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
Mecole Hardman, 40.2% owned: Hardman just missed the 40% cut, but with Sammy Watkins out, he’s an absolute must-add ahead of a potential Week 6 breakout.
Laviska Shenault, 39.1% owned
Wow! I have to be honest that I’m surprised by fantasy owners at this stage in the season. Usually, there are a lot of players that are must-adds in the lower-ownership range as some people begin to check out. However, Shenault is genuinely the only glaring must-add below 40% ownership.
I do not understand how Shenault has an ownership percentage below 40%. He caught seven of eight targets for 79 yards in Week 5 after catching five balls for 86 yards in Week 4. Shenault also saw 69% of offensive snaps in Week 5, and teammate DJ Chark seems to have another ankle injury. I don’t believe Chark plays in Week 6, so Shenault will have every chance to have a full breakout. He’s an absolute must-add.
Deeper Options
Tony Pollard, 23.2% owned
I understand that Pollard has offered nothing as a standalone asset. With Dak Prescott’s injury, the entire Cowboys’ offense has a lower ceiling, so Pollard is no longer a must-add. However, I still believe he’s one of the best handcuffs in fantasy football, and I’d prefer him over any of these other deeper options.
La’Mical Perine, 5.7% owned
As we all know, the Jets recently released starting running back Le’ Veon Bell, leaving veteran Frank Gore and Perine to compete for carries. Head coach Adam Gase recently stated that he wanted to involve Perine in the offense, as he’s only seen limited work thus far. Perine saw some carries while Bell was on injured reserve, but he didn’t get any work in Week 5.
If you’re in a deep league and desperately need running back, you can pick up Perine. However, considering that he plays for the worst head coach ever in Gase, I wouldn’t get your hopes too high. He carries an RB3 ceiling at the absolute best.
Duke Johnson, 26.8% owned
Johnson did almost nothing in Week 5 against the Jaguars. He played only 29% of snaps, had three carries for 8 yards, and caught a reception for 11 yards. However, the Texans saw a positive game script against the Jaguars, which may not happen in Weeks 6 and 7. The Texans face the Titans in Week 6 and the Packers in Week 7, both of whom should be favorites over the Texans. Running backs are so hard to come by, so you may want to add Johnson in a deeper league.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, 23.5% owned
My favorite thing about Valdes-Scantling is that he’s already past his bye week, so he can provide weekly streaming value at the wide receiver position. Davante Adams should return to the lineup in Week 6, but Allen Lazard will remain out for multiple weeks. Therefore, Valdes-Scantling will see targets as Aaron Rodgers’ second receiver. He’s only caught 12 of 25 targets for 210 yards and a touchdown for the season, but you could do worse as a streamer.
Russell Gage, 35.9% owned
Gage has essentially done nothing in Weeks 3-5 after having fantastic success in the first two weeks. However, he’s dealt with some injuries during that period, which could explain his struggles. Gage draws a favorable matchup in Week 6 versus the Vikings, followed by another strong matchup in Week 7 against the Lions. He’s a decent add if you know you’ll need a bye week fill-in in Week 7.
Sterling Shepard, 38.7% owned
Shepard hasn’t played since Week 2 when he went on IR with a toe injury. However, the Giants severely lack receiving weapons outside of speedster Darius Slayton. Tight end Evan Engram has been entirely ineffective, and Golden Tate looks wholly washed. Shepard recently returned to the practice field, so he should play in Week 7, even if he doesn’t return for Week 6. If you’re in a deep league, you could add Shepard to your roster.
Preston Williams, 38.9% owned
Williams finally did something relevant in Week 5 after a quiet first four weeks. He caught four of five targets for 106 yards and a touchdown. In comparison, Williams totaled only six receptions on 17 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown through the first four games.
However, I wouldn’t get carried away with Williams. He only played on 60% of offensive snaps, similar to his totals in Weeks 3 and 4. Williams was in on 90 and 81% of the snaps in the first two games, so the Dolphins have reduced his role in the offense. I like Williams’ opportunity to continue his success against the Jets in Week 6, but the Dolphins then have a bye in Week 7. He’s not a priority-add.
Alshon Jeffery/DeSean Jackson, 13.2%/31.5% owned
I discuss Jeffery and Jackson every week, but I believe that they both return to the field in Week 6. You won’t want to use them this week against the Ravens, but the Eagles face the Giants in Week 7. If either Jeffery or Jackson looks good in Week 6, they’ll be a popular add in Week 7. I slightly prefer Jeffery, mostly because I think he has more left in the tank. We saw Jackson play this season, and he wasn’t very good.
Irv Smith Jr., 4.6% owned
Smith Jr. finally had somewhat of a breakout in Week 5, catching four of five targets for 64 yards. I’m not sure he’ll maintain a significant role in the Vikings’ offense behind star receiver Adam Thielen and promising rookie Justin Jefferson, but Smith Jr. is worth a speculative add. If you need a tight end badly or it’s a TE premium or 2TE league, add Smith to the end of your bench just in case.
QB of the Week:
Baker Mayfield, 18.0% owned
The week-ahead QB options are awful going into Week 7. Mayfield is the best option under 40% owned as he faces a weak Bengals’ defense. However, I hope you have a stronger quarterback already on your roster, as Mayfield will only be a middling QB2 at best in Week 7.
D/ST of the Week:
Eagles, 15.8% owned
As usual, I’m targeting the D/ST that plays either the Giants or the Jets. In this case, it’s the Eagles, who have a Week 7 contest against the Giants. Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones has been a turnover machine, and I don’t expect him to improve anytime soon. Pick up the Eagles in advance of Week 7 and enjoy a top-five D/ST for the week.
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
