Running backs fell in Week 6, opening up opportunities across the fantasy landscape. Opportunities create value in the backfield in particular. This article will discuss deep league waiver additions, focusing on Dynasty league formats.
Players will fall into four primary categories:
- Short-term Starters - Players capable of providing immediate production in deep leagues.
- Proactive Pickups - Players who need the depth chart to be clear before them but are more available than other players in a similar role.
- Deep Darts - Speculative players who have a chance at value.
- Dynasty Buys - Players whose values have changed, and the market may not have caught up.
Quarterback
Short Term Starters
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh (85% Sleeper rostered)
Week 7's practice slate started with a bang. Wilson was back working with the first team, healed from the calf injury that cost him six weeks. Two straight games under 60% competition and 200 passing yards from Justin Fields may have helped heal that injury. As it stands, it looks like Wilson will get his chance to make his Steelers debut.
Fields saved his fantasy week by rushing for 59 yards and two touchdowns. In two of the last three games, he has topped 50 rushing yards and scored twice. Wilson is unlikely to do that and carries a lower fantasy ceiling than Fields. It is also worth noting that while Wilson may start, it does not mean Fields will not play. Overall, Wilson lacks the Top 12 ceiling of Fields, but he still has to be rostered in deep Superflex formats.
Proactive Pickups
Jameis Winston, Cleveland (39% Sleeper rostered)
Joe Flacco, Indianapolis (59% Sleeper rostered)
Gardner Minshew II, Las Vegas (61% Sleeper rostered)
Mason Rudolph, Tennessee (17% Sleeper rostered)
Bryce Young, Carolina (77% Sleeper rostered)
Jake Haener, New Orleans (15% Sleeper rostered)
This quarterback cluster represents players who could earn a start without an injury in front of them. Most will be rostered in deep Dynasty formats, but this is an excellent place to start as managers look for players who can gain value to fill their bench. With a player like Winston or Young, it may not be the wrong place to look for a cheap "Buy Low" trade option.
Dynasty Buy
Michael Penix Jr.., Atlanta (88% Sleeper rostered)
Kirk Cousins looks good, and the Falcons offense is clicking—the perfect time to poke around on Penix's value. Early in the season, concern about Cousins' Achilles raised questions about Penix playing earlier than expected. He peaked at QB20 on KeepTradeCut, with a trade value of 4,245 shortly after Cousins disastrous Week 1 performance against Pittsburgh.
Since then, he has ticked down ever so slightly, sitting around 3,802. Given Cousins's play, it can be easy to envision him playing out all four years of his contract.
Hopefully, Cousins will keep it up and allow the scheme and his skill and talent to gel. But we have to recognize that Penix is one spot-start away from tremendously spiking his value. That could happen any week.
Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.
An ELITE subscription is required to access content for Dynasty leagues. If this league is not a Dynasty league, you can edit your leagues here.
"Footballguys is the best premium
fantasy football
only site on the planet."
Matthew Berry, NBC Sports EDGE