Week 5 Street FA Report

Updated: October 4th 2023

Each week we will recommend a group of players that are owned in less than 75% of RSO leagues that should be rostered. Depending on roster and league sizes not all of these players may be available. For that, we will offer one (1) player that is owned in <25% of leagues as our Sleeper add.

 

Add of the Week

Michael Wilson, WR, ARZ (Owned 59%)

Week 4: 7 Rec/76 yards, 2 TDs

One (1) month into the 2023 season and already we have had two (2) players move from the “Positional Adds” to the must Add of the Week slot. Hopefully, those who have been following this year have been successful in adding these players before their FAAB blow up week. Anyways, after some under the radar performances in weeks 1 through 3, Michael Wilson finally had his rookie campaign’s breakout game scoring two (2) touchdowns against an elite 49ers defense. Wilson is the Cardinals only big receiver when compared to Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore so the opportunities to score red-zone touchdowns will continue to be there as well. Will Wilson be the weekly WR6 again this season, probably not, but a WR3/4 most weeks? Probably.

Suggested Bid: $3,500,000

RB Add

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, DEN (Owned 27%)

Week 4: 7 Car/72 yards, 3 Rec/32 yards, 1 TD

Denver’s week 4 game started off with another vulture touchdown by McLaughlin and ended with a “I should probably pick this guys up” type of performance once Javonte Williams left the game with a hip injury. The reports on the severity of Williams’ injuries have been all over the map; some believing he could be back right away and others saying to expect he will miss 2-3 weeks and it will linger for the rest of the season. In any case, once Williams went out it was clear between Samaje Perine and McLaughlin who appeared to be the back that helped his team the most. Any amount of time that Williams is out McLaughlin is a RB3/Flex play.

Suggested Bid: $1,500,000

WR Add

Terrace Marshall Jr, WR, CAR (Owned 58%)

Week 4: 9 Rec/56 yards

Averaging nine (9) targets and seven (7) receptions the last two (2) weeks, Terrace Marshall has started to finally show results for those who have held onto him into his third season. The Panthers as a team have been awful which has helped both Marshall and Adam Thielen thrive in the targets department thus far. They also have matchups that could become shootouts, or in the Miami case long periods of garbage time over the next month, so there will continue to be plenty of opportunities to see large amounts of targets. The Panthers have been rumored to be looking for another receiver on the trade market but unless they secure a superstar I doubt it has a large effect on Marshall weekly expectations.

Suggested Bid: $1,500,000

TE Add

Tyler Conklin, TE, NYJ (Owned 26%)

Week 4: 4 Rec/58 yards

Find a person that loves you as much as Zach Wilson loves throwing to Tyler Conklin. Since taking over officially four (4) snaps into the season only Garrett Wilson has had more targets and receptions than Conklin. As well for the first time all year the Jets finally looked like they could sustain drives on Sunday night. Whether that momentum continues into the subsequent weeks may be a betting fallacy but at least we know that Conklin will be involved thick or thin. Sometimes it just feels nice to not take a doughnut at your starting tight end spot and Conklin can help with that.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

 

Sleeper Add (<25%)

Braxton Berrios, WR, MIA (Owned 12%)

Week 4: 1 Car/11 yards, 6 Rec/43 yards, 1 TD

Even when the Dolphins are not scoring 70 points in a game the offense still has enough scoring power to feed several mouths in a given week. With the slow start to Jaylen Waddle’s season, Braxton Berrios has emerged as the Dolphins clear WR3 receiving 11 targets thus far. If you like holding players on offenses that score lots of points Berrios could be a WR5 option through the lean bye weeks at wide receiver.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

More Analysis by Nick Andrews

Week 7 Street FA Report

Updated: October 18th 2022

Each week we will recommend a group of players that are owned in less than 75% of RSO leagues that should be rostered. Depending on roster and league sizes not all of these players may be available. For that, we will offer one (1) player that is owned in <25% of leagues as our Sleeper add.

 

Add of the Week

Kenyan Drake, RB, BAL (Owned 52%)

Week 6: 10 Car/119 yards, 1 TD, 1 Rec/8 yards

There will be much discussion this week about whether the AotW should be Deon Jackson or Kenyan Drake. The decision for me comes down to who is likely to continue to see meaningful snaps if their team’s starter is out. While Jackson may have chipped away at Nyheim Hines’ touch share there is little doubt that Jonathan Taylor, when healthy, will receive 80+ percent of the snaps and thus Jackson could be fools gold. As for Drake, JK Dobbins was coming into this season off of a serious knee injury and he left last week’s game with another knee-related illness. We have no clear indication on what timeframe the injury really has for Dobbins so Drake is more likely to receive starter level snap totals in Dobbins’ absence.

Suggested Bid: $3,500,000

 

RB Adds

D’Onta Foreman, RB, CAR (Owned 53%)

Week 6: 5 Car/19 yards

The other two (2) running back suggestions for week 7 are more of stashes based on your belief that a trade will happen involving those around these players thus allowing them the opportunity to increase their opportunity shares during the back half of the season. Christian McCaffrey has been rumored to be traded since February but there was not much meat on that bone until the Panthers fired Matt Rhule following week 5. If the Panthers do find a trade partner between now and Novemeber’s deadline we have seen over the last two (2) seasons that there likely will be a split between D’Onta Foreman and Chubba Hubbard. Foreman is the more likely candidate to be available in your free agent pool so he is the easier player to acquire.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

Mike Boone, RB, DEN (Owned 61%)

Week 6: 1 Car/1 yard, 1 Rec/3 yards

Just like Robbie Andrerson on Sunday, Melvin Gordon appeared visibly annoyed with his usage on Monday Night with new addition Latavius Murray receiving most of the snaps. Caught in the middle between the two is Mike Boone who, if Gordon was also traded or released, would see his third of a backfield increased to just a split with Murray. There is a chance that the Broncos would bring in another running back if they were to move Gordon, thus diminishing Boone’s actual ceiling. Between Foreman and Boone I would prioritize the former on your bidding.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

WR Add

Van Jefferson, WR, LAR (Owned 64%)

Week 6: N/A

If your league does not prioritize bench spots for players who are injured there may still be a chance that Van Jefferson is available in free agency. To your benefit the Rams are on a bye this upcoming week too which means that adding him will also be a low priority for many others allowing for a lower price tag. Jefferson is expected to return after the bye and the Rams appear to desperately need his help. Allen Robinson has not been the answer opposite Cooper Kupp and while I did recommend Ben Skowronek last week as a sleeper, Sean McVay has primarily used him as gadget player. Add Jefferson this week on the cheap before he potentially becomes more pricey after week 8.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

TE Add

Greg Dulcich, TE, DEN (Owned 49%)

Week 6: 2 Rec/44 yards, 1 TD

After it was announced that Greg Dulcich was coming off IR I thought it would be a savvy suggestion to those who stream tight end to add him after week 7 in the hopes that he looked good enough to have a future role. I did not expect him to have such a strong performance to a large Monday Night audience that instead of a sleeper, Dulcich likely will now cost you an above average bid to even have a chance to sign him. We do have to pump the brakes a little as he had only two (2) catches despite it feeling like he was more involved in the Broncos offense.

Suggested Bid: $4,000,000

Sleeper Add (<25%)

Braxton Berrios, WR, NYJ (17%)

Week 6: 1Car/20 yards, 1 TD, 1 Rec/6 yards

Has some of Braxton Berrios’ recent scoring totals been inflated by touchdowns, sure, but his consistency to find the end zone has been interesting to monitor since Zach Wilson’s return. He has scored a touchdown in the last three (3) games during which the Jets have been able to rattle off three (3) strong wins. His involvement in the offense can sometimes be sporadic as he operates at best as the third/fourth option, however, as we approach the heavy bye weeks it could be desperate times for some owners to dig deep for receiver help.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

More Analysis by Nick Andrews

Week 4 Street FA Report

Updated: September 28th 2021

Each week we will recommend a group of players that are owned in less than 75% of RSO leagues that should be rostered. Depending on roster and league sizes not all of these players may be available. For that, we will offer one (1) player that is owned in <25% of leagues as our Sleeper add.

Add of the Week

Emmanuel Sanders, WR – BUF (Owned 61%)

Week 3: 5 Rec/94 yards, 2 TDs

Still available in 40 percent of leagues, Emmanuel Sanders showed last week that he still can be a fantasy producer in the right offense. The Bills will always have a strong passing attack, so long as Josh Allen is the quarterback, which presents lots of opportunity for Sanders to work alongside Cole Beasley as the number two option behind Stefon Diggs. He has also played on 83 percent of the team’s offensive snaps through the first three (3) weeks and holds a 15.6% target share. I do not suspect Sanders to be available for this column the rest of the season so if he is still sitting on the sidelines in your league, make sure to add him.

Suggested Bid: $2,500,000

 

RB Add

J.J. Taylor, RB – NE (Owned 18%)

Week 3: 1 Car/2 yards, 2 Rec/3 yards

James White exited New England’s week 3 game early with a hip injury that has since been reported will keep him out of the lineup indefinitely. During the pre-season, Josh McDaniels was evaluating what secondary options he had at running back and J.J. Taylor showed flashes as the next man up for receiving back. With White now out, and the amount of running back targets New England likes to produce each week, Taylor may see an opportunity in PPR leagues to now be rostered. With how poorly the team looked last week, there is a high probability that he does not come onto many other league mate’s radar so it should be enough to stash Taylor on the bench with a minimum contract.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

 

WR Adds

Josh Gordon, WR – KC (Owned 24%)

Week 3: N/A

Let’s just get this out of the way so we can all get back to our normally scheduled Street FA report. Josh Gordon is attempting yet another comeback to the NFL after being reinstated once again. Gordon has tremendous talents but has not done much since his breakout season in 2013! Now over 30 years old the community is once again ready to fall in love with prospects of what Gordon could be. Signing with Kansas City seems like a no-brainer for him as the coaching staff and ownership is tops in the NFL and he should not have to be in the spotlight with players like Mahomes, Hill, and Kelce controlling the offense. There are still plenty of other receivers in your free agency that should do more than Gordon in fantasy this season but the upside is always too alluring for him to stay a free agent for long. You have been warned.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

Braxton Berrios, WR – NYJ (Owned 19%)

Week 3: 2 Rec/26 yards

We do not know for how much longer Jamison Crowder will be sidelined but Braxton Berrios has stepped in and been the primary slot option through Zach Wilson’s first three (3) weeks. Berrios has played on nearly a third (63.5%) of the snaps but has had a 20 percent target share. The problem is that the Jets’ offense is terrible and the scoring opportunities just are not there. Whether Crowder’s return negates Berrios’ role, or if the Jets try and shop the veteran once he is healthy, Berrios can be a PPR WR5 at this point.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

 

TE Adds

Dalton Schultz, TE – DAL (Owned 27.5%)

Week 3: 6 Rec/80 yards, 2 TD

I toyed with the idea of adding Dalton Schultz in two (2) of my leagues this week but was still holding out to see what Kellen Moore was designing for the Cowboys’ offense after Michael Gallup’s injury in week 1. Now it will cost me, and anyone else waiting on a tight end, as a two (2) touchdown performance on Monday night is sure to skyrocket his ownership. Dak Prescott is not slowing down from his injury last year which means plenty of passing opportunities and red zone targets to go around this season. Blake Jarwin also appears to not be in the game plan for Moore’s offense as much of a pass-catcher. Schultz should be added in most leagues and depending on your starting rotation at the position may be your starting tight end moving forward.

Suggested Bid: $2,000,000

Tommy Tremble, TE – CAR (Owned 22%)

Week 3: 1 Car/7 yards, 1 TD, 1 Rec/30 yards

One long catch and one end-around touchdown seemed to be enough for Head Coach Matt Rhule to give the reins over to rookie tight end Tommy Tremble. The Panthers traded away journeyman Dan Arnold after week 3 leaving only Tremble and Ian Thomas as the two primary tight end options on the roster. Rookie tight ends are notorious for not producing much in their first season/s but without much else in his way, Tremble may present some weeks of fantasy relevance. We are also one week away from having RSO resigns available so Tremble may present a nice multi-year buy-in at a low cost if he builds any momentum throughout the rest of the 2021 season.

Suggested Bid: $500,000

 

Sleeper Add (<25%)

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR – TEN (Owned <1%)

Week 3: 4 Rec/53 yards, 1 TD

I can admit when I was wrong and despite my best efforts as a sideline cheerleader, it does not appear that Josh Reynolds is going to be anything but a depth receiver in the NFL. A.J. Brown left with a hamstring injury presenting exactly the scenario where I told many to add Reynolds for. Instead, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine took the next-man-up role, playing 78 percent of the snaps in week 3 and scored his first career touchdown. Brown is listed as week-to-week but we know from experience that Brown has a history of starting a game while injured but exiting early. Sneak Westbrook-Iknine on your practice squad this week to see what the extent of Brown’s injury is heading into week 4.

Suggested Bid: $100,000 PS / $500,000 AR

More Analysis by Nick Andrews

2018 Post-Draft Rookie Rankings

Updated: May 11th 2018

I’m feeling a bit bittersweet today.  After months of research, statistical analysis and film watching this will be my last post about the 2018 rookie class.  You’ll be in capable hands with the rest of our RSO writing crew but I can’t help but feel sad about losing “my guys.”  I’m looking at you Anthony Miller and Rashaad Penny.  I had been a casual college football writer for years, and a fan for much longer, but the 2018 class was the first that I went truly deep on.  Alas, I will probably feel the same about the 2019 class this time next year.  Speaking of the 2019 class, expect to see content rolling out starting in June.  I have compiled a watch list of 150 players from the FBS to Division III.  I will release conference previews in the Summer, along with a way-too-early mock draft.  I will also unveil a Madden-like grading system I devised as a way to quantitatively compare players across levels and positions.  Before all of that though, let’s take one last look at my 2018 rookie rankings.  These were updated after the NFL Draft and I have also included a write-up about some noteworthy players.  Enjoy!

#3 – Nick Chubb, RB, Browns

I have vacillated on Chubb’s ranking more than anybody else at the top of my rankings. Earlier in the year I had Chubb and Derrius Guice alternating as my RB2/RB3. Immediately after the draft I bumped Chubb down to RB4 (1.04), behind Ronald Jones, due to concerns about playing on a poor Browns team that has a crowded backfield. The more I thought about it though, I decided I’d rather have Chubb because I think he’s a better player and will earn ample opportunity early enough in his career to warrant the 1.03 pick.

#5 – Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks

It was hard not to have Penny rocket up my rankings after he went 27th overall to the Seahawks. It felt like a confirmation of everything I saw and loved during the 2017 season. I tempered my excitement though for two reasons. First, Penny’s struggles as a pass protector are well known and I fear this could limit his touches to start his career. Second, the Seahawks have a weak offensive line (ranked 27th by PFF after 2017) that will test even Penny’s elite evasion. I was also building some return game work into Penny’s valuation but now that he’s a first round draft pick I doubt there’s any chance he gets to return kicks.

#6 – Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons
#7 – DJ Moore, WR, Panthers

I’m sticking to my guns here. I have had Ridley as my WR1 throughout the season and I still don’t feel he has done anything to change that for me. Moore certainly impressed at the combine more so than Ridley but it’s not like Ridley looked like Orlando Brown out there. Moore was a victim of a poor passing game at Maryland, but you could say the same about Ridley who was rarely featured. Moore will get a lot of early targets as the lead receiver in Carolina but I’d rather have Ridley’s fit in Atlanta with a top passing offense. Julio Jones will dictate coverage which should leave Ridley and his superb separation and route running skills wide open.

#20 – Bradley Chubb, DE, Broncos
#21 – Josh Rosen, QB, Cardinals

Chubb and Rosen come in as the first of their position in my rankings. IDP and QBs are always tough to rank because they are so heavily dependent on league settings and scoring. In general, for a typical RSO IDP league, I think that taking your first IDP near the second turn is a good bet; same with quarterbacks in a 1QB league. If you’re in a league featuring high IDP scoring or in a Superflex or 2QB league, you’ll need to push these guys higher by about a round. Similarly to Ridley, Chubb joins a unit where he won’t be the focus and can prosper. I’d be buying shares of the Broncos in team defense leagues, boy are they going to rack up the sacks. Rosen was the fourth quarterback taken in the NFL Draft but I think he should be the first off the board in your fantasy draft because he has the best combination of short-term opportunity and supporting cast in my opinion. Darnold and Allen may see the field just as soon but they won’t be throwing to Larry Fitzgerald, David Johnson and Christian Kirk. Mayfield is the wildcard if he beats out Tyrod Taylor, who the Browns spent a 3rd round pick on in a trade, because the Browns skill position players look intriguing if they all stay healthy and out of trouble.

#39 – Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Giants

I have a man crush on Lorenzo Carter. He’s a quick and lanky edge rusher who also showed the ability to drop into coverage late in the season. He’ll probably start as a situational pass rusher but the Giants will soon find that they found a gem in Carter. If you’re playing in an IDP league you can probably get Carter later than 39th overall but I wouldn’t chance it. Take him in the third round, stash him on your bench and be the envy of your league this time next year.

#45 – Ito Smith, RB, Falcons

Like Carter, Smith is a sneaky late round pick to stash on your bench. He’ll be lucky to find 50 touches in 2018 behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman but once Coleman leaves in free agency, Smith will fall into a fruitful timeshare. Smith ran for 1,100+ yards each of the last three years while catching 40+ passes. Smith is strong and thick with powerful leg drive. I rated him as a B+ blocker in his class so despite his short stature he isn’t a liability in pass protection. Smith will be the type of back who earns 75% of his fantasy production in the last two minutes of each half. He’ll come on the field for his mix of receiving and protection and stay on the field while the team runs the hurry-up.

#48 – Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Packers
#49 – J’mon Moore, WR, Packers

I’m not very high on either of these Packer receivers but one of them is going to emerge, it’s just a matter of which one does. There were rumors that St. Brown fell in the draft because of his “diva” personality which shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anybody who has done any research about his family. That pedigree and promise is what garnered St. Brown buzz the last two years – it certainly wasn’t his on-the-field production. Moore is shorter, lighter and slower but put up two solid seasons at Mizzou in 2016 and 2017 (60+ receptions, 1,000+ yards, 8+ TDs). I wouldn’t recommend drafting either player, you’re better off waiting to see which one hits and then scramble to the waiver wire, but if I had to pick I would go with St. Brown for his superior physical attributes.

#50 – Mason Rudolph, QB, Steelers

I like Rudolph as a speculative third round pick in Superflex and 2QB leagues. While Ben Roethlisberger has been squawking about the Rudolph pick, let’s not forget that just a year ago he was considering retirement. I don’t think it’s a mistake that the Steelers brass decided to draft James Washington and then pair him with his college quarterback. There’s also a chance that Rudolph gets playing time in the short-term due to an injury to Big Ben. Ben has only played a full 16 game season three times in his 14 year career. If you happen to get two games out of Rudolph in 2018 when your own starter is hurt or on bye you’ll already be ahead of the game value-wise.

#64 – Josh Sweat, DE, Eagles

Josh Sweat is another IDP sleeper of mine. Sweat may not get much opportunity early in his career but he had first round talent and physicals but was available later due to his injury history. The stories about his knee injury are pretty gnarly so I would not recommend spending much draft capital on him but if you’re in a deep IDP league and looking for a long shot, he’s your guy.

#80 – Richie James, WR, 49ers

So you’re saying there’s a chance? The 49ers offense is an enigma at the moment. As a Jimmy G owner, I’m excited for what he showed late last year but I am concerned about who he’ll be targeting this year. Pierre Garcon will be back from injury but he’s old. Marquise Goodwin is back too but he’s nothing more than a complementary player in my opinion. The door is open for somebody to emerge and Richie James has as much of a chance as anybody else on the roster. James had two uber productive seasons to start his career: 107-1,334-8 and 105-1,625-12. He lost most of 2017 to injury but is healthy now and reports are that he played well at the team’s first mini camp. You’d have to be in a pretty deep league to consider drafting James but once you get past WR15 it’s a crap shoot anyway.


Note: When watching film for a player in the offseason, I typically pick two games at random to watch. If game film is not available I will search for highlight reels, but keep in mind these are the best plays that player had all season so they really need to jump off the screen. I do not necessarily want to watch games where they did very well or very poorly as that may not be a great illustration of their true ability. If possible, when comparing players at the same position I also like to watch film against common opponents. Full disclosure, I am not watching film of every single game any player plays, instead I am looking for a representative sample. When researching college players I use a number of resources, I would recommend bookmarking the below sites…

  • Stats: espn.com, sports-reference.com, cfbstats.com, herosports.com, fcs.football, foxsports.com
  • Film: 2019 NFL Draft Database by @CalhounLambeau, youtube.com (but be wary of highlight only reels)
  • Draft info and mocks: draftcountdown.com, draftscout.com, walterfootball.com, mattwaldmanrsp.com, draftek.com, ndtscouting.com
  • Draft history: drafthistory.com
  • Combine info: pro-football-reference.com, espn.com, nflcombineresults.com
  • Season preview magazines: Phil Steele, Lindy’s, Street and Smith’s
  • Podcasts: ESPN’s First Draft, Strong as Steele with Phil Steele, The Audible by Football Guys (specifically episodes w/ Matt Waldman), UTH Dynasty, Draft Dudes
More Analysis by Bob Cowper