I don’t know which I feel worse about this morning: not starting Will Fuller in the league I care about or the 80 pieces of Halloween candy I ate during my Stranger Things binge watch.
I’m leaning towards Halloween candy.
Anyways, it’s already Week 9 and already time to start thinking about long term moves to take your fantasy team to the next level and propel yourself towards a championship.
Here are the guys you should be instantly trying to add to your fantasy team (percent owned in Yahoo leagues).
RB Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (44 percent owned)
It seems the Colts are committed to the rookie as he was on the field more than Frank Gore for the second week in a row (albeit beating out the veteran by one play). For the third time in four weeks, Mack received ten opportunities (touches/catches) and reached the endzone for the second time in the same time span. The Colts’ have no future this season so I’m fully expecting the backfield to be handed over to Mack basically right now. He’s the new starting back in Indy.
RB Alex Collins, Baltimore Ravens (34 percent owned)
Javorius Allen will always exist to be a pain in our sides but Collins finally put it all together this week as the Ravens’ starting running back. He carried the ball 18 times for 113 yards and added two catches for 30 yards against the Dolphins Thursday night. The Ravens are about to face some favorable matchups in the running game, setting Collins up for possibly a very productive backend of the season, just in time for the playoffs.
RB Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots (8 percent owned)
Clearly I need to stop telling people to steer away from the Patriots’ backfield. Sexy Rexy made his triumphant return this week and immediately made his presence felt. While only putting together 15 yards on four touches, Burkhead did his damage through the air, catching everyone of his seven targets for 68 yards. Burkhead could see those targets increase even more if Chris Hogan misses significant time with a busted shoulder.
RB Rod Smith, Dallas Cowboys (1 percent owned)
Ezekiel Elliott has his hearing Monday and if his suspension gets upheld, he’ll miss the next six weeks. While many are projecting that Darren McFadden will take over workhorse duties—given that the team seems to be resting him—don’t sleep on Smith who had a phenomenal preseason and didn’t look half bad two weeks ago against the 49ers.
WR Jamison Crowder, Washington (61 percent owned)
Crowder is over 50 percent owned which normally is kinda against my rules but I had to include him because HE’S FINALLY DOING SOMETHING! After a slow start to the season, Crowder has become a focal point in Washington’s offense. He’s been targeted 24 times in the last three games and he put together his best game of the season Sunday, catching nine balls for 123 yards. I’ve given up hope on Terrelle Pryor, but at least Crowder has gotten back on track.
WR Paul Richardson, Seattle Seahawks (30 percent owned)
Waiver wire adds are always reactionary and you can bet Richardson might be one of the biggest reactions this week. The wide receiver caught seven balls for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a shootout against the Texans. Side note: Deshaun Watson, I’m sorry I ever doubted you and I thank my lucky stars I wasn’t stupid enough to bench you. Richardson now has three touchdowns in the last two games. That’s what we call a fun fact.
WR Robby Anderson, New York Jets (28 percent owned)
It still blows my mind that anyone on the Jets has any kind of fantasy value, let alone actually attractive value. After another strong outing—6 catches, 104 yards, 1 touchdown—Anderson now has 50+ yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last six games. He leads the Jets in targets and receiving yards and has shown over and over that he can produce. I can’t believe I’m writing about a Jets player for the second week in a row. My lordy.
TE Vernon Davis, Washington (12 percent owned)
How Vernon Davis is a) still in the league and b) still killing it in the league I do not know. While they say Father Time comes for all of us, there are definitely a few players I can think of who have been doing a great job at ignoring him. Davis is obviously one such player. Davis has been producing at a high level in his backup tight end role but that’s about to change as Jordan Reed was injured Sunday (shocker) and likely to miss time. If you’re in need of a starting tight end, Davis is a must own.