The fantasy football playoffs loom large and gamers have minimal chances to improve their teams for a title run. That amplifies the importance of working the waiver wire to separate pretenders from league-winners. There are no more stash players. Instead, roster players with immediate impact potential: players with high upside in a favorable position to produce. Of this week’s priority adds, no player offers more upside than Seahawks wide receiver David Moore.
Say Hello to David Moore
What if I told you there was a wide receiver available in 90-percent of Yahoo! leagues who has the same number of touchdowns as Odell Beckham Jr. and more PPR points over the past eight weeks than Alshon Jefferey?
Enter Seattle’s David Moore, who just roasted Carolina for his highest-scoring fantasy game of the season. Moore caught 4-of-5 targets for 103 yards and his fifth TD. He hauled in a dime thrown by Russell Wilson down the left sideline, timing the pass perfectly and beating a clueless Corn Elder for the score.
A gifted athlete with a SPARQ-x score in the 95th-percentile, Moore combines size and speed with field-stretching efficiency. He runs a faster 40-yard dash time (4.48) than his 6-1, 219-pound build suggests, giving Wilson a big, fast target. Showcasing his efficiency, Moore ranks top-10 in yards per reception (18.8), average target distance (17.9) and yards per target (11.2).
He returned mid-range WR3 numbers during Weeks 5-12 and offers week-winning upside. Moore won’t see a ton of targets since Seattle ranks No. 32 in team pass plays per game (31.2), but he only needs one play to provide a big return on investment.
Justin Jackson Takes on Fantasy Relevant Role
A sprained MCL knocks Melvin Gordon out of action in the near-term, thrusting backup Austin Ekeler into the lead role. That means Justin Jackson assumes backup duty, a position that Ekeler proved could be fantasy relevant. Ekeler ranks No. 22 among running backs in PPR scoring, higher than Lamar Miller and Dion Lewis. That’s good news for Jackson, who’s promotion puts him in line for a sizeable workload.
Jackson showed what he can do when given the chance against Arizona, carrying the ball seven times for 57 yards (8.1 yards per carry). A proven pass-catcher in college, the rookie from Northwestern earned a 12.8-percent college target share, which ranks in the 86th-percentile. He’s due for more usage in the passing game considering Ekeler averages 3.5 targets per game.
Both Jackson and Ekeler sport similar builds. Jackson goes 6-0, 193-pounds and Ekeler is 5-9, 199-pounds. Neither fits the build of a workhorse role so carries should be an even split with Ekeler getting the red zone work. Jackson’s potential to see 10-15 touches per game running behind an offensive line that ranks No. 7 in run blocking makes him the running back to add this week.
Jonnu Smith Offers Hope at Tight End
Jonnu Smith again showed his penchant for scoring, catching a 61-yard TD pass on Monday Night Football. He’s now scored in three of his past four games while recording 11 catches for 185 yards, but he’s owned in only 20-percent of Yahoo! Leagues.
A tight end with a nose for the end zone can’t be ignored at this point in the fantasy football season. With Jack Doyle headed to injured reserve, Smith’s scoring potential and increased target share make him a priority add at tight end.
