 upside. Beckham is likely the Giants most talented wide receiver and this fact should be reflected by the stretch run. If he is still available in your league it is past the time to add him. Beckham is available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Marvin Jones – Jones exploded last year and proved his mettle in the red zone. With that said Mohamed Sanu has re-established himself and the Bengals are now more run heavy under Hue Jackson and with Jeremy Hill now in the fold so expectations should be tempered. Jones is still a solid upside flex2 option for the time being and if he can get more snaps than Sanu he can become an upside WR3/flex option depending on league format. Jones is available in 85 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jordan Reed – Somehow Jordan Reed is available in 54 percent of Yahoo! leagues despite being a top ten tight end on draft day. Reed will be back within the next two weeks and is a high upside TE1 with added value in PPR formats. Kirk Cousins absolutely fell apart once Niles Paul left the week four contest with an injury and Reed will be a welcome addition to a solid pass catching corps. Reed should be owned in all formats.
Dwayne Allen – Dwayne Allen continues to prove that he is the Colts top tight end and red zone weapon and his role should only grow as the season wears on. The top tight end for an elite QB needs to be owned in more than 40 percent of leagues, especially in standard formats. Allen is a TE1 going forward.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins – ASJ finally found some value in week four and with Brandon Myers looking pedestrian the last few weeks it is time that ASJ’s role grows for the Bucs, especially with Mike Glennon under center as the duo spent time together developing chemistry when they were both running as backups with the 2’s. ASJ is still only a TE2 but has the upside to crack TE1 status with another few big games. His seven targets is definitely an encouraging sign and we expect him to have even more value the next couple of weeks with Mike Evans sidelined. ASJ is available in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Eric Ebron – Ebron finally found himself a bigger part of the Lions gameplan and responded with a touchdown and 44 yards off of three receptions. While he only saw four targets on the day he paced all Lions tight ends in targets and this should be the trend going forward. Ebron is no more than a bye week filler option for now but his future in concretized as a TE1. Dynasty league owners should buy low if they can while those in redrafts should stash Ebron on their bench until needed. Ebron is available in 92 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
