Up until this write-up, I have been exploring the Mariana Trench of fantasy football players for the deepest of sleepers. The pressure is building and I need to surface for some fresh air. Time has come to assess what I’ve seen from the known commodities of the Fantasy Football world – the land-walkers. I have more players listed this week and I think they will be more relevant to the leagues in which you play. As usual, I have a little bit of everything – Quarterbacks, Runningbacks, Wide Receivers, and a Tight End (I’ve been working out). I hope you enjoy it.
RBs
Tyrell Johnson RB Jets
Started at Runningback for the Jets this week and provided pretty good production just like he has been doing for the Jets since he got his opportunity. Michael Carter is the sexy new RB in town who has the eye of Jets coaches and fantasy owners alike. Good ol’ Tyrell has been there for you the whole time! Providing that steady production, through your highest highs and lowest lows, he’s been there by your side all along. You don’t have to wait until the final act of this Rom-Com to wise up and finally notice that true love has been right in front of your face the entire time. He makes for a great trade target.
Leonard Fournette RB Buccaneers
Appears to be the best in the Buccaneers backfield. He’s the guy to own. Check-in with the manager who has him. Don’t go wild, but it’s worth an inquiry.
Ameer Abdullah RB Lions
The Dalvin Cook injury Hokey Pokey reminds me that @Ameerguapo is an attractive option and he’s likely on your league’s waiver wire. Abdullah was already auditioning for a third-down role in this offense. Alexander Mattison has never had the correct answer when called upon. Captain Kirk has played well this season. If Cook were to miss time, this is likely going to become even more of a pass-heavy offense. That means more Ameer and less Alexander. Don’t waste your FAAB money on Mattison, save your money and buy Double-A.
James Robinson RB Jaguars
Still runs hard. Still an efficient runner. And still an afterthought in his coach’s mind. Check with his manager and hope Urban takes that USC job. Robinson is a quality back and a real NFL coach will make better use of his talents.
As long as big Urb is in town, you might want to take a look at Tavon Austin. Laviska Shenault Jr. left the game late on Sunday with a shoulder injury. He has since had an MRI after which he and the team claim he will be ready for week three. I’m a big Viska fan. His mother played basketball and holds many records at the namesake college of my hometown Dubuque, IA. I have to set aside my fandom and acknowledge that Shenault gets hurt often. Someone needs to catch those ridiculous gadget passes behind the line of scrimmage, Tavon Austin has a chance to be that guy. Urban liked him in training camp, which may not be much of an endorsement, but a major part of the game we play is volume and it might be time to turn up Tavon.
Myles Gaskin RB Dolphins
It has not looked great in Miami. I think we are all beginning to realize why those DeShaun Watson trade rumors have continued to persist into the early season. I don’t know about you guys, but I am beginning to think Tua ain’t all that, and now he is hurt. Jacoby Brissett (Tua’s replacement) has primetime arm strength, but daytime accuracy. The Dolphins look like a team that will have to lean on its running attack and sneak in a few play-action bombs to Jaylen Waddle. I’d check in on Gaskin and take a look at Salvon Ahmed while you are at it.
QB
Derek Carr QB Raiders
Selling high? Sure, I’ll buy. Not many NFL Quarterbacks are doing it better than Carr right now. Some analysts will recommend you sell high on Carr, but I don’t see it that way. I think Derek Carr is legit. He may not lead the league in passing yards by the end of the season, but he might be top 5. The 2021 Raiders are vastly different from the 2019 and 2020 versions. 19/20 Raiders wanted to run the ball down their opponent’s throats. They had an experienced and expensive offensive line paired with a fresh hard-running rookie tailback. Fast-forward to 2021, the O-line is mostly gone replaced by younger and less expensive players. That hot-shot rooking tailback now has two years of NFL tread on his tires and is beginning to miss games with injury. Jon Gruden knows he must lean on Derek Carr to win games this year and Carr is proving himself to be a sturdy leader. If your league-mates are selling on Derek Carr, Bryan Edwards, or Henry Ruggs, start buying.
Kirk Cousins QB Vikings
Putting up monster numbers on a team (much like the Raiders) that has adjusted its offense and become a pass-heavy team. The Dalvin Cook scare reminded me that Alexander Mattison is not that good. The Vikings are already passing it well and they will only throw the ball more if Cook were to miss time. If your opponents are selling, I’d be buying.
Sam Darnold QB Panthers
He’s looked good for two weeks now. He looks like a solid option for super-flex leagues. Many of NextGen stats line up with Kirk Cousins’. He may even have more room to grow. Darnold could be a top 15 QB by season’s end.
Trey Lance QB 49ers
Last call on Trey Lance… If you want him, you better send your best offer now. Jimmy G’s numbers don’t look too bad, but he looks like he’s playing scared to me. He isn’t taking many chances downfield. Garroppolo thinks that if he turns the ball over, he will likely lose his role as starting QB. He’s probably right to think that.
WR
Marvin Jones Jr. WR Jaguars
Someone needs to catch passes in J-ville. Jones Jr. is the best WR on the team. Let’s hope Trevor can find him.
Dyami Brown WR Football Team
Talented rookie wideout has an established a connection with Taylor Heinicke. His stock is about to blow up. Be sure you are the one to light this stick Dyaminite!
Marquise Goodwin WR Bears
Everyone is gonna chase after Darnell Mooney and rightfully so. WR speed + Justin Fields’ big arm = big numbers. You can apply that same equation to Marquise Goodwin (4.27 40).
Bryan Edwards WR Raiders
Finally getting an opportunity in what’s becoming a pass-heavy offense. He has been the talk to two consecutive training camps. He was good in college while playing on one of the worst teams in the SEC. Buy-high candidate
Henry Ruggs WR Raiders
Finally getting an opportunity in what’s becoming a pass-heavy offense. He has been the talk to two consecutive training camps. He was good in college while playing on one of the best teams in the SEC. Buy-high candidate
-I’m writing this Monday afternoon before the Packers/Lions game. This may look foolish tomorrow-
Marquez Valdes-Scantling WR Packers
I’m a sucker for speed and this guy’s got plenty of it. Rodgers is gonna have to find a secondary target. Scantling has the skillset to be the guy. Must clean up the drops.
Trinity Benson WR Lions
I loved this trade by the Lions. Denver was flush with wide receivers. Detroit snagged Benson with a couple of late-round picks. After going undrafted from D-II college East Central Oklahoma in 2019, he spent two seasons improving his game on Denver’s practice squad. He performed better than some of the drafted Bronco WRs in camp, and the Lions took notice. Trinity comes with a chip on his shoulder and is ready to prove that a D-II guy can succeed in the NFL. Detroit is the perfect place for this kid. I’d bet on him breaking through.
TE
David Njoku TE Browns
Beckham is out. Landry is out. Donovan Peoples-Jones has not performed as the Browns had hoped. David Njoku is an athletic tight end and he’s not much into blocking. He may be one of the top passing targets for a hot-handed Baker Mayfield. He’s a long shot, but he makes sense if you are desperate.
Told You So
This is my version of a Touchdown dance. If you have been reading my stuff, you already know about these guys. If for whatever reason they are still available in your leagues, go get ‘em.
Taylor Heinicke
Cordarrelle Patterson
Quez Watkins
Braxton Berrios
KJ Osborn
