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 20 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.
Editor’s Note: Rotoworld’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-week $2.5 Million Fantasy Football league for Week 8’s games. It’s only $25 to join and first prize is $500,000. Starts Sunday, October 26th at 1pm ET. Here’s the link.
First, let’s look back at last week’s Waiver Wired suggestions that gained value, with current Yahoo ownership percentages and percentage change in parentheses.
Andre Holmes, OAK (50%/+44%)
Isaiah Crowell, CLE (35%/+16%)
Brandon Bolden, NE (11%/+9%)
Jace Amaro, NYJ (7%/+5%)
Jarvis Landry, MIA (6%/+4%)
Joseph Randle, DAL (7%/+4%)
Derek Carr, OAK (8%/+4%)
James Starks, GB (14%/+4%)
Scott Chandler, BUF (5%/+3%)
Allen Robinson, JAX (15%/+3%)
James White, NE (4%/+1%)
Brandon Tate, CIN (2%/+1%)
Josh Hill, NO (2%/+1%)
UPDATE: After his big game in Week Six, Raiders’ receiver Andre Holmes makes a huge jump in ownership percentage, while running backs Isaiah Crowell and Brandon Bolden also rose significantly.
While these players are on the rise, some of last week’s suggestions lost value over the past week.
Storm Johnson, JAX (13%/-5%)
Mike Glennon, TB (6%/-1%)
Blake Bortles, JAX (11%/-1%)
Theo Riddick, DET (0%/-1%)
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB (2%/-1%)
UPDATE: Rookie Storm Johnson looks to have squandered his chance and dynasty owners turned their backs on him as a result. With their bye in Week Seven, both Mike Glennon and Austin Seferian-Jenkins also found their way to a few waiver wires.
Quarterbacks
1. Johnny Manziel, CLE (13%)
2. Kyle Orton, BUF (5%)
3. Zach Mettenberger, TEN (0%)
o In Cleveland, veteran starter Brian Hoyer has had back-to-back poor statistical games, and while the Browns managed to overcome that two weeks ago in a romp over the Steelers, they looked terrible in Week Seven as the Jaguars won their first game of the season. Rumors of rookie Johnny Manziel drawing a start are becoming louder and louder and it now seems to be a matter of when, not if the former Heisman Trophy winner will start at quarterback.
o Kyle Orton has started three games for the Bills this year and over that time span, he’s the QB13, meaning he’s just outside of the starting level fantasy quarterback. With byes and injuries piling up, Orton is a decent spot starter option, although he has no long-term dynasty value.
o Although he hasn’t had any significant playing time to date, Titans rookie Zach Mettenberger makes another appearance on the list, and it’s more about the injuries to Jake Locker and the inept play of Charlie Whitehurst. Like Manziel, Mettenberger will get a shot at some point this year, and if you play in a deep league, or a league allowing two starters at quarterback, you’ll want to make the preemptive move to grab him.
o It’s also important to note that if you’ve decided this is not your year and you are looking towards next year, I’d grab any of the rookie starting quarterbacks that may be sitting on your waiver wire, including Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles and Derek Carr.
Running Backs
1. Tre Mason, STL (17%)
2. Bryce Brown, BUF (7%)
3. Denard Robinson, JAX (10%)
4. Anthony Dixon, BUF (4%)
5. Devonta Freeman, ATL (9%)
6. James Starks, GB (14%)
7. Benny Cunningham, STL (14%)
o There should be little doubt who the most added player is this week in dynasty leagues. While there are a few intriguing running backs, rookie Tre Mason surprisingly stole the show for the Rams, rushing for 85 yards and his first career touchdown on 18 touches. What is even more interesting for the Rams is that former starter Zac Stacy didn’t receive a single carry. It’s safe to assume that Mason will be the starter going forward and as one of the youngest running backs in the league, he should be able to maintain some dynasty value for multiple years, which Stacy clearly failed to do.
o Things did not go well for the Buffalo Bills in Week Seven. Yes, they pulled off a come from behind win against the Minnesota Vikings, but they lost their top two running backs in the process. First, starter Fred Jackson left the game with a groin injury, which was soon followed by CJ Spiller being carted off with a shoulder injury, following a long gainer. Jackson’s injury will keep him out between two and four weeks, though most seem to think the recovery will be closer to the four week estimate. Meanwhile, Spiller may have played his last game as a Bill, at least that’s what his dynasty owners are hoping for. Spiller will undergo surgery to repair his broken collarbone and will be placed on the injured reserve list, putting him out for the remainder of the season. Although he wasn’t even active Sunday, I would be looking to add talented runner Bryce Brown, whom the Bills acquired from Philadelphia last off-season. Brown is a much more gifted runner and natural athlete than his current competition, who we’ll get to soon.
o One of the surprise announcements before kickoff of last Sunday’s games was that Denard Robinson would be given the start at running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Robinson had been given his chances, but had never shown much, but that all changed Sunday. Robinson nearly doubled his rushing total from 2013 in one game alone, totaling 122 yards on the ground and scoring his first career touchdown from scrimmage. Robinson has already been announced as the Week Eight starter and given the poor performances of Toby Gerhart and Storm Johnson, there’s no reason to go back. Robinson is a guy who I’m hesitant to peg as the long-term starter, but he offers great value for contenders.
o I’ve already discussed the injuries to the Bills’ runners Jackson and Spiller and when they went down, it was former 49er Anthony Dixon who carried the load for the remainder of the game. Dixon finished with 51 yards on 13 carries. He also caught three balls for 15 yards. It’s still unclear who will draw the start in Week Eight, but facing the Jets’ defense could be a tall task regardless of who earns the most carries. If possible, I’d grab both Dixon and Brown and see how it shakes out.
o Falcons’ rookie Devonta Freeman began the year slowly, which was a surprise to many who expected him to easily overtake aging veteran Steven Jackson. The past three games though, Freeman has earned more touches and is showing some potential. Over that three game span, Freeman in RB28 in PPR leagues and has over 60 rushing yards and nearly 90 receiving yards. With Jackson showing his age and Jacquizz Rodgers proving he is not every down back material, Freeman is in line for a larger workload as the season continues.
o Week Seven was yet another week where Packers’ backup running back James Starks produced impressive numbers. Starks carried the ball just seven times, but scored a touchdown. He wasn’t as involved in the passing game as he normally is, but Starks is proving to be worthy of a roster spot in most dynasty formats.
o Another backup runner who continues to perform well is the Rams’ Benny Cunningham. Despite the apparent takeover by Mason, Cunningham has retained his role as the passing down back, grabbing five passes for 46 yards and a score and he even led the team in both receptions and yards. Cunningham should continue with this role and could be relied on as a weekly flex starter in PPR leagues.
Wide Receivers
1. Martavis Bryant, PIT (1%)
2. Allen Robinson, JAX (15%)
3. Davante Adams, GB (13%)
4. Jermaine Kearse (6%), Paul Richardson (1%), Kevin Norwood (0%)
5. Donte Moncrief, IND (0%)
6. Kenny Stills, NO (10%)
7. Jarvis Landry, MIA (6%)
8. Stevie Johnson, SF (7%)
o Steelers’ rookie Martavis Bryant saw his first NFL action of the season in Week Eight and made an immediate impact, catching a long 35 yard touchdown among his two catches. Bryant outplayed his competition, second year receiver Markus Wheaton, who didn’t catch a pass. Bryant can’t be relied on as a weekly starter, but has shown potential and the Steelers have a need for a consistent receiving option behind Antonio Brown.
o Jaguars’ rookie wide receiver Allen Robinson makes yet another appearance on this list following his Week Eight performance in which he yet again led the team in receiving and also caught his first career touchdown in the team’s first win. At just 21 years old, Robinson is a potential long-term starter and should be rostered in all dynasty leagues.
o Another rookie who continues to play well is Davante Adams of the Packers, who also found the end zone in Week Eight. Adams has been playing as the team’s third wide receiver with Jarrett Boykin nursing an injury, but even with Boykin active again, Adams was still the clear third option, with Boykin not even receiving a pass target.
o You’ve all heard of the Percy Harvin trade and that deal sent dynasty owners rushing to the waiver wire to grab any Seattle receiver who might benefit from the now-available playing time and opportunities in the passing game. Among the players you might want to target are Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood. If I need immediate production, I’m opting for Kearse, while Richardson could be the long-term play. Norwood is a flier in deep dynasty leagues.
o Veteran Reggie Wayne suffered an elbow injury that could keep him out for a couple of games and rookie Donte Moncrief could see increased playing time as a result. While Moncrief only caught one pass, his competition is former Giants’ receiver Hakeem Nicks who failed to catch a pass. Moncrief’s upside is far greater than Nicks in both the short and long term.
o Hopes were high for second year receiver Kenny Stills of the Saints entering the season, but he’s been slow to get started. In Week Eight, Stills caught his first touchdown of the season and also tallied his first 100 yard receiving game of 2014. Stills will likely be an inconsistent fantasy option as he often relies on the big play for his production, but he is worth stashing in most dynasty formats.
o In Miami, rookie Jarvis Landry has established himself as the team’s second receiver behind Mike Wallace as Brian Hartline has really fallen off early this season. Landry has been consistently producing in the four catch for 40 yards range, meaning he’s not ready to be plugged in as a fantasy starter, but should be monitored as the season rolls on.
o When veteran Stevie Johnson was dealt to the 49ers, his dynasty value took a nosedive, mostly thanks to the expected pecking order in which he was behind Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. With some injuries affecting that trio, Johnson has stepped up and has five receptions in each of the past two games. Johnson is worth grabbing even though the long term upside in non-existent.
Tight Ends
1. Gavin Escobar, DAL (1%)
2. Jermaine Gresham, CIN (4%)
3. Brandon Williams, CAR (0%)
4. Cooper Helfet, SEA (0%)
o There’s a good chance the top scoring tight end of Week Seven is still sitting on your waiver wire. Cowboys’ tight end Gavin Escobar scored for the second consecutive week, but this time he found the end zone twice and the Cowboys won a big game against division rival New York. Jason Witten’s star is fading and Escobar looks ready to pick up the slack. Escobar has been primarily used as a red zone threat. In fact, over the past two weeks, he has a total of four receptions, with three of those going for touchdowns. I expect though, that as Escobar establishes himself in the offense, his role will increase.
o When Bengals’ starting tight end Tyler Eifert suffered an elbow injury in the opening half of their Week One game, I expected veteran Jermaine Gresham to step up and become fantasy viable. While that took much longer than I estimated, Gresham has become a threat over the past two weeks. In Weeks Six and Seven, Gresham is scoring as the TE6 in PPR leagues and with Eifert expected to miss another three to four weeks at least, Gresham could be worth an add. Of course, his recent success also overlaps with the absence of starting receiver AJ Green, which opened up some targets for Gresham and other pass catchers. Green’s return, while good news for many dynasty owners, would put a damper on the expectations for Gresham.
o These next two are for the deepest of dynasty leagues. In Carolina, some of that pre-season buzz about a backup tight end is starting to surface again as Brandon Williams saw his first action of the season in Week Six and followed that up with a pair of grabs last week. While this may not seem substantial, it’s obvious that after rookie Kelvin Benjamin and starting tight end Greg Olsen, the Panthers have few options in the passing game. There’s a chance Williams could see increased playing time as the Panthers move to some two tight end sets.
o Another deep league option and another player starting to get some looks the past couple of weeks is tight end Cooper Helfet of Seattle. It’s clear the Seahawks aren’t happy with their current tight end depth chart considering they were shopping Percy Harvin for a tight end, including Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas. With the top two tight ends, Zach Miller and Luke Willson both dealing with injuries, Helfet has stepped up the past two games. In Week Seven, he caught three balls for 61 yards and a score. Again, we know the team is not happy with what they’ve gotten so far this season from the position, so giving Helfet a shot at the starting job would not be out of the question.
