Weekly Hail Mary: Week 8
Each week of the football season, 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 the guys you look to when you’re in dire straits and have nowhere else to turn. They 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 two-thirds of Yahoo! leagues.
Caveat: We have arrived at the point in the season where running backs, in particular, are unbelievably scare, as most guys with a pulse are already rostered. So the deep plays listed here are of the “if you’re truly desperate” variety. These backs aren’t likely to post a top-24 week, but they should at least get a little bit of work.
The Hail Marys for Week 8:
Running Backs
*START OF THE WEEK* Mark Walton, Dolphins (21% owned). A Weekly Hail Mary last week, Walton delivered. In Week 6, he had 75 yards from scrimmage, including 5 receptions. In Week 7, he took control of the Dolphins’ backfield, earning 14 carries. Miami has a shoddy team, but Walton is emerging as the lead dog in a wide-open backfield, and the offense is showing some signs of life with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. This time of year, it’s extremely difficult to find players who can get you 15 weekly touches at the running back position. Volume is king in fantasy. Pounce on Walton. He gets the Steelers on Monday Night Football in Week 8.
Brandon Bolden, Patriots (3%). Bolden has quietly become New England’s goal line back. Heading into Week 7’s Monday Night Football game against the Jets, Bolden had scored three touchdowns in three games (2 rushing, 1 receiving). He’s obviously a TD-dependent play, because he’s not getting much work outside the goal line, and if he doesn’t punch one in he’s essentially giving you nothing. But he is the type of high-risk, high-reward flier that makes this site so popular.
Ty Johnson, Lions (5%). If Kerryon Johnson misses any time, Johnson suddenly becomes the lead dog in the Lions’ rushing attack. (Updated 10/22/2019).
Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown, Titans (17%). We are finally able to see what this kid can do now that he has a real quarterback under center. Ryan Tannehill is no Dan Marino, but he’s infinitely better than Marcus Mariota. With Tannehill running the show, Brown set career highs in targets (8) and catches (6) against the Chargers. As an emerging rookie, we will probably see even better play from him down the stretch.
Devante Parker, Dolphins (13%). Hold your nose if you must, but Parker has a touchdown in each of his past three games. With Yosemite Sam Fitzpatrick under center, he stands a reasonable chance of continuing to produce. At least Fitzy will let ‘er rip.
Kenny Stills, Texans (15%). With Will Fuller out, Kenny Stills is going to step into the “deep threat” role for the Texans as a starting outside receiver. He should be useful for at least the next month or so while Fuller is out. Teammate Keke Coutee (14% owned) could also be a useful pickup, as he should continue to see work in three-wide sets and will likely receive a larger share of targets as long as Fuller is sidelined. It’s never a bad idea to hitch your wagon to pass-catchers who play with elite quarterbacks. (Updated 10/22/2019).
Preston Williams, Dolphins (12%). Another Dolphins recommendation! I actually like Williams more than Parker, but Parker is the one who has been finding the end zone. Williams oozes with upside, though - he was a five-star recruit coming out of high school - and he pulled down 6 of 8 targets for 82 yards on Sunday against a very good Bills defense. The best is yet to come. Stay patient with Williams.
Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert, Eagles (13%). Goerdert was really the only thing working in Philly’s passing attack on Sunday night. He is on the field for 70% of the snaps and is establishing himself as a red zone weapon. Plus, he’s a TE1 if Zach Ertz misses any time, so he has serious upside for his role to grow.
Chris Herndon, Jets (29%). Herndon had a promising rookie season and is finally getting back healthy. Sam Darnold also seems to finally be putting it all together. This could be an offense that surprises people in the second half of the season.
TEAMS ON BYE: COWBOYS, RAVENS