Week 9 Free Agent Focus
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens
Blind-bid recommendation: 70-100%
We finally got to see some of why the Ravens selected Dobbins with a Round 2 pick. The Ohio State rookie darted his way to 113 yards on 15 carries in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers — just 1 attempt behind Gus Edwards (16-87).
Edwards punched in a 1-yard score, while Dobbins only out-targeted him by 1 (2 to 1). So it’s clear this Baltimore backfield will remain a committee.
We expect Mark Ingram (high-ankle sprain) to miss next week’s matchup at Indianapolis, though. Fire up Dobbins as an RB2/FLEX for that one.
Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens
Blind-bid recommendation: 50-60%
With Mark Ingram sidelined, Edwards formed a 1-2 punch with J.K. Dobbins. Even facing a strong Pittsburgh run D, the results were positive for Edwards: 16 carries (1 more than Dobbins) for 87 yards. He converted Baltimore’s only RB goal line rush into a 1-yard TD.
Scoring appeal will remain next week at Indianapolis, especially if Ingram’s high-ankle sprain continues to keep him out.
Damien Harris, RB, Patriots
Blind-bid recommendation: 50-60%
He ripped off 106 yards and a score on 16 carries in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. It was Harris' 2nd 100-yard outing among 4 games.
New England should play with a lead against the Jets this coming week, setting up another busy game for Harris. He remains available in 70% of ESPN leagues.
We'll see how the work gets split once Sony Michel returns. He's eligible to come off IR this week, although it's unclear if he's ready.
JaMycal Hasty, RB, 49ers
Blind-bid recommendation: 30-50%
Tevin Coleman re-injured his knee Sunday and seems unlikely to play against the Packers on Thursday night. Raheem Mostert is definitely out for that one.
That leaves Hasty as San Francisco’s likely lead back after handling 12 carries vs. just 3 for McKinnon against Seattle. Green Bay entered Week 8 ranked 29th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs — and then got trampled by Dalvin Cook.
DeeJay Dallas, RB, Seahawks
Blind-bid recommendation: 10-30%
Seattle’s backfield will likely be healthier for next weekend’s game vs. the Bills. But Dallas is worth stashing just in case it’s not. He took 18 carries for 41 yards and a score in Sunday’s win over the 49ers, adding 5 catches for 17 yards and another TD.
Malcolm Brown, RB, Rams
Blind-bid recommendation: 10-20%
Darrell Henderson started Sunday’s game against Miami. But he left before halftime with a thigh injury, helping Brown lead the backfield in snaps (57), carries (10) and catches (2). Cam Akers saw a similar workload with 9 carries and 1 target.
Don’t take too much away from this one, as Miami surprisingly jumped out to a large lead and held on. The Rams enter a Week 9 bye, but the Brown-Akers duo figures to split work again if Henderson remains out.
Week 10 brings a tough run D in the Seahawks.
Cam Akers, RB, Rams
Blind-bid recommendation: 10-20%
Darrell Henderson exited before halftime with a thigh injury and never returned. Eight of Akers’ 10 touches surfaced after Henderson’s departure, but the results (54 total yards) weren’t spectacular.
Next up for the Rams is a bye. If Henderson sits for Week 10 vs. Seattle, Akers will form a committee attack with Malcolm Brown.
Jordan Wilkins, RB, Colts
Blind-bid recommendation: 5-30%
Jonathan Taylor’s struggles paved the way for Wilkins to take over as the Colts’ lead back in Sunday's win over the Lions. Wilkins carried 20 times for 89 yards and a score, while Taylor mustered just 22 yards on 11 totes.
Wilkins is certainly worth stashing as we wait to see what this backfield looks like going forward. How much to bid on him depends heavily on your situation. If you're heavily invested in Taylor, then you should go hard after Wilkins on waivers this week. If you're not currently invested in the situation and don't have a big RB need, then Wilkins doesn't look particularly exciting.
Corey Davis, WR, Titans
Blind-bid recommendation: 30-40%
Davis has been terrific when on the field this season, and Sunday brought his biggest game yet. He racked up an 8-128-1 receiving line on a team-high 10 targets. Davis has now scored in 3 of his past 4 games and caught at least 5 passes in 4 of 5 outings.
He shouldn’t have been available in any 12-team leagues heading into Week 8 -- and probably shouldn’t have been a free agent in many 10-teamers. But he hit Sunday available in 64% of ESPN leagues.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers
Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%
Samuel was the only Panther who didn’t disappoint in Thursday night’s loss to the Falcons. He hauled in 4 of 5 targets for 31 yards and a score, highlighted by a 29-yard TD on a flea flicker. He also took 3 carries for 23 yards and another score. Samuel has carried at least once in every game this season, averaging 2.7 attempts per game. And he’s seen 5, 6 and 6 targets over his last 3.
He might be worth considering in Week 9’s likely shootout vs. the Chiefs.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots
Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%
Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry’s absence left Meyers as New England’s top WR against the Bills. He turned 10 targets — a 40% share — into 6 catches for 58 yards.
Harry might be back from his concussion next week, but Edelman is expected to miss more time. There are plus draws coming up vs. the Jets in Week 9 and Texans in Week 11.
Deep-League Options:
Drew Lock, QB, Broncos
Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%
Will his 248-3-1 passing line in the comeback win over the Chargers prove to be the breakout moment for Lock? We’ll see. But he has plus matchups the next 2 weeks vs. the Falcons and Raiders.
Nick Mullens, QB, 49ers
Blind-bid recommendation: 2-5%
He played well in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo in Seattle, completing 18 of 25 passes for 238 yards and 2 TDs in just a quarter of action. The Niners now have a short turnaround for Thursday night’s game vs. the Packers, so Mullens might be back under center for that one. Green Bay entered Week 8 ranked 13th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs but 20th in Football Outsiders’ pass defense DVOA. Mullens will be a play in 2-QB and superflex leagues if he starts that one.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%
His strong usage finally turned into a nice fantasy outing vs. the Saints: 5 catches on 6 targets for 69 yards and a score. Chicago’s shoddy QB play will continue to add risk to Mooney’s weekly profile. But the rookie speedster will have some appeal in plus matchups the next 2 weeks vs. Tennessee and Minnesota.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders
Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%
Renfrow didn’t do much Sunday, when Derek Carr attempted only 24 passes and accumulated only 112 passing yards. But his 4 targets, 4 catches and 26 yards were all good for 2nd on the team, and Renfrow hauled in the Raiders’ only TD. Next comes a Chargers defense that has allowed 29+ points to 4 straight opponents (including the Jaguars and Broncos the past 2 weeks). Renfrow will get the weakest coverage matchup among Raiders wideouts as the primary slot man.