You probably don’t need to make any additions this week because there are no teams on bye this week. The focus of today’s article is depth and how it might prevent others from making pickups. Make sure you have depth at every position, and when handcuffs become available, grab them—not only for you, but also for your rivals. Choose Matt Breida/Gary Brightwell, Travis Homer/DeeJay Dallas, or Kenneth Gainwell/Boston Scott, for instance, if you have a long bench.
Ideally, Jaylen Warren, Alexander Mattison, and Damien Harris would already be on the roster; but, if they aren’t, make sure they won’t be accessible for your rival.
Keep in mind that your outstanding team is the reason you made the playoffs. Avoid being too charming! These pickups are typically used only for depth.
Brock Purdy (SF)
We believed San Francisco’s season was finished when Trey Lance was lost. Then, when they lost Jimmy Garoppolo, we believed the season was finished. QBs in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, though, turn out to be in good shape. possibly even superior to fine. In his first NFL start, rookie Brock Purdy destroyed Tom Brady 35-7, scored 22 fantasy points, and finished the week as the QB6 heading into Monday Night Football. Although there is a potential that Purdy won’t play on a short week because of an MRI on his oblique on Monday, his fantasy playoff schedule is one of the finest with games against Seattle, Washington, and Las Vegas coming up next.
Richard Wilson (DEN)
Am I crazy? Maybe. Last weekend, I benched Russ for the first time, only to have him explode for 35 points while sitting there. Although historically the matchup hasn’t mattered, this week’s game against Arizona is fantastic once more, and I don’t want my opponent to pick up Russ even if he doesn’t start him. Even though there’s a chance Wilson won’t pass the concussion protocol before the weekend, I’m not allowing him to stay on my waiver wire. If your starter gets hurt, you’ll be willing to take a chance if he scores another 35 points when he faces Kansas City in championship week.
Mayfield, Baker (LAR)
If you lose Matt Stafford and are still seeking for his successor, Baker Mayfield might be the simplest solution. You’ve heard enough by this point about the game-winning drive against the Raiders on Thursday night that was 98 yards long despite having only had 48 hours to study the playbook. Although Mayfield won’t stand out on the stat sheet, at least we know he will start if you’re in a two quarterback league and need help.
Others include Mike White (NYJ), Colt McCoy, and Desmond Ridder (ATL) (ARI)
Toby McKinnon (KC)
Jerick McKinnon had a huge day on Sunday, finishing as the RB1 in PPR leagues, making it tough to overlook it. In addition to gaining an additional 22 yards on the ground, he caught seven of his eight targets for 112 yards and two scores. Does that sound like a WR line? Although Patrick Mahomes can throw the ball to any receiver at any time, Isaiah Pacheco still serves as the offense’s primary running back. With his 36 routes from last Sunday, McKinnon joins the long list of Mahomes’ weapons that could or might not produce significant gains on any given day.
Toby Akers (LAR)
Akers had the most touches of any Rams running back, and despite mishandling the ball once, he still managed to gain 42 yards and score a touchdown. Given that they have little to lose, the Rams will continue the Cam Akers experiment. The Green Bay run defence, which has given up the most fantasy points per game to opposition runners, is the opponent in the following exciting clash.
Edwards, Gus (BAL)
On his first week back, JK Dobbins stole the show, although he’s not likely to be in your league. Yet Gus Edwards, who played 31 plays and carried the ball 13 times for an average of five yards per carry, might still be a key player in this run game. Given that Cleveland, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh are all up next, Edwards and Dobbins will have one of the easier schedules for running backs in the fantasy playoffs, leaving Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill as the odd man out.
Peoples-Jones, Donovan (CLE)
Donovan People-Jones has previously appeared in this column, but this time he wins the top spot because in addition to recording eight receptions for 114 receiving yards on Sunday, he also played a career-high 100% of the snaps. Because of Amari Cooper’s injury, Deshaun Watson may now turn to People-Jones for a playoff schedule that is one of the easiest left for wide receivers (BAL, NO, WSH)
Chark, DJ (DET)
Last week, Chark was our top claim, and boy, did he pay off! On a week with six teams on bye, his seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown undoubtedly determined some fantasy football playoff teams. The last few weeks do not seem to be an accident, therefore if he has been purchased, it is time to submit your claims. In the last three games, Chark has played more than 80% of the snaps and runs the same number of routes as Amon-Ra St. Brown. His future schedule is advantageous as well, with Chicago serving as his opponent in Week 17 of the fantasy football championship. In deeper leagues, Jameson Williams is a worthwhile addition if Chark isn’t available.
Daniel Lucero
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