Working the Wire- Week 10
-Hoover26 November 11
Every week, it seems like another fantasy option goes down the drain. Whether it is by injury, benching, suspension, or whatever it may be, it still leaves a gaping hole in fantasy teams everywhere. Thankfully, however, it seems like every week brings another fantasy sleeper. That is what we search for, tirelessly pour ourselves over the waiver wire for. These are a few fantasy sleepers that might just fill that hole in your lineup.
Josh McCown- 7.1% Owned
Did you know that only three quarterbacks (Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers) whose average draft position (espn.com) was in the top ten for QBs actually has top ten fantasy points? A little shocking, and it makes waiver wire moves so much more vital. Many waiver wire quarterbacks have attained fantasy stardom this year (Derek Carr and Blake Bortles to name a few), but Josh McCown has not gotten the respect he deserves. Injury caused him to miss a few games this year, hurting his fantasy rankings. However, there is a chance he might make the start in week ten. Not only would that be great for the owners of Gary Barnidge and Travis Benjamin, but McCown has a chance to put up start-worthy numbers as well. Consider this, McCown’s running backs have a combined Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement of -26 (footballoutsiders.com). When McCown is in, he is pretty much the only one to fuel the offense. If you are worried about starting your high drafted quarterback, or you lost him to injury, McCown is a great pickup. Even if he doesn’t play this week, he will help your team.
Marcel Reece- 5.1% Owned
If you thought the stat about top ten quarterbacks was bad, the running back position is way worse. Only a pair of running backs drafted in the position top ten (espn.com) are in the top ten in scoring, and one of them is currently injured (Matt Forte). With Latavius Murray likely out week ten with a concussion, the Oakland backfield is wide open. Marcel Reece looks primed to surpass Taiwan Jones and Roy Helu in carries. While Reece might be better known for being a multi-time Pro Bowl fullback, he can be the top dog in the backfield. Logically, if you drafted a top ten ranked running back, you had an 80% chance of getting an underperformer. So, chances are, your running back spots aren’t set in stone. Before the injury, Murray was ranked fifteenth for running backs (espn.com), so the team is capable of producing a solid running game. Reece should be able to take advantage of the influx of carries, and get you some much needed production from the running back spot.
Wes Welker- 7.6% Owned
Last time Wes Welker played in the NFL, it was for Denver. He wasn’t exactly fantasy gold in his final year (34 catches for 282 yards), he was suspended for PEDs, and his concussion record isn’t exactly clean. However, with the Saint Louis Rams starving for offense, Welker was brought in to give Nick Foles an experienced target. If Welker can stay healthy, he might be a real fantasy sleeper. Foles hasn’t been at his best this year, as his Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement is 30th in the league, according to footballoutsiders.com (fun fact, number 31 is Peyton Manning). Now, I’m not saying Welker should be your new top receiver, but he is a nice add for someone in need of a flex play with upside.
Dorial Green-Beckham- 13.8% Owned
DGB broke onto the NFL scene in week two, and has been up and down ever since. He had two touchdown catches in weeks two and three, yet only three total receptions. However, he was targeted ten times last week. It looks like the Titans want DGB to be a large part of the offense, as Marcus Mariota is dealing touchdowns like playing cards. Fantasy owners are beginning to take notice of the increased role, but DGB’s ownership percentage is still very low. If you can get him, he might be able to produce right away. However, don’t give up on him if he has a poor game. His upside is huge, but as rookies fantasy numbers usually are, his stats may be erratic.
Coby Fleener- 17.4% Owned
You may be thinking, why would I add someone on a team with a forty year old backup quarterback? Well, despite Andrew Luck’s absence, Fleener looks to be ready for some strong fantasy games. Remember, his best game of the year came with Matt Hasselbeck at the helm (83 yards and a touchdown in week four). With Dwayne Allen a non-factor in the passing game, Fleener is going to get pretty much all of the tight end work. Fleener is a very nice add, and is a talented starting tight end option. For example, if Johnny Manziel starts for Cleveland, I would start Fleener before Gary Barnidge. At 17.4%, Fleener is a bargain, and is a valuable piece of a playoff puzzle.
Eric Ebron- 29.8% Owned
Ebron has not lived up to his tremendous fantasy potential thus far. He is an incredible athlete, and has tremendous size. He is the prototype of a great young tight end. However, he has not looked the part in his two year career. Don’t get me wrong, he has been good, but not that top five tight end that we all know he could be. Ebron has sneakily worked his way to the fantasy ranking of thirteenth, his strong play blocked by the horrid Lions offense. If you can get past the poor overall numbers, you can get a real steal in Ebron.
Josh McCown- 7.1% Owned
Did you know that only three quarterbacks (Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers) whose average draft position (espn.com) was in the top ten for QBs actually has top ten fantasy points? A little shocking, and it makes waiver wire moves so much more vital. Many waiver wire quarterbacks have attained fantasy stardom this year (Derek Carr and Blake Bortles to name a few), but Josh McCown has not gotten the respect he deserves. Injury caused him to miss a few games this year, hurting his fantasy rankings. However, there is a chance he might make the start in week ten. Not only would that be great for the owners of Gary Barnidge and Travis Benjamin, but McCown has a chance to put up start-worthy numbers as well. Consider this, McCown’s running backs have a combined Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement of -26 (footballoutsiders.com). When McCown is in, he is pretty much the only one to fuel the offense. If you are worried about starting your high drafted quarterback, or you lost him to injury, McCown is a great pickup. Even if he doesn’t play this week, he will help your team.
Marcel Reece- 5.1% Owned
If you thought the stat about top ten quarterbacks was bad, the running back position is way worse. Only a pair of running backs drafted in the position top ten (espn.com) are in the top ten in scoring, and one of them is currently injured (Matt Forte). With Latavius Murray likely out week ten with a concussion, the Oakland backfield is wide open. Marcel Reece looks primed to surpass Taiwan Jones and Roy Helu in carries. While Reece might be better known for being a multi-time Pro Bowl fullback, he can be the top dog in the backfield. Logically, if you drafted a top ten ranked running back, you had an 80% chance of getting an underperformer. So, chances are, your running back spots aren’t set in stone. Before the injury, Murray was ranked fifteenth for running backs (espn.com), so the team is capable of producing a solid running game. Reece should be able to take advantage of the influx of carries, and get you some much needed production from the running back spot.
Wes Welker- 7.6% Owned
Last time Wes Welker played in the NFL, it was for Denver. He wasn’t exactly fantasy gold in his final year (34 catches for 282 yards), he was suspended for PEDs, and his concussion record isn’t exactly clean. However, with the Saint Louis Rams starving for offense, Welker was brought in to give Nick Foles an experienced target. If Welker can stay healthy, he might be a real fantasy sleeper. Foles hasn’t been at his best this year, as his Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement is 30th in the league, according to footballoutsiders.com (fun fact, number 31 is Peyton Manning). Now, I’m not saying Welker should be your new top receiver, but he is a nice add for someone in need of a flex play with upside.
Dorial Green-Beckham- 13.8% Owned
DGB broke onto the NFL scene in week two, and has been up and down ever since. He had two touchdown catches in weeks two and three, yet only three total receptions. However, he was targeted ten times last week. It looks like the Titans want DGB to be a large part of the offense, as Marcus Mariota is dealing touchdowns like playing cards. Fantasy owners are beginning to take notice of the increased role, but DGB’s ownership percentage is still very low. If you can get him, he might be able to produce right away. However, don’t give up on him if he has a poor game. His upside is huge, but as rookies fantasy numbers usually are, his stats may be erratic.
Coby Fleener- 17.4% Owned
You may be thinking, why would I add someone on a team with a forty year old backup quarterback? Well, despite Andrew Luck’s absence, Fleener looks to be ready for some strong fantasy games. Remember, his best game of the year came with Matt Hasselbeck at the helm (83 yards and a touchdown in week four). With Dwayne Allen a non-factor in the passing game, Fleener is going to get pretty much all of the tight end work. Fleener is a very nice add, and is a talented starting tight end option. For example, if Johnny Manziel starts for Cleveland, I would start Fleener before Gary Barnidge. At 17.4%, Fleener is a bargain, and is a valuable piece of a playoff puzzle.
Eric Ebron- 29.8% Owned
Ebron has not lived up to his tremendous fantasy potential thus far. He is an incredible athlete, and has tremendous size. He is the prototype of a great young tight end. However, he has not looked the part in his two year career. Don’t get me wrong, he has been good, but not that top five tight end that we all know he could be. Ebron has sneakily worked his way to the fantasy ranking of thirteenth, his strong play blocked by the horrid Lions offense. If you can get past the poor overall numbers, you can get a real steal in Ebron.