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.
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
Dion Lewis (RB – NYG), 34.7% owned
After Saquon Barkley’s devastating injury, we have no idea how the Giants will split the backfield between Lewis, Wayne Gallman, and new signing Devonta Freeman. Therefore, I have to recommend adding Lewis to your rosters. Lewis has a tough matchup against the 49ers in Week 3, but perhaps he’ll get some receiving work as the Giants play from behind. Either way, he’s a must-add.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB – SF), 10.2% owned
I’m surprised that Wilson Jr.’s ownership percentage remains so low. The 49ers won’t have either Raheem Mostert or Tevin Coleman for this game, so Jerick McKinnon and Wilson Jr. will split the work. McKinnon has never been a real workhorse back in his career, and he’s missed the last two seasons due to his ACL injury. Therefore, Wilson Jr. will have carries, potentially making him a popular Week 4 waiver wire addition. Grab him now and beat the rush.
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND), 17.3% owned
I have no idea why Pittman Jr. is only 17.3% owned. The Colts recently lost Parris Campbell to a significant knee injury, and top receiver T.Y. Hilton hasn’t been effective thus far. Tight end Jack Doyle missed Week 2 with an ankle injury, although he might return for Week 3. In their absence, Pittman Jr. had four catches for 37 yards on six targets against the Vikings. Now, Pittman Jr. draws a Week 3 matchup against the hapless Jets. If he explodes in Week 3, he will gain more attention, so he’s a must-add right now.
Deeper Options
Sony Michel (RB – NE), 38.3% owned
I’m tired of discussing Michel. As of this moment, he remains a starting running back, although he has a limited upside. I think he should be on a roster in most leagues, but he’s a cut candidate in shallower leagues. Michel might turn things around in Weeks 3 and 4 against the Raiders and Chiefs’ run defenses. If he can’t, feel free to cut bait.
Duke Johnson (RB – HOU), 35.0% owned
Johnson exited the Texans’ Week 1 game against the Chiefs with an ankle injury that also kept him out for Week 2. Before he left, Johnson had five carries for 14 yards, and he looked to form somewhat of a committee with starter David Johnson. If Johnson remains inactive for Week 3, he’s a nice IR stash before a favorable Week 4 matchup with the Vikings. In deeper PPR leagues, I’m happy to add him to my team.
Tony Pollard (RB – DAL), 33.1% owned
In shallow leagues, you can drop Pollard or leave him on the waiver wire. I think it’s clear that he won’t have standalone value as long as Ezekiel Elliott remains healthy. Pollard has totaled four carries and three receptions through two games, with the offense funneling targets to their wide receivers and tight ends. However, Pollard is one of the top handcuffs in fantasy football, so he’s worth a roster spot in most formats. The Cowboys face the Browns, Giants, Cardinals, and Washington in Weeks 4-7, so Pollard would have a soft schedule if Elliott went down in Week 3.
Boston Scott (RB – PHI), 30.5% owned
In Week 1, Scott helped fill in for an injured Miles Sanders, taking nine carries for 35 yards and catching two receptions for 19 yards. However, when Sanders returned in Week 2, Scott’s role diminished. He only had four carries for 19 yards and caught three passes for 24 yards. Unfortunately, the Eagles lost another receiving weapon, as Jalen Reagor will miss multiple weeks with a thumb injury. Perhaps, Scott might pick up some of the slack in Week 3 against the Bengals, putting himself back in flex consideration.
Mecole Hardman (WR – KC), 37.5% owned
This recommendation is unrelated to Hardman’s performance on the field. He’s been the clear WR3 on the Chiefs behind Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, and he hasn’t been a fantasy option. However, Watkins suffered a concussion in the Chiefs’ Week 2 game, and he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. If Watkins misses the Chiefs’ Monday night contest against the Ravens, Hardman could gain additional opportunities, and he might vault into fantasy consideration.
Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – GB), 33.1% and 23.2% owned
Both Lazard and Valdes-Scantling have produced somewhat in 2020. Lazard has seven receptions on nine targets for 108 yards and a touchdown, while Valdes-Scantling has seven receptions on 13 targets for 160 yards and a touchdown. Between the two players, Lazard has played on 85.5% of offensive snaps compared to only 58.3% for Valdes-Scantling.
However, Davante Adams is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that threatens his availability for Week 3. Even if Adams plays, he could be less effective, potentially opening the door for either Lazard or Valdes-Scantling. I’d lean toward Lazard based on the snap count, although Valdes-Scantling has produced more. If Adams misses Week 3, both become must-adds with a Week 4 matchup against Atlanta.
Alshon Jeffery (WR – PHI), 13.1% owned
I have no idea when Jeffery will return from his foot injury. He logged a limited practice on Thursday, although I doubt he will play in Week 3. However, the Eagles recently lost Reagor, as I mentioned above, so they desperately need receiving weapons. I’m not sure Jeffery has anything left, but he’s a dart throw for deeper leagues.
KJ Hamler (WR – DEN), 2.9% owned
Like many of the other players listed, Hamler appears on this list due to a teammate’s injury. In this case, it’s Courtland Sutton, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 2. While Jerry Jeudy will step into the Broncos’ top receiver role, Hamler should become a starter. He’ll be behind Jeudy and tight end Noah Fant for targets, but he could succeed, even with Jeff Driskel at quarterback.
Dalton Schultz (TE – DAL), 19.7% owned
I can’t say that any of these tight ends are must-adds. The tight end position is suddenly relatively deep in fantasy football, with multiple legitimate options. However, Schultz is at least worth a look. He plays in the high-powered Cowboys’ offense, and he had nine receptions on 10 targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Schultz slid right in for Blake Jarwin, who tore his ACL in Week 1. Just on the off chance Schultz is for real, he’s worth an add for anyone not confident in their starting tight end.
Logan Thomas (TE – WAS), 14.2% owned
Thomas has volume on his side. He’s had eight and nine targets in the first two weeks, although he only caught four of those in each game. Thomas also plays for the putrid Washington offense, so I’m less excited about him than the other tight end options. He’s a safe play, but I don’t like his upside. He also draws a Week 4 matchup against the Ravens, which isn’t ideal. But, if you need someone, you can add Thomas.
Drew Sample (TE – CIN), 4.6% owned
I wrote an entire dynasty profile on Sample, so go there for my full thoughts on him. I think he has the best chance to develop as a long-term starter, especially since the Bengals have no alternatives at the position. The Bengals play the Eagles in Week 3 and then the Jaguars in Week 4, so grab Sample now before others realize his opportunity.
QB of the Week
Jared Goff (LAR), 38.1% owned
I understand why Goff’s ownership percentage is so low. He plays at the Bills in Week 3, and I wouldn’t want to start him in that game. Goff is outside my top 20 quarterbacks this week.
However, in Week 4, Goff draws an extremely favorable home matchup against the Giants. The Giants’ defense isn’t good, although they’ve managed to play somewhat decently against the Steelers and the Bears. Either way, Goff turned in a nice Week 2 performance against the Eagles, and he should return to that type of play after his tough Week 3 matchup. If you need a streamer in advance, Goff is the perfect week-ahead play.
D/ST of the Week
Rams, 19.7% owned
I hate to pick on the Giants, but I have to choose the Rams as my week ahead defense. The Giants are without star running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Sterling Shepard, and I don’t expect them to pose any threat to the Rams. Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones has already thrown three interceptions, lost a fumble, and taken seven sacks in only two games. Therefore, the Rams will be a top-3 fantasy D/ST in Week 4.
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.
