It’s time to prepare for your playoff run.
We’re about to hit the home stretch of the 2017 fantasy football season: With Week 11 on the horizon, we’re in the last group of byes and if you’re in a league with three weeks of playoffs, time is running out.
So here’s a list of some under-the-radar names that might help you grab that final playoff spot, to cement your place at the top of the standings or to prepare you for a postseason run:
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This is specifically for a team that’s doing really well and has a bench spot or two to spare thanks to bye weeks ending. If you own Le’Veon Bell, go get James Conner. If you’ve got Melvin Gordon, pick up Austin Ekeler. Kareem Hunt? Charcandrick West. You get the idea.
The point here is that if you come into the playoffs and one of those superstar runners goes down, you’ll have insurance instead of watching your opponent or fellow contender scoop up the backup. Or, heck, even if you don’t own one of the big names, it’d be wise to grab a handcuff or two now.
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The Injured Reserve list, with its tweaked rules to allow players to return, has added a wrinkle to fantasy teams. Smart owners have already picked up names like Browns wideout Corey Coleman and Ravens running back Danny Woodhead. But check this out:
Seahawks rookie running back Chris Carson could return in December https://t.co/NtA7ZBBWUi via @theseahawkswire @lindsniewski #Seahawks
Hmmm. https://t.co/IMIPukrNc9
Hmmm indeed. Yeah, the Seahawks are abysmal running the ball, but when Carson played, the rookie was a flex- or low RB2-worthy running back. Maybe you wouldn’t trust him in a playoff game but this could be a sneaky name to pick up in deep leagues.
The guy turned some heads this preseason and it looks like he’s returning from injury just in time for Allen Hurns to potentially miss this week’s game against the Browns. Sure, the Jaguars are in the bottom five in passing attempts in the NFL, and yes, Blake Bortles is the guy throwing footballs in Jacksonville, particularly to Marqise Lee.
But again, these are deep sleepers.
EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER ORG XMIT: ELX03
Darren McFadden isn’t the third-down back with Ezekiel Elliott suspended, it’s this guy. And while Alfred Morris is the No. 1 RB in Dallas, the Cowboys also have – per ESPN Insider – the fifth-toughest schedule the rest of the season, including a game against the Eagles. My theory: Smith will catch a bunch of passes in those games. I’m willing to use a bench spot to find out.
EPA-EFE/TANNEN MAURY
The former Charger just played his first game with the Bears and caught six passes for 88 yards. With no other notable names for Mitchell Trubisky to throw to, I’d throw in for him to see if that chemistry lasts longer than a week.
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He received six targets in his return to the lineup and it looks like Will Fuller might miss time with a rib injury. If you’re desperate for a tight end, what about the guy who had a pretty good year in 2016? Tom Savage isn’t a factor – let’s all remember that Brock Osweiler was throwing him the ball last season.
