Key Waiver Pickups
J.D. McKissic – RB, WAS (47.9% Rostered)
McKissic isn’t much of a running threat (8 carries for 52 yards in last 2 games) but dominated the receptions out of the backfield last week from Alex Smith and finished with 9 receptions for 65 yards. He still has yet to find the end zone this season, but seems to have a growing role while Alex Smith is on the field as he played in 83% of the offensive snaps, which is around 30% higher than usual games. Antonio Gibson bounced back from an early fumble and scored a touchdown to open the second half, but saw his snap share decrease this week. The Redskins enter a 3 week stretch of favorable matchups against Detroit, Cincinnati and Dallas, which makes McKissic a solid flex option if he is going to be playing alongside the dump down king Alex Smith.
Tevin Coleman – RB, SF (29.6% Rostered)
Coleman’s season has been as unlucky as the 49ers has been and has fought injury after injury to get back on the field. With Wilson and Mostert still out, Coleman could see an expanded role if he ever gets healthy and could seize the opportunity as the lead back. Due to his production in the past as well as playing in a run heavy offense, he is at least worth a deep roster spot.
Drew Lock – QB, DEN (18.4% Rostered)
Lock has become one of the surprise midseason breakout candidates in fantasy, and despite starting the season with 5 straight games under 20 points, he finished Sunday against Atlanta with 29. He is not anywhere close to an every week starter, but if your QB position has been plagued with ill performance or injury, Lock is at least worth claiming as a backup with a favorable schedule ahead.
Austin Hooper – TE, CLE (45.8% Rostered)
One of Baker’s favorite targets should return this week after a two-week absence following an appendectomy. Hooper should see little competition to get back on the field, although rookie TE Harrison Bryant has outperformed all expectations while he was filling in. Hooper was just getting comfortable in his new offense and finished with 14, 10 and 10 points in his last three outings. Hooper should be valued as a top 10 TE through the rest of the season.
Jakobi Meyers – WR, NE (10.3% Rostered)
The second-year player out of NC State has emerged as Cam Newton’s favorite target and finished with a career high 12 receptions for 169 yards last night, including a clutch final reception to put the Patriots in field goal position to win the game. Meyers has the potential to dethrone the oft injured and major disappointment 2019 first round pick N’Keal Harry. The Patriots are in no way a dominant passing offense, but Meyers is a major bright spot that has emerged midseason and could become a double digit target player for the rest of the season.
Fax or Fiction
Drew Lock is a playoff starter
Fiction. He has had a great emergence as a fantasy option, especially when compared to his stats through his first 8 starts, but he is not yet a fantasy starter. He has a very favorable schedule and could emerge as a great option and worth stashing as a backup for late in the season. He is not the ideal starter as of now, but certainly someone with great upside and worth keeping in a year full of so much uncertainty.
Michael Thomas is Back
Fax. He didn’t put up flashy numbers, but his presence was certainly felt. Thomas adds another dimension to the Saints offense and will certainly catch up on his touchdown production soon. He is a must start WR1 option.
Lamar is the biggest disappointment in 2020
Fiction. Lamar is by no means having an MVP season, but that was expected. We predicted his production to regress because 2019 was truly magical. Although this is the case, he still has never had under 13 points in a game this season and 3 performances over 25 points and ranks as QB11. Hold onto Lamar and continue starting him as he remains as a great option and has one of the highest floors and ceilings in football. The biggest disappointment in 2020 may be Jackson’s leading tight end, Mark Andrews.
The Seattle Defense is Broken
Fax. Seattle’s secondary is allowing 455 yards per game, which is on pace to be one of the worst NFL defenses in the history of the league. Many thought the addition of Jamal Adams would help; however, the secondary is allowing more yards while Adams is on the field than when he is off. After an embarrassing fight with head coach Pete Carroll on the sideline Sunday, the seahawks must recoup team morale so the secondary does not have to expect huge performances by Russell Wilson weekly.
Start ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady @ CAR
Matthew Stafford vs WAS
Jared Goff vs SEA
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson @ DET
Melvin Gordon @ LV
Jonathan Taylor @ TEN
Receivers
Cooper Kupp vs SEA
Will Fuller V @ CLE
Sterling Sheppard vs PHI
Sit ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Teddy Bridgewater vs TB
Kirk Cousins @ CHI
Cam Newton vs BAL
Running Backs
David Johnson @ CLE
Miles Sanders @ NYG
Chase Edmonds vs BUF
Receivers
Tyler Boyd @ PIT
Kenny Golladay vs WAS
Mark Andrews @ NE
Injury News
Christian McCaffrey – RB, CAR (Ankle)
McCaffrey bounced back with a big performance Sunday, however encountered a should injury following a collusion on the final drive of the game. McCaffrey is considered day to day, but may have to miss another game this Sunday against the Bucs.
Chris Carson – RB, SEA (Foot)
Carson is still day to day following a foot injury and it is starting to look likely that he will return this week against the Rams.
Kenyan Drake – RB, ARI (Ankle)
Drake remains day to day with his ankle injury and could play this week against the Bills. Edmonds had a less than stellar performance, which may push Drake back into action in a must win game.
Joe Mixon – RB, CIN (Foot)
Mixon will likely play this week following the bye and missing several games.
Aaron Jones – RB, GB (Calf)
Jones played on Thursday night and should be moving closer to a full workload this week.
Miles Sanders – RB, PHI (Knee)
Sanders will likely return to action against the New York Giants in a must win game to take a hold of the division.
Chris Godwin – WR, TB (Finger)
Godwin played through the pain with a healing finger on Sunday Night and it will be interesting to see if there are any setbacks this week. He was clearly not 100% and could take a few weeks more to heal. His situation should be watched closely.
Kenny Golladay – WR, DET (Hip)
Golladay is considered week-to-week and it is looking highly unlikely he will be returning to action Sunday. Matt Stafford, however, did clear the concussion protocol and will be back this week.
Sam Darnold – QB, NYJ (Shoulder)
I don’t know if Darnold realizes it, but the Jets are certainly doing their best impression of tanking for Trevor Lawrence. If Darnold wants any shot at returning to New York, he needs to get healthy and also needs to not get outplayed by Joe Flacco. Any Darnold fantasy relevance has faded away.
Deebo Samuel – WR, SF (Hamstring)
The young WR should be in no hurry to return as the 49ers season has slipped away. He has had a few injuries this season, but apparently this hamstring injury isn’t much to worry about. Samuel could return but will face no pressure to.
Allen Lazard – WR, GB (Core)
Lazard has been trending upwards and could finally make his return this Sunday against Jacksonville. Green Bay had the option to play Lazard last Thursday but decided to play it safe.
How’d We Do Last Week?
Start ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen vs SEA – 35 Pts
Deshaun Watson @ JAX – 24 Pts
Matt Ryan @ DEN – 22 Pts
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey @KC – 36 Pts
Chase Edmonds vs MIA – 11 Pts
David Johnson @ JAX – 1 Pt
Receivers
Michael Thomas @ TB – 10 Pts
Allen Robinson II @ TEN – 15 Pts
Marvin Jones @ MIN – 13 Pts
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson @ IND – 17 Pts
Drew Brees @ TB – 22 Pts
Ryan Tannehill vs CHI – 14 Pts
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson vs NYG – 12 Pts
Ronald Jones II vs NO – 3 Pts
Todd Gurley II vs DEN – 13 Pts
Receivers
DJ Moore @ KC – 3 Pts
AJ Brown vs CHI – 20 Pts
Amari Cooper vs PIT – 11 Pts
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