Photos of Jameis Winston through his first 5 games as a Buccaneer.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys are all on bye this week. That alone could leave a few holes in your starting lineup. Add in the key players that are questionable or out with injuries and it could be time to look for a new acquisition or two.
With no Bucs game to forecast, in this week's Fantasy Weekly, we point you in the direction of where to turn if you're staring at a lineup missing Doug Martin, Amari Cooper, Jamaal Charles and Ben Roethlisberger.
Here are some pick-ups that you could plug in as a starter this week to put up some points with four NFL clubs on bye.
Running Back:
|
Player |
Status |
Points |
% Owned |
|
TB Doug Martin |
BYE |
68 |
91.9% |
|
DAL Joseph Randle |
BYE |
58 |
96.1% |
|
OAK Latavius Murray |
BYE |
50 |
96.8% |
|
STL Todd Gurley |
BYE |
30 |
96.3% |
|
KC Jamaal Charles |
IR |
75 |
54.4% |
|
BAL Justin Forsett |
Q |
51 |
99.0% |
|
BUF Karlos Williams |
Q |
50 |
84.6% |
|
JAX T.J. Yeldon |
Q |
39 |
93.8% |
|
BUF LeSean McCoy |
D |
26 |
95.6% |
|
SEA Marshawn Lynch |
Q |
19 |
99.5% |
Lynch has missed two games and has been limited all week, McCoy is already listed as doubtful and Jamaal Charles owners cried out in agony learning they'd be without their first round pick for the remainder of the season. Even if the questionables listed above can play, that is five guys owned in 90% or more ESPN leagues that won't be on the field Sunday.
The obvious first move is to go for the backups running behind the injured stars. A pretty staggering 75.1% of leagues added Charles's replacement Charcandrick West this week alone. While he might not be available, other KC RB Knile Davis likely is. At 48.4% owned, Davis is the underdog of the two, but it is likely the Chiefs will use a two-back system, giving Davis and West an equal shot to break out against the Vikings, who have allowed at least 22 points to running backs in two of their four games this season.
The Bills have two RBs listed as questionable. If neither can go, two more RBs wait for their points, Daniel Herron (6.6%) and Boobie Dixon (21%). Neither stunned last week in the role, but they face a friendlier Cincinnati matchup this week. Keep an eye on the Buffalo starters going into Sunday and any hint as to which of their backups could see the most work.
Finally, a player that doesn't hinge on any injury news, Tennessee's Antonio Andrews. He has the most carries and fantasy points of any Titans RB over the last two weeks and has seen the goal line carries and been an effective receiver out of the backfield. With a score in his last two games, he looks to be their best option moving forward. At 31.9% owned and facing a Miami defense that allows the 24th-most points to the position, he is worth picking up if you are in need of an RB.
Wide Receiver:
|
Wide Receiver |
Status |
Points |
% Owned |
|
TB Vincent Jackson |
BYE |
43 |
91.3% |
|
TB Mike Evans |
BYE |
17 |
95.3% |
|
STL Tavon Austin |
BYE |
51 |
41.2% |
|
OAK Amari Cooper |
BYE |
45 |
97.6% |
|
DAL Terrance Williams |
BYE |
33 |
58.5% |
|
GB James Jones |
Q |
66 |
93.5% |
|
NYG Odell Beckham Jr. |
Q |
58 |
100% |
|
JAX Allen Hurns |
Q |
57 |
68.8% |
|
BAL Steve Smith Sr. |
Q |
48 |
87.5% |
|
DEN Demaryius Thomas |
Q |
44 |
99.9% |
44.8%-owned Giant Rueben Randle could see great numbers against the Philadelphia Eagles in a potential Monday Night shootout. If Beckham is out or limited, he is a solid starter. If Beckham goes, he is still worth a flex spot if you are missing another starter.
Doug Baldwin is his team's top WR threat and only 44.9% owned. Deeper sleepers are Chicago's Marquess Wilson (if either injured Alshon Jeffery or Eddie Royal can't play). Wilson had 14 points last week in their absence. Green Bay's Ty Montgomery is another option as long as Davante Adams is out. Working from the slot, Montgomery had a touchdown and 11 points last week. Quarterback:
|
Quarterback |
Status |
Points |
% Owned |
|
TB Jameis Winston |
BYE |
69 |
19.1% |
|
OAK Derek Carr |
BYE |
68 |
35.4% |
|
BUF Tyrod Taylor |
D |
98 |
67.8% |
|
PIT Ben Roethlisberger |
D |
53 |
87.3% |
|
IND Andrew Luck |
Q |
41 |
99.8% |
At just 19.1% owned and 2.3% started, it is unlikely that you're needing a filler for Winston, but injuries could leave you looking for a sub this week. Two names jump out in Week 6 that could be worth a look.
Photos of the Bucs Cheerleaders from Week 5 at Raymond James Stadium.
49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has seen two ugly fantasy weeks which is definitely a scare for owners. But he also has two weeks with 20+ points. And this week, he faces the defense that gives up the most points in the league to opposing quarterbacks. Coming off a 20-point game, Kaepernick (45.8% owned) looks like a good bet against the team that let Josh McCown put up 35 on them.
If I asked you to guess the highest fantasy-scoring quarterback that the Buccaneers have faced this season, who would you guess? Drew Brees? Cam Newton?
Wrong. It is actually Blake Bortles, who is fantasy's 8th-highest overall point scorer this year. He is owned in just 41.2% of leagues and goes up against the Texans, who are allowing the 25th-most points.
