The Replacements: Week 9

Photo: USA Today Sports

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 or unexpected late-week events.

I won't be updating this piece over the weekend, but you'll get the goods on players worth consideration, and based on last year, this column offered a lot of quality short-term and long-term options — many of them as preemptive picks:

• James Robinson
• Robert Tonyan Jr
• Travis Fulgham
• Tim Patrick
• Scott Miller
• Ty Johnson
• Brett Rypien
• Tyler Johnson
• Marquez Callaway
• A.J. Dillon
• Tyler Conklin

This is a partial list, but you get the point.

We’ll examine three types of replacements:

1. Players who get immediate playing time.
2. Preemptive additions from your league’s waiver wire.
3. Options worth monitoring in case the established backup eventually misses time.

Many of these players are late-round picks and street-free agents. I'm not giving you obvious waivers candidates that will command a large percentage of your FAAB dollars. These are options you'll often find in your First-Come, First Serve section during the latter part of the week prior to kickoff.

If you think street-free agents won’t be factors, James Robinson would like to tell you about his 2020 campaign. And, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson have time on their hands if you need a deeper consultation.

SEASON-TO-DATE REVIEW

In the coming weeks, I'll provide brief thoughts and recommendations for the previous week's candidates as we move forward. Since I recommended Williams to this site's readers as a long-shot emerging force back in the first week of June and have been touting Williams as a future contributor talent since April 2020, we'll make him and Bryan Edwards the unofficial Week 1 candidates.

The recommendations below are categorized by my current view of the player.

Add-Now Recommendations

• Boston Scott: The veteran delivered two touchdowns against the Lions and solid work between the tackles in a tandem with Jordan Howard.
• Bryan Edwards: Henry Ruggs' release means Edwards could earn 2-3 more targets per week, including vertical shots where he excels in contested situations.
• Tyler Johnson: He worked the Saints' zones for 6 targets, 5 catches, and 65 yards. With Antonio Brown week-to-week, Johnson is a solid addition for at least another week or two.
• Rashod Batman: Bateman is performing adequately on the field, building on his debut with a 3-catch, 80-yard day against the Bengals.
• Byron Pringle: ...is the option who has earned consistent targets and production as of late. He's little more than a bye-week flex-play but he's steady and made a tough catch in a blowout that should further endear him to coaches and players.
• Khalil Herbert: I recommended Herbert earlier this month in the Gut Check as a speculative addition who would earn reps with David Montgomery out. Herbert split the workload with Damien Williams and even salted away the game. He earned 100 yards rushing against Green Bay as the starter and despite Damien Williams having the title of the immediate backup to Montgomery, Herbert's fourth-quarter games with Williams healthy and then his 100-yard effort has shown the Bears trust Herbert and he's a better zone runner. Expect Williams to retain passing down and change-of-pace duties but the 100-yard effort against the top-ranked Buccaneers offense serves as additional confirmation that Herbert is a RB1-RB2 fantasy until Montgomery returns.
• Deshaun Watson: He's a preemptive pick in terms of potential impact but recommended last week that he is a player you need to be adding sooner than later.

Preemptive

• Josh Gordon: Reports out of Kansas City say Gordon and Patrick Mahomes II have instant on-field chemistry. I've stated enough about Gordon, you know if you are the type of person to add him to a roster. If you've added him, Andy Reid told the media Thursday that Gordon has a great work ethic, he's a joy to be around, and that he's very close to making an impact on the field.
• Preston Williams: Showing off his boundary work four weeks ago, Williams generated 60 yards on 3 catches that he converted from 5 targets. He'll remain a viable contributor with Will Fuller being Will Fuller and DeVante Parker dealing with an injury but until he's healthy, his target priority in the offense will be lower.
• JaMycal Hasty: Likely a change-of-pace runner with few touches in store, because he's quicker than fast and the 49ers crave speed. Still, Hasty had green zone touches prior to his injury and has reprised that role.
• Rashaad Penny: He's earned 16 yards on 13 carries in 2 games. It's not looking good but it may be worth adding him preemptively or keeping him for another week or two if you are seeking a high-upside play and have the luxury of a spot on your roster.

Monitor

• Albert Okwuegbunam: Fant is the starter, but it's clear the Broncos like using two tight ends and targeting Okwuegbunam, including high-impact red-zone opportunities.
• Zach Pascal: With TY Hilton likely to return -- and showing two weeks ago he could deliver a fantasy impact -- Pascal is the fourth or fifth option at best but offers bye-week value as a high-floor, low-ceiling option in deeper formats.
• Jaelon Darden: The rookie has earned four targets during the past two weeks but has only managed 11 yards. Tyler Johnson is the best bet for fantasy production of the two Buccaneers receivers I recommended.
• Dante Pettis: A shoulder injury sidelined Pettis early in Week 8. He hasn't practiced this week.
• Devin Duvernay: Like Pringle, Duvernay earns targets every week. He has less upside with volume and yardage than Bateman but his big-play ability in the open field gives you a chance for a strong game on 2-3 targets.
• LeVeon Bell: Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray have shown they are the most effective runners that earn extended use in Baltimore. Bell has only seen limited opportunities and one could argue that TySon Williams has been better.
• John Brown: The Broncos elevated Brown from the practice squad and while he may not be ready for extensive snaps, he's a skilled veteran who can deliver at least bye-week production once more acclimated to the offense.
• Tommy Sweeney: With Dawson Knox out short-term, Sweeney has the skill to deliver bye-week value if the Bills don't give more of the passing-game workload to Gabriel Davis. So far, Davis is the bigger factor.
• Tim Patrick: Patrick remains one of the Broncos' three most productive receiving options until Jerry Jeudy returns and Jeudy is back this week.
• Van Jefferson: Jefferson continues to earn targets but Sean McVay shut the door on the idea of Jefferson overtaking Robert Woods this year, feeding Woods to the tune of 12 catches last Thursday night.
• Chris Evans: Samaje Perine is the backup and despite missing last week with a positive Covid test and opening the door for Evans to earn playing time, Evans is not an option worth a roster spot in most leagues.
• Davis Mills: The Texans recently stated that Tyrod Taylor would not lose his job to injury. Still, Mills has shown enough for the team to consider giving him extended playing time after Houston's bye week. Stay tuned..
• J.J. Taylor: After fumbling four weeks ago, Taylor did little. Branden Bolden will continue to contribute behind Damien Harris with Taylor and Rhamondre Stevenson rotating weeks.
• Kylin Hill: A skilled running back behind two excellent options in Green Bay. An injury to one could open the door for Hill to earn playing time and he's a skilled receiver.
• TySon Williams: With Devonta Freeman performing well, Williams isn't worth a roster spot unless you're in a deep league, desperate for a back, and hoping that Latavius Murray's injury gives Williams earns yet another shot. he is active this week for the Ravens.
• Todd Gurley: Worth keeping tag on future workouts for the former superstar.
• Mike Boone: One injury away from earning potential committee reps.

Buh-Bye

• Jordan Wilkins: Cut and a free agent. If he signs somewhere, he'll offer value if given an on-field role.
• Anthony Miller: On the practice squad until further notice.
• Lamar Miller: Mark Ingram had an instant impact and Miller remains on the practice squad.
• Penny Hart: Unless there's an injury, Hart's targets are minimal even if they are consistent.
• Demetric Felton: He's a gadget player in a run offense that sees him as a third or fourth option on the depth chart, at best.
• Juwan Johnson: A red-zone threat who offers boom-bust value but has the trust of Jameis Winston on a team lacking great options in the passing game but it hasn't shown up on the field consistently.
• Olamide Zacchaeus: Zaccheaus earned four targets as a starter against the Jets, but his production potential as a starter is high variance. Atlanta has seen him as a vertical option in the past and the offensive line hasn't given Matt Ryan that kind of time.
• Royce Freeman: With Chuba Hubbard producing and Christian McCaffrey close to serviceable health, Freeman is expendable but still worth monitoring in case there are unexpected setbacks or injuries to the depth chart.
• Collin Johnson: Dante Pettis overtook him as a priority target despite a lot of injuries to the depth chart.
• Quintez Cephus: He's on IR with a shoulder injury.
• Chris Thompson: The 49ers waived Thompson from the practice squad a few weeks ago but signed with the Bears this week.
• Denzel Mims: He may earn an opportunity later in the year, but Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Keelan Cole, Jamison Crowder, Braxton Berrios, and even Jeff Smith are ahead of Mims when it comes to playing time.
• Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: Westbrook doubled his target totals between Week 3 (4) and Week 4 (8) but decreased his productivity from 4 catches for 53 yards and a score in Week 3 to 3 catches for 29 yards in Week 4. With A.J. Brown returning, Westbrook could earn better coverage looks if Julio Jones remains out, but he was really only worth 1-2 weeks of consideration. He's also limited this week with a hamstring.
• Jacques Patrick: John Lynch described Patrick as a back in the style of John Riggins and then dumped the Riggins-like back once Elijah Mitchell got healthy.

ADD-NOW: Rex Burkhead, Brevin Jordan, and Jordan Howard

The Skinny on Burkhead: A quick back with good size, pad level, and receiving skills, Burkhead cannot maintain or build on his good first gear once he's 15-20 yards past the line of scrimmage. Still, he has value as an outlet in the passing game and in the red zone. He'll earn a split with Phillip Lindsay and David Johnson, which will lead to unpredictable usage. Still, he led the Texans' backs in production last week and there's reason to think that he could earn 5-7 touches and 30-50 yards from scrimmage in a given week. If a touchdown is part of the equation as it was last week, he has some bye-week value in PPR formats.

Recommendation: Burkhead is a low-ceiling bye-week option for the desperate.

The Skinny on Howard: Scoring twice against the Lions, Howard remains a smart runner with power and vision who can generate solid production behind good offensive line play.

Recommendation: Kenneth Gainwell has looked much better in space than he has between the tackles and Howard and Scott took over the maturity of touches in Miles Sanders' absence. Expect the Eagles to open creases against the Chargers and Broncos during the next two weeks, which means more for Howard. Howard is the best option of the three for the next two weeks.

The Skinny on Jordan: The rookie H-Back fell in the draft because he's undersized for an inline tight end and his athletic ability is competent but not elite. He also didn't interview well. Even so, he's a talented pass catcher who runs good routes and works hard after the catch. He earned his first playing time last week and scored. He could be in line for more work on a team needing all the receiving options it can muster.

Recommendation: Jordan and the Texans face the Dolphins before the Week 10 bye and the Titans and Jets after. Seattle, Jacksonville, and the Chargers are opponents between Weeks 14-16 and they are all vulnerable to tight end play. He's worth a speculative add-now because if he pops against this week, his price will shoot up and he may not be worth the inflated price despite the favorable schedule. Expect ups and downs but the yardage-friendly opposition could make it worthwhile to take a chance.

Preemptive: Desean Jackson, Jeff Wilson, and Trey Sermon

The Skinny on Jackson: The Rams are operating on all cylinders and don't need Jackson, which prompted his release. He's an expensive player due to his veteran status, but there's a good chance that the Raiders may want him to replace Henry Ruggs if Bryan Edwards and Zay Jones can't fill the void. New England seems like an odd place, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots value Jackson's smarts and what he can offer Mac Jones, who has shown good downfield aggression in recent weeks.

Recommendation: We saw against the Buccaneers that Jackson remains a formidable weapon when healthy and used in the vertical passing game. If you have the luxury, a good fit could elevate Jackson's fantasy value during your stretch run.

The Skinny on Wilson: Lacking great speed and size, Wilson is a straight-line runner who gets what's blocked. His greatest strength is his work as an outlet receiver. He's at last 2-3 weeks away from practicing and potential playing time. Still, he's a coach's favorite and that's of massive importance in San Francisco. Elijah Mitchell is dealing with a rib injury and while he is expected to play, any setbacks could open the door for Wilson when he returns.

Recommendation: The fact that the 49ers' leaders often mention Wilson as an impact player tells you that they will use him once he's healthy. At the very least, he'll take over for JaMycal Hasty. At best, he could take the lead in a committee with Mitchell.

The Skinny on Sermon: The earlier pick of the two rookie runners drafted this year, Sermon lacks the top speed of Mitchell and they love having speed for their perimeter running game. Even so, Sermon is a more refined back between the tackles who was as productive, if not more efficient than Mitchell, on a near-equal number of touches during the first 5-6 weeks of the year. Mitchell's rib injury doesn't appear serious enough to cost him a Week 9 starter, but a setback could lead to more playing time for Sermon. With Wilson out for another 2-3 weeks, Sermon could earn fantasy value as a bye-week spot-starter.

Recommendation: If you have Mitchell or need a back, take a flyer on Sermon in case of a Mitchell setback or we learn that Mitchell is iffy for the Week 9 contest.

Monitor: DOnta Foreman

The Skinny on Foreman: A big back out of Texas, Foreman was tabbed as Lamar Miller's successor in Houston prior to an Achilles' tear. Since then, he has bounced from the Colts to the Titans to the Falcons and now, back to the Titans after Derrick Henry's injury. The fact that Tennessee added Adrian Peterson and Foreman within hours of the Henry announcement is a massive indicator that Tennessee won't be changing its offense to accommodate scatback Jeremy McNicholes as much as it will be leaning on big backs to sustain a power running game.

Recommendation: Peterson is the guy to have if you're going to take a shot on a Titans' runner. Still, Foreman earned 95 yards on 22 touches last year, including 6 of those runs that generate first downs. There's a real possibility that Foreman hasn't stuck to a roster because backs with Achilles' tears are considered damaged goods even if they appear healthy and productive.

If you need a back, can't afford the names on the waiver wire with the best odds for playing time, and can take a shot on a low-cost (or free) option in first-come, first-serve formats, Foreman is a worthwhile speculation play, especially if Peterson gets hurt or is ineffective.