Lee Evans. Dwayne Bowe. Kelvin Benjamin. The NFL has a history of great receivers becoming fantasy-irrelevant within one to two years of peaking. Sometimes they're due to a serious injury (Victor Cruz). Sometimes the downfall is more complicated (Odell Beckham, Jr.). What exactly does OBJ want, and why should it matter in fantasy?
Well, he claims to want to play for a title contender. If we take him at his word, then there are about 20 teams where he could have an impact. Among those teams, there are a handful where he could have a fantasy impact--specifically places where he could be the no. 1 receiver if things break right (like the Saints) or a no. 2 in a more proficient offense (like the Packers, or even the Raiders). I describe the fantasy impact of every potential landing spot in a recent PFN article: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/odell-beckham-jr-fantasy-value-joining-the-raiders-saints-or-packers-could-help-win-your-fantasy-title/.
If you have OBJ, I would suggest holding him until/unless he's signed, and then assess his usefulness. Maybe you can scratch out WR3/4 production. Maybe, in a perfect world, he returns to at least his 2019 form.
There are obviously plenty of more interesting players available on waivers or possibly in trades. His former teammate, Donovan Peoples-Jones, is a must-add in most leagues, particularly if you're starting WR4's in your flex. Not that DPJ is reliable in Cleveland's run-heavy offense. But he's talented enough to be the no. 1 receiver or co-no. 1 (with Jarvis Landry), and that's not a bad get at this stage of the season.
At quarterback, I'm shocked at the high percentage of leagues that aren't rostering Carson Wentz or Kirk Cousins. They're the QB-10 and QB-11, respectively, and both have a history of QB1 seasons. Facing Jacksonville and Houston in two of the next four weeks, Wentz (51% available in ESPN leagues) is a must-add in every league. Cousins is only 30% available, but that's still too available. He's scored 21+ fantasy point in five of eight games; I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes in the top 8.
For the RB desperate among you, Ty Johnson (80% available0 has taken his game to another level on the talent-depleted Jets. While his TD rate is unsustainable (three in the past four games), his 6-11 touches per contest -- including sufficient attention in the passing game -- make him a solid waiver add in very deep leagues, or in leagues where you’re desperate for a no. 2 RB who might get you 8+ points.
D'Onta Foreman is an even deeper waiver sleeper. A few years ago he was the heir-apparent to Lamar Miller in Houston. Injuries largely derailed his career. But no one has questioned his bellcow abilities if given the opportunity. On Sunday he ran behind Adrian Peterson and Jeremy McNichols in a largely remade Titan backfield after Derrick Henry hit injured reserve. I’m not buying the 36-year-old AP as a long-term solution, and McNichols is a role player. Foreman has the most upside. If I could roster anyone for ceiling, it would be the 99% available Foreman.
Finally, there's no good reason why Logan Thomas should be available in 53% of leagues. Once he returns from injured reserve (as early as this week), he'll be a great bet for TE1 numbers. Washington's surprisingly bad defense helps his case, as 35% of Taylor Heinicke's pass attempts have come in the fourth quarter. Even more starkly, he's thrown 13 passes while leading and 223 while trailing. So yeah, Thomas should get plenty of work on a team that should be trailing early and often most of the rest of the season.
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- PFN fantasy podcast -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
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Well, he claims to want to play for a title contender. If we take him at his word, then there are about 20 teams where he could have an impact. Among those teams, there are a handful where he could have a fantasy impact--specifically places where he could be the no. 1 receiver if things break right (like the Saints) or a no. 2 in a more proficient offense (like the Packers, or even the Raiders). I describe the fantasy impact of every potential landing spot in a recent PFN article: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/odell-beckham-jr-fantasy-value-joining-the-raiders-saints-or-packers-could-help-win-your-fantasy-title/.
If you have OBJ, I would suggest holding him until/unless he's signed, and then assess his usefulness. Maybe you can scratch out WR3/4 production. Maybe, in a perfect world, he returns to at least his 2019 form.
There are obviously plenty of more interesting players available on waivers or possibly in trades. His former teammate, Donovan Peoples-Jones, is a must-add in most leagues, particularly if you're starting WR4's in your flex. Not that DPJ is reliable in Cleveland's run-heavy offense. But he's talented enough to be the no. 1 receiver or co-no. 1 (with Jarvis Landry), and that's not a bad get at this stage of the season.
At quarterback, I'm shocked at the high percentage of leagues that aren't rostering Carson Wentz or Kirk Cousins. They're the QB-10 and QB-11, respectively, and both have a history of QB1 seasons. Facing Jacksonville and Houston in two of the next four weeks, Wentz (51% available in ESPN leagues) is a must-add in every league. Cousins is only 30% available, but that's still too available. He's scored 21+ fantasy point in five of eight games; I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes in the top 8.
For the RB desperate among you, Ty Johnson (80% available0 has taken his game to another level on the talent-depleted Jets. While his TD rate is unsustainable (three in the past four games), his 6-11 touches per contest -- including sufficient attention in the passing game -- make him a solid waiver add in very deep leagues, or in leagues where you’re desperate for a no. 2 RB who might get you 8+ points.
D'Onta Foreman is an even deeper waiver sleeper. A few years ago he was the heir-apparent to Lamar Miller in Houston. Injuries largely derailed his career. But no one has questioned his bellcow abilities if given the opportunity. On Sunday he ran behind Adrian Peterson and Jeremy McNichols in a largely remade Titan backfield after Derrick Henry hit injured reserve. I’m not buying the 36-year-old AP as a long-term solution, and McNichols is a role player. Foreman has the most upside. If I could roster anyone for ceiling, it would be the 99% available Foreman.
Finally, there's no good reason why Logan Thomas should be available in 53% of leagues. Once he returns from injured reserve (as early as this week), he'll be a great bet for TE1 numbers. Washington's surprisingly bad defense helps his case, as 35% of Taylor Heinicke's pass attempts have come in the fourth quarter. Even more starkly, he's thrown 13 passes while leading and 223 while trailing. So yeah, Thomas should get plenty of work on a team that should be trailing early and often most of the rest of the season.
---
- PFN fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
- PFN fantasy podcast -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
- Free fantasy advice newsletter -- www.getrevue.co/profile/pfnfantasy