Quarterbacks to Add
1. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins: All of the preseason love that I had for Tannehill is starting to come to fruition with his recent play. The Dolphins have finally figure out the best way to simplify the passing game and allow Tannehill the chance to showcase his athletic ability with a few read-option plays. Tannehill, a former WR at Texas A&M, has rushed for at least 40 yards in 4 straight games. Those added points are the equivalent of an extra TD pass, and has allowed Tannehill to vault into the top 12 of fantasy QBs for the season. If you are in one of the 60% of leagues that Tannehill is still available in, do not hesitate to pick him up in all size leagues.
2. Mark Sanchez, Eagles: I can’t believe the words that I’m typing right now, but March Sanchez has found himself in a favorable positon in terms of his fantasy value. Sanchez finished Sunday’s win against the Houston Texans with a very Nick Foles type of stat line (15-22 202 yards 2 TDs and 2 INTs). This Chip Kelly offense is very fantasy friendly and Sanchez should be able to keep run a good majority of the same plays that Foles was able to run. Sanchez will probably have a problem with turnovers, but it should not hinder him from being a top 15 fantasy QB for the rest of the season. If you are a Nick Foles owner, or if you have a QB of one of the 6 teams on bye, don’t be afraid to put that claim in for Sanchez.
3. Ryan Mallet, Texans: This is a pure speculative add for teams that are extremely desperate for help or in a 2 QB league. Ryan Fitzpatrick has not been getting the job done in Houston and at this point of the season it makes almost no sense for Bill O’Brien to continue forward with Fitz. If the Texans think they are contenders than Fitzpatrick’s play has been poor enough to hold them team back and has warranted a benching. If the Texans do not think they are contenders than it is time to move on and see what they have in Mallet. Either way, the Texans are going into their bye week and right now would be the perfect time to shake things up.
Running Backs to Add
1. Bobby Rainey, Buccaneers: Rainey’s fantasy value will not seem to go away no matter how hard the Bucs may try. Rainey as outperformed incumbent starter Doug Martin all season and yet still will not receive the majority of the work in the Bucs backfield. This Sunday with Martin out, and rookie Charles Sims kept inactive, Rainey looked like a feature NFL back with 87 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving. The reports out of Tampa are that Martin could miss more time with a high ankle sprain, and as long as Rainey will get the workload, he will continue to produce. Rainey is only owned in 42.7% of ESPN leagues and should be added for his great matchup against the Atlanta Falcons for week 10.
2. Alfred Blue, Texans: Blue might be getting his chance to showcase his skills in week 11 when the Texans are coming off a bye week, because starter Arian Foster left Sunday’s game against the Eagles with a groin injury. Foster’s injury does not appear to be serious, but you can never be too sure with the soft tissue injuries. If Foster were to miss an extended period of time, Blue would be a very solid RB2/flex play.
3. Chris Johnson, Jets: Michael Vick’s resurgence in this new-look Jets offense could be the spark that Chris Johnson needed to regain his fantasy value. The Jets ran a lot of read-option looks, and that style suits Johnson’s skill set more than the powerful Chris Ivory. Johnson has been let go in a lot of leagues and his ownership percentage has fallen below 35%. With the Jets on a week 10 bye, there might not be a priority to add Johnson to your roster, but he could be a sneaky later claim pickup.
Wide Receivers to Add
1. Mike Evans, Bucanneers: Evans has emerged as the #1 receiving option in the Bucs offense, and has seen his fantasy value skyrocket. After week 9, Evans is only owned in 31.7% of leagues, despite his consistent production since coming back from a groin injury. As a number 1 target in an NFL offense, Evans’ value as a fantasy player will only continue to grow, as the Buccaneers season goes down the drain. The Bucs are much more inclined to showcase Evans’ skills and further develop him as their future.
2. Martavis Bryant, Steelers: This would be the 3rd week in a row that Martavis has made this column, and I hope that this advice finally does not go on deaf ears anymore. Bryant is still only owned in 21.4% of ESPN leagues despite the fact that he continues to produce at an extraordinary clip. Bryant was inactive for the first 6 weeks of the season, but over the last 3 has amassed 46 fantasy points while scoring 5 TDs. There is nothing else that Bryant needs to prove before he finds himself on a roster in every league after week 10. Bryant has the rare combination of size and speed that Ben Roethlisberger has not had in WR’s of the past. Bryant continues to prove that he understands where he is suppose to be on the field, and the Steelers keep increasing his snap count. Add Bryant in all leagues, and insert him into your week 10 lineup as a high upside WR3.
3. Jarvis Landry, Dolphins: Landry might be the most obscure name to make this column today, but his play over the last month should open up some eyes for fantasy owners. Landry, a 3rd rd pick out of LSU, has risen to #2 on the Dolphins WR depth chart behind Mike Wallace. As I mentioned earlier, with Tannehill’s play taking off, Landry suddenly has a workload like a WR3. Add Landry to your roster, and keep him on your bench until he is really ready to breakout.
Tight Ends to Add
1. Owen Daniels, Ravens: Daniels was thought to be out for a few weeks after having his knee scoped before week 8. Now just a week later and Daniels has already played in one contest and has not shown signs of a player battling through injury. Daniels could play a potentially huge role in the Ravens offense going forward, so he is worth an add for TE desperate teams.
2. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings: Rudolph is coming off of a sports hernia surgery and is eligible to return in week 11. Rudolph signed a big contract extension in the offseason, and I’m sure that Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner cannot wait to tear the wrapper off of his TE toy.