Six priority pickups for deeper fantasy leagues
Our weekly pickups piece around here is generally written for owners in leagues of standard size and shape — 8-12 teams, one active QB, one or two flexes. We realize, however, that many of you play in deeper formats.
Perhaps in your 18-team dynasty league, Wayne Gallman was selected in the second-round of the rookie draft back in May. Latavius Murray has been rostered since 2013. Will Fuller was drafted and stashed, an obvious starter last week.
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Today, we offer a six-pack of players who are each owned in less than 10 percent of Yahoo leagues. All are recommended adds in deep formats — we’re talking plus-sized leagues with 14 or more teams and many active roster spots. For some of you, this still won’t dive deep enough. For others, hopefully this nudges you in the direction of a player who can help.
Alfred Morris, RB, Dallas Cowboys, 9 percent owned
As of this writing, there still exists a very real chance that Ezekiel Elliott will serve a six-game suspension this season. We’re awaiting yet another ruling from yet another court. Morris, at this point, appears to be the clear handcuff in Dallas, as Darren McFadden has taken up residence on the weekly inactive list. McFadden would obviously play if Elliott is compelled to serve his suspension, but Morris is running ahead of him. He also broke off a 70-yard run in Week 4. Let’s remember that McFadden is a 30-year-old back who averaged just 3.6 YPC behind a dominant offensive line last season. He is, in fact, not good. Morris should be owned until we have a rest-of-season resolution to the Elliott situation.
Jacoby Brissett, QB, Indianapolis Colts, 8 percent
Brissett is headed into a home matchup against San Francisco, a defense that’s allowed back-to-back big weeks to opposing quarterbacks. Jared Goff lit up the Niners for three scores back in Week 3, and Carson Palmer passed for 357 yards against ’em last Sunday. Brissett has delivered four touchdowns over his last two games (two passing, two rushing) and his receiving corps is healthy. This is a brutal bye week for QBs, with Brees, Ryan, Siemian and Cousins all unavailable. Brissett has a path to a top-12 positional finish.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, 4 percent
Smith-Schuster has leapfrogged Eli Rodgers for slot receiver duties in Pittsburgh, and he’s found the end-zone twice over the past three games. The rookie has size (6-foot-1), good hands and power, and he’s earned the trust of one of the league’s premier passers. If you want a cheap share of a quality offense and you have needs at receiver, make the add. It’s easy to imagine Smith-Schuster crossing the goal line another half-dozen times this season.
Corey Clement, RB, Philadelphia Eagles, 1 percent
Clement was a preseason hero who appeared to be buried on the depth chart back in August. But with Darren Sproles out for the year and Wendell Smallwood dealing with a knee injury of as-yet-unknown severity, there’s a good chance Clement will have a significant role in Week 5. He’s handled 16 carries over the past two weeks, gaining 52 yards and delivering an impressive score against the Giants. If Smallwood is limited in the upcoming home matchup with Arizona, Clement will have a legit shot at a respectable fantasy line.
[Week 5 fantasy rankings: Overall | PPR | QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | FLEX | DST | Ks]
Ryan Griffin, TE, Houston Texans, 6 percent
Griffin ascended to the top of the tight end depth chart for Houston after C.J. Fiedorowicz hit IR, and he’s drawn 11 targets over the past two games. If you’re a believer in Deshaun Watson (and most of us are), then Griffin deserves a long look. He’s about to face a Chiefs defense that just allowed 110 receiving yards to Washington tight ends. Griffin is a near-lock for 5-6 targets per week, with goal-to-go chances included.
Adam Humphries, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8 percent
Humphries is approved for immediate use on Thursday night, facing a dreadful New England pass defense. He’s seen 17 targets over the past two weeks, working mostly from the slot, hauling in 12 balls for 138 yards. Don’t leave him unowned in deep PPR leagues. He’s a viable fantasy starter against the Pats defense, a unit allowing a league-worst 324.0 passing yards per game.
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