Methodology
In this weekly article, I’m going to look ahead to the following week. I’ll point out a few players below 40% owned on ESPN who have strong matchups next week that you can pick up ahead of time to beat the waiver run. I’ll also try and get ahead of breakouts that could happen in the current week, as predicting breakouts is the best way to save your FAAB budget.
With added IR spots in most leagues, you can also shift injured players there, opening up a roster spot for these options. Since most of these additions will occur on the weekend, I’ll exclude any players from the Thursday night game, as you won’t be able to add them to your rosters. This season more than any other, it’s essential to remain active and stay ahead of your league mates. I hope you find value in this column and that it helps you succeed on a week-to-week basis.
Also, I realize that this article takes on a whole new meaning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every week, we seem to have some games in doubt or rescheduled. For this article, I will assume that all games in the following week will play as scheduled at the time of writing, usually on Thursday night or Friday morning. I can’t predict how the NFL schedule might change that far in advance, so that’s how I have to handle this article.
I won’t limit myself to any specific number of players or force myself to choose specific positions, outside of a few exceptions. Each week, I’ll provide one look ahead streamer at quarterback and D/ST, as those positions are easy to predict every week. Quarterback streaming mostly comes from the opposing defense and D/ST from the opposing offense, and we know those schedules ahead of time.
Must Adds
Matt Breida, 39.5% owned
The Dolphins recently lost Myles Gaskin to a sprained MCL. Gaskin went on injured reserve, and he will miss a minimum of three games. Unfortunately, Breida suffered a hamstring injury, which could force him to miss this week. However, I don’t believe Breida’s injury is serious, and I expect him to return in Week 10. Breida is the only running back to receive carries outside of Gaskin, and I expect him to start in Gaskin’s place once he’s healthy. Therefore, he’s a must-add.
Jalen Reagor, 14.8% owned
I cannot understand why Reagor’s ownership percentage is this low. He is one of only a few healthy receiving options for the Eagles, alongside Travis Fulgham and Dallas Goedert. The Eagles picked Reagor in the first round, and he played 73% of snaps in his first game back from injury in Week 8. Reagor should be on zero waiver wires.
Trey Burton, 10.9% owned
I have said to add Burton for multiple weeks, so I’ve put him in the must-add column this week to draw attention his way. Burton has played about 50% of snaps each week since he’s returned from injured reserve, and he’s scored a rushing touchdown each of the last two weeks. The Colts have reduced Jack Doyle’s playing time, and Mo Alie-Cox missed practice with a knee injury. Philip Rivers loves to target tight ends, and Burton is a borderline TE1 who should be owned in all leagues.
Gus Edwards, 7.5% owned
Edwards is now a must-own given the situation in the Ravens’ backfield. Mark Ingram seems nowhere near returning from his ankle injury, leaving only Edwards and rookie J.K. Dobbins in the Ravens’ backfield. Both players should be flex viable, but the other could be an RB1 candidate if either went down. Edwards cannot remain on your waiver wire.
Deeper Options
Adrian Peterson, 39.5% owned
Peterson sees some carries every week, but he only got five in Week 8. He’s far from a must-add, but any running back that gets volume is at least worth considering. Don’t make any extra effort to pick up Peterson, though.
Cam Akers/Malcolm Brown, 33.1/32.8% owned
Starter Darrell Henderson suffered a thigh injury in Week 8, although head coach Sean McVay stated that Henderson would play after the Rams’ Week 9 bye. However, I recommend adding Akers and Brown, just in case Henderson can’t go. Akers is the primary add, as I hope the Rams finally decided to involve him more in the offense. They just used a second-round pick on him, so they need to find a way to give Akers more touches.
La’Mical Perine, 28.2% owned
There’s nothing much to say about Perine. He faces a horrible Week 9 matchup against the Patriots, and the Jets have a bye in Week 10. But, he’s a starting running back for an NFL team, which means he’s in consideration in deeper leagues.
Laviska Shenault, 23.8% owned
I love Shenault’s talent, but the issue is that the Jaguars have turned from Gardner Minshew to rookie Jake Luton at quarterback. While I suppose Luton could revitalize the offense, giving Shenault more value, I think it’s more likely that the entire offense turns into a dumpster fire. The Jaguars are tanking for a top 2021 first-round pick, making it hard to trust their offense. You could bet on Shenault’s talent, but it’s a hazardous proposition.
DeeJay Dallas, 20.0% owned
I expect the Seahawks’ starter Chris Carson to return in Week 9, although he might have some limitations while returning from a foot injury. Carlos Hyde will almost certainly miss the game with a hamstring injury, while Travis Homer should be fully healthy. However, Dallas saw 18 carries in Week 8, so maybe the Seahawks saw enough to give him more work moving forward. He’s not a must-add, but there’s a chance he became Carson’s backup last week.
Jordan Howard, 18.9% owned
Howard has been a non-factor since Week 4, as he’s been a healthy scratch for three straight games. He was the Dolphins’ goal-line back for the first few weeks, seeing goal-line carries but little else. However, now the Dolphins won’t have Myles Gaskin for three weeks and likely Matt Breida for at least this week. The Dolphins traded for DeAndre Washington, but he can’t play this week due to COVID-19 protocols.
Therefore, Howard is by far the most experienced running back on the Dolphins’ roster for the week, with only Patrick Laird and Salvon Ahmed as competition. I expect Howard to lead the Dolphins in carries this week, and if he does well, he could gain a more significant role in future weeks. The Dolphins obviously didn’t like Howard before these injuries, though, so he’s not a priority add.
Tony Pollard, 17.8% owned
I haven’t mentioned Pollard in the last few weeks, but I decided to bring him up again. Ezekiel Elliott has faced a hamstring injury this week, limiting him to rehab work in practice. I expect Elliott to play in Week 9, but he could possibly suffer an aggravation, leading to Pollard becoming a starter. Also, Elliott has looked putrid lately, which could open opportunities for Pollard. He’s not a bad add this week.
Logan Thomas, 13.8% owned
Thomas is an every-down tight end, and he’s seen at least four targets in every game for Washington this season. However, poor quarterback play has sunk the entire Washington offense, making everyone outside Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson completely worthless. You can always start Thomas as a medium-floor, low-ceiling play, but that’s all he is. Only add him if you’re desperate.
Darnell Mooney, 10.3% owned
Mooney is an extremely talented player. As a fifth-round rookie, he’s commanded a starting role from Week 2 forward, hitting a season-high 93% of snaps in Week 8. Mooney caught five of six targets for 69 yards and a touchdown last week, although Nick Foles consistently missed him on long targets. If Mooney had competent quarterback play, he’d likely be a must-add, but Foles has played so poorly that you can’t truly trust Mooney to produce for fantasy.
Brian Hill, 8.4% owned
Todd Gurley mysteriously disappeared from the Falcons’ Week 8 games versus the Panthers, although he still led the Falcons with 18 carries. However, Hill turned his 11 carries into 55 yards for 5.0 YPC, far superior to Gurley’s 2.56 YPC. The Falcons may create a game plan that gets Hill far more involved, especially down the stretch of the season. You don’t have to add Hill, but he should see 8-10 carries/game moving forward.
QB of the Week:
Jared Goff, 35.7% owned
Goff draws an excellent matchup versus the Seahawks in Week 10, coming off his bye this week. The Seahawks have allowed 300 or more yards to every quarterback outside of Kirk Cousins in Week 5. Somehow, opposing quarterbacks average a ridiculous 366 passing yards/game versus the Seahawks, which would pace for 5,856 yards over a full 16-game season. Goff will undoubtedly be a QB1 in Week 10, so grab him now if you need a week-ahead streamer.
D/ST of the Week:
Chargers, 37.9% owned
Not only do the Chargers play the Dolphins in Week 10, but they get a delicious matchup versus the Jets in Week 11. We haven’t seen much from rookie Tua Tagovailoa one way or the other, but I’m always happy to start a D/ST against an unproven rookie. However, as the D/ST options aren’t great in Week 10, I’m truly adding the Chargers for Week 11. Consider them an excellent two-week play.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.
Previous Look Ahead Articles: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9
