Multimedia: Week 10’s Top Pickups
Mark Sanchez, QB, Eagles
Owned in 3 percent of Yahoo leagues
Get the Jets misery out of your head. Freed from the dysfunctional franchise with poor scheming and worse weapons, Mark Sanchez is about to be reborn as the glorious love child of offensive god Chip Kelly. In the preseason, Sanchez showed he had a strong grasp of the scheme by going 25-of-31 for 281 yards with two TDs and one INT, thoroughly outplaying Nick Foles in both games and camp practices. In three quarters of relief Sunday following Foles’ broken collarbone, Sanchez completed 15-of-22 passes for 202 yards with two TDs and two INTs (one of the picks was not his fault). He was sensational. This is really about the fastbreak Chip Kelly scheme that yields so many possessions, is so box-score friendly and gets receivers open. Although Foles has struggled this year with mechanics, holding the ball too long and some poor decisions, he was still averaging 291.2 yards and 1.7 TDs per game. I think Sanchez will step right in as a solid QB1, starting with a dream Week 10 matchup at home against the Panthers. I’ll have a ton of him on FanDuel this week at a bargian price. It’s a long-term add also, as Foles’ injury sounds similar to the one that cost Aaron Rodgers nearly eight weeks last year.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 10-team leaguesWaiver Wired Column
Owned in 3 percent of Yahoo leagues
Get the Jets misery out of your head. Freed from the dysfunctional franchise with poor scheming and worse weapons, Mark Sanchez is about to be reborn as the glorious love child of offensive god Chip Kelly. In the preseason, Sanchez showed he had a strong grasp of the scheme by going 25-of-31 for 281 yards with two TDs and one INT, thoroughly outplaying Nick Foles in both games and camp practices. In three quarters of relief Sunday following Foles’ broken collarbone, Sanchez completed 15-of-22 passes for 202 yards with two TDs and two INTs (one of the picks was not his fault). He was sensational. This is really about the fastbreak Chip Kelly scheme that yields so many possessions, is so box-score friendly and gets receivers open. Although Foles has struggled this year with mechanics, holding the ball too long and some poor decisions, he was still averaging 291.2 yards and 1.7 TDs per game. I think Sanchez will step right in as a solid QB1, starting with a dream Week 10 matchup at home against the Panthers. I’ll have a ton of him on FanDuel this week at a bargian price. It’s a long-term add also, as Foles’ injury sounds similar to the one that cost Aaron Rodgers nearly eight weeks last year.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 10-team leaguesWaiver Wired Column
Michael Vick, QB, Jets
Owned in 9 percent of Yahoo leaguesIf you miss out on Mark Sanchez and need a Week 10 streamer, Michael Vick is your man (as long as his foot injury checks out). I did not expect him to play as well as he did at Arrowhead Sunday (an extremely difficult place to play), where he posted a 105.7 passer rating. Geno Smith had one game of 100.0+ passer rating in his 24 starts as a Jet. Now Vick gets to come home and face an awful Steelers secondary that is primed for a letdown after a huge win over their archrivals, the Ravens. Vick is very comfortable in this Marty Mornhinweg scheme as they were together in Philly, where Vick actually lit up box scores. Yes, he’s turnover prone and injury prone, but Vick still has a cannon arm and some of the best legs in the game. The Jets weaponry is significantly upgraded by the presence of Percy Harvin to go with Eric Decker, something Mark Sanchez never had.
Owned in 9 percent of Yahoo leaguesIf you miss out on Mark Sanchez and need a Week 10 streamer, Michael Vick is your man (as long as his foot injury checks out). I did not expect him to play as well as he did at Arrowhead Sunday (an extremely difficult place to play), where he posted a 105.7 passer rating. Geno Smith had one game of 100.0+ passer rating in his 24 starts as a Jet. Now Vick gets to come home and face an awful Steelers secondary that is primed for a letdown after a huge win over their archrivals, the Ravens. Vick is very comfortable in this Marty Mornhinweg scheme as they were together in Philly, where Vick actually lit up box scores. Yes, he’s turnover prone and injury prone, but Vick still has a cannon arm and some of the best legs in the game. The Jets weaponry is significantly upgraded by the presence of Percy Harvin to go with Eric Decker, something Mark Sanchez never had.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins
Owned in 50 percent of Yahoo leaguesI was encouraged by Robert Griffin III’s first game off an ankle dislocation. Jay Gruden did not try to fit a square peg into a round hole as he called read-option plays and gave Griffin bootlegs. RG3 responded with some very accurate throws, including a bomb to DeSean Jackson and a nice 13-yard touchdown slant into a tight window. I’d have Griffin ahead of Michael Vick if the Redskins weren’t on a bye this week. Note that he gets the Bucs’ 31st-ranked pass defense in Week 11.
Owned in 50 percent of Yahoo leaguesI was encouraged by Robert Griffin III’s first game off an ankle dislocation. Jay Gruden did not try to fit a square peg into a round hole as he called read-option plays and gave Griffin bootlegs. RG3 responded with some very accurate throws, including a bomb to DeSean Jackson and a nice 13-yard touchdown slant into a tight window. I’d have Griffin ahead of Michael Vick if the Redskins weren’t on a bye this week. Note that he gets the Bucs’ 31st-ranked pass defense in Week 11.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Kyle Orton, QB, Bills
Owned in 9 percent of Yahoo leagues
Quietly showing just how bad E.J. Manuel is/was, Kyle Orton led the Bills to a 3-1 record in his four starts before the bye. During that span, he averaged 282.0 pass yards and 2.2 touchdowns despite facing three pretty good defenses in the Lions, Patriots and Vikings. Now comes out of the bye with the following schedule: vs. KC, at MIA, vs. NYJ, vs. CLE. He’s a fine QB2 and has Sammy Watkins as an emerging high-end WR2.
Owned in 9 percent of Yahoo leagues
Quietly showing just how bad E.J. Manuel is/was, Kyle Orton led the Bills to a 3-1 record in his four starts before the bye. During that span, he averaged 282.0 pass yards and 2.2 touchdowns despite facing three pretty good defenses in the Lions, Patriots and Vikings. Now comes out of the bye with the following schedule: vs. KC, at MIA, vs. NYJ, vs. CLE. He’s a fine QB2 and has Sammy Watkins as an emerging high-end WR2.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
Owned in 37 percent of Yahoo leagues
If you were stalking the Rotoworld News Page Sunday morning, you caught wind of the latest Adrian Peterson news in time to make an add. He has reached a plea agreement to resolve the case, and only pleaded to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault. The plea does not include any reference to family violence or violence against a minor. Will that mean the NFL backs off? Will the with-pay suspension he’s been serving for eight games count as time served? Do the Vikings even want Peterson back? I honestly have no idea. All we have for now are reports stating both Peterson won’t immediately be reinstated but that it’s “very possible” he plays at some point. For me, there’s more than enough smoke here to make a stash in all formats. Peterson’s upside as a top-5 talent makes it worth it as the fantasy playoffs approach.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 10-team leagues
Terrance West, RB, Browns
Owned in 23 percent of Yahoo leagues
Coach Mike Pettine examined his running back situation and came up with the following conclusion: Terrance West has earned more work at the expense of Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell. “When you looked at the tape and really compared the three, we feel he’s really coming on,” Pettine said after West rushed 15 times for 48 yards and caught one pass for a 2-yard touchdown in a win over the Bucs. Tate, meanwhile, had his third straight miserable game (10 carries, three yards) and Crowell didn’t even get a touch. West is the one on the rise here and even though stud C Alex Mack is out for the year, I expect run-game guru OC Kyle Shanahan to find a way to run the football successfully. There’s plenty of talent left in this offensive line, namely in the form of Joe Thomas, John Greco and Joel Bitonio. West is a great bet to get another 15-18 touches against the Bengals Thursday night.
Owned in 23 percent of Yahoo leagues
Coach Mike Pettine examined his running back situation and came up with the following conclusion: Terrance West has earned more work at the expense of Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell. “When you looked at the tape and really compared the three, we feel he’s really coming on,” Pettine said after West rushed 15 times for 48 yards and caught one pass for a 2-yard touchdown in a win over the Bucs. Tate, meanwhile, had his third straight miserable game (10 carries, three yards) and Crowell didn’t even get a touch. West is the one on the rise here and even though stud C Alex Mack is out for the year, I expect run-game guru OC Kyle Shanahan to find a way to run the football successfully. There’s plenty of talent left in this offensive line, namely in the form of Joe Thomas, John Greco and Joel Bitonio. West is a great bet to get another 15-18 touches against the Bengals Thursday night.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Tre Mason, RB, Rams
Owned in 37 percent of Yahoo leaguesCoach Jeff Fisher is still playing it coy in his backfield even though Tre Mason got 82.6 percent of the running back carries and played on 78.8 percent of the snaps in Week 9. “We’re gonna continue with the same thing,” Fisher said Monday when asked about his committee. “I can’t tell you who’s starting this week.” Considering Mason was such a big part of the Rams’ upset at San Fran, it’s hard to see him not getting the nod again as the feature back. Will he be on a short leash? Definitely. And are the matchups over the next two weeks (ARZ, DEN) difficult? Certainly. But it opens up a bit after that (SD, OAK, WAS), leaving Mason with a nice stretch as a RB2 if he can really seize this job.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Owned in 37 percent of Yahoo leaguesCoach Jeff Fisher is still playing it coy in his backfield even though Tre Mason got 82.6 percent of the running back carries and played on 78.8 percent of the snaps in Week 9. “We’re gonna continue with the same thing,” Fisher said Monday when asked about his committee. “I can’t tell you who’s starting this week.” Considering Mason was such a big part of the Rams’ upset at San Fran, it’s hard to see him not getting the nod again as the feature back. Will he be on a short leash? Definitely. And are the matchups over the next two weeks (ARZ, DEN) difficult? Certainly. But it opens up a bit after that (SD, OAK, WAS), leaving Mason with a nice stretch as a RB2 if he can really seize this job.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Bobby Rainey, RB, Buccaneers
Owned in 46 percent of Yahoo leaguesCharles Sims (ankle) wasn’t quite ready to go last week and Doug Martin (ankle) was out also. That left Bobby Rainey in the featured role he’s held often over Bucs’ last 16 games. Rainey handled himself well, racking up 121 yards on 20 touches while playing far ahead of Mike James. Sims will almost certainly make his NFL debut this week, putting a bit of a down arrow next to Sims’ name. But Doug Martin looks like the third man in a two-man backfield, giving Rainey some week-to-week flex appeal.
Owned in 46 percent of Yahoo leaguesCharles Sims (ankle) wasn’t quite ready to go last week and Doug Martin (ankle) was out also. That left Bobby Rainey in the featured role he’s held often over Bucs’ last 16 games. Rainey handled himself well, racking up 121 yards on 20 touches while playing far ahead of Mike James. Sims will almost certainly make his NFL debut this week, putting a bit of a down arrow next to Sims’ name. But Doug Martin looks like the third man in a two-man backfield, giving Rainey some week-to-week flex appeal.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers
Owned in 25 percent of Yahoo leaguesWe knew the Bucs are going to ease Charles Sims in. This is a rookie who hasn’t played since early August and is coming off a serious ankle injury. So it shouldn’t have been a surprise that he was inactive in Week9, leaving Bobby Rainey to carry the mail. The reason Sims was always intriguing as an add was because of his potential role 2-3 weeks from now. We know this Lovie Smith regime, that drafted Sims but not Rainey or Doug Martin, will want to let the kid spread his wings for this 1-7 team. Expect him to start with something around 6-8 touches against the Falcons Sunday and then ramp up from there depending on performance.
Owned in 25 percent of Yahoo leaguesWe knew the Bucs are going to ease Charles Sims in. This is a rookie who hasn’t played since early August and is coming off a serious ankle injury. So it shouldn’t have been a surprise that he was inactive in Week9, leaving Bobby Rainey to carry the mail. The reason Sims was always intriguing as an add was because of his potential role 2-3 weeks from now. We know this Lovie Smith regime, that drafted Sims but not Rainey or Doug Martin, will want to let the kid spread his wings for this 1-7 team. Expect him to start with something around 6-8 touches against the Falcons Sunday and then ramp up from there depending on performance.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Alfred Blue, RB, Texans
Owned in 12 percent of Yahoo leaguesArian Foster has been battling soft-tissue injuries for a couple years now. First it was the hamstring, then the calf and now the groin. The latest pull had the look of something a bit severe, as he immediately stopped running and threw his helmet in disgust on the way to the sidelined. We’ll call him questionable for Week 11 when the Texans come out of their bye. When backup Alfred Blue made a start in place of an injured Foster Week 3, he rushed 13 times for 78 yards. It’s a reasonable expectation going forward.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Owned in 12 percent of Yahoo leaguesArian Foster has been battling soft-tissue injuries for a couple years now. First it was the hamstring, then the calf and now the groin. The latest pull had the look of something a bit severe, as he immediately stopped running and threw his helmet in disgust on the way to the sidelined. We’ll call him questionable for Week 11 when the Texans come out of their bye. When backup Alfred Blue made a start in place of an injured Foster Week 3, he rushed 13 times for 78 yards. It’s a reasonable expectation going forward.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Anthony Dixon, RB, Bills
Owned in 17 percent of Yahoo leaguesFred Jackson (groin) is not practicing with the Bills as they come out of their bye. It sets up Anthony Dixon to be the feature back again, this time in a much better matchup at home against the Chiefs. When Boobie predictably dudded in his first start (22 carries, 44 yards), it was on the road against the Jets’ strong run defense. Dixon has desperation plug-n-play flex appeal, with Bryce Brown mixing into the C.J. Spiller role.
Owned in 17 percent of Yahoo leaguesFred Jackson (groin) is not practicing with the Bills as they come out of their bye. It sets up Anthony Dixon to be the feature back again, this time in a much better matchup at home against the Chiefs. When Boobie predictably dudded in his first start (22 carries, 44 yards), it was on the road against the Jets’ strong run defense. Dixon has desperation plug-n-play flex appeal, with Bryce Brown mixing into the C.J. Spiller role.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 14-team leagues
Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins
Owned in 2 percent of Yahoo leagues
Lamar Miller sprained the AC joint in his shoulder during the Week 9 blowout of the Chargers. However, it’s not considered serious and the Miami Herald is reporting that there’s a “good chance” he plays against the Lions. Even if Miller sits, backup Daniel Thomas would be an extreme desperation plug-n-play only in a horrible spot at Detroit. It’s still unclear why the organization is obsessed with Thunder Dan. Damien Williams would also mix in some.
Owned in 2 percent of Yahoo leagues
Lamar Miller sprained the AC joint in his shoulder during the Week 9 blowout of the Chargers. However, it’s not considered serious and the Miami Herald is reporting that there’s a “good chance” he plays against the Lions. Even if Miller sits, backup Daniel Thomas would be an extreme desperation plug-n-play only in a horrible spot at Detroit. It’s still unclear why the organization is obsessed with Thunder Dan. Damien Williams would also mix in some.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 14-team leagues
Davante Adams, WR, Packers
Owned in 13 percent of Yahoo leaguesDavante Adams may have been dropped in your league as the Packers were on their bye. I’d scoop him back up. This is a guy playing more than 90 percent of the snaps with Aaron Rodgers after icing Jarrett Boykin for No. 3 wideout duties. We know how potent that No. 3 job can be as evidenced by James Jones, and we know Adams is a stud from his time as a dominator with Derek Carr at Fresno State. He also showed good chemistry with Rodgers before the bye, getting at least six catches and 75 yards in Weeks 6 and 8.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Owned in 13 percent of Yahoo leaguesDavante Adams may have been dropped in your league as the Packers were on their bye. I’d scoop him back up. This is a guy playing more than 90 percent of the snaps with Aaron Rodgers after icing Jarrett Boykin for No. 3 wideout duties. We know how potent that No. 3 job can be as evidenced by James Jones, and we know Adams is a stud from his time as a dominator with Derek Carr at Fresno State. He also showed good chemistry with Rodgers before the bye, getting at least six catches and 75 yards in Weeks 6 and 8.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers
Owned in 42 and 37 percent of Yahoo leaguesMartavis Bryant has played three NFL games. In those games, Ben Roethlisberger has an absurd 14:0 TD-to-INT ratio and Bryant has totaled 10-167-5. Obviously, this is not a sustainable pace – especially when he’s not even a full-time player. The fourth-round rookie set a season-high by playing on 51.3 percent of the snaps on Sunday night, but was still out-snapped by Markus Wheaton 39-37. Regardless, this pass-centric Todd Haley offense has enough juice to support a rotational player as a WR3, especially when that player is a focal point in the red zone. Bryant projects to hold value the rest of the way even though Wheaton isn’t going away. The rookie does get the edge over Wheaton in terms of waiver-wire pecking order thanks to touchdown projections.
Owned in 42 and 37 percent of Yahoo leaguesMartavis Bryant has played three NFL games. In those games, Ben Roethlisberger has an absurd 14:0 TD-to-INT ratio and Bryant has totaled 10-167-5. Obviously, this is not a sustainable pace – especially when he’s not even a full-time player. The fourth-round rookie set a season-high by playing on 51.3 percent of the snaps on Sunday night, but was still out-snapped by Markus Wheaton 39-37. Regardless, this pass-centric Todd Haley offense has enough juice to support a rotational player as a WR3, especially when that player is a focal point in the red zone. Bryant projects to hold value the rest of the way even though Wheaton isn’t going away. The rookie does get the edge over Wheaton in terms of waiver-wire pecking order thanks to touchdown projections.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Kenny Britt, WR, Rams
Owned in 9 percent of Yahoo leaguesIn the first seven games of the season, Kenny Britt played on 64.7 percent of the snaps. In the first game since Brian Quick’s season-ending shoulder injury, Britt played on 92.9 percent of the snaps. He saw just four targets, but did turn one of them into a 21-yard touchdown when he found himself wide open on a crossing route. He would have had another score if Austin Davis didn’t badly underthrow him on the sideline. Britt is a mediocre player in a subpar offense, but he is the No. 1 guy right now. It’s more than we can say for a lot of the wideouts on waivers right now.
Owned in 9 percent of Yahoo leaguesIn the first seven games of the season, Kenny Britt played on 64.7 percent of the snaps. In the first game since Brian Quick’s season-ending shoulder injury, Britt played on 92.9 percent of the snaps. He saw just four targets, but did turn one of them into a 21-yard touchdown when he found himself wide open on a crossing route. He would have had another score if Austin Davis didn’t badly underthrow him on the sideline. Britt is a mediocre player in a subpar offense, but he is the No. 1 guy right now. It’s more than we can say for a lot of the wideouts on waivers right now.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 14-team leagues
Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles
Owned in 18 percent of Yahoo leaguesFirst we had rumors that the Eagles tried to trade for Vincent Jackson, suggesting they aren’t too thrilled with outside receiving blocker Riley Cooper. Then Nick Foles went down, leaving Mark Sanchez as the Eagles starter. Both things are good for slot man Jordan Matthews, who fits with Sanchez’s between the hashes style –something we saw as the duo connected on a pretty red-zone throw for a score against the Texans. He’s not going to suddenly become a featured player for Chip Kelly – no one is behind Jeremy Maclin. But his playing time is over 60 percent of the snaps weekly and the Eagles run the second-most plays per game in the league (72.4). Matthews has an exceptional matchup against Carolina this week.
Owned in 18 percent of Yahoo leaguesFirst we had rumors that the Eagles tried to trade for Vincent Jackson, suggesting they aren’t too thrilled with outside receiving blocker Riley Cooper. Then Nick Foles went down, leaving Mark Sanchez as the Eagles starter. Both things are good for slot man Jordan Matthews, who fits with Sanchez’s between the hashes style –something we saw as the duo connected on a pretty red-zone throw for a score against the Texans. He’s not going to suddenly become a featured player for Chip Kelly – no one is behind Jeremy Maclin. But his playing time is over 60 percent of the snaps weekly and the Eagles run the second-most plays per game in the league (72.4). Matthews has an exceptional matchup against Carolina this week.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 14-team leagues
Paul Richardson, WR, Seahawks
Owned in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues
Paul Richardson has genuine 4.4 speed and has played on 68.0 percent of the snaps since the Percy Harvin trade. So far, he’s only turned that into a total of 9-65-0. But with the Seahawks offense sputtering a bit, it’s certainly possible the Seahawks will make an effort to feature Richardson some more. He’s worth a stash for deep leaguers.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 14-team leagues
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings
Owned in 28 percent of Yahoo leaguesFor the third straight week, Kyle Rudolph makes the list as a stash. Coming off sports hernia surgery, he says he just has to get back in game shape and is targeting Week 11 for his return. We’ve seen how productive the tight end can be in this Norv Turner scheme – Chase Ford has 11-129-1 over the last two weeks. Rudolph, will slide back in as he plays in the slot and is a red-zone maven (13 touchdowns in his last 26 games).
Owned in 28 percent of Yahoo leaguesFor the third straight week, Kyle Rudolph makes the list as a stash. Coming off sports hernia surgery, he says he just has to get back in game shape and is targeting Week 11 for his return. We’ve seen how productive the tight end can be in this Norv Turner scheme – Chase Ford has 11-129-1 over the last two weeks. Rudolph, will slide back in as he plays in the slot and is a red-zone maven (13 touchdowns in his last 26 games).
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals
Owned in 15 percent of Yahoo leaguesWe’re highly unlikely to see Tyler Eifert on Thursday night when the Bengals take on the Browns. But he’s been targeting Week 11 for his return from an elbow injury all along, and he makes for another reasonable stash at a very thin position. Note that Eifert had 3-37-0 on three targets in the first half of Week 1 before going down. It looked like he was going to have a big role in this Hue Jackson scheme. I have Eifert below Rudolph because the Vikings are far more desperate for red-zone weapons, especially with A.J. Green (toe) rounding into health.
Owned in 15 percent of Yahoo leaguesWe’re highly unlikely to see Tyler Eifert on Thursday night when the Bengals take on the Browns. But he’s been targeting Week 11 for his return from an elbow injury all along, and he makes for another reasonable stash at a very thin position. Note that Eifert had 3-37-0 on three targets in the first half of Week 1 before going down. It looked like he was going to have a big role in this Hue Jackson scheme. I have Eifert below Rudolph because the Vikings are far more desperate for red-zone weapons, especially with A.J. Green (toe) rounding into health.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Owen Daniels, TE, Ravens
Owned in 28 percent of Yahoo leaguesDespite undergoing a knee scope just nine days earlier, Owen Daniels suited up against the Steelers Sunday night and played on 56-of-71 snaps. He finished with 6-53-0 on a team-high nine targets. I don’t like Daniels’ game, I don’t like his YAC ability and I don’t like the chances he stays healthy. But he is the clear front-line tight end in a Gary Kubiak scheme, and that keeps his floor relatively high. He’s averaging 4.6 catches for 51.6 yards with one touchdown over his last five games, a reasonable expectation heading into Week 10 against the Titans.
Owned in 28 percent of Yahoo leaguesDespite undergoing a knee scope just nine days earlier, Owen Daniels suited up against the Steelers Sunday night and played on 56-of-71 snaps. He finished with 6-53-0 on a team-high nine targets. I don’t like Daniels’ game, I don’t like his YAC ability and I don’t like the chances he stays healthy. But he is the clear front-line tight end in a Gary Kubiak scheme, and that keeps his floor relatively high. He’s averaging 4.6 catches for 51.6 yards with one touchdown over his last five games, a reasonable expectation heading into Week 10 against the Titans.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Charles Clay, TE, Dolphins
Owned in 43 percent of Yahoo leaguesWhen Charles Clay put up a one-catch day on three targets in Week 8 against a Jags defense that struggles to defend the tight end, it seemed logical that he’d never really put it together this year. We have to reconsider that now. In Week 7, Clay went 4-58-1 against the Bears. In Week 9, he went 5-65-1 against the Chargers. With Ryan Tannehill playing at an extremely high level and Clay’s knee clearly healthy, he’s an effective asset.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Owned in 43 percent of Yahoo leaguesWhen Charles Clay put up a one-catch day on three targets in Week 8 against a Jags defense that struggles to defend the tight end, it seemed logical that he’d never really put it together this year. We have to reconsider that now. In Week 7, Clay went 4-58-1 against the Bears. In Week 9, he went 5-65-1 against the Chargers. With Ryan Tannehill playing at an extremely high level and Clay’s knee clearly healthy, he’s an effective asset.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues
Mychal Rivera, TE, Raiders
Owned in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues
In the last two games under interim coach Tony Sparano, Mychal Rivera has 15 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Sparano said it’s all about matchups, but did admit that Rivera is a player the team considers “key.” Derek Carr also appears to have a level of trust with the unimpressive athlete that slipped to the sixth round of the 2013 draft. Keep expectations in check, but there’s some streamer appeal as the Raiders host the Broncos Sunday. We know they’ll need to throw it a ton.
Owned in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues
In the last two games under interim coach Tony Sparano, Mychal Rivera has 15 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Sparano said it’s all about matchups, but did admit that Rivera is a player the team considers “key.” Derek Carr also appears to have a level of trust with the unimpressive athlete that slipped to the sixth round of the 2013 draft. Keep expectations in check, but there’s some streamer appeal as the Raiders host the Broncos Sunday. We know they’ll need to throw it a ton.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 14-team leagues
Dallas Cowboys – Defense/Special Teams
Owned in 22 percent of Yahoo leaguesBlake Bortles “only” threw one interception in Sunday’s loss at Cincy. But he should have been picked off a fistful more times, continuing to make high-risk throws that get him in trouble. Bortles has now tossed 13 interceptions in just 6.5 games. Dallas’ defense is on its way to being exposed as the unit we thought it was preseason, but we can’t pass up a spot to use them against the Jags on a neutral field.
Owned in 22 percent of Yahoo leaguesBlake Bortles “only” threw one interception in Sunday’s loss at Cincy. But he should have been picked off a fistful more times, continuing to make high-risk throws that get him in trouble. Bortles has now tossed 13 interceptions in just 6.5 games. Dallas’ defense is on its way to being exposed as the unit we thought it was preseason, but we can’t pass up a spot to use them against the Jags on a neutral field.
Baltimore Ravens – Defense/Special Teams
Owned in 53 percent of Yahoo leaguesMany won’t want to touch the Jimmy Smith-less Ravens after they got lit up for six touchdowns by Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. Don’t be phased. In Week 10, we can get a motivated unit off the embarrassment at home against the Titans. This game as an over/under of 44 and the Ravens are favored by 10, meaning Vegas projects Tennessee to score just 17 points. Zach Mettenberger will make mistakes.
Owned in 53 percent of Yahoo leaguesMany won’t want to touch the Jimmy Smith-less Ravens after they got lit up for six touchdowns by Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. Don’t be phased. In Week 10, we can get a motivated unit off the embarrassment at home against the Titans. This game as an over/under of 44 and the Ravens are favored by 10, meaning Vegas projects Tennessee to score just 17 points. Zach Mettenberger will make mistakes.
San Diego Chargers – Defense/Special Teams
Owned in 2 percent of Yahoo leaguesLast week, I listed the Cowboys D/ST third in this space in anticipation of their Week 10 matchup with the Jaguars (see above). The look-ahead stash this week is the Chargers, who get a home game against the Raiders in Week 11. If you can afford the roster spot, it’s likely worth it.
Owned in 2 percent of Yahoo leaguesLast week, I listed the Cowboys D/ST third in this space in anticipation of their Week 10 matchup with the Jaguars (see above). The look-ahead stash this week is the Chargers, who get a home game against the Raiders in Week 11. If you can afford the roster spot, it’s likely worth it.
Chandler Catanzaro, K, Cardinals
Owned in 40 percent of Yahoo leaguesChandler Catanzaro didn’t get to attempt a field goal in Sunday’s win at Dallas, netting four extra points instead. It’s the first time all year that’s happened. The rookie now gets a home game against the Rams, a good spot for him to rack up some attempts as the Rams are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing kickers. We know accuracy isn’t an issue – Catanzaro is 16-of-16 on the season.
Owned in 40 percent of Yahoo leaguesChandler Catanzaro didn’t get to attempt a field goal in Sunday’s win at Dallas, netting four extra points instead. It’s the first time all year that’s happened. The rookie now gets a home game against the Rams, a good spot for him to rack up some attempts as the Rams are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing kickers. We know accuracy isn’t an issue – Catanzaro is 16-of-16 on the season.
Dan Carpenter, K, Bills
Owned in 37 percent of Yahoo leaguesThe Bills host the Chiefs as they come out of their bye. In the four games Kyle Orton has started this season, Dan Carpenter is averaging 2.0 field goal attempts and 2.2 extra points per game. Orton’s ability to move the football has the strong-legged Carpenter in position for big days – he already has three makes from 50+ this season.
Owned in 37 percent of Yahoo leaguesThe Bills host the Chiefs as they come out of their bye. In the four games Kyle Orton has started this season, Dan Carpenter is averaging 2.0 field goal attempts and 2.2 extra points per game. Orton’s ability to move the football has the strong-legged Carpenter in position for big days – he already has three makes from 50+ this season.
Matt Prater, K, Lions
Owned in 21 percent of Yahoo leaguesMatt Prater would be at the top of this list if he hasn’t looked so shaky through three games as a Lion. He missed two in his 2014 debut, banged a 21-yarder in off the upright in Week 7 and missed a game-winner in Week 8 before getting a do-over via delay of game. Still, this is a veteran kicker with a track record of accuracy. I’m fine using him in the dome against the Dolphins Sunday.
Owned in 21 percent of Yahoo leaguesMatt Prater would be at the top of this list if he hasn’t looked so shaky through three games as a Lion. He missed two in his 2014 debut, banged a 21-yarder in off the upright in Week 7 and missed a game-winner in Week 8 before getting a do-over via delay of game. Still, this is a veteran kicker with a track record of accuracy. I’m fine using him in the dome against the Dolphins Sunday.
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