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| Many fantasy owners are feeling the blow of losing Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees,but don't just assume you need to rush to pick up their replacements. There are PLENTY of better options. |
There were some serious blows dealt during Sunday's action.
It wasn't enough that the quarterback I was on since I saw the matchup with Seattle (Ben Roethlisberger) blew out his elbow and is requiring season-ending surgery, but fantasy stalwart Drew Brees had to go and tear ligaments in his hand the required surgery and HE'S out for about six weeks.
Like a bad infomercial ...
Steelers running back James Conner left Sunday's game as well, however, test results revealed "nothing serious," according to Jeremy Fowler.
Devin Singletary tweaked his hamstring and was forced from the game against the Giants -- he had six carries for 57 yards and TD before exiting.
Michael Gallup injured his knee during Sunday's route of Washington and will miss 2-4 weeks after having surgery to shave off part of his meniscus. Not a good injury for a speedster to have.
Just about everyone on Philadelphia's offense is injured in some way. Alshon Jeffrey (calf), DeSean Jackson (groin), Dallas Goedert (calf). All hurt. Statuses unknown heading into Week 3, but according to Dr. David Chao -- former NFL head team doctor for 17 years, and practicing orthopedic surgeon -- he wouldn't be surprised if all three didn't suit up for Week 3's game.
So who the hell do you replace all these guys -- and all the OTHER guys I didn't mention who got hurt -- with?
QB
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills, 30% owned
What do I have to do to get Josh Allen to be more than 30 percent owned? That's blasphemous. He's Cam Newton when Cam Newton was actually good. Allen is more than willing to throw it deep to his new toy John Brown and is even more apt to call his own number around the goal line. So, instead of those four-point passing TDs, he's racking up the six-point rushing TDs. I don't care if he turns the ball over, he still manages to get 20 fantasy points every week. So think about the games you're going to get when he DOESN'T turn it over and it's just all yum-yum. He's the obvious fill-in for either Roethlisberger or Brees.
Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints, 0.2% owned
He's 0.2 percent owned across ESPN leagues. So, he's definitely available. The only thing I worry about with Bridgewater is how much they actually will trust him. It seems people are raving about Bridgewater stepping in and things going along status quo despite losing Brees. This offense WILL NOT be the same. I see a lot more ground and pound -- AKA, Latavius Murray -- and more game managing on the part of Bridgewater. If you're desperate, hey, I mean, at least he's starting.
Other Options
Jacoby Brissett (Indianpolis, 12% owned), Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay, 43% owned), Mason Rudolph (Pittsburgh, 0.2% owned), Daniel Jones (NY Giants, 2.1% owned)
RB
Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins, 51% owned
I'm still banging the drum for Thompson. He played nearly 50 percent of the snaps for the 'Skins, which, should be no surprise as they got smoked by Dallas. That will be commonplace for Washington this year, so expecting anything less than 45 percent of the work for Thompson is foolish. A pass-catching back on a team that will be in negative game script is good for fantasy -- and that's all we care about. Thompson might be out there in your league, so if you need a guy, give him a look.
Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers, 11% owned
Surprise, surprise. When Matt Breida was in line to get a majority of the work, he couldn't handle a whole game without having to leave for a period of time with injury. That proved to be a swell situation for Mostert. He racked up the most touches of the three backs that played for the 49ers, and played 47 percent of the snaps. Granted the upcoming matchup against Pittsburgh isn't that great, but if San Francisco can get a lead, it seems they're more than happy running the ball so Mostert could be a decent flex option.
Other Options
Darwin Thompson (Kansas City, 18.7% owned), Jaylen Samuels (Pittsburgh, 25% owned)
WR
Terry McLaurin, Washington Redskins, 41% owned
I can't believe I'm recommending multiple Washington players in the same column. However, all the same game script talk about Thompson applies to McLaurin as well. Not only that, but his 21 percent market share of the targets in Washington is enticing, as well as his 277 air yards this season (the fifth-best mark in the league). McLaurin can sneak his way behind defenses, and it's clear Case Keenum is going to give him chances down the field.
Demarcus Robinson, Kansas City Chiefs, 1.1% owned
One of the few things I got right last week was informing the people to get some Robinson in their lives while everyone gravitated toward Mecole Hardman. Any piece of this Chiefs offense is an asset to have. He had a massive 172 air yards and had an aDOT over 25. That's nuts! You know Patrick Mahomes has the cannon to get it to him, so those deep shots are going to be there. He got six targets, so he isn't just a gadget play kind of guy that is running only one type of route. Granted, you can't count on those two touchdowns every week, but the potential is clearly there.
Other Options
Nelson Agholor (Philadelphia, 4.3% owned), Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers, 13.2% owned), DJ Chark (Jacksonville Jaguars, 21.5% owned)
-- By Nathan Joyce
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