The Way This Works...
Late-week injuries, suspensions, and unexpected coaching decisions with personnel can upend a fantasy lineup.
We developed this feature to give you resources to navigate potential player losses and stay ahead in free-agent bidding wars by securing an early look at the week's future fantasy flavor.
As the author of the most comprehensive scouting analysis of skill players since 2006, I'm one of those resources—especially for players at the bottom of depth charts, practice squad hopefuls, and even the occasional case of the guy training at home with dreams of that phone call from an NFL team.
Every week, I'll walk you through the shortlist of players who will get their shot to contribute as replacements for players falling victim to unexpected late-week events.
I won't update this piece over the weekend, but you'll get the goods on players worth considering, and over the past three years, this column has offered plenty of quality short-term and long-term options — many of them as preemptive picks.
This is a partial list, but you get the point.
We'll examine three types of replacements:
- Players who get immediate playing time.
- Preemptive additions from your league's waiver wire.
- Options worth monitoring in case the established backup eventually misses time.
Many of these players are late-round picks and street-free agents. I'm not giving you obvious waiver candidates that will command a large percentage of your FAAB dollars. You'll often find these options in your First-Come, First-Served section late in the week before kickoff.
If you think street-free agents won't be factors, talk to Rico Dowdle, Kyle Monangai, Christian Watson, Parker Washington, Michael Wilson, and Colby Parkinson last year. What about Jordan Mason the year before? James Robinson would like to tell you about his 2020 campaign. And Raheem Mostert has time on his hands if you need a deeper consultation.
Past Replacements
This is where I will keep a running list of previous recommendations with brief thoughts about them moving forward if they are still available. I update my categorization as we learn more.
Add Now
RB Emmett Johnson (Chiefs): If you watched Week 2's Chiefs game, you now know why I listed Johnson as a preemptive addition. Johnson was quick, agile, powerful, and physical. You're likely out of luck adding Johnson off waivers unless you're in a shallow league with 8-10 teams and small roster sizes. If not, add him immediately if you have Ken Walker III or need a shot at a backup with starter upside.
RB Emanuel Wilson (Seahawks): Wilson runs like an aspiring Chris Carson but without the same explosion or high-flying feats in the open field. Wilson pounds his way through creases, bounces off contact -- friend or foe -- and pushes piles for positive yards that keep the offensive playbook open. Zach Charbonnet may return in Week 5. Right now, Charbonnet's rehab and readiness have sounded like typical hyperbole. If you need a running back during the next two weeks and you're desperate for points, Wilson is the best equipped to earn a significant workload from a team that runs the ball well.
WR Keon Coleman (Bills): Coleman gives you a shot at a big play, but he's the third or fourth option, at best, on a lot of looks. With DJ Moore already hurt once at this point of the season, Coleman could find himself called upon for more work like he was in Weeks 2 and 4.
Preemptive
TE Darnell Washington (Steelers): Washington has earned enough targets and red zone opportunities to consider a streaming starter. With a shortage of experienced and skilled wide receivers, anticipate more 12 and 13 personnel sets. This could lead to a baseline of 4-6 targets for Washington.
WR Malachi Fields (Giants): An underrated rookie from the 2026 draft class, Fields has the size to win contested targets, the mobility to decelerate on a dime on timing routes, and the athletic ability to earn yards after the catch. The Giants made the smart decision to feature Malik Nabers in the slot more often, and that's translating to production. Fields had a strong week with J.J. McCarthy under center and earned more timing routes that translated to steady production beyond a caught vertical route. More could be in store.
RB Khalil Herbert (Falcons): A shifty back with burst and long speed, Herbert is a smart decision-maker who could have become an NFL starter based on his ground game if he were a better pass protector. Brian Robinson Jr. is out this week for the Falcons, and Atlanta has a good offensive line and system where Herbert could thrive, if needed. One injury away from starting, Herbert could deliver no worse than fantasy RB2 value if called upon.
TE Noah Gray (Chiefs): Gray has 6 targets for 6 catches and 97 yards the past two weeks. The Chiefs' wide receiver depth chart is in the training room, and Gray is one of the most experienced offensive players with Patrick Mahomes II. Look for seam shots and red zone opportunities, because Mahomes has hooked up with Gray that way in the past.
WR Kayshon Boutte (Texans): Boutte hasn't played poorly, despite hearing constant superficial analysis about him and Noel not getting open. It's not true. They are lesser priorities in the progressions, and C.J. Stroud doesn't always have time to get to Boutte unless he's the first read or there's a successful scramble outside the pocket. Marvin Harrison Jr.'s arrival will likely mean the Texans will force-feed Harrison to justify their investment, while Boutte will be the third or fourth option now that Jaylin Noel is on IR.
RB Isaiah Davis (Jets): A powerful runner with capable acceleration who sets up creases well and anticipates them before they open, Davis is also a skilled route runner against underneath defenders and catches the ball well for a back. If you're desperate for running backs and you're speculating with the free agent pool, think ahead and add Davis if you have a spare spot as a just-in-case option. If Braelon Allen remains healthy and Breece Hall returns quickly enough, Davis will be expendable, but you prepared appropriately.
Monitor
WR Konata Mumpfield (Rams): A skilled route runner who can win against press coverage in the red zone and zone coverage in the short and intermediate ranges of the field. Mumpfield is quicker than fast and a skilled open-field runner.
Mumpfield excels at acrobatic catches. He has strong body control and handles contact effectively. With Davante Adams out, Mumpfield could earn a bigger role in an offense that will need at least one productive receiver to complement its plan to use 2-3 tight ends, but he's a match-up play for now, which means you're only plugging him in as a dart throw for a big game.
WR Brandin Cooks (49ers): If you need a speculative addition for the 49ers, most were looking at Jordan Watkins, but Cooks' experience and ability to be a quick study might earn him more targets than the young player who has been on the roster. Cooks scored on a seven-yard TD in Week 6, but it was his only catch.
WR Christian Kirk (49ers): If you need a speculative addition for the 49ers, most were looking at Jordan Watkins, but like Brandin Cooks, Kirk's experience and ability to be a quick study might earn him more targets than the young player who has been on the roster. He's expected to play this week.
WR Rashod Bateman (Ravens): Bateman looked like the No.1 receiver the Ravens hoped he'd become all along. The coaching staff's plan with Bateman has been to move him around to generate mismatches. We'll see if Bateman remains a viable entity when Zay Flowers returns. Last week, yes, but otherwise, not really. If Tyler Huntley plays again in Week 6, Bateman is worth a desperation play.
WR Dohnte Meyers (Bengals): Andrei Iosivas is on IR, and Meyers performed well as the third receiver on the Bengals' depth chart two weeks ago. A former CFL option from Delta State, Meyers got open against zone and man-to-man, and the Bengals also manufactured touches for Meyers.
RB Jaleel McLaughlin (Browns): The Browns added McLaughlin recently after the Broncos parted ways with him. McLaughlin scored on a nice run against the Steelers in his debut. Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson are healthy. Monitor in case of injury to Slayton.
RB Audric Estimé (Browns): The former Notre Dame star has excellent feet, contact balance, and good vision. He lacks top-notch burst and speed. He has bounced around from the Broncos to the Saints, delivering value off the bench with both organizations. He can help if Quinshon Judkins gets hurt again.
WR Jalen Royals (Chiefs): A ball-winning receiver with excellent skill in the open field, Royals didn't make an instant impact as a rookie. He showed some skills during the offseason, but he was never drafted to replace Rashee Rice immediately. He earned two targets last week but no catches. He hasn't earned more than two targets all year.
WR Andrew Armstrong (Chiefs): Blessed with everything but top speed, Armstrong is a good route runner who wins on timing routes and makes plays with his back to the football and facing tight coverage. Detroit and Miami had Armstrong in their camps for the past two years, but he didn't stick. He earned 4 targets the past two weeks for 2 catches and 16 yards.
Ignore
WR Jaylin Noel (Texans): Season-ending toe surgery.
WR Darius Slayton (Colts): A former starter with Daniel Jones, Slayton is a dart throw for 3-5 targets where you hope he earns a vertical target that could make him a fantasy option.
RB Demond Claiborne (Vikings): Claiborne is worth watching to see signs of life, but that's it. With Jordan Mason returning soon, don't count on anything from the rookie right now.
RB Robert Henry Jr. (Seahawks): An aspiring Aaron Jones Sr., the rookie who had impressive moments in Commanders' camp finds his way to Seattle due to injuries. A speculative addition that requires proof of concept if you're in leagues smaller than 25 roster spots.
RB Najee Harris (Giants): The Giants cut Harris after speaking out about workload distribution.
WR Brycen Tremayne (Panthers): A big-bodied receiver from Stanford, Tremayne delivered 83 yards against the Browns in Week 3. His production hasn't been the same since.