Teams on BYE: Steelers, 49ers
Here are some early targets that are of interest. For the purposes of this article, I will assume your league uses $1000 FAAB. The newer names for each position are on the bottom of each positional listing. Please note that these names are not in order of preference, so look over the list carefully.
Russell Wilson, Steelers
After two really good games, I am convinced Russ is back. He’s startable after his BYE. FAAB: $15-20
Jameis Winston, Browns
Winston was fantastic against Baltimore last week. While it’s true the Ravens are bad on defense, Winston actually looked terrific. He’s the top QB bid of the week. FAAB: $40-45
Gardner Minshew, Raiders
Minshew is erratic and throws into traffic a ton. He might have more INTs than TDs each week. FAAB: $2-3
Mason Rudolph, Titans
Will Levis is week-to-week with a shoulder injury, but my guess is that he will miss at least 1-2 more games. FAAB: $1-2
Jacoby Brissett, Patriots
Drake Maye is dealing with a concussion, so Brissett might need to start again. Only bid in Superflex formats. FAAB: $1-2
Derek Carr, Saints
Carr was doubtful in Week 8 and should be labeled questionable in Week 9. I think he’s one more week from returning. FAAB: $5-7
Joe Flacco, Colts
Richardson is costing the team victories with his poor passing. Can Steichen continue to let him start while Flacco sits? FAAB: $5-8
Malik Willis, Packers
Love is week to week with a groin injury, and Green Bay gets Detroit in Week 9. Willis will need to run, throw, and do it all to keep the game close. FAAB: $3-5 for now. $30-40 if Love is confirmed out.
Braelon Allen, Jets
Allen is Hall’s backup, and if he’s available in leagues, you need to pick him up RIGHT NOW! He’s difficult to stop when he gets a head of steam going. FAAB: $100-125
Ray Davis, Bills
He is the perfect complement for James Cook and would easily be productive if needed to start. FAAB: $100-125
Justice Hill. Ravens
He will be relied upon when the Ravens are in the two-minute drill or obvious passing situations. FAAB: $45-50
Tyrone Tracy, Giants
He looked way more explosive than Singletary has all season. Daboll has a history with Singletary, but Tracy has obviously earned touches. FAAB: $150-160
Kimani Vidal, Chargers
If JK Dobbins gets injured, they won’t get Vidal out of the lineup. FAAB: $80-100
Blake Corum, Rams
He is likely rostered in 99% of leagues, but if he is miraculously available in your league, he is a must-add. He is the RB2 to Kyren Williams, who regularly sees 20+ touches each week. Corum might be a top 15 play if he happens to start. FAAB: $100-125
Zamir White, Raiders
Alexander Mattison has been solid over the past three games, but something tells me that Antonio Pierce is going to give White another shot to be the starter. It might be worth a few dollars in case that happens. FAAB:$15-20
Isaac Guerendo, 49ers
CMC should be back in Week 10, and Mason will be his backup, but this kid can play and is worth a buck in case of more injuries. FAAB: $3-5
Dalvin Cook, Cowboys
Rico Dowdle was “ill” and missed the Sunday night game so that Cook could get six carries for 12 yards. Jerry Jones will do what Jerry will do. FAAB: $2-4
Dare Ogunbowale, Texans
Dameon Pierce is dealing with yet ANOTHER injury. Mixon gets 90% of the touches, but Dare can catch the ball better than most. FAAB: $5-7
Cedric Tillman, Browns
Tillman is an exciting outside receiver who should see at least 6 to 8 targets per game with Winston as the quarterback. I just want to get it out there that WE WERE ON HIM FIRST! FAAB: $150-200
Tim Patrick, Lions
Recently signed by the Lions to be their WR3. He’s always had talent but can’t seem to stay healthy. Worth an extra buck if you have St. Brown or Jameson Williams. FAAB: $15-20
Troy Franklin, Broncos
He was Nix’s main target in college, and it seems like with Josh Reynolds on IR, they are trying to get him in the mix. I like him a lot against man coverage. Can you guess what the Ravens play? FAAB: $30-35
Devaughn Vele, Broncos
He’s a big receiver who could be a nice red-zone target for Nix. Excels against zone coverage. FAAB: $10-15
Noah Brown, Commanders
There are a lot of bodies in Washington, but Brown is good against man coverage, and it appears like Daniels likes throwing to him. Amazing Hail Mary catch last week. FAAB: $5-10
DJ Turner, Raiders
Turner becomes the WR3, with Adams now in New York. FAAB: $5-10
Mason Tipton, Saints
Means might be more talented, but Tipton will get about 50-60% of snaps. FAAB: $10-15
Trey Palmer/Sterling Shepard, Bucs
Palmer has experience with Mayfield and has some upside. Shepard, the former Giants star, is back in the league and should see a handful of targets each week. He gets injured a lot but is a great route runner. FAAB: Palmer $50-75, Shepard $45-65
Ricky Pearsall, 49ers
Pearsall is a fantastic young receiver with terrific speed and excellent hands. I expect a lot of playing time for him, especially with Aiyuk out for the season. FAAB: $60-65
Jacob Cowing, 49ers
Keep your eyes on Cowing, who is a young rookie receiver from the University of Arizona. He’s very fast and I think there’s some Zay Flowers in his game. FAAB: $5-10
Jalen Coker, Panthers
He is the new WR3 for a team that throws a lot in garbage time. FAAB: $5-10
Kayshon Boutte, Patriots
There’s a chance that Boutte might be the new starter. He excels in man coverage. FAAB:$5-10
Marques Valdez-Scantling, Saints
Shaheed is out. Bub Means and Ced Wilson are injured. If Derek Carr returns, MVS might have some sneaky upside. FAAB: $5-10
Parker Washington, Jaguars
He has flashed in previous seasons when given the opportunity. Assuming Thomas and Davis are healthy, he should likely be the WR3 and potentially useable during the upcoming BYE weeks. FAAB: $30-40
Jermaine Burton, Bengals
I was worried about Tee Higgins prior to the season, mainly because he won’t risk injury while awaiting a new contract. Burton will make mistakes, but he’s got a big-time upside. Stash and potentially cash with him. FAAB: $10-15
John Metchie, Texans
Still waiting on Diggs news. He is young and was the talk of training camp. Is now the time? Worth a shot for sure. FAAB: $25-35 (up to $100 if Diggs news is bad)
Robert Woods, Texans
Old reliable in that he runs good routes. FAAB: $15-20 (up to $50 if Diggs news is bad)
Xavier Hutchinson, Texans
Was thought to be the WR3 but hasn’t emerged as of yet. I still think Metchie is way more talented. FAAB: $15-20 (up to $50 if Diggs news is bad)
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans
They seem to look for him in the red zone, giving him more value than Boyd. FAAB: $20-25
Tyler Boyd, Titans
He is familiar with Callahan’s offense from their days in Cincinnati; I don’t think he’s familiar with such awful QB play. FAAB: $5-7
Calvin Austin III/Van Jefferson, Steelers
Assuming the Steelers don’t make a trade before the deadline, the re-emergence of Russell Wilson gives both these guys a slight uptick in value in the deepest of leagues. FAAB: $3-5
Noah Gray, Chiefs
Gray is a solid pass catcher and runs good routes. If Kelce were ever to get hurt, he would easily be a top-ten player at the position. FAAB: $25-35
Lucas Krull, Broncos
Sean Payton wanted Krull to be the starter before a preseason injury. He’s beginning to emerge. FAAB: $5-10
Will Dissly, Chargers
Hayden Hurst’s injury should give Dissly a chance to have 3-5 targets per game. FAAB:$3-5
Taysom Hill, Saints
The Saints are in shambles, so Hill will be used often when he returns. I’m listing him here in case he was dropped after missing the last few weeks. FAAB: $50-60
Noah Fant, Seahawks
No team has a higher PROE than the Seahawks. Fant is on the field for tons of snaps, and Geno looks his way a decent amount. FAAB: $5-10
Mike Gesicki, Bengals
Still showed he’s a receiving threat. If Higgins is going to continue to miss time, he might turn into Burrow’s second receiving option. FAAB: $10-15
Cincinnati (vs. Raiders)
Minshew always makes mistakes. FAAB: $5-10
New Orleans (vs. Panthers)
Anyone against Carolina. Sean Payton called them out for being awful. FAAB: $10-15
New England (vs. Tennessee)
If it’s Levis starting, I’m willing to pay $20. FAAB: $5-10
