Weekly Hail Mary: Week 9
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 9:
Running Backs
*START OF THE WEEK* Mark Walton, Dolphins (25% owned). What does HMF have to do to get this guy some love? He’s been listed in this column for three weeks now, and his ownership percentage is barely at a quarter of leagues. Kenyan Drake has been traded to the Cardinals, so Walton is the unquestioned lead dog. Scoop him up. It’s your last chance.
Kalen Ballage, Dolphins (8%). As noted, Kenyan Drake has left town, which theoretically opens up more opportunities for Ballage. At worst, he is Miami’s goal-line back, but it’s an open question how many goal line chances this offense will have. At least with Fitzpatrick under center the offense appears functional.
Jaylen Samuels, Steelers (18%). As of this writing he’s still hurt, but if he comes back for Week 9, he’s worth a look. Pittsburgh has to get creative with Ben Roethlisberger out for the season, and lead back James Conner isn’t a special talent. (Update 10/29/19: Connor and backup Benny Snell both got hurt on Monday Night Football, increasing the chances that Samuels plays a meaningful role in Week 9.)
Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown, Titans (25%). A repeat name from last week, but he responded with a touchdown this past Sunday. As long as Ryan Tannehill is under center, Brown is viable.
Anthony Miller, Bears (11%). This is more of a matchup-based call than anything, but Miller gets the Eagles in Week 9, who have been the worst team in the NFL against opposing wide receivers thus far. As an added bonus, Miller has at least 3 catches and 50+ yards receiving in each of his past three games, so there’s a pretty safe floor.
Preston Williams, Dolphins (13%). Dripping with upside in an offense nobody wants to rely upon. WIlliams continues to improve each week, and just beat Joe Haden like a drum on Monday Night Football.
Tight Ends
Cameron Brate, Buccaneers (14%). As long as O.J. Howard is out, Brate is a TE1. In Week 8, he had six targets, which is more than Howard has had in any game this season. Plus, he gets the Seahawks in Week 9, who have been bottom-5 against the tight end this year. (And then he gets Arizona in Week 10, which has been the absolute worst in the league against the tight end.)
Dallas Goedert, Eagles (20%). Move aside, Zach Ertz. This is Goedert’s job now. He has touchdowns now in back to back weeks, and has at least 3 grabs in 3 weeks straight. He’ll likely be too highly owned in Week 10 to recommend him again, so snatch him up now.
Chris Herndon, Jets (28%). He should be back for Week 9 and the Jets get the Dolphins. What else do you need?
BYE WEEK TEAMS: BENGALS, FALCONS, RAMS, SAINTS