The Replacements: Week 12

The Way This Works...

To see this article's purpose, please refer to the intro from Week 2.

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The Running List of Past Recommendations

I'll update this throughout the season so you have a wealth of considerations beyond my weekly recommendations. I change their standing as developments occur.

Scroll past these running lists for new suggestions.

Add Nows 

Most of these players will not be available, but you'll get a sense of who has been recommended and who to snap up if they become available. 

• Audric Estime
• Bryce Young
• Alec Pierce
• Jameis Winston
• Kayshon Boutte
• Darius Slayton
• Ricky Pearsall
• Theo Johnson

Preemptive

These players may not give you production this weekend, but they are worth considering because there's potential for them to deliver due to injuries or personnel changes. 

• Jordan Mason
• Dylan Laube (see below)
• Ray Davis
• Cam Akers
• Alec Pierce
• Sean Tucker
• Jalen Nailor
• Chris Brooks
• Noah Brown
• Demarcus Robinson
• Mike Williams
• Devaughn Vele

Preemptive/Monitor

You can probably wait until a compelling event creates a potential need for these players. 

• Andrei Iosivas
• Tyler Goodson
• Xavier Hutchinson
• Cordarrelle Patterson
• Brenton Strange
• Jordan Mims
• Drew Lock

Monitor

These players have the talent to contribute to your lineup immediately if elevated to a starting role. If you can't find any talent with playing opportunities to have at the end of your roster, it's worth adding 1-2 of these options in case injury strikes, and you can beat the demand on the waiver wire. 

• Michael Penix Jr.
• Isaac Guerendo
• Sterling Shepard
• Julius Chestnut
• Tre Tucker
• Trey Palmer
• Brenton Strange
• Dawson Knox
• Nelson Agholor
• Adam Trautman
• Dalvin Cook
• Allen Lazard
• Jalin Hyatt
• Rakim Jarrett

Forget (For Now...)

They have too many players ahead of them on their depth charts to earn an impact anytime soon. Or, they suffered an injury. 

• Tyler Badie
• Blake Watson
• Evan Hull
• Dareke Young
• Bub Means
• Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Add Now: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans

The Skinny on Westbrook-Ikhine: The five-year veteran from Indiana has proven a reliable reserve with the Titans, earning no worse than 45 targets, 25 catches, 370 yards, and 3 touchdowns since becoming a part of the on-field rotation in 2021. Westbrook-Ikhine is a capable route runner against zone coverage who has proven valuable as a second or third option during series in the red zone.

This year, Westbrook-Ikhine has been a player the fantasy industry may have been hesitant to tout because middling volume numbers don't usually lead to sustained touchdown production. Yet, he has five touchdowns in the past six games -- one per game except for Week 10's contest with the Chargers. 

We may just have to acknowledge that the well-built Westbrook-Ikhine has taken on the role DeAndre Hopkins vacated when traded to Kansas City. 

Recommendation: Despite acknowledging that Westbrook-Ikhine is replacing DeAndre Hopkins' role, expecting Hopkins' level of production for a sustained period might prove unrealistic. While Westbrook-Ikhine is out-pointing Hopkins thanks to his touchdowns, we know that touchdowns aren't a sticky stat. 

When it comes to Westbrook-Ikhine, you're chasing the potential for sustained targets against viable matchups that can lead to 40-60 yards as his baseline value. The touchdowns are the gravy. If you can live with that as a desperation start, have at it.