The Coronavirus has forced sports to adopt unique measures to produce a playing season. Because a positive test could sideline a player for at least three weeks and there’s no way of projecting how many positive cases there will be during the NFL season, Footballguys wants to give you resources that will help you weather the potential loss of players.
As the author of the most comprehensive scouting analysis of skill players since 2006, I’m one of those resources—especially for players at the bottom of depth charts, signed to practice squads and training at home with dreams of that phone call from an NFL team.
Each week, I’ll walk you through the shortlist of players who will get their shot to contribute as replacements to starters who tested positive for the Coronavirus. We’ll examine three types of replacements:
- Players who get immediate playing time.
- Preemptive additions from your league’s waiver wire.
- Options worth monitoring in case the established backup eventually misses time.
If you don’t think street free agents won’t factor, Raheem Mostert is on line one waiting for you to pick up, and he has a long list of players before him who would like to make an appointment to set you straight.
Week 1-14 Review and Changes
It's been a crazy season. Hopefully, you've embraced your sense of adventure when it comes to your need for last-moment replacements. Let's see if we continue delivering decent plays.
Here my brief thoughts and recommendations for previous players as we move forward. These are not in order of preference. If there's an asterisk (*), they've moved down a tier. If they have a number symbol (#) they have moved up:
- Travis Fulgham: He's now considered the starting X receiver even with Alshon Jeffery's return. As long as he continues to play well, it's his gig. With Jalen Hurts a better vertical passer than Carson Wentz, Fulgham could see revitalized opportunities down the stretch. But it's a volatile situation for Fulgham to play with a rookie.
- Robert Tonyan Jr: Tonyan remains a viable option.
- James Robinson: Now an established starter in 2020, Robinson shouldn't be a free agent in any format.
- Tua Tagovailoa: I doubt he's available in most leagues, but with his recent thumb injury he may have been dropped. He has shown a lot of promise late in the year and he's completing 60 percent of his passes--a good sign for a rookie.
- Gabriel Davis: Davis is a productive player when considering his role in the Bills' offense and with John Brown hurt, he's one of the best must-add receivers available. The Bills understand how to leverage his strengths as a big receiver who wins the ball well at the catch point and can earn yards after the catch if targeted in-stride.
- Tim Patrick: Patrick played well upon his return and was on track for a starter day against the Raiders until he got in a fight and was ejected from the game. With Drew Lock back, expect Patrick to return to his role as the replacement version of Courtland Sutton in this offense. He scored twice against the Chiefs in Week 12.
- Chad Hansen: Hansen has earned seven targets in consecutive weeks and posted a 7-catch, 56-yard outing against the Bears. He's a solid PPR option in a rematch with the Colts.
Recent or Past Recommendations Who Are Worth Adding Immediately If There's A Need
- #Lynn Bowden: He performed well in the slot last week and with DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant nicked up, Bowden becomes a reasonable emergency start.
- #Adam Shaheen: Shaheen is a red-zone threat with downfield ability who will earn more targets with Mike Gesicki out with a shoulder injury. This could be the best game of the year for him.
- Mohamed Sanu: Sanu earned over 50 targets and caught all 4 passes in Week 12, scoring a touchdown in the game. As mentioned last week, Sanu has formed a quick rapport with Matthew Stafford and there's a favorable schedule for Sanu to become a reliable option who can deliver 4-6 receptions per game 40-60 yards and a good chance of a touchdown. Kenny Golladay's setback gives Sanu additional opportunities to shine.
- Mitchell Trubisky: Named the Week 13 starter, Trubisky is exactly what I've described him as before last week, and really, throughout his career: A productive player between the 20s who has significant flaws in the red zone and backed up in his own territory. Detroit is weak enough for Trubisky to deliver fantasy starter production.
- Keelan Cole: Cole continues to show value as a flex-play with upside as an option who wins in the slot and outside, especially with Gardner Minshew back in the lineup.
- Scott Miller: Miller knows the offense better than Antonio Brown and he's returning to health. This means he could play a little faster than Brown. He and Tom Brady had a strong rapport earlier in the season and picked up where they left off last week with a bomb for a touchdown.
- Sammy Watkins: Although he only gained 38 yards on 4 receptions, Watkins earned 7 targets and 57 snaps and 3 targets for 52 yards in consecutive weeks after missing several weeks. It's a good indication that he's in for more work down the stretch and bigger games could be ahead.
- Jordan Reed: Two touchdowns and a primary role in the passing game got him the quick add weeks ago, but a knee injury put him on IR. He looked good against the Saints and has a good matchup against the Cowboys.
- #Denzel Mims: He continues to produce well with the workload he's earning. He has consistently been one play away from fantasy value for the past five weeks although last week he missed the game due to a personal matter.
- #Peyton Barber: He gives fantasy GMs a shot at red-zone work, and he's averaged 14 touches during the past three weeks.
- *K.J. Hamler: Although he didn't perform as hoped two weeks ago and COVID forced the Broncos to start a rookie wide receiver at quarterback, Hamler's target volume (6) was respectable in prior weeks—totaling 20 looks in Weeks 9-10.
- *Jordan Wilkins: Still, the No.2 "two-down runner" in this rotation behind Jonathan Taylor, Wilkins was productive in recent weeks until Taylor rebounded two weeks ago. Now off the COVID list, Taylor should get the most touches as the between-the-tackles runner in this offense. Because the Colts have a great slate of matchups ahead, if Taylor gets hurt or regresses, Wilkins is an easy choice for your roster.
- *Quintez Cephus: Cephus scored two weeks ago and Marvin Hall got cut. With Kenny Golladay likely inactive again, Cephus could be worth a preemptive pick as depth.
- Ito Smith: He's leading a three-headed committee thanks to Todd Gurley's flare-up with his arthritic knee.
- #Josh Gordon: Only if you're in leagues with a 17-week schedule.
Players Still Worth Monitoring
- *Collin Johnson: Three weeks of declining production makes him a long-odds proposition, at best.
- *Richie James: The 49ers receiver got wide open behind a pair of Saints defensive backs on a deep post that Nick Mullens underthrew but fumbled a punt later that took San Francisco out of the game. James still has a small window of becoming a significant contributor, he'll need to make the most of the opportunities afforded him. He blocked well on running plays in Week 12's game and it was his second week in a row with over 60 snaps, so don't write him off completely from your watch list.
- *Ty Johnson: Frank Gore and Josh Adams played in Week 14 and Johnson only earned 16 yards on 8 carries. He's clearly on the back end of a three-headed committee.
- *JaMycal Hasty: Hasty is still one injury away from a bigger role and two injuries away from starting.
- *Kerryon Johnson: D'Andre Swift appears likely to play, which should limit Johnson's opportunities. Last week, Johnson earned 6 touches for 11 yards against the Bears.
- *Devin Duvernay: Talented, but only saw 1 target despite playing 44 snaps against Dallas two weeks ago. Maybe next year.
- *Bryan Edwards: The rookie is clearly a spot contributor, at best with no fantasy value.
- *Mike Thomas: Tee Higgins has done enough that Thomas is an injury-substitute of note.
- *Darwin Thompson: At the rate that COVID-19 can decimate the availability of a position room, Thompson remains a talented enough name to remember in case the Chiefs backs get ill.
- *Brett Rypien: An underrated backup if called upon.
- *Kyle Rudolph: After a solid run, the return of Adam Thielen and a foot injury were enough to render Rudolph scoreless last week. He's likely to miss a Buccaneers matchup that should prove a high-scoring affair.
- *Robert Griffin III: As mentioned last week, he was a one-week desperation addition at best. He strained his hamstring late in the game against the Ravens after a respectable rushing performance and gave way to Trace McSorely who showed more as a passer in limited time. With Lamar Jackson likely returning in Week 13 and McSorely offering a dimension that Griffin may lack, Griffin is no longer a viable option worth monitoring.
- *Olamide Zaccheaus: Currently on IR.
- *Marvin Hall: With Mohamed Sanu in the fold, Hall is no longer a viable option.
- *Danny Amendola: See above.
- *TySon Williams: Although not needed from the practice squad, if the Ravens backfield suffers additional complications from COVID-19, this rugged, smart, fast runner with good hands could be summoned to the active roster and called into action. At this point, the backfield appears 100 percent after its scare.
- *Marquez Callaway: A special teamer with injury-substitution value who is likely inactive this week due to injury.
- *Tyler Johnson: The Buccaneers are healthy enough at the position that Johnson is no longer a player worth monitoring.
- *Mack Hollins: Jakeem Grant appears to be holding his own enough to earn opportunities as the second option among the wide receivers. Hollins only earned 6 targets during the past three weeks.
- *Austin Mack: The rookie from Ohio State failed to build on his promising debut in Week 9. He wasn't bad in Week 10 but failed to garner a bigger piece of the workload. Golden Tate may be on the outs with the organization by year's end, but based on his workload, the year is far from over.
- *Dante Pettis: He's on the active roster this week after spending a week on the COVID list, but he hasn't seen the field yet. All seems forgiven between the Giants and Golden Tate.
- *Luke Willson: Mark Andrews is back and Willson did little.
Let's look at this week's recommendations.
Add Now: LeSean McCoy
The Skinny on McCoy: The aging veteran looked well-rested and quick with his four consecutive carries for 32 yards against the Vikings last week. Ronald Jones II is likely inactive due to his placement on the COVID list. Although Leonard Fournette could figure into the equation, McCoy's Week 14 performance should lead to at least a meaningful split against the Falcons.
Recommendation: Atlanta is susceptible to backs that match McCoy's finesse style. Austin Ekeler, Alvin Kamara, and Aaron Jones had quality performances against the Falcons defense. He's not the caliber of emergency start that Jeffery Wilson is for the 49ers, but if you're desperate for a flex-play or a back who can give you a baseline of 5-7 points with a much larger upside, McCoy can be had cheap.
Preemptive: Eno Benjamin
The Skinny on Benjamin: The rookie from Arizona State is a player I've nicknamed 98 Proof LeSean McCoy because he's a scatback with excellent short-area quickness, terrific moves, and skill as a receiver. Benjamin is the likely reason that the Cardinals could feel comfortable parting ways with Kenyon Drake in 2021. He fell further in the NFL Draft than his talent indicated was likely. One of the reasons was ball security woes as a senior that he didn't have at all as a sophomore or junior. The Cardinals value Benjamin is talented enough to keep him on the active roster all year so there was no risk of losing him to another team by cutting him and attempting to place him on the practice squad.
Recommendation: Chase Edmonds is a game-time decision this week but has not practiced Wednesday or Thursday. Better to add Benjamin this week if you have the luxury and wait to see if Drake emerges healthy from Week 15's game. If so, and Edmonds is healthy for Week 16, you can drop Benjamin for someone else. If not, Benjamin could be a factor and you don't have to bid for him.
Monitor: Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone,
The Skinny on Abdullah: The former future of the Lions' backfield has emerged as a routine contributor for the Vikings' backfield With Alexander Mattison getting hurt last weekend, Abdullah slightly out-touched teammate Mike Boone against the Buccaneers. He's a sudden scatback with good movement and underrated contact balance who can catch the ball.
Recommendation: If you have Dalvin Cook or the luxury to add a back who could have a shot at a prominent role in Week 16 due to injury, Abdullah could be the beneficiary of at least a productive backfield split if something happens to Cook this weekend.
The Skinny on Boone: Although Abdullah is the quicker and shiftier back of the two Vikings' backups, Boone has good burst, sound vision, and excellent contact balance.
Recommendation: He'd likely earn the two-down role and short-yardage looks that could lead to green-zone scores if Mattison doesn't get healthy enough to return and something happens to Cook. If you expect a close game with the Saints, Boone is the best choice. If you expect the Saints to take an early lead and maintain it, Abdullah has the better garbage-time value.
"I look at you and see two men: the man you are, and the man you ought to be. Someday those two will meet. Should make for a hell of a football player."
-Jimmy McGinty, the Replacements
May those two men meet with the replacements you have to choose this weekend.