The Wire - Week 16
By Levi Ellis
Last week was one of the craziest weeks in recent memory. If you pulled out the win and I’m assuming you did if you’re reading this article, then congratulations. Not only did you survive a playoff week but you also survived Covid in a sense. You only need two more wins to join the record books in your league. Take a look at this weeks waiver guys to find those missing pieces to your championship bid.
All players are listed in priority order based on position.
(2 QB Leagues Only)
Tyler Huntley - 28/40 215 yards, 2tds, 13 carries, 73 yards, 2tds - Most likely Lamar will be back this week but if he’s not Huntley immediately becomes the number one waiver addition for QBs.
Cam Newton - 18/38 156 yards, 1td, 1int, 15 carries, 71 yards, 1td, 2 FL - He can’t throw an accurate pass to save his life but man he can still run the rock and for that reason he’s still a fantasy relevant QB. Just keep an eye to make sure Sam Darnold doesn’t re-enter the picture.
Drew Lock - 6/12 88 yards, 1td, 1 carry, -2 yards - Bridgewater is likely out this week which means Lock will get the start. He has arm talent but he’s a gunslinger. The play calling is more of the issue as the Broncos are a run-dominant team.
Jake Fromm - 6/12 82 yards - Daniel Jones was ruled out for the rest of the season and quite frankly I’m not sure why Mike Glennon has been starting. Fromm appeared to have command of the offense once he entered the game last week and I’m excited to see what this kid has. One thing is for sure, the Giants have some offensive weapons with guys like Barkley, Gollada and Engram.
Jeff Wilson - 21 carries, 110 yards, 1td, 2 targets, 2 catches, 9 yards - Elijah Mitchell is likely out for at least one more week and Jeff Wilson was the clear cut number one RB last week. He’s a must start until Mitchell is back.
Ronald Jones - 8 carries, 63 yards, 2 targets, 2 catches, 8 yards - With the Leonard Fournette news Ronald Jones quickly ascends himself into the must own category as he is the new lead back for the high powered Bucs (forget about last weeks egg).
D’Onta Foreman - 22 carries, 108 yards, 3 targets, 2 catches, 27 yards - Foreman has been as steady as they come for a fill in RB. He’s been so good that he’s likely to be a guy to watch long term.
Devin Singletary - 22 carries, 86 yards, 1td, 1 target, 1 catch, 10 yards - It appears Singletary is the number one back moving forward but keep a close eye on this one.
Craig Reynolds - 26 carries, 112 yards, 1 target, 1 catch, 5 yards - Two weeks in a row Reynolds has been impressive. As long as Swift is out this guy is going to get carries as he has proven to be too good.
Justin Jackson - 13 carries, 86 yards, 1 target, 1 catch, 13 yards - If Ekeler comes off the Covid list and plays this weekend then move Jackson down. If Ekeler misses the game then Jackson is a must start against the Texans and he offers the passing game upside.
Samaje Perine - 4 carries, 30 yards, 2 targets, 2 catches, 13 yards - Mixon may miss time and if he does Perine is likely to be the guy. Keep a close eye on Mixon’s status.
Ameer Abdullah - 4 carries, 7 yards, 4 targets, 4 catches, 48 yards, 1td - Abdullah is the pass catching guy and the most electric RB on the roster. The Panthers also need him so I expect to see more and more of Abdullah.
Duke Johnson - 22 carries, 107 yards, 2tds, 1 carry, 1 catch, 20 yards - Well I don’t think many people saw this coming. There are still some Duke Johnson believers out there but not sure many people thought we would see him blow up last week. I’m not sure if this is something that can continue, keep in mind they played the Jets last week, but he’s worth a consideration.
Dontrell Hilliard - 9 carries, 49 yards, 6 targets, 4 catches, 10 yards - Hilliard is a deep waiver guy this week with Foreman playing so well but Hilliard is a guy that I think could surprise people. The issue is I think he’s super risky.
Antonio Brown - AB is back from suspension and just in time to save the Bucs passing offense with the news of Godwin tearing his ACL and Evans dealing with an injury himself. I’m sure AB will need to knock off the rust but one thing about the guy, he is one of the hardest working guys in the NFL so I have no doubt that his conditioning will be up to par.
Russell Gage - 11 targets, 8 catches, 91 yards, 1td - Gage has stepped up big in recent weeks and is a must start each and every week until proven otherwise.
Amon-Ra St. Brown - 11 targets, 8 catches, 90 yards, 1td, 1 carry, 5 yards - St. Brown has been a monster the last two weeks. The only thing that could slow him down now is Goff was placed on the Covid list so monitor this one closely before starting him this week.
Tyler Johnson - 7 targets, 4 catches, 41 yards - Just like AB, Tyler Johnson is one of the guys left standing and he plays with one of the best QBs to ever play. For those reasons I expect Johnson to string together some fantasy relevant games if Mike Evans misses time.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling - 7 targets, 5 catches, 98 yards, 1td - I’m typically not an MVS kind of guy because I prefer consistency but he does play with Aaron Rodgers and he has big time potential each and every time he steps on the field. If you need to swing for the fences there’s not a better guy you can find on waivers.
Gabriel Davis - 7 targets, 5 catches, 85 yards, 2tds - If Emmanuel Sanders misses more time I like Davis as a redzone guy.
AJ Green - 8 targets, 4 catches, 64 yards - Assuming that Christian Kirk is already owned, AJ Green is the next Cardinal WR you want to ensure is on a roster at this point. I think consistency could be an issue but Green can still produce.
Kenny Golladay - 7 targets, 3 catches, 53 yards - Hear me out on this one before you skip to the next player. Talent has never been the issue with Golladay, injuries and poor QB play have been. Well he’s finally healthy and Fromm looked competent in garbage time last week. I think Fromm will try to get the ball into his playmakers hands and Golladay is the best WR on the team and it’s not close.
KJ Osborn - 3 targets, 3 catches, 21 yards - The Vikings play the Rams this week and I expect this game to be a shootout. Thielen could be back this week but I think the game script will favor all three Viking WRs to put up starter-worthy points.
Breshad Perriman - With the Godwin and Evans injuries I could see Perriman producing a few big plays each week. Those big plays may be all you need for him to be fantasy relevant.
Josh Reynolds - 6 targets, 6 catches, 68 yards, 1td - If Goff plays I like Reynolds. If not, stay away.
Marquez Callaway - 9 targets, 6 catches, 112 yards - I don’t love the idea of staring Callaway because the Saints passing game has been so bad but he is talented and if you’re this far down the list you’re looking for anyone you can.
Jalen Guyton - 2 targets, 2 catches, 10 yards, 1td - It’s hard to argue against Guyton when his QB is Justin Herbert but keep in mind his best use is in situations where you need to swing for the fences.
Laquon Treadwell - 9 targets, 6 catches, 57 yards - Treadwell has turned into a consistent 10-12 point per week in ppr leagues. If you need a safe floor he’s your guy.
Donovan Peoples-Jones - 8 targets, 4 catches, 48 yards - Peoples-Jones is one of the riskiest plays out there but if you need upside then he could be your guy as the Browns face off against the high-powered Packers offense this week.
Zay Jones - 9 targets, 6 catches, 67 yards - With Waller out Jones has found a more consistent role in the offense but he’s still as risky as they come.
Kendrick Bourne - 3 targets, 3 catches, 44 yards, 2 carries, 19 yards - If he comes off the Covid list then he has a safe floor of 8-12 points a game.
Jamison Crowder - 8 targets, 5 catches, 40 yards - I personally don’t trust any of the Jets players for the playoffs but if you need someone Crowder has proven in the past to be a big time play maker.
Scotty Miller - 3 targets, 2 catches, 18 yards - If I’m going to take a chance on a player I like taking chances on players who play with great QBs and have an opportunity for snaps. I like Miller as a high-upside play if Mike Evans and Perriman are both out. If only one is out Miller could still see value as I think the Bucs will be out to prove something after laying an egg last week.
Dalton Schultz - 8 targets, 8 catches, 67 yards, 1td - There was a lot of concern with all three WRs healthy but Schultz still balled out. I’m more concerned with the Cowboys offense than I am about all three WRs healthy. Schultz is a baller though and deserves to be started each and every week.
James O’Shaughnessy - 4 targets, 4 catches, 60 yards - O’Shaughnessy is a risky player with low upside but he should be stable enough to get you 6-10 points.
Cole Kmet - 9 targets, 6 catches, 71 yards - He’s risky but Fields likes to throw his way and he has talent. You could do worse.
Dead to Me (redraft leagues only)
Carson Wentz - The Colts are doing what it takes to win which means more Jonathan Taylor
Ryan Tannehill - Where did this offense go
All Colts WRs & TEs not named Pittman
All Texans skill players not named Cooks
Giants not named Barkley & he barely makes the cut - If Fromm starts the WRs could see a boost
Zack Moss - Can’t trust he will play
On Life Support
Denver WRs - Just can’t trust this passing game right now, can Lock change that narrative
Rashod Bateman - Can’t trust his role in the offense for the fantasy playoffs
Check me out on Twitter @FFStock_Man37 or on my YouTube channel (The Locker Room)
