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Well, a quarter of the NFL season is done just like that. With a multitude of injuries and now COVID-induced postponements, nobody knows what will truly happen as we move forward.
Up to this point, many star fantasy players have missed time due to injuries, and this week added on a few more such as Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb. As I am now sifting through the list of best players to pick up in deep leagues, I am noticing that many players I have recommended are being picked up, though I don’t know if it’s an influence from this column (I’ll keep hoping).
Nevertheless, I’m feeling accomplished, and have once again found more wide receivers to talk up this week, primarily. As a reminder, players listed in this column will always be rostered at or below 15% in Yahoo leagues.
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Free Agent Quarterbacks
Drew Lock, Denver Broncos- 9 %
Lock suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 and has been sidelined the past two games. Nevertheless, the QB has a chance to play this week against the Patriots, though it’s not set and stone. Lock impressed last season by going 4-1 to close out the season and finished Week 1 with 216 yards and a touchdown with a 66.7 percent completion rate.
Lock is worth a stash right now and can be serviceable in deep leagues when he returns. While he may not be in the weekly starter just yet when he returns, he offers upside if the matchup is right.
Free Agent Running Backs
Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers-11%
Jamaal Williams’ role on the Packers will always be that of the pass-catching back, and though he will not put up steady numbers every week, he should certainly remain in the flex conversation for deep leagues.
Oddly, the RB has put up better rushing numbers this season (which shouldn’t be considered odd but it just is considering what he’s known for) as he has seen no less than six carries per game so far through three weeks. He’s worth a stash at this point considering RBs have been hit hard by injuries.
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers- 5%
Speaking of RBs hit hard by injuries, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley on the Chargers will see their roles increase due to a hamstring and knee injury sustained by lead back Austin Ekeler in Week 4. Ekeler’s out for a while now, meaning Jackson will likely be the RB1 or RB2 going forward.
The distribution of touches and playing time is not clear as of now, but Jackson has the potential to put up weekly flex numbers going forward, kind of how like Mike Davis is doing for Carolina right now. That all depends on how well he plays and if he’s afforded more playing time. He’s certainly worth stashing right now.
D'Ernest Johnson- Cleveland Browns- 1%
Due to the injury sustained by RB Nick Chubb (MCL), 24-year-old back D’Ernest Johnson will see a big role going forward alongside Kareem Hunt on the Browns. Johnson impressed in Week 4, turning 13 carries into 95 yards after Chubb went down. The second-year player has the potential to put up flex numbers during Chubb’s absence.
Free Agent Wide Receivers
Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts- 4 %
The Indianapolis Colts are down a couple of receivers with Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell currently on injured reserve. This means Zach Pascal will be the WR2 going forward, and thus it could result in bigger numbers. In Week 4, the Old Dominion product got three receptions for a season-high 58 yards on a season-high eight targets, quite encouraging. Pascal is a solid pickup and could be in the flex conversation going forward considering the Colts’ only other proven pass-catchers include T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle.
Cedrick Wilson, Dallas Cowboys- 2%
Out of nowhere, third-year player Cedrick Wilson emerged for the Cowboys in Week 3 and still saw some looks in Week 4. The receiver now has eight receptions, 13 targets, and 141 yards in just two weeks though most of those yards came in Week 3. Nevertheless, there is a growing rapport between Dak Prescott and Wilson despite a large number of weapons on this Dallas offense.
On a high-powered offense, the numbers will surely be there, so Wilson is worth a stash. Just don’t expect weekly consistency considering the other primary playmakers on the unit. It’s best to monitor Wilson’s numbers more before starting him.
Danny Amendola, Detroit Lions- 2 %
Amendola is the WR3 on the team, but he still is worth a look considering he has been seeing three to seven targets per game this season. In addition, the veteran has gotten 10 receptions for 177 yards as well on the season. Amendola is a serviceable fantasy option to pick up if you are in a bind with your depth.
Chris Conley, Jacksonville Jaguars- 1 %
With so many receiving options, it’s hard to tell who on the Jags could have a breakout game. Though consistency should not be expected from this unit (aside from D.J. Chark Jr.), Chris Conley has begun to show some nevertheless.
Aside from a forgettable Week 1, the former Chief has now seen at least three receptions, four targets, and 34 yards in the past three games. He has also seen as much as eight targets in a game. It remains to be seen if Conley will maintain that consistency considering he’s further down the WRs depth chart, but the past few weeks have been promising for him.
Isaiah Ford, Miami Dolphins- 1%
WR depth was an issue for the Dolphins coming into this season but 2017 seventh-round pick Isaiah Ford has quietly been emerging as a solid contributor for this offense. The 24-year-old has not been consistent but has the potential to put up solid numbers. An example of this is in Week 4 where he grabbed four receptions for 48 yards on 10 targets. 10 targets. Not bad for somebody that wasn’t even on the fantasy radar coming into 2020. Ford is worth a look now as he should be considered the WR3 on Miami and his numbers could eventually become solid and consistent.
David Moore, Seattle Seahawks- 1 %
We all know how talented the duo of Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf is on the Seahawks, but David Moore made a statement in Week 4 with his 95-yard performance that included three receptions and a score on four targets. Moore can be considered the WR3 on the Seahawks and should see some looks on this high-powered passing offense for the rest of the season as long as Russ keeps on cooking.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos- 1%
Though this is his third season, Broncos receiver Tim Patrick is now making a case for fantasy relevancy. He will be the WR2 on the team for the rest of the season alongside Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy and Patrick are the most reliable passing options on this team no matter the QB, so Patrick’s role should stay large and consistent.
In Week 4, he flashed his potential, getting six receptions for 113 yards and a score on seven targets. Patrick is a must-add this week and is certainly in the flex conversation for the rest of the season.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears- 1%
Mooney is money for this week on the waiver wire. Sorry, I had to say that, but the WR would be a clutch pickup in deeper leagues considering he is emerging on this Chicago receiving corps. Though Mooney had been seeing somewhat decent numbers through the first three weeks, he had a solid Week 4 with five receptions for 52 yards on nine targets.
On a unit that doesn’t feature many reliable pass-catchers aside from Allen Robinson II and Jimmy Graham, picking up Mooney could be a rich choice considering he could have great value in the passing game going forward.
Free Agent Tight Ends
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts- 11%
Jack Doyle has only played in two games this season. In Week 4, he only saw one reception for 12 yards on one target. You may be asking why I included him in this column. For one, the Colts are dealing with injuries to their pass-catching unit, leaving T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal, and the now-rising Mo-Alie Cox as the only reliable options for Philip Rivers. Doyle has proved his worth on the team before, so he’s worth a stash right now. His target share and numbers could eventually go up.
Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals- 3 %
Drew Sample is the new TE1 of the Bengals and though his numbers have been lackluster, he’s certainly worth considering for tight ends in deeper leagues. The 24-year-old grabbed three receptions for 47 yards on five targets in Week 4. Though that sounds encouraging, he only had one reception for one yard on one target in Week 3.
So, what I am saying here? Grab Sample if you need the depth, but continue to monitor his numbers and ensure he puts up Week 4 type numbers more consistently before ever starting him.
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