In this weekly series, I will highlight players that are speculative adds in deeper dynasty leagues, since the majority of players often covered in typical waiver wire columns have long been rostered.
No matter how deep your league is or how large the rosters, you should always keep a watch list of players you are considering adding, should the opportunity present itself. The group of names below will help you form that list.
All players mentioned will be owned in less than 10 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues. I will note that the data presented is based on all Yahoo leagues, not just those designated as keeper or dynasty.
First, let’s look back at last week Waiver Wired suggestions that gained value, with current Yahoo ownership percentages and percentage change in parentheses.
Allen Hurns (12%/+6%)
Benny Cunningham (12%/+6%)
Derek Carr (9%/+4%)
Brian Quick (4%/+2%)
Geno Smith (10%/+1%)
Matt Cassel (5%/+1%)
John Brown (7%/+1%)
Mohamed Sanu (7%/+1%)
Denarius Moore (6%/+1%)
Andre Holmes (5%/+1%)
Dwayne Allen (8%/+1%)
Levine Toilolo (2%/+1%)
UPDATE: It’s no surprise to see Jaguars’ rookie wide receiver Allen Hurns top this list after a surprising 100 yard and two touchdown performance in Week One. Meanwhile, the talk of a running back by committee in St. Louis has boosted the value of Benny Cunningham.
While these players are on the rise, some of last week’s suggestions lost value over the past week.
Jonathan Grimes, HOU (6%/-2%)
Tre Mason, STL (4%/-2%)
E.J. Manuel, BUF (6%/-1%)
Bryce Brown, BUF (2%/-1%)
Roy Helu, WAS (2%/-1%)
CJ Anderson, DEN (1%/-1%)
Chris Polk, PHI (1%/-1%)
Jermaine Gresham, CIN (2%/-1%)
Mychal Rivera, OAK (1%/-1%)
UPDATE: Most of these players falling are due to a lack of playing time as the season is now underway. It’s not necessarily a sign you should give up on them yet, especially the young running backs.
Quarterbacks
1. Derek Carr, OAK (9%)
2. Blake Bortles, JAX (5%)
3. Chad Henne, JAX (2%)
4. Kyle Orton, BUF (0%)
5. Mark Sanchez, PHI (0%)
o The Raiders named rookie Derek Carr as the starter over veteran Matt Schaub just before the regular season began, and although he wasn’t able to pull out a Week One win, Raiders fans have to be happy with Carr’s performance. In the face of having virtually no running game, Carr spread the ball around, amassing just over 150 yards to nine different receivers and a pair of scores.
o While we didn’t see rookie quarterback Blake Bortles take a snap in Week One, we did see what the Jaguars’ offense can do and it’s safe to say that Bortles will see some starts this year. If he’s available in your league, don’t wait for him to get a chance.
o Until that time comes, you might also consider giving Jaguars veteran starter Chad Henne a shot if you are desperate at the quarterback position. Henne threw the ball all over the field and if the Jaguars are playing from behind, which can be expected, that trend will continue.
o Another player who didn’t take a snap in week One, but may soon is veteran Kyle Orton, the current backup to E.J. Manuel in Buffalo. While Manuel was less than impressive, he did lead the Bills to an upset win over the Bears, giving him another week of security as the starter. Prior to the game though, there was a report that the Bills coaching staff will not hesitate to pull him for Orton. Orton primarily has value in larger leagues or those allowing two starters at the quarterback position.
o If you’re in a really deep league, take a look at Mark Sanchez in Philadelphia. While Nick Foles did lead the team to a comeback victory over the Jaguars, he did not play well, turning the ball over three times. This is a long-shot, but Sanchez is a player to consider stashing in 2QB leagues.
Running Backs
1. Isaiah Crowell, CLE (3%)
2. Justin Forsett, BAL (9%)
3. Bobby Rainey, TB (4%)
4. Robert Turbin, SEA (2%)
5. Latavius Murray, OAK (1%)
6. Lorenzo Taliaferro, BAL (1%)
7. Jacquizz Rodgers, ATL (8%)
8. LaMichael James, FA (0%)
o Cleveland running back Ben Tate was one of the many victims of injury in Week One and undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell took advantage, finding the end zone twice on limited carries. While Terrance West might be the lead back going forward, Crowell has earned a role.
o It hasn’t been a good week for Baltimore. On top of the team’s opening week loss to the Bengals, the team, not to mention the entire league, has been forced to deal with the Ray Rice incident. With Rice now gone and Bernard Pierce benched following a fumble, veteran change of pace back Justin Forsett appears to be the new starter. While he lacks long-term value at 28 years old, he could offer a few solid performances over the next couple of months.
o Doug Martin went down to injury and with the severity currently unknown, you have to consider Bobby Rainey, who led the Bucs in rushing following Martin’s injury a season ago.
o This one is strictly handcuff material for now, but the second man up in Seattle looks to be Robert Turbin, not Christine Michael. Turbin had just six carries in the blowout victory over the Packers, but would quickly gain value if Marshawn Lynch were to miss time.
o I mentioned the lack of a running game for the Raiders. The veteran duo of Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden combined for 26 yards on 13 carries. Youngster Latavius Murray didn’t have a single carry, but the team will surely give him a shot at some point to see what they have.
o Back to Baltimore … Another benefactor of Pierce’s struggles could be rookie back Lorenzo Taliaferro. He didn’t touch the ball in Week One, but with Rice gone and Forsett not cut out to be an every down back, Taliaferro could get carries by default.
o Jacquizz Rodgers is a player I had all but given up on in dynasty leagues, especially after the team added Devonta Freeman, but Quizz was a surprise this week. He gained 34 yards on six carries in what was a balanced rushing attack. Half of that yardage came on an impressive 17 yard touchdown rush in which he broke multiple tackles. Until Freeman earns more touches, Rodgers could be worth a shot.
o This one might seem odd, considering LaMichael James failed to gain a yard on two carries in Week One, but James requested his release from the 49ers and they obliged. James has not had any success in his NFL career, but a change of scenery could do him well.
Wide Receivers
1. Brian Quick, STL (4%)
2. Robert Woods, BUF (4%)
3. Devin Street, DAL (0%)
4. Donte Moncrief, IND (0%)
5. Harry Douglas, ATL (9%)
6. Devin Hester, ATL (2%)
7. Mohamed Sanu, CIN (7%)
8. Donnie Avery, KC (2%)
9. Andre Caldwell, DEN (5%)
o Last week, I hesitantly suggested adding Rams receiver Brian Quick, but I am now fully on board after he showed he was the top option in the mediocre St. Louis passing game. Quick was really the lone bright spot in an ugly performance, hauling in seven passes for 99 yards. He also led the team in targets with nine.
o All the hype was about Sammy Watkins in Buffalo, but it was Robert Woods who led the team in receptions, receiving yards and targets. Expect Watkins to catch up quickly, but Woods should be a solid performer all season.
o Dallas start receiver Dez Bryant missed a few plays with an injury in Week One and when he did, it was rookie Devin Street who came in and took advantage, making both of his catches while Bryant was out of action.
o In the Sunday night shootout between Denver and Indianapolis, rookie receiver Donte Moncrief only caught one pass for nine yards, but he’s still a potentially elite talent paired up with one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Temper expectations for 2014, but grab him now and stash for the future.
o Maybe it was just a result of the shootout between the Falcons and the Saints, but even the third and fourth receivers for Atlanta had nice days and are on the radar. Give Harry Douglas and Devin Hester a look, especially if the Roddy White injury continues to give him trouble.
o We knew someone would have to pick up the Marvin Jones slack for the Bengals, and unsurprisingly, it was receiver Mohamed Sanu. With tight end Tyler Eifert set to miss some time as well, Sanu should continue to see plenty of snaps and targets as AJ Green draws double teams.
o Someone has to catch the ball in Kansas City, right? While Dwayne Bowe will be back next week, Donnie Avery was a target hog, catching seven of his 13 looks and gaining 84 yards. He’s a worthy option in PPR leagues.
o Many expected a Week One introduction to rookie receiver Cody Latimer, but instead we were served a heaping helping of veteran Andre Caldwell. His production will be tough to count on, but if you’re desperate at receiver, he’s in the best offense in the game.
Tight Ends
1. Dwayne Allen, IND (8%)
2. Jermaine Gresham, CIN (2%)
3. Larry Donnell, NYG (0%)
o Remember, I was surprised Colts tight end Dwayne Allen was owned in just seven percent of Yahoo leagues last week. Now, after catching four balls for 64 yards and a touchdown, Allen is still owned in just eight percent of leagues. If he’s on your waiver wire, go grab him now!
o I mentioned the Eifert injury earlier and it’s Jermaine Gresham who is the most likely beneficiary. Gresham caught just two passes for 16 yards in Week One, but should see increased playing time over the next month.
o The Giants’ offense was in shambles in a Week One loss to the Lions, but one bright spot was new starting tight end Larry Donnell. Maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised as the Giants’ offense has recently produced fantasy friendly tight ends, including Brandon Myers and Martellus Bennett. Donnell led the team in receiving with five catches for 56 yards and caught the team’s only touchdown.
