Injury after Injury. Big name after big name going down. A horribly rough week for fantasy owners. Toughest in recent memory in one week for sure. If Romo owners weren't hurt enough about Dez being out... down goes Tony. You thought you'd be fine until Demarco Murray left practice with a hamstring injury just yesterday. Don't worry though Hackhype and I always got you covered.
Have no fear! The Waiver Wire Warrior is here!!!
QB
Derek Carr
Welcome to the NFL, Amari Cooper. Or should I say;
Please meet Amari Cooper, NFL! Really though, was that kid not impressive? Seems as if his big rookie season is about to take off after his huge performance against the Ravens. My theory is of course if Cooper is going to break out, his quarterback has too do solid as well because he is the one throwing him the ball. Not to mention Carr had the best statistics out of all rookie quarterbacks last season. In two quarterback leagues Carr is a must own but in standard leagues he is very intriguing for Cooper owners also any owner for a bye week look.
RB
Matt Jones
Matt Jones showcased his talent that people close to the Washington team have been raving about all offseason. Against a defense that held Marshawn Lynch under ten fantasy points just the week before, Jones went off. 123 yards and two touchdowns. While he won't be assuming the starting role from Alfred Morris he has certainly earned himself more of a role in that offense. As the season progresses it could sway more into a 50/50 split. By mid season expect this to be a situation similar to the Cincinnati Bengals last season. Alfred Morris may edge out Jones by a few carries each week but Jones will gain more yards and become the goal lone back in Washington by seasons end.
Deeper league RB
Bilal Powell
Wait! Chris Ivory owners, relax! Ivory isn't hurt enough where he won't play, but if you don't already have Ivory handcuffed with Powell you should. Even non Ivory owners will be intrigued by this stat; Chris Ivory has 37 touches this season, and Powell? 30. That's almost a split, isn't it? In fact Powell has a higher snap count this season. Although Ivory will remain the workhorse and the goal line back, Powell is worth the stash especially in PPR. With Eric Decker being questionable, a pass catching back in that offense could be valuable. There is no doubt Powell is the better pass catcher out of that backfield.
WR
Rishard Matthews
Jarvis Landry has been tearing it up in Miami in his second year but Tannehill isn't throwing every ball of his hot start to Landry. Rookie DeVante Parker is obviously not ready for a bigger role in the Miami offense. So who is it? Greg Jennings? Hell no. It's Rishard Matthews.
Through two games this season Matthews has tallied up 149 yards and a score. Averaging 14.9 yards a catch and Tannehill clearly trusts him. He has his toughest matchup so far this year against the Buffalo Bills defense this week but if Matthews can stay on his hot streak he might keep his position over the the rookie Parker on the Dolphins depth chart.
Deeper league WR
Cecil Shorts III
10 grabs for 91 yards that's all Shorts has contributed to his team in Houston. That garbage could not be the reason he is in this section. He has done poorly but it's been on 20 targets, more importantly that's with DeAndre Hopkins on the field. Now, Hopkins is questionable this week with a concussion making Shorts a great flex play this week. Could even find his way into the end zone for the first time this young season against a soft defense in Tampa Bay.
TE
Gavin Escobar
A player who has consistently found the end zone the past two seasons even with Jason Witten on the field, Escobar could be a great add to your roster moving forward. Back up quarterbacks tend to lean on the tight end a little more than the starters. They are big targets that tend to be open in the middle of the field. With Witten's playing staus up in the air at this point in the week Escobar looks to be targeted heavily this week and possibly for the next few games.
Deeper league TE
Richard Rodgers
Not heavily in targeted in the past two weeks, Richard Rodgers did find the end zone last Sunday night against the Seahawks. His size and sure hands are quickly turning him into a favorite target of his quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the red zone. Even though Aaron Rodgers has been having trouble meshing well with a tight end since the horrendous loss of Jermichael Finley a few seasons back, Richard Rodgers could be the guy that ends that for the Packers. Worth the stash in a 12 to 16 team league.
Defense
Pittsburgh
I certainly hope you have a better choice than to stream Pittsburgh's defense. If you don't they are definitely a safe choice this week. They no doubt outscore all of their opponents but if there is a team to get your young defense going against it is the stagnant play of the St. Louis Rams offense. It was close to impossible for the Rams to move the ball against an underwhelming Washington defense last week so I don't see Pittsburgh having trouble stopping them. Maybe causing a few turnovers in the process.
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