At this very late point of the season, you have saved your Fantasy Football FAAB for emergency purposes. Only injuries should be forcing you to spend a considerable amount of what you have left. If you are very savvy, though, you are rostering the top NFL backups to your prime starters, especially at running back and even wide receiver. Last week, those who were smart enough to have already handcuffed Bilal Powell to Le’Veon Bell didn’t have to battle for the Jets backup RB on the waiver wire.
Stock up on the proper depth now, so if injuries strike, you won’t have to get into a bidding battle for the guy you need. If you roster Leonard Fournette, grab Ryquell Armstead. Saquon Barkley owners should have Wayne Gallman on their rosters. The same sort of preventive measures can be applied at WR. There may be a player that will have to step up and can deliver quality totals if a top wideout goes down. Tyreek Hill owners should roster Mecole Hardman, and those who have Amari Cooper should add Randall Cobb as Fantasy insurance for the playoffs.
Here are more immediate, pressing adds as we head into the second week of the Fantasy postseason.
Week 14 Fantasy Football FAAB Targets
Running Backs
DeAndre Washington, Raiders (13 percent owned in Fantrax leagues): In Week 14 as a fill-in for the injured Josh Jacobs, Washington was quite effective, totaling 93 yards from scrimmage and adding a rushing TD. Jacobs could be out at least another week with a fractured shoulder, even though Jon Gruden said he would not be shutting players down yet as the Raiders have not been officially eliminated from postseason contention. I don’t know if we should believe Gruden, either.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: Spend 60 percent of your remaining budget if you own Jacobs to get Washington. If you don’t own him, 30 percent unless you are desperate for RB help.
Boston Scott, Eagles (Four percent owned): He was a real sparkplug in the Eagles’ comeback Monday night win to maintain their key spot at the top of the NFC Least. Scott totaled 128 yards from scrimmage and caught six passes while also adding in a rushing score. He showed much more life in his game than Miles Sanders did and could continue to get work as a possible Austin Ekeler type.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: 45 percent. He is intriguing and possibly useful in larger leagues, but this could have also been just a one-game instance of contribution. Scott has no track record of success and at 5-6, he is going to continue to split some carries at best. Add him, but he should not be started over a more proven player in your Fantasy postseason.
Adrian Peterson, Redskins (81): He is more widely available on other platforms and now will be the unquestioned starter with Derrius Guice suffering another unfortunate injury. The Redskins are out of it, but Peterson plays with a lot of pride and wants to add more to his Hall of Fame resume.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: 50 percent if you need to consider him for flex usage.
Wide Receivers
Breshad Perriman, Buccaneers (8): Here is a prime example of why you should consider handcuffing WRs. Perriman was due to play a larger role if either of the top Tampa Bay WRs went down, and now Mike Evans may be finished for the season with a hamstring injury. Perriman has strongly stated his case for Fantasy usage recently in a high volume passing game. He has 157 receiving yards in his past two games with a TD in Week 14. Fantasy Football
FAAB Recommendation: 70 percent.
Russell Gage, Falcons (28): We have already seen Gage step forward and produce when needed. He caught five passes for 52 yards and a TD when Julio Jones was out in Week 13. Now Calvin Ridley is out for the year and Gage is yet another WR handcuff type that can produce at least adequately in an expanded role.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: 70 percent.
Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (8): He caught two TD passes against the Saints in the 49ers’ stirring victory that marked them as the clear top team in the NFC. If you own Emmanuel Sanders or Deebo Samuel, add Bourne as WR insurance. If either top San Francisco WR goes down, Bourne would see an expanded role in the Niners’ passing game.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: Seven percent.
Tight Ends
Tyler Higbee, Rams (39): He has busted out in two good matchups with a pair of seven-catch. 100 yard outings. If Gerald Everett continues to miss time, Jared Goff will continue to go to Higbee, who actually looks like his third-best option in the passing game right now.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: 65 percent if you do not own a TE you can lock in every week.
Ian Thomas, Panthers (21): The second-year TE caught five passes for 57 yards and a TD in Week 14 and may continue to play more as Greg Olsen possibly sits a=out longer because of a recent concussion. Thomas is heady and athletic and should continue to produce at least respectable totals in a larger role.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: 40 percent.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (64): He is still available in some leagues, which is baffling. Tannehill is looking like a Top 10 Fantasy QB right now, especially after his best game of the season in Week 14 (391 yards, three TD passes). His availability seems to be a combination of past labeling and fewer teams involved in Fantasy leagues during the postseason.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: 75 percent. Tannehill could help you win your league. It’s rare to find a possible key piece of your roster available this late in the season.
Drew Lock, Broncos (23): Even players in dynasty leagues had seemingly forgotten about him. But I have always been a Lock backer, as he is a gutsy gunner who throws a good-looking deep ball. I would not be surprised if he emerges as a younger and a little less decorated Brett Favre type over the next few seasons. But in seasonal leagues, he may still be too erratic to trust this late in the year.
Fantasy Football FAAB Recommendation: 10 percent in seasonal leagues, 70 percent in dynasty and two QB leagues.
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