FAAB can be tricky. There’s a lot more nuance with FAAB waivers than waiver priority based waiver claims. This time of year it’s much more difficult for me to put price recommendations on these players because it really depends on your situation. There are some running backs this week that will be useful for another 1-2 weeks. Then there are some players that might not be useful until another 2-3 weeks. There are better acquisitions than Alfred Morris this week, but I think he is still under the radar, that’s why I highlighted him in the title and picture.
Charcandrick West ($9) – This is a short term acquisition, mainly. Spencer Ware probably won’t miss more than one game.
Tim Hightower ($7) – He got almost all of the work last week, against a very stout run defense. Now he will reportedly be in a time share. I think he will be a dicey player to start because it’s difficult for me to see him getting a lot of yards, he’ll be touchdown reliant.
Antone Smith ($7) – Last week I wrote “Peyton Barber($5) – Doug Martin will be out.. oh who the hell knows how long.” It turns out that Barber, although he was the other running back getting work while Jacquizz Rodgers was healthy, is his true handcuff. It’s Antone Smith, he of the disproportionate amount of big plays two years ago for the Falcons. It’s a murky situation so Peyton Barber can still be owned.
J.J. Nelson ($6) – He was here on the “deep leagues” list last week although I did imply he can be considered for 12-team leagues as well. Now Larry Fitzgerald has a relatively minor ankle injury and Nelson appears to have officially passed Michael Floyd on the depth chart.
Alfred Morris ($4) – I think he’s owned in nearly every 12-team league. But if he was dropped or if he is dropped this week (byes are here!) then pick him up. I am a little worried about the Ezekiel Elliott domestic violence investigation. His lawyer said Elliott is “innocent”. I remember when Adrian Peterson was in trouble for his actions. There was a story during training camp about how the police went to talk to him about a domestic violence incident. But it was reported as if he wasn’t being investigated per se, merely questioned, as if to gather evidence for something he wasn’t involved in. Given how all of that ended, I want to be in a position to profit if Elliott is suspended.
James Starks ($2) – Knile Davis flamed out and was released. Starks might only be out another week or two but he is not very good and the Packers don’t run the ball much. They are especially shy about running it at the goal line so he’s no better than an RB3.
Dennis Pitta & Ladarius Green ($1 Each) – Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Reed, Martellus Bennett, C.J. Fiedorowicz are among the players on bye this week.
C.J. Fiedorowicz ($1) – He’s turned into one of the top weapons in the Houston offense (we all know that doesn’t mean much) but he’s on bye this week.
10-team FAAB
Sammy Watkins ($4) – Time to start snatching up more injured players that are returning soon. In fact, that time was a week or two ago. Sorry this is late.
Thomas Rawls ($3) – Basically same thing as Sammy Watkins above. It’s too late for him in 12 team leagues, I should have been on this last week when there was still a chance. The Seahawks may still consider him to be “the guy”.
Deep League FAAB
Austin Hooper ($5 in deep leagues) is a tight end worth picking up in deep leagues. Antone Smith and Charcandrick West, are my highest priority deep league acquisitions. Percy Harvin is back with the Bills but I wouldn’t pay very much at all for him.
Just because the player isn’t above doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acquire him. Others bearing consideration and players I’ve mentioned in previous posts are: WRs – Jamison Crowder, Corey Coleman. RBs – Dion Lewis, Darren Sproles. These players should probably be owned in leagues of any size.
Follow Lance on Twitter @Rotolance.
