More catastrophic injuries and the possibility of awful weather greet fantasy football managers heading into Week 9 of the NFL schedule. On top of that, there’s the planning needed to overcome players on the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles who are on their bye week. I’ve targeted five waiver wire options to look at that are owned in less than 50 per cent of most fantasy leagues.
As always, ask me any fantasy questions on Twitter @AndyMc81 using #AskAndy.
Jordan Reed, TE, 49ers
Yahoo! League Ownership: 3%
The battle wounds keep piling up for San Francisco as star tight end George Kittle and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo are set to miss several games. Some good news for the franchise is that Jordan Reed was designated to return from the injured reserve, it’s just uncertain as to when he’ll retake the field for live-action.
The often injured Reed impressed filling in for Kittle in Week 2 where he scored a pair of touchdowns on seven receptions. However, the very next Sunday he hurt his knee and has been missing ever since. While we can’t rely on the 30-year-old’s availability, he’s a must-add with the scarcity of quality fantasy options at TE.
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Marvin Hall, WR, Lions
Yahoo! League Ownership: 0%
Kenny Golladay will miss at least one game after aggravating his hip in the loss to Indianapolis. I’m going to scoop up wide receiver Marvin Hall who is currently available in 100 per cent of Yahoo! leagues. Hall isn’t just under the radar, he’s not even on it! Four catches and 113 yards last Sunday saw Hall’s highest number of targets in 2020 at seven.
I like Hall over better-known Lions receiver Marvin Jones, because Jones has proven to struggle as the No. 1 receiver who gets the opponents’ best defender. I think Hall could slide right in and have a nice fantasy day versus a very beatable Minnesota secondary.
Eric Ebron, TE, Steelers
Yahoo! League Ownership: 45%
If you’re not comfortable with Reed’s fragility, then Eric Ebron is a terrific streaming choice at tight end. First off, he’s playing the terrible Cowboys defence that gives out fantasy points like Halloween candy. Then consider that the six-foot-four, 253-pound Steeler has contributed 10-catches, a touchdown and double-digit fantasy points over his past two outings.
Ebron’s stat line can be inconsistent with all of Pittsburgh’s offensive weapons, but he’s nearly always on the field. The 2014 first-round draft pick is running the 13th most passing routes out of any TE in the NFL, and as I always believe that opportunity gives the best chance at success in fantasy football.
Kendrick Bourne, WR, 49ers
Yahoo! League Ownership: 8%
Back to the 49ers who are in desperate need of playmakers with the injuries to Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Tevin Coleman — as well as the aforementioned Kittle and Garoppolo. Rookie Brandon Aiyuk is obviously the team’s WR-1, but Kendrick Bourne makes for an intriguing Flex spot start.
Packers shutdown cornerback Jaire Alexander should be focused on Aiyuk, which can allow Bourne to build on his eight receptions for 81 yards from the weekend. Backup QB Nick Mullens and Bourne actually have built a decent rapport this season. The undrafted wideout has averaged 10.85 fantasy points in games where Mullens has taken a significant number of snaps.
Of course, there’s always the risk of a heavy running game script in a Kyle Shanahan offence to keep in mind. However, facing a Green Bay squad that can score in bunches could force San Francisco to air it out more.
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Damien Harris, RB, Patriots
Yahoo! League Ownership: 47%
It’s always dicey to put your trust in a New England Patriots running back for fantasy purposes. In this Cam Newton led offence, we’ve seen James White’s involvement shrivel up, Rex Burkhead rolling on as a change of pace fill in, and Damien Harris slowly separating himself as the go-to rusher. The problem is that Newton is always a threat to use his legs and eat into the handoffs share.
Despite that, Harris has produced two 100-plus yard rushing performances in the past month and averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the year. Since Julian Edelman is recovering from surgery and there is no one reliable at wide receiver, maybe the sophomore’s workload continues to increase.
Harris provides little value as a pass-catcher, and that means the Pats will need to be in the lead or close on the scoreboard for the ground attack to stay relevant. Luckily the laughably bad 0-8 New York Jets are up next, and they’ve allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs. If there was ever a situation tailor-made for Harris, this is it.
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