Welcome to the fantasy football corner of Prime Time Sports Talk, the best place for weekly evaluations of players on the waiver wire, who to scoop up and who to drop, keeping updated on those menacing bye weeks and who to lock into your lineup heading into Sunday.
Week 9 Byes
Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and the Minnesota Vikings.
Waiver Wire Targets
Christian Kirk, WR: Kirk has shown consistency with Josh Rosen at the helm. He has posted several double-digit fantasy performances recently and has only made it in the end zone once. Kirk is starting to look like the second round pick the Cardinals thought they drafted, and hopefully his production will continue. If Rosen likes him, then fantasy owners should like him. If you’re thin at receiver, Kirk is a great addition to any team.
Kapri Bibbs, RB: Seems to be that every fantasy season is running back thin, that’s why they are worth high dollar first and second-round picks. Bibbs could be a late addition to a team that is lacking a third down back with Chris Thompson out due to injury. Adrian Peterson will tote the rock the majority of the game of course, but Bibbs has been able to find the end zone several times with his limited opportunities. Bibbs is used in the screen game and could see more game action this week against Tampa Bay, showing that he has been able to produce during Thompson’s absence.
Looking Ahead of Week 8
David Johnson, RB: Johnson has had a subpar season for his standards, along with the rest of the Cardinals offense. Week 11 could be his breakout performance against the worst team in the league. The Raiders once named “Black Hole” is now looking like the “Promise Land” for David Johnson. He could legitimately push toward 200 all-purpose yards against this atrocious defense. Johnson should be in every lineup when he squares off against the leagues worst rushing defense, giving up 144.5 yards per game.
Doug Martin/Jalen Richard, RB: Splitting carries is tough, and throughout Marshawn Lynch’s absence there has been no clear favorite in Oakland. But with Derek Carr and the rest of the offense struggling, it would be wise to take the ball to the ground and rush the ball 30 plus times against the 31st ranked rush defense, allowing 143.1 yards per game. One or both of these backs should pop off a solid game against the Cards. Both are worth at least giving a thought in week 11.
Potential Drops or Trade Pieces
Ezekiel Elliott, RB: The Cowboys offense is simply not optimizing Elliott’s abilities. Touching the ball less than 20 times the past two weeks, his production has been limited. Absolutely do not drop Elliott, but it may be worth putting together a trade package including the star running back before the deadline. This could be a risky move late in the season, but if you can swindle a running back needy team manager, you may be able to capitalize on some valuable players at other positions to make a late playoff push in your league.
Evan Engram, TE: Engram has not been a reliable threat in the middle of the field for the Giants this season. High hopes after a killer 2017 campaign have fallen short to say the least. Weekly plug and play tight ends off the waiver wire are now more valuable than having Engram drag down your lineup each week.
Lineup Locks
Leonard Fournette, RB: Fournette finally! That’s what all fantasy owners who drafted Jacksonville’s lead back in the first round are thinking. Hampered by injury, Fournette is finally available and ready to enter the lineup as the lead back and help take some pressure off Blake Bortles. Get this power back in your lineup and hope for the production we all expected from draft day, it is long overdue. Matching up against Cleveland in his first game back is also a gift, as they allow over 100 yards per game to opposing backfields.
Phillip Rivers, QB: This edition is not about bashing the Raiders, but please secure Rivers in every lineup this week. Rivers is the eighth-ranked fantasy quarterback this year and will absolutely carve up the Raiders secondary. Rivers is poised for a Fed Ex Air player of the week with this matchup. Play ever Charger you’ve got including the dynamic signal-caller.
Wendell Smallwood, RB: The Cowboys defense is without Sean Lee this week and their ability to play run defense significantly decreases when he is not in the lineup. This game is at home for Philadelphia, and Smallwood has taken some of the lead back roles with Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement suffering injuries. Smallwood has seen a lot of touches through the air, but this week his volume on the ground should increase as well. Coming off the bye, Smallwood is a great play this week.
Weekly Flyer
Nick Mullens, QB: Mullens’ NFL debut could not have been more perfect. After destroying the Raiders on Thursday last week, he has had extra time to settle into the offense. He will face off against possibly the next best option if you were in just your second start of your career, the New York Giants. Mullens could take full advantage of another weak opponent on prime time.
If he plays well this week and throughout the remainder of the season, this man might just get paid elsewhere. Sound like Garoppolo? If you are struggling with a bye week quarterback and don’t feel confident playing Dak Prescott or Baker Mayfield, Mullens could be a sneaky good play this week.
