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 past these running lists for new suggestions.
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.
- Audric Estime
- Bryce Young
- Alec Pierce
- Jameis Winston
- Kayshon Boutte
- Darius Slayton
- Ricky Pearsall
- Theo Johnson
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.
- Jordan Mason
- Dylan Laube (see below)
- Ray Davis
- Cam Akers
- Alec Pierce
- Sean Tucker
- Jalen Nailor
- Chris Brooks
- Noah Brown
- Demarcus Robinson
- Mike Williams
- Devaughn Vele
Preemptive/Monitor
You can probably wait until a compelling event creates a potential need for these players.
- Andrei Iosivas
- Tyler Goodson
- Xavier Hutchinson
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Brenton Strange
- Jordan Mims
- Drew Lock
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.
- Michael Penix Jr.
- Isaac Guerendo
- Sterling Shepard
- Julius Chestnut
- Tre Tucker
- Trey Palmer
- Brenton Strange
- Dawson Knox
- Nelson Agholor
- Adam Trautman
- Dalvin Cook
- Allen Lazard
- Jalin Hyatt
- Rakim Jarrett
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: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans
The Skinny on Westbrook-Ikhine: The five-year veteran from Indiana has proven a reliable reserve with the Titans, earning no worse than 45 targets, 25 catches, 370 yards, and 3 touchdowns since becoming a part of the on-field rotation in 2021. Westbrook-Ikhine is a capable route runner against zone coverage who has proven valuable as a second or third option during series in the red zone.
This year, Westbrook-Ikhine has been a player the fantasy industry may have been hesitant to tout because middling volume numbers don't usually lead to sustained touchdown production. Yet, he has five touchdowns in the past six games -- one per game except for Week 10's contest with the Chargers.
We may just have to acknowledge that the well-built Westbrook-Ikhine has taken on the role DeAndre Hopkins vacated when traded to Kansas City.
Recommendation: Despite acknowledging that Westbrook-Ikhine is replacing DeAndre Hopkins' role, expecting Hopkins' level of production for a sustained period might prove unrealistic. While Westbrook-Ikhine is out-pointing Hopkins thanks to his touchdowns, we know that touchdowns aren't a sticky stat.
When it comes to Westbrook-Ikhine, you're chasing the potential for sustained targets against viable matchups that can lead to 40-60 yards as his baseline value. The touchdowns are the gravy. If you can live with that as a desperation start, have at it.
Preemptive: Dylan Laube, Raiders
The Skinny on Laube: Recommended earlier in the year, I'm reprising the tout, because he'll likely become part of the offensive rotation after injuries to the original rotation of Alexander Mattison and Zamir White. Ameer Abdullah is the better short-term option because he's the most experienced NFL player with a versatile game.
Laube is the more promising long-term option because the Raiders are less likely to have sustained success with game scripts to generate significant attempts for the ground game. If the Raiders must throw more often, Abdullah has the experience but Laube has the big-pay ceiling as an all-around versatile option.
It's possible that Laube could make enough of an early impression for the staff to give the rookie an extended audition as the lead back. They can use this time to determine if Laube is ready to contribute as a part of the on-field rotation in 2025.
Recommendation: Laube is a smart runner with excellent open-field skills and impressive receiving ability. He's a good athlete and should surprise NFL opponents if the Raiders offensive line can open enough creases for him to operate.
If you have a luxury pick where you don't need starter points, Laube has the highest ceiling as a long-shot pick with talent.
Preemptive/Monitor: Ameer Abdullah, Raiders
The Skinny on Abdullah: A long-time Abdullah fan since his years at Nebraska, the Lions' former draft pick got his chance in Detroit but fumbled it away. Coming out of Nebraska, Abdullah earned the reputation of a versatile back who could win from the backfield on check-downs and screens.
He also displayed excellent burst, change-of-direction skills, and underrated contact balance for his size. He's a mini bowling ball with acceleration who got labeled as a reserve after Detroit gave up on him.
Abdullah became a journeyman option with stops in Minnesota and Carolina before arriving in Vegas. He's a smart runner, but at 31 years of age, he's a plug-and-play stop-gap at best.
Recommendation: If you need a shot at PPR value from a desperation start at RB for various points of the year and the waiver wire is bare, Abdullah is worth your consideration based on his experience, skills, and potential to handle the majority of whatever paltry rushing volume the Raiders' game scripts will allow.
If you're seeking an addition that might have a higher ceiling because the team is interested in auditioning future talent, Laube is the wiser choice.
Final Thought
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.