The season is 10 weeks old and for the most part, you've learned who the mainstays are in your lineup. However, here's a few under the radar players that I like this week who might be worthy of finding your starting roster.
Quarterback
- Marcus Mariota, TEN (at Indianapolis) It may be difficult to put Mariota in the under the radar category, because he has been hot lately and has been the #3 fantasy quarterback since Week 2. Mariota is averaging 2.8 touchdown passes per game over the last 6 games. This week's opponent at Indianapolis has allowed opposing quarterbacks an average of 293 yards passing and 2.7 touchdown passes in their last 3 games. The Colts have allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to quarterbacks in that span. This game could yield big numbers for quarterbacks, Mariota included.
- Eli Manning, NYG (vs Chicago) The Giants have won four games in a row, after losing three straight. Their running game is virtually non-existent, which means their passing game has picked up the slack. Manning has three touchdown passes or more in three of his last four games in leading his team to a decent winning streak. The Giants use a wide receiver-centric offense, with Odell Beckham Jrplaying the main role. Lucky for him, the Bears allow the most PPR fantasy points to wide receivers since Week 5, averaging 21 receptions for 228 yards and 1.4 touchdowns per game. If Beckham is on, so is Manning. Consider him a Top 8 start this week.
Running Back
- Ryan Mathews, PHI (at Seattle) - We were flimflammed thinking Doug Pederson was going to make Darren Sproles his lead back. Ryan Mathews had something to say about that. It's not always good to chase points, but Mathews looks to be a decent play this week from a volume standpoint, even at Seattle. Seattle has allowed a running back to reach 21 carries in each of the last four games (Blount, McCoy, Hightower, David Johnson). Something to think about when determining your lineup this week.
- Isaiah Crowell, CLE (vs Pittsburgh) - Isaiah Crowell has not been super lately, but he has scored in two of his last four games including five times this season. He has almost three times as many carries as Duke Johnson Jr this season making him the Browns primary ball carrier. His opponent, Pittsburgh has been horrible against the run lately giving up 204 rushing yards to Jay Ajayi, 127 to LeGarrette Blount and recently 114 to Ezekiel Elliott. It's not far-fetched to think Crowell can't find the right side of luck against the Steelers this week.
- Rob Kelley, WAS (vs Green Bay) The Packers are all the sudden beatable (especially on the road) and Washington is on a roll with a win or tie in six of their last seven games. Rob Kelley is the recently named starting back and has totaled 21+ carries in each of his last two games with one touchdown. The Packers have allowed the 5th most fantasy points to running backs in the last three games giving up at least one rushing touchdown to a running back in each of their last three games. Take a chance on Kelley this week. He has proven volume numbers and this is a decent matchup for him.
- James Starks, GB (at Washington) Starks could be in line for a decent game as the Packers primary rusher. The acquisition of Christine Michael may have people thinking otherwise, however it's a stretch to think Michael will be ready for game reps by this weekend. We saw a similar situation with Knile Davis. Washington has allowed 13 touchdowns to opposing running backs this year. The matchup for Starks is a favorable one, especially if he's the main back, as expected.
Wide Receiver
- Rishard Matthews, TEN (at Indianapolis) - Matthews has scored in three straight games and five of the last six. Marcus Mariota is on fire lately and the Colts have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers in the last three weeks. Game on!
- Tyreek Hill, KC (vs Tampa Bay) Meet the Chiefs new go-to receiving threat. Hill has the most targets on the team over the last three weeks culminating in a 13 target, 10 catch game last week at Carolina. It's not looking promising for Jeremy Maclin (groin) to come back this week, thus making Hill a bigger part of the game plan. His ability to catch and run has short-route passer specialist, Alex Smith loving his skill set. The Buccaneers have allowed four touchdowns to wide receivers in the last three games, which adds fuel to the Tyreek Hill fire. Get on board, the needle is definitely pointing up for Hill.
- Robert Woods, BUF (at Cincinnati) Sammy Watkins is still out of the picture, making Robert Woods the default lead receiver for the Bills. Woods is coming off a 10-162 game at Seattle, and Cincinnati has allowed at least 9 receptions to an opposing wide receiver in back to back games (Beckham and Crowder), including three touchdowns to wide receivers in that same span. Woods is Tyrod Taylor's leading receiver this year and that should extend into this week's game against the Bengals.
Tight End
- Julius Thomas, JAC (at Detroit) Detroit is coming off a bye, but when we last saw them, they were the leaders in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, giving up 9 touchdowns to tight ends in 9 games. Thomas is on a roll with scores in three of his last four games. This looks like a good week to put him in your lineup.
- Jack Doyle, IND (vs Tennessee) I've got a feeling that Jack Doyle may have earned his keep as Andrew Luck's go-to tight end threat. Dwayne Allen (ankle) was back last week and had six fewer snaps than Doyle, but Doyle had 5 receptions for 61 yards and Allen had but one catch for 15 yards. I'm leaning Doyle as the better tight end option this week again, plus the Titans have allowed tight end touchdowns in three of the last four games.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com
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