1. DeVante Parker is underrated.
Just when just about everyone was finally out on him, DeVante Parker is finally putting together the season many thought possible with his flashes of talent. Parker is averaging over 8 targets a game in his last five games and had double digit fantasy points every week since Week 4. No, he’s not a lighting the world on fire, but he deserves a lot more respect then he’s getting. He ranks as the WR25 on the year and is still available in over 25 percent of Yahoo leagues. Parker is the go-to receiver for known gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick, and has absolutely mouthwatering playoff schedule (@NYJ, @NYG, CIN). As terrible as the Dolphins defense is, the game script will be in Parkers favor more often than not. He’s coming off his best game of the season in Week 11 against a tough Bills secondary, and is a solid WR2 this week despite the Browns being a tough fantasy matchup for opposing receivers.
2. Baker Mayfield could be this years Derrick Henry.
Remember how after disappointing almost the entire season and being labeled a bust, Derrick Henry went on to have monster games in the fantasy playoffs and lead numerous teams to fantasy championships last year? Far too often fantasy owners hold grudges against players and forget that this is a weekly game. Yes, relative to where Baker Mayfield was drafted he’s been a bust and has looked more like Johnny Manziel than “feeling dangerous” Mayfield this season. But he still has numerous weapons led by Odell Beckham and one of the best fantasy playoff schedules of all quarterbacks (other than a Week 16 matchup with the Ravens). What kind of draft capital you spent on him and his disappointing play so far shouldn’t keep you from playing him this week against the Dolphins or Weeks 14 and 15 against the Bengals and Cardinals. He very well may lead you to your fantasy championship. Starting him Week 16 versus the Ravens is likely a no-go, but you have to get there first for it to even matter.
3. Pick up Darrel Williams.
The knock on drafting Damien Williams in the first few rounds was that he had not sustained success over a full season, but that he also can’t stay healthy. That proved to be true once again, as he injured his ribs on Monday night against the Chargers. LeSean McCoy is the sexier name, but he’s likely not available and hasn’t exactly been the shining example of health over his career. It’s already expected to be a timeshare between Darrel Williams and McCoy if Williams is out long term, and McCoy was a bit banged up in the game as well (possibly suffering a concussion). We won’t have much information until next week as the Chiefs are on bye Week 12, but Darrel Williams is a pickup that costs nothing who has who could have RB2 value if things break right. Darrel has three games with double-digit points, Weeks 3 and 4 when Damien was inactive due to injury, and Week 11 when Damien left early. Darrel is a stash that could pay big dividends if he can get the majority of this backfield to himself.
4. TE is a wasteland, but some viable pickups are available.
Between byes and injuries, TE is an even bigger wasteland than normal this week. Travis Kelce, Hunter Henry, and the (recently) productive Kyle Rudolph are all on bye. Austin Hooper and Evan Engram have already been ruled out, and George Kittle is questionable this week due to injury. Jacob Hollister, Ryan Griffin, and Dallas Goedert are three names that are potentially available on waivers that are solid starts this week and potentially rest of season starters. Hollister has three touchdowns in the past two games as Russell Wilson continues to look his way in the red-zone. Griffin has four double-digit games in his past six games, including a 24 point performance in Week 8. Although Zach Ertz is the unquestioned #1 TE for the Eagles, they run a ton of two TE sets and Goedert has three double-digit point games in his last four games. With TE as ugly as it is in fantasy football if you can get double digits out of the position, you’re more than happy.
5. Jeff Driskel is a solid start in fantasy.
Matthew Stafford has officially been ruled out for Week 12, but his replacement has been more than serviceable the past two weeks. Driskel is averaging over 25 fantasy points per game (6 point passing TD) and is supplementing his lack of arm talent with some production on the ground. He rushed for 37 yards in Week 10 and followed that up by rushing for 51 yards and a touchdown in Week 11. He faces a Redskins defense that has given up 19 passing touchdowns on the year and the 12th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Nobody knows when Stafford will be back, he’s insisted he’s not considering shutting it down for the year. But at 3-6-1, the Lions aren’t in the playoff hunt and will likely play it safe with their starting QB. Driskel could potentially be the starter for the rest of the year, and if you’re looking at the playoffs has a fantastic Week 15 matchup with the Buccaneers. You can do much worse than Driskel in Superflex, and he’s a starter even in 1QB leagues this week.
6. Tom Brady isn’t an every week starter.
If you asked just about anyone who’d you want to start a playoff game for your favorite NFL team, any non-biased fan would likely say Tom Brady (I would, and I’m a Giants fan). But his best fantasy days are behind him, evident by ranking as the 13th fantasy QB on the season (one spot behind Matthew Stafford, whos missed two games). In his last four games, Brady is averaging 14.5 fantasy points (6 point passing TD) and has nearly as many games (four) under twenty points this season as he has over (six). The receiving corps is banged up, they released Josh Gordon, and the defense is one of if not the best defense in the league, so the need for Brady to take the team on his back and play from behind is very unlikely. You’re starting him in Superflex and 2QB leagues, but in 1QB he’s a matchup dependent back-end starter who can no longer be considered a plug and play QB. Against a Dallas defense that allows the eighth fewest fantasy points to opposing Quarterbacks, I’m looking elsewhere in QB1 leagues this week.
7. Bo Knows.
Bo Scarborough was on the practice squad until the day before the game, but led the Lions backfield in Week 11 with 14 carries, accumulating 55 yards and rushing for a touchdown. On tap are games against Washington (who gives up the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs) and a Week 13 meeting with Chicago (10th most fantasy points to opposing running backs). It’s far from a sure thing, as week to week it seems like the running back position for the Lions has been a revolving door. But if the Lions continue to give Scarborough the early-down work, with the matchups on deck he becomes a viable flex play. His ceiling is limited and has a floor of literally zero, but with byes, injuries, and playoff berths on the line, there is a good chance you may not have a choice. Scarborough is a dart throw that could pay off.
8. The Ravens defense is peaking.
The Ravens defense has been one of the best in fantasy since a rough stretch from Weeks 2-5. Since trading for Marcus Peters after Week 6, Baltimore has allowed 20 points only once and held two teams to under 14 points. They have an interception in every game since Week 4 and have four defensive touchdowns and 12 sacks over the past four games. Those games include holding MVP candidates Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson to a combined 410 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and 37 rushing yards. They are an every week start regardless of matchup, and matchup I’m avoiding if possible for my skill position players.
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9. Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb can co-exist.
A lot has been said that the value of Nick Chubb will take a nosedive when Kareem Hunt returned in Week 10. Although Hunt has been productive in his first two games back, so has Chubb and proven this offense can support two running backs. Chubb has continued his role as the early-down back, carrying the ball 20 times in Week 10 and a season-high 27 times in Week 11. Hunt is pretty much locked in as the third-down back, and to say he doesn’t hurt Chubb’s value at all would be a lie. But Chubb is still the featured back and the Browns are getting Hunt involved by having both backs on the field at the same time. Chubb remains a rest-of-season RB1 for me with the remaining schedule, and Hunt is a flex/borderline RB2 with a sky-high ceiling.
10. Play defense with your bench spots.
Depending on how deep your benches are, there is a chance that you’ve got some players who won’t crack your lineup now that byes are (almost) over. If you have players like Frank Gore, Peyton Barber, and Mike Williams who are solid-yet-unspectacular, it’s time to use your bench wisely. Take a look at what position your opponent this week, next week, and possibly the playoffs could use reinforcements. At quarterback, I’d look to stash Nick Foles and Daniel Jones. At running back I’d look to stash Miles Sanders and Royce Freeman. At wide receiver, I’d look to stash Dede Westbrook, and at tight end, I’d look to stash T.J. Hockenson and David Njoku. Those are just a few names at each position that have good matchups and are feasibly available on your waiver wire. You know your league, you know other team’s needs, and you know what will hurt someone else’s team. All is fair in love and war, and you are better served having someone have a good game on your bench then on your opponent’s starting roster.
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