The Way This Works...
To see this article's purpose, please refer to the intro from Week 2.
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The Running List of Past Recommendations
I'll update this throughout the season so you have a wealth of considerations beyond my weekly recommendations. I change their standing as developments occur.
Scroll down for new additions to this list.
Add Nows
Most of these players will not be available, but you'll get a sense of who has been recommended and who to snap up if they become available.
Preemptive
These players may not give you production this weekend, but they are worth considering because there's potential for them to deliver due to injuries or personnel changes.
Preemptive/Monitor
You can probably wait until a compelling event creates a potential need for these players.
- Andrei Iosivas
- Allen Lazard
- Audric Estime
- Bub Means
- Tyler Goodson
- Tre Tucker
- Xavier Hutchinson
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Brenton Strange
- Dalvin Cook
- Trey Palmer
- Sterling Shepard
Monitor
These players have the talent to contribute to your lineup immediately if elevated to a starting role. If you can't find any talent with playing opportunities to have at the end of your roster, it's worth adding 1-2 of these options in case injury strikes, and you can beat the demand on the waiver wire.
Forget (For Now...)
They have too many players ahead of them on their depth charts to earn an impact anytime soon. Or, they suffered an injury.
Add Now: WR Demarcus Robinson, LA Rams
The Skinny on Robinson: We learned this weekend that Robinson gets his best matchups when opponents must contend with at least one of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. With both on the field, Matthew Stafford found Robinson for two scores on two targets. This was what we saw down the stretch last year.
Recommendation: Robinson gives you a solid chance at big plays when the Rams' primary weapons are healthy enough to distract opposing defenses.
Preemptive: RB Julius Chestnut, Tennessee
The Skinny on Chestnut: A powerful runner with efficient feet, Chestnut is a third-year player from Sacred Heart. He delivered 58 yards on 12 touches in last week's drubbing at Detroit. With Tony Pollard likely out due to a foot injury and Tyjae Spears still rehabbing his hamstring, Chestnut is the remaining back with the most experience in the Titans' system.
Recommendation: Chestnut will likely split playing time with another back, likely rookie Jabari Small or veteran Joshua Kelley. I would recommend Kelley if you can't get Chestnut and you're desperate for a back who can give you a non-zero in your lineup.
Preemptive: WR Rakim Jarrett, Tampa Bay
The Skinny on Jarrett: A second-year option from Maryland, Jarrett is a good special teams player with coverage and as a return specialist. He's a Stefon Diggs Starter Kit if I were comparing his dimensions and playing style to a current player.
Jarrett made three big plays late in Week 8's contest and led all Buccaneers' wide receivers with 3 catches for 58 yards. It's not an impressive total, but considering he caught all three targets to keep drives alive in the fourth quarter, logic dictates the Buccaneers will give him more targets early in Week 9.
Recommendation: Jarrett had good moments last year, and I thought he was a more consistent player in college than Trey Palmer. Jalen McMillan looks a little lost at the moment, and Sterling Shepard is a limited player. Jarrett can work in the slot and flanker. A player with multiple ways to contribute is valuable when considering desperation plays.
Monitor: TE Adam Trautman, Denver
The Skinny on Trautman: An excellent athlete at a small school, Sean Payton drafted Trautman in New Orleans, but the tight end never built on an impressive rookie training camp. Even so, Payton got Trautman to Denver early in his tenure as the Broncos' head coach.
Greg Dulcich was supposed to be the Broncos' future big-play option at the position, but he has struggled and got benched. Trautman has been steady as a blocker and occasional short-range receiver when called to contribute.
What we didn't see until last week, was Trautman's skill as a seam option in the intermediate and vertical ranges of the field. He has good acceleration, length, and ball-tracking skills that have been underutilized. He also executes impressive double moves.
Recommendation: If you want to chase a player with a higher ceiling than most think, Trautman is a cheap addition. He's a team that lacks an established second and third option for the emerging Bo Nix. He could earn that opportunity to fill the role.
Final Thought
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.