Welcome to our season-long segment at RotoBaller where we will be targeting players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.
So while both Percy Harvin (41%) and Chris Johnson (48%) are obvious targets in this week's waiver wire, they don't make our cut.
I'll try to include a player from every position (including D/ST), as long as the options are worthy of discussion. We might already be pushing it at RB, but that's for you to decide. Let's get to it.
Digging Deeper - Potential Week 2 Waiver Wire Sleepers
Donte Moncrief - WR, Indianapolis Colts
25% Owned in Fleaflicker
Don't be fooled by the fact T.Y Hilton is questionable for week 2 versus the New York Jets: Moncrief is a legit option in Indy's passing attack. With questions pertaining who would take hold of the WR3 role between Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett, Moncrief went undrafted in 75% of Fleaflicker leagues. It's safe to say that number is going to spike when waivers clear this week.
Moncrief registered a 6-46-1 line on 11 targets this weekend at Buffalo, good enough for a 10.60 effort in non-PPR leagues. The Colts are expected to use Moncrief in the WR2 slot opposite of Andre Johnson for their Monday Night Football matchup versus the Jets. Johnson looked slow and old on Sunday, so I anticipate Moncrief seeing a heavy dose of targets.
Darrelle Revis is expected to invite Andre Johnson to Revis Island, which leaves Moncrief with a matchup versus Buster Skrine. Skrine was the second most targeted cornerback and allowed eight TD in 2014 according to Pro Football Focus, so I expect Moncrief to find the endzone in week 2.
Tyrod Taylor - QB, Buffalo Bills
18% Owned in Fleaflicker
Tyrod Taylor aka T-Mobile performed better than anyone in Buffalo could have envisioned, playing the game-manager role efficiently while guiding the Bills to a home-opener win versus a tough Colts team. On the day Taylor was 15-for-19 for 195 yards and a TD while adding 41 rushing yards on nine carries, including a beautiful 51-yard touchdown to Percy Harvin. Perhaps the biggest stat is the zero turnovers, allowing the Bills defense to avoid risky situations.
Taylor is not a QB1 by any measure, but he makes for a solid QB2 in 2-QB formats and is a nice backup option for owners with QB concerns (looking at you, Peyton Manning and Ryan Tannehill owners). The dual-threat skill set is the X-factor here, giving Taylor the opportunity to be useful even when the passing game isn't there. The dink-and-dunk approach by the Bills offense limits Taylor's ceiling and I would be hesitant to use Taylor in 10-or-12 team leagues in week 2. That said, he's a worthy grab that shouldn't blow your FAAB budget.
Cole Beasley - WR, Dallas Cowboys
8% Owned in Fleaflicker
While Dez Bryant owners are still sobering up to the fact they lost their first round pick for six weeks (at least), those owners desperate for WR are rejoicing. Terrance Williams is expected to slide into the WR1 role, which leaves us with Cole Beasley stepping into a more prominent role in Dallas' offense. In week 1 Beasley caught four of six targets for 49 yards, although that included a costly fumble for six. The majority of his targets came on screen passes, limiting his ceiling in standard leagues.
Beasley is expected to remain in the slot role for Dallas but he should be a PPR asset in this week's game at Philadelphia. The Eagles are still trying out multiple slot corners after the departure of Brandon Boykin, and with the game expected to be a shoot out I love Beasley as a WR3 in PPR leagues for this week and hence forth.
Ladarius Green - TE, San Diego Chargers
21% Owned in Fleaflicker
It was surprising to see Green play after experiencing concussion-like symptoms during the week, but likely due to the loss of Antonio Gates the team was willing to throw him out there. Safe to say it worked out great in their favor. Green caught five of his six targets for 74 yards and a score, showing off his elusive speed for a man his size (6'6", 240). He's always had immense potential but injuries and the presence of Hall-of-Famer Antonio Gates have held him back until this point.
Until Gates returns week 5 Green should continue to be a fantasy asset for TE-deprived owners. He's safely in the TE1 discussion after the main trio (Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, Greg Olsen) but I would be hesitant to use him in week 2. The Cincinnati Bengals have allowed just one 300-yard game since week 7 of 2014 and return a stingy defense led by a stout front line. Weeks 3 and 4 should be more favorable for the big man (@ MIN / vs CLE).
Karlos Williams - RB, Buffalo Bills
8% Owned in Fleaflicker
I told you it wouldn't be pretty. The pickings are very slim at RB once you cross the 25% ownership threshold and if you're already facing these dire circumstances, I'm sorry. Buying Karlos Williams is the equivalent of shorting LeSean McCoy, as his value is directly tied to Shady's success. Considering McCoy started the year with hamstring concerns, Williams is worth investing in.
Williams only saw six carries on the day and turned it into 55 yards, including an impressive 26-yard touchdown. He's likely to only see 6-8 carries per game while Shady carries the load and Anthony Dixon handles goal-line work, so I wouldn't use Williams in week 2 (unless things are that bad). But should McCoy suffer an injury Williams will see his ownership skyrocket with FAAB bids reaching the $30 range. Do yourself a favor and get on the front end of this one and save some coin.
Tennessee Titans Defense
4% Owned in Fleaflicker
I am not buying the Titans performance versus a struggling Jameis Winston on Sunday, but as long as they get inexperienced quarterbacks on their slate I'm willing to stream them. The Titans finished as the third-best defense in week 1 in standard scoring, tied with Seattle and Baltimore. This week they travel to Cleveland to face Johnny Manziel aka Johnny Football. Manziel might have been a threat back at Texas A&M but he's done nothing to prove he shouldn't be targeted by fantasy owners.
Manziel stepped in for Josh McCown and finished 13-for-24 with 182 yards, one touchdown, one interception, three sacks, and two fumbles versus the Jets. Manziel also reported feeling tightness in his elbow after the game, increasing concerns of how large of a workload he can handle. The Titans, while not being a defensive juggernaut, were able to create pressure versus Tampa Bay (4 sacks) and I expect similar success versus a weak Browns O-line.
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