Say Hello
Wide Receiver
Adam Humphries, Tampa Bay (2-percent owned, Yahoo!). He torched the Panthers for 82 yards and two touchdowns in the loss while catching all eight of his targets. He played 85.5-percent of the snaps compared to 56.5-percent for Chris Godwin. In the past three games Humphries saw 26 targets (four red zone targets) and caught 19 of them. On the season his catch rate of 71.4-percent ranks No. 19, and the Bucs rank No. 3 in team pass plays (44.6 per game). With Humphries outplaying Godwin and showing a solid connection with Ryan Fitzpatrick, expect his hot streak to continue. Tampa Bay next hosts Washington, which allows an average of 39.3 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay (40-percent owned, Yahoo!). MVS makes the most of his opportunities and appears to have gained the full trust of Aaron Rodgers. Over his past four games he’s either scored a TD or topped 100 receiving yards in each. He saw 26 targets during that span, and looks the part of a 1B to Davante Adams. With Geronimo Allison sidelined by a groin injury that may require surgery, and Randall Cobb fading into the background, the time is now for MVS. His field-stretching efficiency earns him a No. 2 ranking in yards per reception (21.1) and No. 6 ranking in yards per target.
Running Back
Elijah McGuire, New York Jets (14-percent owned, Yahoo!). McGuire’s returns gives the Jets backfield a boost, and they immediately made him a part of the game plan. He caught 3-of-5 targets and rushed seven times for a total of 67 yards from scrimmage. He fills the role vacated by Bilal Powell (neck), and his return left rookie Trenton Cannon (one target) picking up scraps. Going forward McGuire gets the bulk of the targets out of the backfield and should also garner significant carries.
Mike Davis, Seattle (25-percent owned, Yahoo!). Davis deserves a look with Chris Carson (thigh, hip) hurt. Carson missed the second half of Week 9’s game while Davis filled in. He carried the ball 15 times and caught 7-of-8 targets for a total of 107 yards. It was his second time this season topping 100 total yards. Davis returns to flex territory upon Carson’s return, but his upside if Carson misses time is immense. The Seahawks’ 254 rush attempts rank No. 4 in the league.
Quarterback
Nick Mullens, San Francisco (3-percent owned, Yahoo!). Mullens mania rocked Thursday Night Football last week, with the young signal caller making a memorable debut. In relief of C.J. Beathard, he threw for 262 yards and three TDs in a 34-3 dismantling of the dismal Raiders. While the Niners wait to announce a starter for Monday’s game against the Giants, Mullens proved he deserves at least one more start.
Tight End
Jonnu Smith, Tennessee (2-percent owned, Yahoo!). Smith finally showed signs of life in the Titans offense, catching his first TD of the season against the Cowboys. At 6-3, 248-pounds Smith provides Marcus Mariota with a huge red zone presence, and Mariota targeted him there three times in the past two games. He’s playing the majority of snaps, including 100-percent in Weeks 4 and 6, though his routes run have been inconsistent. Smith’s 11.61 agility score and 127 SPARQ-x score – which ranks in the 92nd-percentile – highlight his unquestioned athleticism.
Jeff Heuerman, Denver (1-percent owned, Yahoo!). After catching his first TD of the season in Week 8, Heuerman went off to the tune of 10-83-1 against Houston. He’s seen a combined 16 targets, including five in the red zone, the past two games. The Broncos are on their bye this week, but Heuerman qualifies as a good stash.
Waive Goodbye
Wide Receiver
Geronimo Allison, Green Bay. With the news that his groin injury is significant and may need surgery, Allison figures to miss time or even land on IR.
Running Back
Raheem Mostert, San Francisco. The rookie’s promising first season came crashing down when he broke his arm against Oakland, sending him to IR.
Quarterback
Derek Carr, Oakland. The Raiders offense is an embarrassment to the NFL, yet Carr is still somehow owned in 31-percent of Yahoo! leagues. Through nine games he’s topped 20 fantasy points twice.
Tight End
Hayden Hurst, Baltimore. He scored his first TD of the season in Week 8 but still hasn’t seen more than three targets, or scored more than 10 PPR points, in any game. The Ravens are on their bye week.
