Need Depth? We've got the bargain bin
- hunterstoneman
- Oct 19, 2018
- 3 min read
Hunter Stonebraker
This week in fantasy football I am serving up some depth players to beef up your bench and potentially start
QB:
We are going to start with the man who started this season as the number one overall pick. Baker Mayfield, no the rookie hasn’t had a great fantasy game yet, but there is promise. Baker has averaged 43 passes a game in his last 3 games. The volume is there, the opportunity is there, and more than likely the fantasy production will soon be there. This next stretch of games for the browns is the perfect opportunity for Baker to put up fantasy points, as the Browns next four opponents are the four worst defenses against opposing QBs in fantasy points.
RB:
The first running back we are going to take a look at is a must add in any league Ito Smith. Smith is now part of a two man show with Tevin Coleman as Devontae Freeman was sent to IR. Smith not only played 45% of the snaps last week, but he also outpaced Tevin Coleman in redzone snaps, and redzone rushing attempts.
The second running back we will look at is Peyton Barber. This past week he had his first game with double digit carries since week two. This game was also his first double digit fantasy point game. He ended the game with over 80 yards on 13 carries plus a receiving touchdown on 4 catches. His volume is what makes him attractive because with injuries and bye weeks everyone could use a running back who is a sure bet to get touches, instead of trying to predict who will breakout. He is the safest option in most waiver wires purely because of his volume. You can also have hope that he is finding his end of year form from last year as well. As last season in the final five weeks he finished in the top 15 in rushing yards per game.
The third running back I would consider adding to your bench is Marlon Mack. Mack has missed time this year with a hamstring injury and because of this he is available in 55% of ESPN leagues. Mack came back strong last week though and seems to have made his claim for the lions share of carries. Mack finished last week with 12 carries for 89 yards. Mack’s explosive traits and home run ability is what makes him worth adding as he should see more and more opportunities in a struggling Colts offense.
WR:
Jermaine Kearse is the sleeper of all sleepers. Kearse hadn’t had more than 35 yards in a game until this previous week, when he ripped the Colts defense for 94 yards on nine catches. Kearse appears to be taking advantage of an opportunity. He is currently owned in only 9% of ESPN Leagues and that’s after 8.3% added him this week. The reason for his sudden uptick in targets and points is Quincy Enunwa’s injury. I expect Kearse to continue to tear up the slot position this week as Sam Darnold will be forced to throw against a great Vikings front seven. This Vikings defense only weakness may be the slot, where they have allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing receivers who line up there.
A new must add is Taylor Gabriel. Over the past 2 games him and Mitchell Trubisky have been lighting it up together. Gabriel has combined for 12 receptions 214 yards and 2 TD's. The increase in targets isn’t an outlier either as Taylor has caught at least 4 balls every game. The increase is in yards which could do more with Trubisky’s increased ball placement in allowing Gabriel to run after catch with well thrown balls.
TE:
O.J. Howard was available in in 66% of leagues before this week and it does not make much sense. Yes, he did miss one week because of injury but he has played great when healthy. From weeks 2 through 6 in the 3 games he played he had 13 catches 230 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is must start material, a top 10 fantasy tight end, and he has done that even though he has played with 2 different QB's.
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