Two things on the docket today:
(1) Biggest waiver pickups.
- Danny Amendola, obviously. According to NFL Network's Albert Breer this morning, Julian Edelman will be out 6-8 weeks. So Amendola immediately ascends into WR2/3 territory from here on out. Rob Gronkowski's value should go up, as well, as should Brandon LaFell's. And of course, LeGarrette Blount will be leaned on more than ever (so glad I traded Justin Forsett for him).
- Michael Floyd (see below). Hyped him up last week after the depth chart shift. He has WR2/3 potential most weeks.
- Matt Jones has a few decent matchups remaining this season, and is coming off his fourth consecutive game with 12+ touches. The Saints have the league's worst defense, so let's not expect RB1 numbers for Jones this week or, frankly, in just about any other week. But in a few games down the stretch, he has RB3/flex potential, making him a must-add for RB-needy managers. Remember: One of my "bold" predictions was that Jones would overtake Alfred Morris this season. But Morris also out-touched Jones on Sunday. So it remains a fluid situation going forward.
- Jay Ajayi is fantasy's best RB handcuff, and with an almost dream schedule weeks 13-16, he's a fantastic flier.
- Finally, Jamize Olawale is the next best RB handcuff. Starter Latavius Murray has played every game despite being a question mark several times. Chances are slim that Murray will play all 16 games, making Olawale the kind of sneaky, below-the-radar RB who could help you win a title--especially with Week 15 and 16 games vs. the Packers and Chargers.
(2) How did newly promoted players fare in Week 10?
While I let down a lot of you with bad predictions about Jeremy Langford, Charcandrick West, and Shane Vereen, But all was not lost: I'd also been publicly wary of guys who--by virtue of depth chart shifts or trades--were incredibly overrated heading into Week 10. These included:
- The much-hyped RB James White, who didn't even register on most fantasy scoring scales. Instead, I pushed--and will continue to push--Blount as a potentially top 10 RB every week.
- Many of you also asked me about Wes Welker. Should he be added and started? My response was blunt: Aside from one of the NFL's worst passing offenses, no team wanted him. Welker's a formerly big name: that's it. And three catches for 32 yards is a realistic projection most weeks.
- As soon as Arizona's coach suggested that Michael Floyd had overtaken John Brown on the depth chart, I urged everyone to abandon Brown and add Floyd, reminding folks that Floyd was a top 25 fantasy WR two years ago who simply needed the opportunity to re-assert himself. Those who took the advice netted Week 10's #2 fantasy WR. Those who didn't were stuck with a disastrous performance by Brown.
- And Vernon Davis: Rather than maintain my loyalty for someone who's so badly underperformed, I've been consistent since his trade to Denver. Battling for targets with two other tight ends, playing with a QB averaging one TD per game, . . . the list of reasons why Davis wasn't and isn't startable is huge. The saving grace might be Brock Osweiler, who has solid 2-TD potential most weeks (he's a clear upgrade over Peyton IMO). But five points is realistic upside for the should-have-been breakout TE.
(1) Biggest waiver pickups.
- Danny Amendola, obviously. According to NFL Network's Albert Breer this morning, Julian Edelman will be out 6-8 weeks. So Amendola immediately ascends into WR2/3 territory from here on out. Rob Gronkowski's value should go up, as well, as should Brandon LaFell's. And of course, LeGarrette Blount will be leaned on more than ever (so glad I traded Justin Forsett for him).
- Michael Floyd (see below). Hyped him up last week after the depth chart shift. He has WR2/3 potential most weeks.
- Matt Jones has a few decent matchups remaining this season, and is coming off his fourth consecutive game with 12+ touches. The Saints have the league's worst defense, so let's not expect RB1 numbers for Jones this week or, frankly, in just about any other week. But in a few games down the stretch, he has RB3/flex potential, making him a must-add for RB-needy managers. Remember: One of my "bold" predictions was that Jones would overtake Alfred Morris this season. But Morris also out-touched Jones on Sunday. So it remains a fluid situation going forward.
- Jay Ajayi is fantasy's best RB handcuff, and with an almost dream schedule weeks 13-16, he's a fantastic flier.
- Finally, Jamize Olawale is the next best RB handcuff. Starter Latavius Murray has played every game despite being a question mark several times. Chances are slim that Murray will play all 16 games, making Olawale the kind of sneaky, below-the-radar RB who could help you win a title--especially with Week 15 and 16 games vs. the Packers and Chargers.
(2) How did newly promoted players fare in Week 10?
While I let down a lot of you with bad predictions about Jeremy Langford, Charcandrick West, and Shane Vereen, But all was not lost: I'd also been publicly wary of guys who--by virtue of depth chart shifts or trades--were incredibly overrated heading into Week 10. These included:
- The much-hyped RB James White, who didn't even register on most fantasy scoring scales. Instead, I pushed--and will continue to push--Blount as a potentially top 10 RB every week.
- Many of you also asked me about Wes Welker. Should he be added and started? My response was blunt: Aside from one of the NFL's worst passing offenses, no team wanted him. Welker's a formerly big name: that's it. And three catches for 32 yards is a realistic projection most weeks.
- As soon as Arizona's coach suggested that Michael Floyd had overtaken John Brown on the depth chart, I urged everyone to abandon Brown and add Floyd, reminding folks that Floyd was a top 25 fantasy WR two years ago who simply needed the opportunity to re-assert himself. Those who took the advice netted Week 10's #2 fantasy WR. Those who didn't were stuck with a disastrous performance by Brown.
- And Vernon Davis: Rather than maintain my loyalty for someone who's so badly underperformed, I've been consistent since his trade to Denver. Battling for targets with two other tight ends, playing with a QB averaging one TD per game, . . . the list of reasons why Davis wasn't and isn't startable is huge. The saving grace might be Brock Osweiler, who has solid 2-TD potential most weeks (he's a clear upgrade over Peyton IMO). But five points is realistic upside for the should-have-been breakout TE.