Those injuries to key players as well as the the heaviest bye week of the season (six teams are in a bye), have left holes in many fantasy teams. Waiver's are done for the week, so now you're left to choose from free agency. This is a list of players who's stock is on the rise as they look to cement a role for themselves going forward. These players make great bye-week fill-ins and deserve a spot on your bench going forward.
QUARTERBACKS
Jameis Winston (TB)
Currently ranked as the 18th quarterback, Winston hasn't thrown an interception or lost a fumble in his last three games. He has four touchdowns over that span as well. He has yet to score under 12 fantasy points in a match-up and going against the 28th ranked New York Giants in Week 9 makes Winston a strong QB2. If you typically start Carson Palmer or Russel Wilson, two QB's who on a bye this week, look for Winston in free agency. He is owned in 28% of leagues
Jay Cutler (CHI)
In his last four games, Cutler has finished with 17, 17, 19 and 19 fantasy points. Over that span he has six touchdowns, two interceptions, and one fumble. Since the return of Alshon Jeffery, Cutler has been in rare form and with the absence of Matt Forte in upcoming weeks, I look for Cutler to bare the load of the offense. Going against the 17th ranked San Diego Chargers, who have given up nearly 30 points per game, I look for Cutler to continue his fantasy success.
RUNNING BACKS
Jeremy Langford (CHI)
If you pay attention to fantasy football, there were two players who were sought after on waiver's this week: DeAngelo Williams and Jeremy Langford. Williams, now owned in over 90% of leagues, was the number one pickup of the week, but Langford is only owned in 73% of leagues. With Forte out, Langford will be the bellcow back. San Diego is ranked dead last against the run, so if there ever was an opportunity for Langford to succeed, it's this week.
Kendall Gaskins (SF)
San Francisco is a fantasy football disaster right now. Their starting running back is hurt. Their number two running back is hurt. They just traded their number one tight end. Their benching their starting quarterback. It's a mess. Gaskins is only owned in 3% of leagues, but he should see the increased workload that comes with a starting running back. I can't see the 49ers putting the offense on the shoulder of Blaine Gabbert, so I look for Head Coach Jim Tomsula to emphasize the rushing attack. The problem is, they face Atlanta, who is only 26th against the run, but if Atlanta gets up early, the run game will be abandoned. Proceed with heavy amount of caution.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Stevie Johnson, WR (SD)
Owned in 53% of leagues, Johnson is now the #1 receiver in Sand Diego. With Keenan Allen going through emergency kidney surgery, Johnson becomes the star wide out in a productive San Diego offense. Phillip Rivers is the leader in passing yards. That's how San Diego moves the ball and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Johnson faces the Chicago Bears defense, who ranks 27th against the pass. Johnson should be a low-end WR2 going forward.
Tavon Austin, WR (STL)
Austin, typically a boom-or-bust kind of player, has been much more boom lately. With the emergence of Todd Gurley, Austin has had open field to work with. Owned in 57% of leagues, Austin has produced four touchdowns in his last four games, averaging 15 points per game. He gets about five to seven touches per game, but for a player like Austin, that's enough to get him into open space and into the endzone.
TIGHT ENDS
Jacob Tamme, TE (ATL)
Tamme is only owned in 18% of leagues. He's currently the 16th ranked TE. He has seen more looks as of late - probably because Roddy White and Leonard Hankerson have fallen through the cracks. He has had three games of 77 yards or more and last week he posted a 10 catch, 103 yard, 1 touchdown performance. With Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman taking so many looks, the open of the field is wide open for Tamme.
Vernon Davis, TE (DEN)
He went from 2-6 to 7-0 with one phone call. He also went from being owned in 14% of leagues to being owned in 50% of leagues, all because of Peyton Manning. Davis is a risk-reward TE2. He is easily the most athletic TE the Broncos have on their roster, but don't let the hype fool you. Davis still has to learn the playbook, get his timing with Peyton, and prove his worth to the aging quarterback. Superstars are plentiful in Denver right now, but are there enough targets to go around?
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