Teams on BYE: (Lions, Chargers, Eagles, Titans)
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.
Dave Canales made the switch to Dalton bumps up the fantasy value of Diontae Johnson and the entire Panthers offense. FAAB: $10-15
He’s not going to throw for a ton of yards or passing TDs, but there is rushing upside. FAAB: $5-10
Malik Nabers is way better than advertised, and Jones is getting better protection from his OL than expected. FAAB: $5-10
It’s only a matter of time before Jerrod Mayo pulls the plug on Jacoby Brissett and lets Maye learn on the job. FAAB: $1-3
I doubt that Watson is available on the waiver wire in your league, but he’s been playing better recently, and Nick Chubb is on his way back soon. FAAB: $10-15
Anthony Richardson injured his groin against Pittsburgh and left the game in the first half. Flacco came in and instantly helped the Colts receivers. There’s no news on Richardson yet for this week, but Flacco will be ready just in case. FAAB: $10-15 if named starter
He’s the new starting QB, for whatever that is worth. I know he was a Pro Bowler with Baltimore when Jackson was out, but if he was really any good, would he have been on Baltimore’s practice squad? He looked awful against Tennessee. FAAB: $1-3
Get him NOW! He’s the real deal and looks way more explosive than White. FAAB: $150-180
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
Nix is going to dump the ball off to his running backs a ton and McLaughlin is the best pass catcher of the group. FAAB: $20-25
He is the 3rd down and receiving back. Better in PPR formats than standard. He’s ever been in on the goal line a few times, which is killing Zamir White’s value. FAAB: $30-35
Stevenson is still the RB1, but Gibson has made a claim for 5-10 touches per week. FAAB: $25-30
He hasn’t played a ton, but he’s shown some burst when he has. FAAB: $30-40
With CMC out, Guerendo is one Jordan Mason injury away from being the starter. A lot of my high-stakes friends were all in on him prior to the draft. FAAB: $40-50
He looked like he had some juice running against the Bears. He’s the handcuff for Jonathan Taylor, making him worth a few dollars. FAAB: $10-15 (an extra $10 if you have Taylor)
He will be relied upon when the Ravens are in the two-minute drill or obvious passing situations. FAAB: $45-50
With Marshawn Lloyd on the IR, he is the handcuff to Josh Jacobs. He scored his first TD against Tennessee, and LaFleur likes to rotate backs more than most coaches. FAAB: $15-20 (an extra $5 if you have Jacobs)
He looked terrific against Los Angeles, and the Chiefs will obviously need to use him way more in the passing game with Rice out. FAAB: $135-145
Scored two TDs as the backup for Robinson. It only has value with Ekeler out, so don’t overpay. FAAB: $3-5
News out of Browns camp is that Chubb will have his 21-day practice window opened this coming week. Expect to see him starting on or before Week 9. FAAB: $150-250, and just know that his price will go up each week he is closer to returning.
The Cowboys like Tolbert as their WR3. A lot of people are overlooking him and that might be a big mistake in case of an injury to Lamb or Cooks. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him end the season as the Cowboys WR2. FAAB: $45-50
He’s the WR3 for the Vikings, but if there’s an injury, he becomes super valuable. FAAB: $15-20
Ray Ray is a shifty slot WR, and he could see some quick looks every game. Atlanta is in hurry-up offense mode. FAAB: $10-15
Carolina will be playing from behind most weeks, and they are trying to get him reps. Adam Thielen is on the IR, and Legette has moved into the WR2 role. FAAB: $20-25
Played more than expected against Arizona and should have a continued role with Nacua and Kupp out. FAAB: $40-50
Knows Aaron Rodgers well from his days in Green Bay. He’s more of a DFS play than anything, but with BYE weeks coming up soon, he’s worth rostering. FAAB: $20-25
He’s terrific in leagues that give points for return yardage, plus he’s often out there when Dallas is in garbage time. FAAB: $15-20
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
He’s the Raiders big play guy. I liked him in best ball leagues, and if they are playing from behind, he has some seasonal value, too. FAAB: $35-40
He’s always had the talent, but he can’t seem to stay healthy. Lamar mentioned him numerous times in the off-season as one to watch, so there is some upside. FAAB: $30-35
Austin was tremendously talented at Memphis but suffered injuries early in his professional career and never really took off. He’s finally healthy and lining up in the slot for the Steelers. There is upside if Fields can continue to grow as a passer. FAAB: $25-35
Expect Christian Watson to miss a few weeks with a high ankle sprain that he suffered vs. Minnesota. Wicks would likely be a starter for most teams, so treat him as such and think of him as a receiver who should be good for 5-7 targets per week. FAAB: $100-120
Moves into the WR4 role for Green Bay with Watson out. Green Bay likes to rotate its receivers, so there is some minor value. FAAB: $10-15
Someone is going to need to step up with Rice out. Expect the Chiefs to make a trade at some point, but for now, Watson is the likely WR2. FAAB: $20-25
See above, but make Juju the WR3. FAAB: $20-25
His value is dependent on the health of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. With the Eagles on BYE, Campbell’s value is nothing more than a WR4. FAAB: $1-2
He’s in play ONLY if Nabers is declared out with the concussion he suffered in Week 4. FAAB: $20-25 with a little more possible if you have Nabers.
Kraft will likely not see a ton of receptions, but I think he could be used in the red zone due to his size and pass catching ability. He’s the TE1 over Musgrave due to his exceptional blocking. FAAB: $10-15
With Tyler Higbee on the PUP, Parkinson is the TE1 for the Rams. FAAB: $20-25
Kingsbury will get him the football until he inevitably misses time. FAAB: $5-10
Stash and cash! FAAB: $1
After being way off the radar, he had seven receptions against Denver. He’s highly inconsistent but worth rostering in the right matchup. FAAB: $7-10
Has more value now that he is healthy and Dalton is the new QB. FAAB: $3-5
Gray has had six targets in the past two weeks and with Rice out, there’s a chance that the Chiefs run a few sets with two tight ends. 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
Taysom Hill left the Falcons game with an abdominal injury that he has been dealing with since Week 1. It’s possible the injury keeps him out for a few weeks until he fully heals. Johnson is the better athlete, but Moreau is a big body who is a great red zone target. FAAB: Johnson $5-10 Moreau $3-5
He’s only a rookie but I love what I am seeing. The Bengals are splitting snaps with him and Mike Gesicki. FAAB: $3-5
Watch for the progress of Trey McBride. If he is out again with a concussion, Higgins will be the starter. FAAB: $3-5
I know it’s a short week but nothing cures a poor defensive game than seeing Danny Dimes at home. FAAB: $5-10
Trevor Lawrence is a wreck, and if Flacco plays, the defense will be more rested after sustained drives. FAAB: $3-5
