Week 9 Street FA Report
Each week we will recommend a group of players that are owned in less than 50% of RSO league that should be rostered. Depending on roster and league sizes not all of these players may be available. For that, we will offer 1 player that is owned in <10% of leagues as our Sleeper add.
Add of the Week
Josh Reynolds, WR – LAR (Owned 27%)
Week 8: 1 Car/-1 yard, 3 Rec/73 yards, 1 TD
It is unknown the extent of Brandin Cooks’ injury but having his second head injury this season is not a good sign. He is going to see a specialist so in the meantime Josh Reynolds steps into the WR3 role in what is still an above-average passing offense. He had eight (8) targets last week but only made three (3) catches and was overshadowed by Cooper Kupp’s monster game. We know that Reynolds had a role when he was the WR3 last year with Kupp out the second half of the season so Reynolds is a savvy add while the Rams are on their bye week in case Cooks is out for a prolonged absence. He would likely hold WR4 value in each game Cooks misses.
Suggested Bid: $5,000,000
RB Add
Jeff Wilson Jr, RB – SF (Owned 33%)
Week 8: 2 Car/6 yards
If you are in desperate need of an RB this week quickly grab Jeff Wilson before they play on Thursday night. Behind Tevin Coleman, the 49ers are banged up with only a couple days of practice to prove their health. Wilson may be the last man standing when all is said and done. Kyle Shanahan wants to rotate in multiple backs throughout the game and Wilson was used earlier in the season as the primary goal-line back when Coleman was out himself. We will see how the rotation goes on Thursday but as it goes for free agents backs available this week Jeff Wilson probably has the safest floor and highest touchdown upside in week 9.
Suggested Bid: $1,000,000
WR Add
Alex Erickson, WR – CIN (Owned 17%)
Week 8: 6 Rec/97 yards
Another WR likely to remain a free agent because of his bye week, Alex Erickson has had three solid games averaging 9 targets, 6 receptions, and 94 yards. The Bengals will continue to pass the ball heavily for the rest of the season so the pass attempts will be there. We are also waiting to see when A.J. Green will return and how effective he will be when he does. On top of all this, it is being reported Andy Dalton will be benched allowing backup Ryan Finley to start for at least week 10. Often times backup receivers and backup quarterback have a rapport from reps in training camp and preseason as the second-team offense so there may be more familiarity between Erickson and Finley than with other receivers at this point in time. We will see what the new Bengals offense looks like when they return from their bye but Erickson is a strong second half candidate if the Bengals are trying to see what assets they have moving forward.
Suggested Bid: $3,000,000
TE Add
Jonnu Smith, TE – TEN (Owned 33%)
Week 8: 6 Rec/78 yards, 1 TD
Jonnu Smith had been a hot tight end sleeper the last two seasons but he has been a dud for the most part. The three-year learning curve for tight ends might be a real thing however as Smith looked strong the last two weeks while Delaine Walker nurses his own injuries. Ryan Tannehill has also brought some rejuvenation to a very stagnant passing offense for Tennessee so that gives Titans’ pass catchers another boost moving forward. For as long as Delaine Walker is out Jonnu Smith is a borderline TE1 most weeks, especially with some big TEs on byes over the next two weeks.
Suggested Bid: $4,000,000
Sleeper Add (<10%)
Russell Gage, WR – ATL (Owned 3%)
Week 8: 7 Rec/58 yards
After Emmanuel Sanders was traded away everyone was trying to figure out which receiver would be the next man up for fantasy points in Denver. It was never discussed however who was going to step up once Mohammed Sanu was shipped out of Atlanta. We got our answer in week 8 with second-year receiver Russell Gage who was second on the team with nine (9) targets. It remains to be seen whether this was another product of a backup quarterback being more comfortable throwing to a player he had been working with during the offseason or if Gage will be a reliable option once Matt Ryan returns in week 10. Either way Gage is a player that you can stash on your practice squad and activate if he has another good game in week 10 against the Saints.
Suggested Bid: $350,000
