After last week’s wild injuries, this week feels pretty calm. While several players were dinged-up and some players emerged with increased usage, there was not a Christian McCaffrey-, Saquon Barkley- or Michael Thomas-type situation.
While we are not in last week’s shocking freakout-mode, this is not a time to relax. This is a time to improve your roster. There are some players who could make a nice short term impact and a few who are more long term type adds.
As always, our threshold will be players rostered in less than 20% of Yahoo! leagues.
Rex Burkhead RB New England (11%)
Burkhead took advantage of his increased snaps the last two weeks. After a 3 score explosion, he cannot be taken for granted and should be rostered everywhere to see which way this backfield goes. His role could diminish considerably with the return of James White and the debut of Damien Harris; I would not go breaking the bank, but he is a useful add when available and has shown he can play a high-number of snaps and be productive.
Carlos Hyde RB Seattle (19%)
If Chris Carson were to miss time this week, Hyde could be used against Miami. Travis Homer will also see some time, but Hyde should see the bulk of the work. This is one of the league’s best offenses and there should be plenty of scoring opportunities. Grab Homer as well in deeper leagues.
Brian Hill RB Atlanta (3%)
Hill looks as good or better than Todd Gurley. This past week, he found the end zone on a terrific 35-yard run. This is more of a stash than a use now, but the 24-year old Hill should be highly added this week. Expect double-digit touches and the chance of taking more playing time as the season progresses.
Tee Higgins WR Cincinnati (5%)
This is one of the adds of the week. The rookie Higgins scored two touchdowns on 9 targets vs Philadelphia. He started the game, led the Bengals in routes run and air yards. The 2nd rounder looks like a must get whose role should increase.
Andy Isabella WR Arizona (2%)
Isabella found the end zone twice in Week 3 against the Lions. His targets and routes run should continue to increase. Kyler Murray seems to really like him, and he is a burner. Christian Kirk is out and Isabella now has Carolina, the Jets and Dallas over his next 3 games. Could (finally) be wheels-up.
K.J. Hamler WR Denver (12%)
Hamler did not see a lot of production in his first game as a starter against a stout Tampa Bay defense, but he was on the field 92-percent of snaps. He is a big play threat and does not leave the field. The QB situation looks terrible, but Hamler should be scooped-up.
Cole Beasley WR Buffalo (10%)
Beasley just does not go away. He was a top-36 WR last year and has shown a nice rapport with QB Josh Allen. His lowest yardage in any game was 58, and this past weekend he had a season high 6 catches for 100-yards. He made some clutch catches down the stretch as well. Beasley should always be considered a floor-play, but he adds nice WR depth and can be used when necessary. If John Brown misses time with his calf injury, Beasley could be used as a WR or FLEX-play.
Gabriel Davis WR Buffalo (1%)
The rookie Davis keeps popping for Buffalo. With Brown now banged-up, Davis could see his role greatly increase for a potent Buffalo offense. This is a cheaper way of grabbing a piece of the Buffalo offense in leagues where Beasley is also available.
Hunter Renfrow WR Las Vegas (10%)
Another floor-play. Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards are dealing with injuries and their timeline to return is unknown. Renfrow should see an uptick in targets and can be used as an emergency fill-in player.
Zach Pascal WR Indianapolis (4%)
Much like Renfrow, Pascal is an attrition play that will not cost much. Paris Campbell and now Michael Pittman are out; Pascal will be on the field in two WR sets with T.Y. Hilton.
Greg Ward WR Philadelphia (1%)
Ward was very useful down the stretch last season when the Eagles suffered a rash of injuries. Ward was essentially the last man standing. With Dallas Goedert, Jalen Reagor and now DeSean Jackson injured, Ward should see a solid number of targets and a lot of playing time. He had 11 targets for 8 catches, 72 yards and a TD last week.
Mo Alie-Cox TE Indianapolis (10%)
Big Mo is not going anywhere. Even with Jack Doyle back, Alie-Cox had a big gain for the second game in a row (33-yarder last week and a 45-yarder this week). He also found the end zone. The Colts need to keep utilizing his athleticism and big play ability; TE needy teams should go get Alie-Cox if they haven’t done so already.
Jordan Akins TE Houston (6%)
Akins was unproductive last week, but his role is promising. He is the TE to own in Houston and can be a bench TE2 or a streamer when needed.