The 2024 ZeroRB nightmare season continued in Week 8. Stefon Diggs and Christian Kirk joined the growing list of wide receivers with season-ending injuries. Meanwhile, replacement production from running backs is non-existent. In Dynasty, multiple young wide receivers now have a chance, given the shifts at the position.
This article will discuss deep league waiver additions, focusing on Dynasty league formats.
Players will fall into four primary categories:
- Short-term Starters - Players capable of providing immediate production in deep leagues.
- Proactive Pickups - Players who need the depth chart to be clear before them but are more available than other players in a similar role.
- Deep Darts - Speculative players who have a chance at value.
- Dynasty Buys - Players whose values have changed, and the market may not have caught up.
Quarterback
Short Term Starters
Joe Flacco, Indianapolis (65% Sleeper rostered)
The Colts made the rumored change and inserted Flacco into the starting lineup ahead of Week 9 against Minnesota. Flacco was QB11 in his previous stint, replacing Anthony Richardson from Week 4 through Week 6.
The Colts have a brutal stretch ahead. Week 9's opponent, Minnesota, has been able to pressure inexperienced quarterbacks, but Matthew Stafford got the ball out quickly and picked it apart in Week 8. Buffalo (6th fewest) and (5th fewest) are following, and both rank in the top six in fewest quarterback fantasy points against. Flacco should be added in all Superflex formats if Richardson's return caused him to hit the wire.
Malik Willis, Green Bay (45% Sleeper rostered)
Our Adam Hutchison projects optimism about Jordan Love's groin injury. Love is a tough player who surprised many with his return timeline early this season. The Week 9 game against Detroit has significant NFC North ramifications, and the Packers have a bye in Week 10 to rest Love.
If he cannot go, Willis could keep the offense afloat, particularly in Week 3 against Tennessee, where he threw for 200 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 73 and another score.
Detroit would be a difficult matchup. The Lions have been an excellent run-stopping unit under Dan Campbell, and the Packers' game plan with Willis relied heavily on that aspect. As we watch this situation, Willis's running ability puts him on the radar in Superflex formats.
Proactive Pickups
Drew Lock, NY Giants (27% Sleeper rostered)
Last week's column dove into the Daniel Jones Doomsday Clock. After another loss in Week 8, it moved closer to midnight.
Lock is a "when," not an "if."
Dynasty Buy
Justin Herbert, LA Chargers (96% Sleeper rostered)
Time to play a game. I will say a name; you tell if you think Herbert has averaged more or fewer fantasy points per game since returning from his bye over the last three weeks:
The answer to all seven is more.
Herbert was a disaster the first month of the season, ranking QB32 in points per game. Since the bye, he has been QB16.
Herbert's schedule opens up down the stretch. He will see Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Atlanta, all of which rank inside the Top 8 in fantasy points allowed to the quarterback. The book is also out on the Chargers' run game; J.K. Dobbins's efficiency has fallen off after two big games to start the year.
Herbert's dynasty value has been in free fall since sitting at QB5 in February. He has bottomed out at QB13, his lowest value since midway through the 2020 season. The big performance in Week 8 could be the turning point to reap future value while also allowing your league mate not to believe they are selling low.
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Running Back
Proactive Pickups
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore (81% Sleeper rostered)
Mitchell is in his IR activation window, entering his second out of three weeks to practice before the activation deadline.
Mitchell's role in a healthy Ravens offense is a question. Assuming he makes a full recovery, his speed was too much to ignore completely, especially given the complementary aspect to the current Derrick Henry / Justice Hill backfield. But Henry has been one of the best running backs in the NFL and is enjoying a career season, and the team loves Hill's pass game work.
If one were forced to miss time, that is where it gets fascinating. With close to double-digit touches in a game, Mitchell has an RB2 upside.
His availability in plugged-in leagues is likely low, given what he showcased in 2023 and the ability to stash him this summer on an IR spot. But he may be overlooked in the right situation.
Will Shipley, Philadelphia (68% Sleeper rostered)
Shipley had hardly played and looked lost when he did play. But a play that will not appear on the stat sheet suggests it may be starting to click for the rookie. Shipley broke out late in the win over Cincinnati on a touchdown run called back by holding. In the play, he ran with physicality and explosion, which he has struggled to showcase in his opportunities.
If Saquon Barkley missed time, Shipley should have a chance to leap Kenneth Gainwell or, at minimum, split carries. He was a hyped rookie who managers may have moved on from.
Deep Darts
Chris Brooks, Green Bay (4% Sleeper rostered)
Brooks is a Matt Waldman favorite. The Packers running back depth chart seemed set, with Emanuel Wilson the backup to Josh Jacobs. But in Week 6, Brooks started to get involved. His snap share increased while Wilson's decreased weekly until Week 8 when the two flipped.
Brooks is slightly younger and slightly more athletic than Wilson. He has been working to get up to speed in the Packers' offense after spending his first year in Miami before ultimately missing the team on final roster cuts. Signs point to the Packers at least employing a straight split, if not favoring Brooks if the need arises.
Dynasty Buy
Trey Benson, Arizona (94% Sleeper rostered)
Benson was Dynasty RB16 on Keeptradecut less than two months ago.
Since that point, the arrow has pointed in only one direction. Now, RB35, it is fair to question if it can go any lower short of Benson being labeled a complete bust.
He sits behind Zach Charbonnet, who is two years older and in a backup role that requires an injury to increase value. I would like to know if there is a 22-year-old Day 2 running back behind a nearly 30-year-old playing in a contract year who has been valued lower.
Benson is an excellent target for rebuilding rosters. However, James Conner's missing time or choosing to sign elsewhere this winter would sour Benson's value.
Wide Receiver
Short Term Starters
Parker Washington, Jacksonville (57% Sleeper rostered)
Washington might have gone from a promising young receiver buried on the Jaguars depth chart in one week to the only receiver with more than two targets.
We know Christian Kirk's season is over. Washington's game profiles as a direct replacement for Kirk's role relative to Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis.
Thomas and Davis are monitoring injury situations of their own.
Washington has an opportunity to lock into a long-term role. Kirk is headed for a cap hit of $27 million, but the Jaguars can trade him this offseason with a Post June 1st designation and save $19.5 million. The team has already sent off multiple veterans in what has turned into a rebuild.
Kayshon Boutte, New England (49% Sleeper rostered)
Boutte has moved in lockstep with Drake Maye's franchise takeover, playing over 80% of the snaps in Maye's three starts. He has averaged 46 yards per game, a full-season pace of just under 800 yards. Notably, Boutte did not need the injury to Ja'Lynn Polk to increase his role. When Maye stepped it, the usage shifted hard toward the young receivers in the rotation, phasing out K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton.
Boutte was viewed as a potential first-round pick in 2021. An ankle injury that ended his season required two surgeries and a rehab process he admits to handling poorly. The Patriots' future at the receiver is a blank canvas. Boutte has a chance to be an essential part.
John Metchie III, Houston (49% Sleeper rostered)
Xavier Hutchinson, Houston (51% Sleeper rostered)
Hutchinson has played the most snaps in Nico Collins' absence, handling 62%. It has not translated to production, with just four catches over those four games.
Metchie caught three passes this past week.
To borrow from Yahoo's Matt Harmon, Hutchinson profiles as the "sacrificial X," meaning a player who plays outside and the team relies on more as a fullback in disguise. Metchie likely steps in as Stefon Diggs' replacement following his season-ending injury. Like Diggs, Metchie can work in the short area and create after the catch.
Metchie was a second-round pick in 2022 before missing his rookie season to battle leukemia. Now healthy, he has drawn praise from C.J. Stroud this offseason. He is the play over Hutchinson.
Jalen Coker, Carolina (57% Sleeper rostered)
Diontae Johnson is now a Baltimore Raven. As a result, Coker is likely a starting NFL wide receiver. Coker made his impression with 68 yards in Week 5 but broke out with four catches for 78 yards and his first touchdown in Week 8.
Coker has good size and athleticism to serve as the outside X receiver opposite Xavier Legette. The Panthers are playing for the future and will give the pairing of Coker and Legette the chance to prove they are it.
Deep Darts
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee (18% Sleeper rostered)
It does not make sense, but Westbrook-Ikhine has touchdowns in three straight games.
With DeAndre Hopkins now in Kansas City, he locked into a prominent role, playing 92% of the Week 8 snaps, continuing the touchdown streak, and making an excellent play on a 34-yard pass downfield.
Westbrook-Ikhine has a role outside, with Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd playing off each other in the slot. His production will be difficult to count on, but in deep Bestball formats, he has earned a roster spot.
Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati (79% Sleeper rostered)
Burton looked lost to start the season, falling far behind Andrei Iosivas in the WR3 battle. With Tee Higgins out in Week 8, Iosivas won the snap battle, 88% to 41%. But he did not draw a target and has gone two weeks without a catch. Iosivas was an early season story, with a two-touchdown game against the Chiefs in Week 2 and a 5-52-1 line against Washington the following week. He has only had four receptions in five games since then.
Burton beat Darius Slay Jr. on a 41-yard go route in the Week 8 loss to Philadelphia. It was his second 40+ yard play of the season. He will not play much when the Bengals have Chase and Higgins available, but he has rebounded from a negative stretch in camp.
Dynasty Buy
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo (96% Sleeper rostered)
When healthy, Shakir has been a top 20 fantasy receiver in 2024. Despite being a 24-year-old locked into a critical role with Josh Allen, his ceiling does not seem capable of climbing past WR40 in Keeptradecut's consensus. Perhaps people need to see an entire season of production to buy in. Buy cheap now because if Shakir does put it together over the rest of 2024, his value will soar.
Tight End
Deep Darts
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville (44% Sleeper rostered)
Strange had an extended window early in the season with Evan Engram out and delivered as TE8 from Weeks 2 to 5. With the wide receiver injuries, expect the Jaguars to play multiple tight ends on most snaps. Engram will naturally be the more involved receiving option, but Strange has been a reliable red-zone threat in his second season.
