There's a lot of high-end fantasy talent on IR and a lot more lingering in week-to-week purgatory. RB injures are expected. But the (seemingly) overwhelming number of WR injuries are generating headaches for many of you.
The Niners are down their top two WRs, with one out for the season. The Bucs are down their top two WRs -- also with one out for the season. The Chiefs are down three of their top four WRs, with two out for the season. The Rams know a thing or two about decimated receiving corps, having lost their top two wideouts in September. Several other team #1's -- such as Nico Collins, DK Metcalf, Malik Nabers, and Chris Olave -- have been on the shelf recently and/or are still out.
RB backups are easier to understand, even if they're splitting time with another backup. WR backups are usually mysteries. I don't like to bet on mysteries.
We're at a point in the season where Sterling Shepard, Jacob Cowing, and Skyy Moore might be relevant. For example, Moore entered Week 7 averaging around a 15% offensive snap share for K.C. But on Sunday he hit 47%. While it doesn't mean he'll catch more than one pass, the fact that he's out there . . . well, the Chiefs couldn't have envisioned being both undefeated and down four of their top seven playmakers.
Discussed this a little yesterday. Want to stress it today. Unless you're desperate for a flyer, I'd ignore the suddenly trending WRs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett make sense, because they're established pass-catchers. The same for Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell when Collins got hurt.
The hard part is weighing whether any preseason #4 or #5 WR can break out. To put a stamp on this, I'd rather start JSN this week than guess which Niner, Buc, or K.C. WR will hit 10+ points (if any do). For every Cedric Tillman, there are scores of Jalen McMillans, Trey Palmers, and Shepards.
So if you're having a tough time plugging a WR hole in your starting lineup, let's hear it. Who are you thinking about adding, and why?
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