ACF | RealTime Fantasy Sports

Waivering: Week 7

Tue Oct 19 8:49am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Johnson could start this week

This is going to be a very interesting week. The byes are a killer this week with six teams off. And several of those teams are very good from a fantasy perspective. Plus, the injuries continue to pile up, which is another concern in addition to the byes. This is going to lead to some players getting picked up this week that you normally wouldn’t see on a fantasy roster. But desperate times cause for desperate measures. Below are some players to consider adding to your roster to help fill those voids.

QUARTERBACK

Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos. Bridgewater had his first three-touchdown game of the season last week. He has multiple touchdowns four of six games, though. He has been very consistent, having at least 22.5 fantasy points four games. Bridgewater isn’t flashy but gets the job done on a weekly basis and is a good streaming option for fantasy teams.

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins. Tagovailoa returned from his rib injury and had his best game of the season. He threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns. He scored 25.7 fantasy points. Tagovailoa has some good matchups in the coming weeks, playing the Falcons and Texans two of his next three games. He is another good streaming option for fantasy teams.

RUNNING BACK

Khalil Herbert, Bears. Herbert isn’t available in many leagues but still out there in about 23 percent. If he is out there in yours, go grab him. He has done well with his expanded chances, rushing 15 times for 97 yards and a touchdown in a starting role last week. He has run for at least 75 yards two straight.

D’Ernest Johnson, Demetric Felton, Browns. The Browns are a mess at running back right now because of injury. Kareem Hunt started this past week but left early with a calf injury. Nick Chubb missed the game because of a calf injury. Both backs might be out this week, especially since the Browns have the Thursday night game. This leaves Johnson and Felton to handle the running back duties. Both guys are worth a look if you need the running back help. We think Johnson is the better bet of the two but nothing is a given because neither have played very much this year.

Mark Ingram, Texans. Ingram has 34 carries his last two games. He had one of his best games of the season last week, rushing 18 times for 73 yards. He doesn’t have a ton of fantasy value in this offense but with all the injuries at running back, Ingram is worth a look to fantasy teams. He does have double-digit fantasy points two games. Ingram remains available in 52 percent of games.

Devonta Freeman, Ravens. Latavius Murray was banged up in the Ravens game, leading to a few more chances for Freeman. And Freeman had his best showing of the season, rushing nine times for 53 yards and a touchdown. If Murray has to miss any time, Freeman is likely the next man up. And any starter in the Ravens offense has very good fantasy value. He is worth a speculative add for any fantasy team needing running back help.

RECEIVER

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns. Peoples-Jones is starting to make a name for himself in the Browns passing game. He has nine receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets his last two games. We still think he could be hit or miss in a run-first offense, but his big-play ability gives him a fairly high ceiling on a weekly basis.

Kendrick Bourne, Patriots. Bourne caught just a pass on two targets last week but it went for a 75-yard touchdown. Bourne has double-digit fantasy points three of four games. He has touchdowns two of those games. Bourne should continue to get some weekly chances in this offense and remains available in 88 percent of leagues.

Jamal Agnew, Jaguars. Agnew has started to find the field more after the injury to D.J. Chark. Agnew has 11 receptions on 13 target his last two games. He has reached double-digit fantasy points each of those two games. Agnew is a great kick returner but the Jaguars are finding ways to get his playmaking ability involved in the passing game. This could be a trend gong forward.

Rashod Bateman, Ravens. Bateman played his first game of the season last week and was involved right away. He had four receptions for 29 yards on six targets. He played 65 percent of the snaps, which was the second highest mark for any Ravens receiver. Bateman is very talented and should continue to grow in this explosive offense. He is worth a bench spot for fantasy teams.

TIGHT END

Tyler Conklin, Vikings. Conklin had 70-plus yards for the second time this season in Week 6. He had three receptions for 71 yards on five targets. He has produced some big games as the starter for the Vikings. He is not a consistent fantasy tight end but a good streaming option in the right matchup. He can produce the big game.

Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington. Seals-Jones had four receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown in Week 6. He has nine catches for 99 yards and a score his last two games, getting a chance to start for Washington because of injury. As long as he is starting, Seals-Jones is a good spot starter for fantasy teams.

O.J. Howard, Bucs. Howard finally seems to be rounding into form. He was a lot more involved in the offense this week and took advantage with a great showing. He had six receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. With Rob Gronkowski still trying to recover from broken ribs, Howard could play a big role in the offense the coming weeks.

Pat Freiermuth, Steelers. Freiermuth had seven receptions for 58 yards on seven targets. All three numbers were season highs for the rookie. He also played a season-high 60 percent of the snaps compared to 45 percent for Eric Ebron. Frieiermuth has moved ahead of Ebron on the depth chart and is becoming a favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger. He seems ready to take off in this offense and is a good addition for any tight end looking for a spark at the position.

ONE WEEK STREAMERS. . . .

Chris Evans, RB, Bengals. Evans got some work last week as the top backup and third-down option for the Bengals. He had four carries for 18 yards and caught three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. He scored 15.7 fantasy points while playing 22 percent of the snaps. The Bengals play a red-hot Ravens offense this week, meaning they could be playing from behind. This could lead to a few more chances for Evans, making him an option to consider for desperate owners at the running back spot.

Ty Montgomery, RB, Saints. Montgomery has played at least 45 percent of the snaps his last two games. He has been the top backup for the Saints since Tony Jones was hurt. Montgomery didn’t have a touch in Week 5 but had three catches for 42 yards the previous game. He has some potential in the passing game. And we would expect him to get a few touches each week if he continues to play this much. He might be worth a shot for fantasy owners in Week 7.

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Chiefs. Robinson has been all over the map this season, having four games with fewer than five fantasy points. He has two games with 13-plus points, though. And he has played at least 59 percent of the snaps every game. So Robinson is on the field often in one of the best offenses in football. And the Chiefs play the Titans in an expected high-scoring game. Robinson is capable of a big play or two in this matchup. He is owned in just two percent of leagues, so if you need a receiver, Robinson is worth a look.

Kendall Hinton, WR, Broncos. Hinton has seven receptions for 62 yards his last two games. He has been targeted at least three times three straight games. He is getting more playing time because of injuries at receiver for Denver. Hinton has played 63 or more percent of the snaps each of his last two games. He should have a similar role this week against the Browns, a team that allows the sixth most fantasy points to receivers.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Waivering: Week 7

The Paur Report