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The fantasy football marathon through a minefield is starting to sort out who belongs in the postseason and who doesn't. It's time to assess your roster to address weak spots and plan for contingencies as we head down the stretch. As teams, players, and situations remain in flux, so do our fantasy rosters. As above, so below.
Here's a look at the big names you should be looking for this week:
Ryan Flournoy (WR-DAL)
Bid Recommendation: 15-30% of Annual FAAB Budget
Flournoy caught a touchdown and two other balls for 38 yards total to post his fourth WR3/Flex worthy game in a row, as George Pickens only caught two balls and was seen jogging to the locker room ahead of the team after the overtime loss. If a team will give Dallas a third-round pick for him, the Cowboys might take it, since they clearly aren't going to seek a long-term deal with Pickens. Flournoy is already a good first wide receiver off the bench for fantasy teams. If Pickens is dealt, or if he or CeeDee Lamb misses time, Flournoy will move up to every-week start status on a team that will have to throw a lot because its defense is atrocious.
Emmett Johnson (RB-KC)
Bid Recommendation: 15-30% of Annual FAAB Budget
Johnson leaked out of the backfield for a 73-yard catch-and-run score on a perfect floater from Patrick Mahomes II against all-out pressure, and added 70 more total yards on his five other touches. This gives you a good reason to try him as a what-the-heck flex against the Jets in Week 9. He also carries a very high ceiling if Ken Walker III goes down with the Chiefs committed to the run, and Walker has never held up for a full season as a lead back.
DeMario Douglas (WR-NE)
Bid Recommendation: 12-25% of Annual FAAB Budget
Douglas had a nifty 48-yard touchdown where he caught at the sideline and then turned back into the middle of the field and outran four Dolphins defenders to the end zone, to come through for anyone who started him as a WR3/Flex with A.J. Brown out. Hunter Henry also left with a foot injury, so Douglas is the Patriots' most trusted pass-catcher (along with Rhamondre Stevenson). He has only 20 targets over the last four games, and he is WR16 in PPR leagues during that span. If he's on the field more with the Patriots offense down three wide receivers and a tight end, Douglas could be an every-week start going forward, because it's unlikely Brown will be his old self after returning at some point this season.
Kaelon Black (RB-SF)
Bid Recommendation: 12-25% of Annual FAAB Budget
Black should be added coming out of his bye with Christian McCaffrey breaking the injury seal via a minor hamstring injury going into the bye. He's one of the highest-priority injury-upside backups to roster.
Sione Vaki (RB-DET)
Bid Recommendation: 12-25% of Annual FAAB Budget
Vaki was part of the effort to run roughshod over the vaunted Vikings defense, with 65 yards on 11 carries in a close game. Jahmyr Gibbs has been playing at an MVP level, but the Lions are also getting dangerously close to overusing him. Vaki would become an instant upside RB2 if Gibbs were to go down. Let's see if the Lions add another veteran back with the trade deadline coming up next week.
Malik Willis (QB-MIA)
Bid Recommendation: 12-25% of Annual FAAB Budget
Willis didn't have a huge Week 8 for fantasy, but he led two 70+ yard touchdown drives and passed another test against a Patriots defense that is no pushover. The Lions are up next, followed by the Colts, Bills, and Jets. Willis didn't add anything as a runner, which won't be the norm going forward. He's a matchup QB1 as long as he keeps improving, and he could graduate to a high-ceiling QB1 worth playing every week if he heats up.
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