Weekly Hail Mary: Week 12
Each week, HMF will provide you with at least one “Hail Mary” at RB, WR, and TE - a guy who is not generally regarded as a starter for the week, but who has the potential to pay off big. These are lottery tickets that are not likely to hit, but if they do, you’ll be thrilled, as you can likely grab them for free off your waiver wire. We only focus on players who are available in at least one-third of Yahoo! leagues.
In other words, if you’re desperate, we’re giving you a prayer. The Hail Marys for Week 12:
Running Backs
Josh Adams, Eagles (32% owned). He led the Eagles in rushing again this week with 7 carries for 53 yards and a score. The low volume of carries is obviously concerning, but he is starting to get involved in the passing game, as well, as he racked up six targets on Sunday.
Gus Edwards, Ravens (3%). The former practice-squadder came out of nowhere on Sunday, emerging with 17 carries for 115 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion. For comparison’s sake, backfield mate Alex Collins had only seven carries for a measly 18 yards.
Frank Gore, Dolphins (25%). Don’t you…. forget about me… don’t don’t don’t don’t…. don’t you forget about me…. With all due respect to Simple Minds, let’s not forget about Frank Gore. He hasn’t been a sexy name in fantasy circles for the last half-decade, yet he’s still standing. He had over 100 yards from scrimmage in his last game, should be fresh coming off a bye, and has had 15+ touches in three straight games. If I told you his name was “Hulk Jones,” you’d be all over that stat line. Don’t write him off just because his name is Frank Gore.
Elijah McGuire, Jets (14%). Just in case you forgot about him during his bye week. He’s been the best back for Gang Green since his return from injury, and he is out-gaining fellow RB Isaiah Crowell on the ground. The Jets, who seem to be playing out a lost season, may want to see what they have in this promising young back.
Wide Receivers
Devante Parker, Dolphins (14%). Icky. A Devante Parker recommendation. The former first rounder has generally been a flop to this point in his career, but there have certainly been flashes of the talent that made him such an early pick. He is coming off a shoulder injury, so make sure he’s got the green light to play this week, but I like his chances against an overrated Colts secondary. With the injuries to Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson… well, sometimes you just have to be the only girl at the bar. Or the only girl at the bar standing next to Kenny Stills. Or something like that.
Trey Quinn, Washington (1%). In his first game action of the season and filling in for the injured Jamison Crowder, Quinn snagged all four of his targets for 49 yards. He’s a former 5 star recruit, which we love around these parts, and had a good senior season at SMU - only to be overshadowed by his teammate, the more heralded Courtland Sutton. He was also “Mr. Irrelevant” in this year’s draft, so the guy likely has a chip on his shoulder. With Colt McCoy under center for Washington for the remainder of the season, I’m betting we see a healthy dose of targets to the slot.
John Ross, Bengals (13%). The overall production hasn’t been there - even though the targets certainly have been - but somehow Ross keeps finding the end zone. He has touchdowns in back to back weeks, and at least six targets in each of those games.
Tre’Quan Smith, Saints (26%). Holy guacamole, Batman! Smith has been touted in this space before, and he really delivered a Hail Mary strike on Sunday against the Eagles. He hauled in 10 of 13 targtes for 157 yards and a score. This is your last opportunity to buy. This rookie is taking off in the Drew Brees offense.
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett, Rams (2%). Really, because why not. Cooper Kupp is out for the season, which means targets are either going to go to (a) Josh Reynolds, (b) Tyler Higbee, or (c) Everett. Why not just take a flier on one of them?
Chris Herndon, Jets (7%). I don’t love the player, but tight end is a dumpster fire. He has four or more targets in 3 of his past 4 games on a team devoid of playmakers. Terrelle Pryor got cut, Robby Anderson is hurt, and Rishard Matthews apparently doesn’t know the playbook well enough to see meaningful work. I don’t think Quincy Enunwa or Jermaine Kearse are anything special. So if Herndon is competing with guys who aren’t special for looks… gimme Herndon.
Jeff Heuerman, Broncos (24%). He had a weak game coming out of the bye, but his overall body of work for the last couple months has been solid. He has 5 or more targets in 5 of the past 7 weeks. That’s useable.
C.J. Uzomah, Bengals (20%). I’ve really got to stop recommending C.J. Uzomah. He just keeps disappointing. But he has a favorable schedule to close out the year, and sometimes that’s all that matters. Four of his next five games come against teams that are in the bottom ten against the tight end: Cleveland (twice), Denver, and Oakland. He’s not going to make you feel great about trotting him out there, but he’s certainly going to have the opportunity for some decent games, given his lack of competition at the position and his soft schedule.