Hot Pickups – Week Six
Odell Beckham Jr. – Beckham made an impact right away in his NFL debut and there is not much doubt in this writer’s mind that Beckham is indeed the Giants most talented receiver and should take over as the number one option and playmaker within the next few weeks. Beckham is currently a WR4 with WR2 upside but he should move safely into upside WR3 territory once he and Eli get all their route practice in over the next few weeks. We love Beckham here at Win My Fantasy League and if you play in one of the 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues he is available in we feel comfortable in stating that there will not be a higher upside wide receiver add the rest of the season, so spend your FAAB or waiver priority accordingly.
Andre Williams – Andre Williams is yet another Giants rookie we love. As you all have no doubt seen by now, Williams is an exciting, no-nonsense powerful bruiser back who relishes contact. Williams even reeled in two receptions in week five which shows that he has been putting in work in that area as well giving him more upside than he would have had otherwise. For now Williams is a flex/RB3 option but will be an RB2 in standard leagues if Jennings indeed misses some time with his latest knock. Williams is somehow still available in 75 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Storm Johnson – The Toby Gerhart experiment may be over. Gerhart has played fewer and fewer snaps in successive weeks and should start to cede work to rookie and Blake Bortles’ college running back Storm Johnson. Storm has a talent edge on Gerhart though not by much and has the edge of familiarity with Blake Bortles working for him. Gerhart has been a mega-bust after rising up draft boards this off-season due to perceived opportunity and workload but has proven to be nothing more than a below average starting running back. Johnson is available in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is a solid speculative add for those in deeper formats. Dynasty leaguers should be cognizant that the Jags will probably be bringing in an draft pick or free agent to be their starter next season.
Branden Oliver – The ‘Bodozer’ ran his way into fantasy relevance in week five with 114 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and 68 yards and a touchdown off of four receptions against the leagues best run D. Oliver’s day was better than Ryan Mathews has ever had in his career as far as yards from scrimmage and there is no doubt that Oliver has played his way into a timeshare. As he highlighted this past week he is a plus receiver and accelerates quickly out of his cuts which leads one to believe he can be a successful starter when needed by the Chargers. Oliver has some power and open field wiggle to his game and is a more complete back than Ryan Mathews and is a upside RB3 as long as Mathews is sidelined. Oliver is available in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Ronnie Hillman – There are concerns that Montee Ball may have suffered a mutli week injury and if that proves to be the case than Ronnie Hillman will likely get the nod as the Broncos starting running back. Oddly Hillman has looked more impressive than Ball in limited work this season and he should have a chance to run with the job if given the opportunity. Hillman is not an impressive back overall but he can get what is blocked and has decent vision. Hillman can also be a factor out of the backfield and will be an upside RB3 play if Ball misses any time with injury. Hillman is available in 92 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jerick Mckinnon – Mckinnon had a forgettable week five totaling just 46 yards on eight touches but better days should be ahead for the impressive rookie. Available in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues Mckinnon may have another slow day in week six but is primed to take off in weeks seven through nine with easier matchups on the slate. Mckinnon is a boom or bust flex play as long as he is backing up Asiata but will become an instant RB3 with RB2 upside if promoted.
Justin Hunter – Justin Hunter finally got going with Charlie Whitehurst under center and while he is still long on talent Jake Locker may continue to hold him back this season. Hunter is currently an upside WR4 but could and should creep into WR3 territory within a few weeks if the Titans continue to get him the ball. He finally got the start this week over Nate Washington and we hope that will be the trend going forward. The talented Hunter is available in 55 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be stashed on benches in all league sizes.
Jordan Matthews – Matthews was second on the team with seven targets in week five and this is the trend we expect going forward with Maclin being more of a possession type. We expect Matthews’ weekly box score numbers to rise as the season wears on as he is a big bodied mismatch coming out of the slot which Chip Kelly is looking to exploit. We like Matthews as an upside WR4 for now but he should slide into WR3 status in relatively short order as long as Nick Foles does not hold him back. The talented Matthews is somehow still available in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Allen Robinson – Available in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues Robinson may have solidified his role as a starter for the Jaguars going forward. Robinson is effective on the outside and also has the toughness to make tough catches over the middle. Robinson had a WR1 level 11 targets this past Sunday and should continue to be a focal point of the Jags offense especially as they figure to be playing from behind most games this season. Robinson is a low-end WR3 for the time being.
Dwayne Allen – I do not know why Dwayne Allen is not universally owned especially in standard leagues. Allen is has four TD’s in five games and is the top tight end for an elite QB and is a locked in TE1, need I say more? Allen is available in 45 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Tim Wright – I am sure I am not the only one who thought ‘who the hell is that’ as Wright found his way to the end zone Sunday night. Wright finally had a mini breakout for the Patriots and should be a big part of the offense as a move tight end going forward. Now why we are not ready to anoint him a TE1 just yet he is a high upside TE2 and bye week filler until further notice. Wright looked really good Sunday night and is available in 91 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Eric Ebron – Eric Ebron had a touchdown called back this past Sunday which would have made it two straight games with a touchdown for the improving rookie. Ebron has TE1 in his future and we hope he can get there this year but for now he is nothing more than a high upside bench stash or a bye week filler in deeper leagues. Ebron is available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins – ASJ disappointed this week with only one reception and two drops on three targets and is he can hold onto the ball this week we expect him to have a bounce back game with Mike Evans still expected to be sidelined. ASJ like Ebron is a future TE1 and while he should show some flashes this year he will battle inconsistency as tight end has historically been the skill position players adjust to the slowest. ASJ is a high upside bench stash or bye week filler in deeper leagues. Seferian-Jenkins is available in 94 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Davante Adams – I continue to be high on Adams despite him only seeing one target in week five. Adams’ lone target was a touchdown and we expect bigger things when Aaron Rodgers has to throw the ball more than 17 times in an entire game. Adams has been targeted in the red zone consistently and he will eventually push for WR3 status as a starter in a prolific Packers offense. Adams is somehow still available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be scooped up wherever available.
