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The following players are owned in less than 60% of fantasy football leagues and could present a value to your rosters.
With the second half of the season upon us, and thus the games being more important, I am trying to be a little pickier about which options I give on here.
*Availability (% owned) and statistics based on Yahoo! PPR leagues.
QUARTERBACK
We’re at the point in the fantasy season where the guys you’re looking to add are either replacing injured players in your lineup or you’re streaming them for a week. Preferably, they’re consistent enough for you to keep them around the rest of the season. Unfortunately, there are no good options to keep around and start the rest of the season at QB. However, there are occasional streaming options. To find specific QB’s to start each week, get me on Twitter or Facebook so I can answer your weekly questions on my Q& A videos.
RUNNING BACK
Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots (56%) — Since returning from injury a month ago, Burkhead has proven to be an important part of New England’s offense, and a worthy PPR option. He is averaging 10.0 touches per game in that time.
Danny Woodhead, Baltimore Ravens (49%) — Woodhead finally returned to the field on Sunday after being out since Week 1. He caught 5 passes, proving that he’s going to be a valuable Flex option from here on out.
Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears (46%) — I don’t like relying on Cohen in starting lineups, but he does deserve to be on rosters. On Sunday, he got 13 touches, which is the most he’s seen in over a month. He also saw his second-highest snap count (31) and share (49%) of the season, according to Rotoworld. Considering he was able to get into the end zone, it’s a good indicator that Cohen could become a fantasy factor again.
Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions (42%) — He runs hot and cold but he always seems to get his touches some way. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, that came in the form of 9 carries on Sunday rather than having several catches. While his value is pretty matchup-dependent, he’s worth sticking to rosters.
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers (36%) — Stewart had his best game of the season two weeks ago and then got the Week 11 bye to rest up for the latter portion of the season. I like how that comes together for him. He’s averaging 14.4 touches per game this season, so there will always be opportunity with Stewart.
Samaje Perine, Washington Redskins (35%) — With both Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson out for the year, run to the waiver wire for Perine and don’t look back. He responded to his increased role on Sunday by totaling 126 yards and 1 TD.
Damien Williams, Miami Dolphins (35%) — Kenyan Drake is the more popular option (73%) because of his playmaking ability, but Williams displayed some of that himself on Sunday with a 69-yard run. Williams is averaging 11.7 touches for 67.3 YPG in the last three weeks since he and Drake took over for Jay Ajayi. Both are good Flex options since they factor into the passing game as well.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (35%) — I played it cautious with Ekeler for awhile earlier in the season because his production wasn’t very consistent. However, now he seems to be an actual fixture in the Chargers offense. In the last four games, he has averaged 9.3 touches and 60.5 YPG and has scored 4 TD’s.
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (29%) — The Colts have struggled with how to use Mack, to the fault of the coaches. Hopefully, they took their Week 11 bye and figured out that they need a heavier dose of him on offense. Don’t make him a consistent starter yet, but I love the idea of him having a late-season fantasy surge.
Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles (10%) — Regardless of Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount’s usage, Clement doesn’t seem to be going away. In the last two weeks, he has 116 total yards, 4 TD’s and a 2-point conversion.
WIDE RECEIVER
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (51%) — Kupp’s numbers haven’t been sexy, but he’s been reliable. Now, with Robert Woods out for a couple of weeks, expect Kupp’s involvement to rise. He’s averaging 3.8 catches (6.2 targets) for 48.1 YPG, and now that should go up.
Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans (50%) — Hopefully, those of us among the Corey Davis hive get rewarded with a big game soon. It looks like it’s coming. So far, his value is coming in targets (7.0 per game). If you don’t have room on your bench to wait for him to produce yards and score some TD’s, that’s totally understandable. At worst, he’s a good stash for next year if you have the option.
Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins (38%) — This is a tricky situation for Stills. He’s been productive under two factors this year: First, DeVante Parker’s absence. Second, Matt Moore in at QB over Jay Cutler. Stills caught 7-of-8 targets for 180 yards and 1 TD on Sunday, but the majority of that was done with Moore after Cutler left with a concussion. Keep an eye on this situation, and if Moore starts against the Patriots on Sunday, Moore is a really good option.
Josh Gordon (34%) and Corey Coleman (32%), Cleveland Browns — Gordon could potentially begin playing again in Week 13 against the Chargers. You never know how he’ll perform, but he’s proven to be QB and matchup-proof in the past, so he’s an intriguing option. Coleman’s return last week was a welcome sight for QB DeShone Kizer, who found Coleman 6 times for 80 yards in a tough matchup against Jacksonville on Sunday.
Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins (28%) — We finally saw some sort of big game from Doctson on Sunday other than a red-zone TD. He caught 4-of-7 targets for 81 yards. He is now, without a doubt, a significant piece of their offense, especially with Terrelle Pryor landing on Injured Reserve. Jamison Crowder and Ryan Grant don’t have Doctson’s full blend of athleticism, so Doctson becomes the biggest threat in that receiving corps.
Bruce Ellington, Houston Texans (8%) — With Will Fuller out, Ellington has proven to be a reliable target for Tom Savage. In the last three games, Ellington has caught 13-of-24 targets for 126 yards and 1 TD.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers (5%) — Williams didn’t make his debut until October 15 because of an offseason back issue. He has come along slowly, but now things are looking up. On Sunday, he caught 5-of-8 targets for 38 yards. He is definitely becoming more of a factor next to Keenan Allen while Tyrell Williams is being phased out.
TIGHT END
Tyler Kroft, Cincinnati Bengals (45%) — Kroft isn’t a stat-sheet stuffer by any means, but he’s able to give you at least a little something almost every week. Whether it’s from scoring a short TD or totaling a handful of yards, he’s averaging 8.4 FPPG.
Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions (32%) — Since having a meeting with QB Matthew Stafford in early October, Ebron’s production has been on a slight uptick, averaging 2.8 catches (5.0 targets) for 45.3 YPG and scoring 1 TD in the last four games. He’s not a confident start, but certainly someone who you can plug in for a little something if absolutely needed.
Julius Thomas, Miami Dolphins (31%) — Something has clicked recently to where Thomas is more involved in Miami’s passing game. His yardage hasn’t been consistent, but his fantasy production has. In the last five games, he is averaging 7.7 FPPG.