It is certainly tougher to win your fantasy football league when your competition knows what it’s doing. This just makes you have to work a bit harder, especially on the waiver wire.
There were certainly a lot of potentially valuable additions this week between Thomas Rawls, Buck Allen and Jameis Winston, which means if they are still available in your league, you should get them immediately. However, if the rest of the people know what they are doing, that won’t be an option.
Instead, you have to look toward the bottom of the barrel to find some potential help for this week and beyond.
Here is a look at players available in more than 70 percent of leagues on ESPN.
Brian Hoyer, QB, Houston Texans
After missing Week 11 due to a concussion, Brian Hoyer will be back in the starting lineup in Week 12, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
While a concussion is nothing to take lightly, he will certainly be happy to be able to return against the New Orleans Saints defense. This unit currently ranks dead last in the NFL in both yards and points allowed this season, allowing just about anyone to look good against them.
Even recently fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was able to joke at his own expense based on the team’s play:
The coaching change and bye week might help a little, but this isn’t all of a sudden going to transform into a great defense. Meanwhile, Hoyer has actually played very well when healthy. Before getting hurt in Week 10, the quarterback had gone five games in a row with multiple touchdown passes.
When you get to throw the ball up to DeAndre Hopkins all game, you always have a chance at big numbers.
Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets
Most of the names are on this list due to injuries to the starters, most of which remain worth monitoring during the week. Ahmad Bradshaw is another option if Frank Gore is unable to play. You could also look at some players ineligible for this list, like James White (31.6 percent owned) or Tevin Coleman (30.5 percent).
Those looking for a deeper option not dependent on the health of others, however, can find one in the form of Bilal Powell.
After missing more than a month with an ankle injury, Powell returned Sunday and finished with nine touches for 89 yards from scrimmage in an otherwise awful game for the New York Jets. Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus noted he dominated the snap count at running back:
Game flow had a lot to do with it, as the Jets were trailing early, but it is clear the coaching staff wants to keep Powell involved alongside Chris Ivory.
It’s important to remember the fifth-year back averaged 15.7 touches in the first three games of the season. If he can get close to double-digit touches again in Week 12, he could have a big game against a Miami Dolphins defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year, per ESPN.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans
Devin Funchess is the clear top option at the position, as the rookie continues to get involved in the Carolina Panthers offense, but fellow rookie Dorial Green-Beckham remains a high-upside option for fantasy teams in need.
Thanks to injuries at receiver, Green-Beckham has an opportunity in front of him to be a go-to option on the outside. With few consistent targets besides tight end Delanie Walker, Marcus Mariota will have to throw to someone.
Although the receiver had only three catches for 40 yards last week, he did lead all Titans receivers with six targets. Eventually he will be able to get on the same page as his quarterback and turn these targets into more production.
What’s clear right now is the talent is there for big things going forward.
“He’s a gifted athlete that’s got good size,” Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said of Green-Beckham before his Week 10 game against Tennessee, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “He runs well, he’s got good hands, he’s a big target.”
Against a questionable Oakland Raiders secondary, he should find room to run and turn his ability and opportunity into fantasy points.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for all your fantasy football and daily fantasy needs.
Read more Fantasy Football news on NerdyFootball.com
