Rounding Out the Lineup: Week 7
Most of us in competitive RSO league are not great at every position. The nature of salary cap leagues forces many teams into gambles which might not have paid off. Below you will find a few trade targets for competitive teams along with their current points per game ranking in PPR leagues who might shore up those RB2/WR2 and deeper flex spot gaps which did not pan out so far. There are a variety of floor plays and ceiling gambles at various price points. I would not consider these players “league winners” but all have the chance of helping your team going forward.
Running Backs
Doug Martin RB16 – Some questioned Doug Martin’s role once inserted into the lineup. Martin has out-attempted Jacquizz Rodgers 13-3 and 14-3 in the two games since his return from suspension scoring once per game in the process. This is clearly Martin’s backfield in the run game. Charles Sims remains a fixture on passing downs with 5 and 4 receptions in the two games since Martin’s return compared to 1 in each game for Martin. Sims’ role severely caps Martin’s work in the receiving game which will make for some limited fantasy outputs when Martin does not score.
On the plus side, there should be somewhat consistent scoring opportunities in Tampa Bay from Football Outsider’s 8th ranked passing unit. Martin makes for a nice RB2 on those teams in need of running back help. His limited work so far might present an opportunity to pick up Martin. He is also an attractive option on teams with limited RSO salary cap space to maneuver with as his suspension to start the year likely lowered his salary in many leagues.
Duke Johnson RB17 – The environment in Cleveland is not pretty. The team is 0-6 with one of the worst offenses and defenses in the league and an uncertain, at best, quarterback outlook. This is generally not the type of situation I am looking for when investing in running backs.
Duke Johnson has a few items working in his favor, however, when examining his rest-of-season outlook. Cleveland already lost the top two wide receivers heading into the season to injury. Johnson remains as the de facto WR1 currently leading the Browns in receiving targets, receptions, and yards. He has at least three receptions in all but one game this season and accumulated at least 53 receptions each of his first two seasons. Johnson fills the needs of RSO teams looking for solid floor plays out of the flex spot or RB injury/bye weeks. He also provides some upside as a handcuff to fellow Browns’ running back Isaiah Crowell or if CLE decides to give Johnson more work do to Crowell’s ineffectiveness.
Jay Ajayi RB35 – No other running back on this list supplies more variance on a given week than Miami running back Jay Ajayi. The “boom” portion comes largely from his enormous weekly rushing potential. Ajayi produced an amazing three 200+ yard rushing performances in 2016. He already has three games of 25 or more rushing attempts in 2017 and averages over 20 attempts per game. The “bust” potential stems primarily from Ajayi’s lack of receiving game effectiveness. The Dolphin running back averages only 1.7 receptions and 8.7 receiving yards per game over the last two years highlighted by a comically bad 3.3 yards per reception this season in which Ajayi has not managed a single game with at least 10 receiving yards.
If you are a gambling person, Ajayi imparts perhaps the highest ceiling option on this list of players. He is the only player in the NFL with 100 or more rushing attempts and zero touchdowns. Jay Cutler has been ugly so far but the Miami passing game could improve considering how late Cutler joined the Dolphins. Positive touchdown regression could very well be on the horizon for Ajayi. The defense also played well enough to keep Miami in games despite the offensive woes. Consider him a high variance RB2 going forward. Ajayi likely went for a costly salary if he was in your RSO free agent auction this year so fitting him under your cap could be an issue but teams might be more open to a trade because of that high salary.
Wide Receivers
Pierre Garcon WR24 – I believe if you told most people you could get the 6th ranked wide receiver in targets plus the 8th in receptions and yardage for minimal cost, they would jump at the chance. Such is the case with San Francisco wide receiver Pierre Garcon. Garcon’s zero touchdowns lower his fantasy output so far which could give you the ability to pounce. The volatile quarterback situation with rookie C.J. Beathard taking over for Brian Hoyer certainly carries some risk but Garcon is the only established NFL receiver on the roster. Garcon is a very tempting target for your flex spot who likely comes at a sharp discount especially with a rookie quarterback taking the helm.
Danny Amendola WR28 – Amendola filled the small slot receiver role in the New England offense beautifully so far looking extremely quick, getting open at will, and catching everything. Amendola’s per game targets are right in line with the leading non-Gronk Patriot receivers with at least 3 receptions, 5 targets and 40 yards in each game this season. Injuries are always a concern for smaller players with heavy workloads over the middle of the field, especially for a player who missed games in all but two seasons in the NFL. Amendola likely was picked up on waivers in your league which should make for a very cheap way to get your hands on a piece of the high-powered New England offense. He is a nice floor play for those in need of reliable points out of their flex spot.
Sterling Shepard WR37 – The Giants pulled players from the practice squad and off the street to fill starting receiver slots last week after New York lost Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Dwayne Harris, and Shepard to injury. Shepard should return shortly but the others are lost for the year leaving Shepard with a golden opportunity for a big work load. There is some danger going forward with regards to workload. Head coach Ben McAdoo gave up play-calling duties last week resulting in the Giants completely flipping the script on the pass-heavy offense, going with 32 carries to only 19 passes. With that said, Shepard is the only wide receiver on the roster with significant past production and figures to dominate targets along with rookie tight end Evan Engram. I would feel very confident with Shepard in my flex when he returns and WR2 production is entirely possible.
Bio: Bernard Faller has degrees in engineering and economics. He currently lives in Las Vegas and enjoys athletics, poker, and fantasy football in his free time. Send your questions and comments (both good and bad) on Twitter @BernardFaller1.
