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.
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.
Tyrod Taylor (10%/+2%)
Donte Moncrief (10%/+2%)
Josh Robinson (2%/+1%)
Karlos Williams (2%/+1%)
Crockett Gillmore (2%/+1%)
While these players are on the rise, some of last week’s suggestions lost value over the past week.
Jeff Janis (2%/-3%)
Eric Ebron (8%/-1%)
Terrance West (5%/-1%)
Ahmad Bradshaw (5%/-1%)
Leonard Hankerson (5%/-1%)
Josh Gordon (1%/-1%)
Sammie Coates (0%/-1%)
Quarterbacks
- Tyrod Taylor, BUF (10%)
- Johnny Manziel, CLE (2%)
- Kirk Cousins, WAS (6%)
o Many daily fantasy players were well aware of Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor entering Week One thanks to his low cost, but he remained an afterthought for most players in seasonal or dynasty leagues. Perhaps that was a mistake. Taylor was a borderline QB1 in Week One, thanks in large part to his running ability. He had as many rushing yards as starting back LeSean McCoy and should continue to offer that same rushing upside on a weekly basis.
o After starter Josh McCown left the game with a concussion, the Browns had no choice but to bring in former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and on his first drive, he looked like he might never let go of the job, throwing a long bullet to Travis Benjamin for a score. Manziel subsequently struggled in a losing effort, but could retain the starting job. Like Taylor, Manziel provides his fantasy owners with a nice floor thanks to his rushing ability. He led the team with just 35 yards, but multiple turnovers cost him some points.
o We knew things would be bad in Washington, but now it’s gotten even worse. Quarterback Kirk Cousins lost top receiver DeSean Jackson early in the game and the Skins went suffered a loss against the Dolphins. With Jackson expected to be out for a few weeks, Cousins will lean on tight end Jordan Reed, but remains a desperation play at quarterback. If you’re in a 2QB league, grab him off the waiver wire. Otherwise, spend the roster spot on another position.
Running Backs
- Karlos Williams, BUF (2%)
- Lance Dunbar, DAL (2%)
- Josh Robinson, IND (2%)
- Dion Lewis, NE (16%)
- Benny Cunningham, STL (15%)
- Chris Johnson, ARZ (9%)
- Terrance West, TEN (5%)
- Khiry Robinson, NO (3%)
o Rookie Karlos Williams led the Bills rushing attack with 55 yards in Week One, despite receiving only six carries, compared to LeSean McCoy’s 17. This could have to do with McCoy’s health status, but regardless, Williams should be rostered in the majority of dynasty leagues.
o It wasn’t Darren McFadden or Joseph Randle who led the Dallas running backs in fantasy points and it certainly wasn’t Christine Michael, who was inactive. Pass catching back Lance Dunbar had a huge game without carrying the ball a single time. Dunbar led the Cowboys in both receptions and receiving yards and was pivotal in the team’s come from behind victory. The game script won’t always dictate this much involvement for Dunbar, but with star receiver Dez Bryant out for an extended period of time, look for Dunbar to continue to see targets out of the backfield.
o Josh Robinson’s statline may not have been impressive, just four carries for 11 yards, but when the Indianapolis Colts were pushing hard for an unsuccessful comeback, it was the rookie Robinson who was in the game and not free agent signee Frank Gore, who was reportedly battling cramps. Considering the team will also use a “pitch count” for the former 49er, Robinson is even more of a priority pickup.
o Dion Lewis put on a show in the season’s opening game, finally answering the question of how the Patriots would fill the shoes of the suspended LeGarrette Blount. Lewis did much of his damage as a receiver, but did lose a fumble, pushing fantasy owners to the edge of their seat with fear of how Bill Belichick would handle the situation. Lewis returned to the game and continued to play well, but the Patriots’ running back rotation remains a difficult situation to predict, making Lewis a volatile week-to-week play.
o Even when it was announced the Rams would start Benny Cunningham with both Tre Mason and Todd Gurley out with injuries, few gave it a second thought. After all, facing the Seahawks is rarely an easy proposition. Cunningham came to play though, totaling over 120 yards in a Rams victory. With the upcoming weeks in doubt for Mason and the prized rookie Gurley, Cunningham is an excellent short-term play in PPR leagues.
o This one pains me to suggest, but with Cardinals’ running back Andre Ellington out for a couple of weeks, at least, the coaching staff has deemed veteran Chris Johnson the next man up. The preferred dynasty option is certainly rookie David Johnson, though he’s not likely available in most leagues. If you are desperate at the running back position for the next week or two, grab the former Titan Johnson.
o It’s hard to get anything from the Titans’ blowout victory over the Buccaneers, but former Browns’ running back Terrance West did lead the team in carries. Bishop Sankey was clearly the team’s best back, totaling over 80 yards and finding the end zone on two occasions. Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota is already making every player around him better, and the average runner West will need that advantage as well. You certainly can’t start him yet, but I am interested in watching how the snaps and carries break down in Week Two for the Titans.
o This could be a long year for the Saints, who lost their Week One matchup to Arizona. Drew Brees threw the ball nearly 50 times, spreading the ball around to eight different pass catchers. One of those beneficiaries was running back Khiry Robinson, who many left for dead after the team re-signed Mark Ingram and added CJ Spiller. With Spiller out with a bum leg, Robinson saw plenty of action. We know the Saints will throw the ball a lot and will use their backs in the passing game.
Wide Receivers
- Donte Moncrief, IND (10%)
- Jermaine Kearse, SEA (2%)
- Cole Beasley, DAL (7%)
- Stedman Bailey, STL (1%)
o There were many injuries in Week One and fortunately, most of those seem to be rather minor. Colts’ receiver TY Hilton took a shot to the knee and will miss a week or two, according to early reports. Taking his snaps and seeing an increase in targets should be second year receiver Donte Moncrief. He’s another player who many dynasty owners gave up on following the first round pick of Phillip Dorsett and the addition of veteran Andre Johnson. It was Moncrief who looked best on Sunday, catching six balls for 46 yards and a score. While Dorsett certainly has some promise, Johnson does not look like the receiver we all remember in Houston. Moncrief should be your top waiver wire priority this week with value both in the short-term and long.
o We can always expect Russell Wilson to spread the ball around to his targets and that can make it difficult to project on a weekly basis. Jermaine Kearse showed with his eight receptions for 76 yards that he is at least worthy of a roster spot in most dynasty leagues.
o Another injury that will surely impact the players that remain on the field is the Cowboys’ loss of Dez Bryant. It appears as if quarterback Tony Romo will lean heavily on old favorite Jason Witten, but in an offense like Dallas’, you want as many pieces as possible, including slot receiver Cole Beasley, who posted a solid 4/49 line against the Giants in Week One.
o The Rams are another team that will spread the ball around and could be difficult to predict, but their top wide receiver should not be sitting on the waiver wire. We don’t know much about the injury keeping Brian Quick out of action, but until he returns, Stedman Bailey should be added to dynasty rosters.
Tight Ends
- Eric Ebron, DET (8%)
- Richard Rodgers, GB (11%)
- Scott Chandler, NE (5%)
o Dynasty owners have learned it’s not best practice to trust rookie tight ends. In fact, a tight end can often take three or four years to breakout. We should be paying attention to the Lions’ second year man Eric Ebron though. Ebron scored a touchdown among his team high four receptions and also led the team with 53 receiving yards. We won’t always see these types of quiet days from receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, but it was nice to see Ebron make a few plays when he got the chance.
o Richard Rodgers has clearly won the tight end competition and caught all three of his targets for 27 yards. Considering the Packers are down one star receiver, loading up on as many pieces of this offense as possible is a good idea.
o While Rob Gronkowski stole the show on the NFL’s opening night, he wasn’t the only New England tight end to find the end zone. There were reports that the Patriots would use multiple tight ends and Scott Chandler would play a lot himself, and he caught a second half touchdown. He’s a nice handcuff for Gronkowski owners and a dart throw fantasy starter.
Players on Injured Reserve worth stashing for 2015 (under 20%) Jace Amaro, Niles Paul, Jay Ajayi
