Players to Pick Up Now – Week 7

As we head into bye weeks, this article is more important than ever. With 6 teams on bye this week, not only are these guys players you can stash, but they could be players you are forced to play and could work themselves in to your lineup the following week. Let’s get started.

First, we will look at the players that we suggested to pick up last week. The biggest player that hit was Alex Collins, who ended up being a decent add in Week 7:

Rashod Bateman: Week 6 Results – 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 29 Rec Yards (4.90 Fantasy Points)

Amon-Ra St. Brown: Week 6 Results – 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 26 Rec Yards, 1-2PT (7.10 Fantasy Points)

Alex Collins: Week 6 Results – 20 Rush, 101 Rush Yards, 1 TD, 1 Target, 1 Reception, -3 Yards (16.30 Fantasy Points)

Now let’s get to the other players out there that could have a big week and who you should grab before it is too late. Now I am not saying these guys will for sure break out this week, and if you pick them up you should keep them at the end of your bench, and they don’t do anything, just drop them at the end of the day. But these guys could hit big and then next week you aren’t scrapping for them with FAAB bids against multiple other league managers.

Allen Lazard – 3% Owned

Now this is more of a dart throw play here, but I still like Lazard as a desperation pickup if you have a deeper bench. Although he did not have many yards last week (27 total), he did score a TD which helped his fantasy day (Sleeper hit by Tom last week). Lazard did command 5 targets in Week 6, which was his highest of the season. He is now seeing around 85% snap count compared to the 68% he saw to begin the season. We also can’t forget that he was a fringe WR1 in fantasy last year in the first 3 weeks before he went down with an injury. As long as MVS is out, the targets will grow and we have seen that Tonyan has not been the answer. Expect Rodgers to start looking at Lazard more in the red zone because of the lack of play out of Tonyan. The Komodo Dragon is set to break loose! (Not really, but he could be a bye week flex play)

Trey Sermon – 41% Owned

Now this is not a post to pick this guy up now and start him this week, but I want you to keep an eye out. If you have a deeper bench and can afford to drop a wasted spot for Sermon, why not? I do believe that Eli Mitchell is the RB to own there and is the lead back by far for San Fran, but my mindset is usually never the same as Shanahan’s mind set. From what we have all seen, it is Mitchell’s backfield and Sermon is just another guy, but what if the Niners go out after the bye and use Sermon as much or even more than Mitchell? They did trade up and used an early pick to get him. Maybe they start to use him.

Will Fuller V – 30% Owned

If it is not being suspended for PEDs, then it is injuries for Fuller. He has just not been able to stay on the field since he has come into the league. It’s too bad since we know how much skill and speed he has, and he is able to come off the IR next week. This is a guy who was dropped in many leagues and rightfully so, but I would pick him up now before he comes back because he should be a big waiver add next week (if he does in fact come back). If you can have the patience, he plays Houston in Week 9 and you know he would love a big revenge game against them. Let us not forget that the Deshaun Watson to Miami rumors are heating up. If Watson lands in Miami with his former WR, Fuller’s value would skyrocket. Those teams who tried to pick up Watson as a stash can pick up Fuller instead just in case.

Russell Gage – 8% Owned

Gage has finally been cleared of all injury, and it comes at a great time for the guy who was supposed to break out this season for Atlanta. Matt Ryan has found a rhythm and seems to finally be getting the offense on track, Pitts is starting to break out, Ridley is back in action and playing well, and Gage should look to assume the role of the dominant second receiver on this team. They also draw a matchup against Miami, who can’t stop a nosebleed, never mind and elite passing attack (which Atlanta should be with all these weapons). Gage has been nagged by an ankle injury all season, and this should be the first week he’s healthy. He’s not an immediate play in your lineup, other than as a bye week flex play out of pure desperation, but if he hits big this week and you already stashed him on your bench for free, you won’t have to drop the 15 FAAB dollars it will take to secure his services off the waiver wire this week. If he goes out and sucks again… no harm no foul and you know who you’re dropping.

THE WRAP UP

I am not quite as confident as I was in the previous weeks with these players, but that was bound to happen with 6 teams on bye. We also cannot forget that players that are on bye this week may have been dropped because of it, so make sure you check your league to see if any bigger names were dropped. The teams that are on bye are Buffalo, Dallas, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Los Angeles Chargers, and Pittsburgh. The biggest name that I have seen dropped that should be picked up right away is Zack Moss. Not the sexiest name, but he has done a hell of a job this year and has been a very safe flex play most week. Grab him now if he is out there, because after this week, his bye is done and you will never have to worry about that at all. I assume Marvin Jones is owned in most leagues, but if he is out there, I would grab him ASAP.

Other players to note are Tony Pollard, Michael Gallup (returning from IR), Laviska Shenault, and Jared Cook. Make sure to look at all of these guys and best of luck during Bye Week Hell!