Quarterback
Brian Hoyer/Jacoby Brissett, IND (vs Miami) - This one is trending towards Brissett getting the start, but you’ll be happy to use either as a bye/streamer option this week. Miami’s secondary is still very generous despite the Jets only modest success against them next week. The Colts passing game is shorthanded, but deep and Sam Darnold last week was the first quarterback to not pass for multiple scores vs. Miami and that includes Case Keenum and Mason Rudolph.
Daniel Jones, NYG (vs New York Jets) - Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins passing game came alive against the hapless Jets defense last week, so it’s not a stretch to project Jones doing well against them. His rushing potential showing up more lately, and even without Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard, he has enough weapons to put the Jets on their heels.
Ryan Tannehill, TEN (vs Kansas City) - Tannehill is set up for a pass heavy performance as long as Patrick Mahomes II starts. Corey Davis’s status is up in the air, but Tannehill still has AJ Brown, Adam Humphries, Tajae Sharpe, and Jonnu Smith, and he was productive in a futile comeback attempt last week at Carolina.
Sam Darnold, NYJ (vs New York Giants) - Deep breath. Darnold has some risk as it’s never reassuring to rely on Adam Gase in any way, but the Giants have given up multiple scores to every quarterback they’ve faced except Washington’s and Kyler Murray when Chase Edmonds was finishing all of the drives. Darnold has plenty of weapons and the Giants can’t match their skill personnel on defense.
Running Back
Kenyan Drake, ARI (at Tampa Bay) - Drake should still get a lot of snaps this week despite the return of David Johnson, and he might get the most snaps at running back if Johnson is deployed more often as a receiver. Tampa Bay has had a stiff run defense earlier this year, but Chris Carson made some incursions last week and Drake ran through a previously tough 49ers defense last week.
Gus Edwards, BAL (at Cincinnati) - Edwards is running well and he is coming off of a game with a score last week. The Ravens should romp over the Bengals in Ryan Finley’s first NFL action, giving Edwards a chance at extended work in the second half.
Tarik Cohen, CHI (vs Detroit) - Mitchell Trubisky is nauseating to include in your lineup in any way, but if you are desperate, Cohen is a possible hit at running back this week. Detroit’s defense is deteriorating as it is, and receiving running backs are an acute weak spot. They have allowed at least 73 receiving yards or a score to a running back in every game this year.
Kareem Hunt, CLE (vs Buffalo) - Hunt should get run in his first game back and the Browns could even employ a “hot hand” approach that opens the door for Hunt to stay in as long as he is producing against a Bills defense that got gashed by the Washington and Philadelphia running games the last two weeks. The Browns offense is floundering and the coaches might be willing to give Hunt more of the stage in an attempt to jumpstart the team.
Wide Receiver
DeVante Parker, MIA (at Indianapolis) - Maybe Parker has graduated from sleeper status, but just in case, don’t overlook him as the clear #1 receiver for Ryan Fitzpatrick now that Preston Williams is on the shelf. Parker has been consistent and healthy and Fitzpatrick is as loose as ever as this team is enjoying their turn as the lovable losers that everyone counts out.
Robby Anderson, NYJ (vs New York Giants) - Relying on Adam Gase’s passing game makes the ground beneath floor start to feel like quicksand, but Anderson could be the bridge over the morass against a Giants pass defense that is always prone to the big play. It only takes one to make Anderson a hit in a thin week with six teams on bye.
AJ Brown, TEN (vs Kansas City) - Brown has routinely looked like a man among boys as a rookie, which is scary to contemplate. The Titans will have to open up the offense to keep up if Patrick Mahomes II is playing, and Corey Davis is coming into this one banged up, if he plays at all. Brown has already demonstrated a 100+ yard, multi-touchdown ceiling this year.
Chester Rogers, IND (vs Miami) - Zach Pascal feels too obvious here, so let’s go a step lower. Rogers has quietly been effective on a limited number of targets, a number that is about to rise with TY Hilton and Parris Campbell both out this week (and probably for at least another week or two). He has touchdowns in both of his 5+ target games this year, and Rogers faces a Dolphins secondary that gives up multiple scores to opposing wide receivers more often than not this year.
Darius Slayton, NYG (vs New York Jets) - Daniel Jones has already shown a penchant for giving Slayton a chance to use his speed and surprising game in the air to make big plays downfield, and the Jets are all too welcoming to receivers trying to get open deep in their secondary. The Jets have allowed six scores to wide receivers in the last two weeks, and both John Brown and Odell Beckham had their best fantasy games of the season against them.
Ted Ginn Jr, NO (vs Atlanta) - Atlanta’s secondary is one of the easiest to break down in the league, and they’ll contend with Drew Brees this week. If Brees takes a deep shot this week, it most likely going to be to Ginn, it’s just up to Ginn to reel it in. Hopefully he gets a chance or two before the Saints open up a big lead.
Diontae Johnson, James Washington, PIT (vs Los Angeles Rams) - Mason Rudolph will face one of his stiffest tests yet in terms of pressure from the inside and the edge, and Juju Smith-Schuster will have Jalen Ramsey following him around. Rudolph and the offensive line will have to execute, but if they do, chances will be there for these receivers downfield. Rudolph seemed to be very comfortable throwing to Washington last week, so maybe their college chemistry will be a thing after all.
Russell Gage, ATL (vs New Orleans) - Gage got a ton of targets from Matt Schaub in Week 8, and with Marshon Lattimore lurking, Matt Ryan could look to him often this week. Chris Godwin, Tyler Lockett, and Cooper Kupp have all made hay against the Saints this year from the slot and Gage is arguably more athletic and dangerous with the ball in his hands than Mohamed Sanu.
Tight End
Eric Ebron, IND (vs Miami) - Ebron has a low floor, but who doesn’t at tight end these days? With two starting receivers out, he could be a much bigger part of the passing game, and against a Miami defense isn’t much resistance. He has a high ceiling on low volume if the Colts target him downfield.
Jared Cook, NO (vs Atlanta) - Cook is back this week just in time to face the Dirty Birds. Dan Arnold scored in this matchup last year, and Ben Watson posted 5-71. The Falcons gave up four tight end scores over the last four games, including two to Darren Fells and one to Maxx Williams. Cook could make a splash in his return.
Vance McDonald, PIT (vs Los Angeles Rams) - McDonald being stationed as a checkdown close to the line of scrimmage overlaps well with Mason Rudolph’s inclination to get the ball out of his hands when the initial reads don’t come open or the pocket is compromised. McDonald scored last week, he has a two touchdown game with Rudolph, and this week he’s facing a Rams defense that let players like Tyler Eifert and Cameron Brate have their biggest games of the year against them.
Rhett Ellison, NYG (vs New York Jets) - Ellison will step into a starting role against a Jets defense that let Mike Gesicki break out last week with Evan Engram on the shelf. Sterling Shepard is also on the shelf to help Ellison have a higher spot in the target pecking order.
Mike Gesicki, MIA (at Indianapolis) - Gesicki’s superior athleticism finally showed up on the field last week as he just might be having the game slow down for him in year two. Preston Williams season-ending injury allows Gesicki to be as high as second in Ryan Fitzpatrick’s target scope and Fitzpatrick should not err on the side of caution on downfield throws.
O.J. Howard, TB (vs Arizona) - Howard is back and the Cardinals are rolling out the red carpet for him. The Cardinals have consistently given up ceiling games to good tight ends and even a few marginal tight ends have been relevant against them. This should be one of the highest scoring games of the day, so if Howard is staring at you on the waiver wire with no other attractive options, give him a chance.