How to Build the End of your Bench

Dynasty draft season is year-long, and because of this we have changing information on players to consider while we draft. An underrated part of building your roster is filling out the end of your bench. Typically these dart throws are exactly that, a dart throw. You could hit the bullseye or you could hit a big fat ONE. So here are some things that I am looking for when considering players at the end of drafts.

SPEED

I want speed on my teams. Coaches like speed because of the innate ability to break off BIG plays. Big plays can change the game by giving your team momentum or putting the dagger in the coffin. With this ability, players have an opportunity to get on the field, and ultimately that is what you want. A chance to make a play to secure more playing time. 

SIZE

This is similar to the speed concept because big players give teams an advantage in the red zone. If your team has a guy that you can just throw it up to and he can secure the ball for a TD then you know in scoring scenarios he will be on the field. If the player continues to succeed in the red zone, then they will continue to get more time on the field. 

SITUATION

This concept can be a little murky to navigate, because you have to pay attention to what the teams are saying throughout the off-season and determine what is the truth and what is crap. However, another way I like to look at situations is if someone gets drafted, and there isn’t a clear number one option at their position or skill-set, then chase that person. The easiest way for players to score fantasy points is by first and foremost is on the field! So if the wide receiver room is crowded, but there isn’t a true Alpha dog, throw a dart at the guy you think can be the leader in targets.

Players to Target

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Finally, I am going to give you some players that I am targeting as dart throws at the end of my bench. For the speed category, we have K.J Hamler, Chuba Hubbard, and Anthony Schwartz. Hamler is interesting because he can technically fit in the situation category as well because Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton are Free Agents next year. He is a speedy deep threat receiver that the Broncos don’t really have anyone else to fit that role.

Hubbard is basically in Carolina to be a change-of-pace for McCaffrey. He has world-class speed and was on the Canadian national team. Schwartz is literally a world-class track athlete. He ran a 4.27 40 yard dash at his Pro Day. He will most likely be the 4th or 5th passing option for the Browns.

For size players, I am going with homerism and recommending Seth Williams and Devin Funchess. Williams is 6’3” and can jump out of this world. He also has the same situation going into 2022 as Hamler. Funchess is 6’4” and being totally forgotten in Green Bay. He is only 27 and has at least 4 TDs in every year that he has played more than 1 game. Now the concern with Funchess is he hasn’t played in almost 2 years.

He will have to prove he is in shape and ready to play to get on the field. A non-homer pick for this category is Auden Tate. He is 6’5” and one of if not THE tallest receiving option in Cincinnati. He is BURIED on the depth chart though.

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The players that I like to throw darts at for situations are Amon Ra St. Brown, Amari Rodgers, and Philip Lindsay. St. Brown could easily be the best wide receiver on the Lions. They have signed a bunch of veteran receivers, but no one that would scare a defense. He could be talented enough to be the first or second-best option this year. Rodgers has a fairly clear path to targets because again the veterans that are in Green Bay(outside of Adams) are not world-beaters.

Amari also has the highest draft capital out of himself, Lazard and MVS. I foresee him being the number 2 receiver. Lindsay is interesting because he signed in Houston. The other two backs there are older running backs who I do not see lasting the whole season. SO, Lindsay could be the starter simply due to attrition and survival. And when he has been the lead back, he has been serviceable. That offense is going to be rough too, so I think he will be one of a couple of bright spots.

If you want deeper recommendations than these players, DM me on Twitter @ffShaneB 

Thanks for reading!

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