QB Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Those with early drafts with Carson Wentz as their starting quarterback could be looking for one this week if they didn’t take a backup. Dalton looked good in his final preseason game, going 11-for-16 with 180 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard score to John Ross. The Bengals have a favorable matchup in Week 1 against the Colts.
RB Alfred Morris, San Francisco 49ers
Matt Breida is my preferred choice, especially in PPR formats, but he was drafted in most leagues. Morris is likely on the waiver wire unless you drafted over the last few days. Morris played well last season with the Cowboys and looked good in the preseason with 19 carries for 89 yards. Morris has experience in the Kyle Shanahan offense, too.
RB James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers held practice on Monday and Le’Veon Bell didn’t show up. Bell has yet to sign his franchise tender and has missed all summer. Bell has been training in South Florida and posted a video on his snapchat account in a hotel overlooking the beach. Bell could show up Wednesday and play in Week 1, but in case he doesn’t Conner should be added as insurance, especially for Bell owners. Conner looked excellent in the preseason.
RB Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins
If you had an early draft, Peterson is sitting on the waiver wire. I haven’t been drafting him, but if you have Jerick McKinnon or a suspended Mark Ingram and need an option to fill the gap for the first few weeks, a fresh Peterson could help. Peterson looked good in his preseason debut in Week 3 and he’s the lead back for the Redskins, although he won’t help much in the passing game with Chris Thompson there. Peterson is 33 and has averaged 3.1 yards per carry the last two years, so I don’t see him helping all season.
WR Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cole might have been undrafted in some early drafts. With Marqise Lee out for the season, Cole could be in line for more targets. He was already starting opposite Lee, but this opens more of an opportunity for more looks. The Jaguars will spread the ball around, but Cole came on towards the end of the season with three touchdowns in his final five games. He had at least 99 receiving yards in three of his final four games. Consider adding Dede Westbrook if Cole is not available.
WR John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals
Ross wasn’t going high in early drafts and sometimes went undrafted. He showed he’s healthy and the speed is obvious. He caught a 57-yard touchdown pass in Week 3 of the preseason and has a matchup against a bad Colts secondary in Week 1.
TE Antonio Gates, Los Angeles Chargers
The return of Gates isn’t very exciting for Fantasy. He could still score 5-7 touchdowns, but don’t expect much volume or yards. Gates ceded to Hunter Henry, who is out for most of the season if not all with a torn ACL, last season. Gates had 30 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Gates is 38 yards old, so make sure he’s not your starting tight end.
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