Brandon Allen (Quarterback) Cincinnati Bengals
With Joe Burrow not expected to play this week the door is open for Allen to get the start against the Browns. While the Cincy offense will be short-handed they still won’t be as short-handed as the Browns’ secondary. The Bengals will still be looking to head into the playoffs on a high note while a demoralized-looking Browns team is playing for nothing and ending the season with a sad whimper. If you are in a two-QB league you may have to dig deep this week with some of the top options sitting this one out. Another reason fantasy seasons should have ended last week.
Taysom Hill (Quarterback) New Orleans Saints
The quarterback position has predictably been a mess for the Saints this year, but Hill ends the season with an elite matchup against the Falcons. With a strong floor thanks to his running ability and passing upside against a terrible secondary, he should be a solid streaming option this week. He’s a must-start in Superflex leagues and a potentially sneaky good play in DFS leagues.
Jordan Love (Quarterback) Green Bay Packers
Love is a deeper sleeper but you may need him if you were relying on a QB like Aaron Rodgers or Joe Burrow this week. All signs point to the Packers stars only playing a series or two this week. Granted, Love is a risky play being that, unlike Burrow, it hasn’t been confirmed that Rodgers will sit out all of or most of this game. Still, if I have to choose between starting Rodgers or Love this week, unfortunately, I’d go with Love.
Samaje Perine (Running Back) Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon is going to be sitting this one out and Perine will likely get the bulk of the touches on this offense. There isn’t much more to it than that. If you need a starting running back this week that you can likely find on waivers, Perine is the guy to pick up. Scoop him up now if you’re still looking for a running back and plug him in your lineup.
Cam Akers (Running Back) Los Angeles Rams
Almost inconceivably Akers is will be active this week coming off a blown Achilles this summer. It’s unclear what his workload will be but he is expected to play. There is a strong chance he is very limited, however, there is also an outside chance he gets a decent share of the workload. This return so soon is incredible. If there is one player I’m excited to see out there this week it’s Akers. I like him more as a DFS play though. I don’t think I’d have the stomach to play him in a championship matchup.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Running Back) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is another weekly reminder that Ronald Jones stinks and his coaches hate him. Vaughn could and likely will outperform Rojo this week. Never trust Jones because we all know his coaches don’t. Not only do I think there is a chance Vaughn is a sleeper this week. If I have the option between Vaughn and Jones I’m starting Vaughn this week. If you can’t handcuff a veteran taking the week off then this is the next best bet.
Allen Lazard (Wide Receiver) Green Bay Packers
With most of the Packers studs likely taking most of the week off, I anticipate Lazard playing the role of WR1 for Jordan Love. While the lack of Rodgers caps his ceiling they are still taking on the Lions and he could see an increase in targets assuming Davante Adams sits most of the game out. I’m no fan of Love, but I am a fan of rolling out a potential WR1 against the Lions.
Jaylen Waddle (Wide Receiver) Miami Dolphins
Despite a poor matchup, I expect a big week from Waddle in PPR leagues. It’s tough starting a Dolphin this week after last week’s debacle but I expect them to force-feed Waddle who is close to breaking multiple teams and league rookie records with a solid outing. The coaches are going to put Tua in a position to get rid of the ball quickly after last week and they are going to want to keep their young wideout happy. Feeding Waddle not only makes sense for the game plan but for keeping their young stars happy as well.
Scotty Miller (Wide Receiver) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As we all saw last week Antonio Brown hopped right out of the stadium and off of the Bucs roster. The most logical wideout to be forced to step up due to his absence is Miller. Despite him not logging a single snap last week, it stands to reason that he will be elevated this week and moving forward behind Mike Evans and Tyler Johnson. He’s a risky start, but the guy who I would guess slides into the WR3 role in Tampa for the remainder of the season. We have seen him have success before with Tom Brady in big moments. We know there is chemistry and trust between the two and hopefully, that shows up on the field this week.
John Bates (Tight End) Washington Football Team
Ricky Seals-Jones was stretchered off last week. While he appears to have avoided a major injury, he’s unlikely to play this week. We have seen time and time again regardless of who they plug in that position the tight end in this offense will be featured. Bates is the next man up in Washington this week and is as good as a waiver add as you’ll find if you’re looking for a guy that will see a decent amount of targets and might find the end zone. If you need a desperation TE go snatch him off your wire.
Luke Farrell (Tight End) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are another team that loves utilizing their tight end. With James O’Shaugnessy injured Farrell will slide in as the featured pass-catching TE. With all the injuries to the Jags pass-catchers this season it wouldn’t be a shock to see the rookie be one of the most targeted players on the team this week. He’s another solid desperation play this week if you’re looking for a tight end to plug into lineups.
