You saw it out there - it was a massacre. Weeks like this happen from time to time during an NFL season, but the sheer number of injuries to prominent fantasy players in one week was enough to make team manager cry. And I'm betting quite a few people out there that had guys like Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey drowned their fantasy football sorrows with a few glasses of whiskey. Regardless, the show must go on and I'm here to provide a guide to those players that you may want to get on your active roster in a hurry. Here's hoping that week 3 doesn't put even more people on the injured reserve!
Guys that jump out to me this week to overperform expectations: Matt Ryan, Michael Gallup, A.J. Green, Chris Herndon, Dalton Schultz, and the Arizona Cardinals (DST).
Pay attention to these rankings throughout the season, as they will continue to evolve based on the latest injury updates, news, and player analysis. Have any specific lineup questions? Feel free to tweet us @drinkfive with any of your questions or comments!
It's the end of another exciting week of football which means it's time to put your claims in for available free agents in your fantasy league to strengthen your team. I'll be going over who I think are the top five picks for you to target this week so don't miss out on them. Good luck!
Note: %owned is based on Yahoo! leagues at the time of publication.
5) Marquez Callaway (NO) - 35% owned – The Saints receiver core is depleted with Deonte Harris suffering a hamstring injury in week 6 and Michael Thomas/Tre’quan Smith still being on IR. Callaway could be in line for added targets this week against the Seahawks.
4) Darnell Mooney (CHI) - 44% owned – Mooney is becoming one of Justin Fields favorite targets catching 11 of 20 targets for 205 yards and a score over the past 3 weeks. He will be going up against a weakened Bucs secondary where the Bears will likely be passing to play catch up.
3) A.J. Green (ARZ) - 44% owned – Green seems to be turning back time in his first season with the Cardinals already catching 21 of 32 targets for 340 yards and 3 scores. He seems to be a consistent target in a high scoring offense making him a great WR3 during bye week fill ins.
2) Rashaad Penny (SEA) - 8% owned – Penny is returning from IR in week 7 and may be in line for a starting role with Chris Carson on IR and Alex Collins questionable. Worth a grab to wait and see if Collins ends up sitting as Penny would then be in line for a high volume game against the Saints.
1) D’Ernest Johnson (CLE) - 3% owned – The Browns backfield is banged up with both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt injured and either unlikely to play on a short week this Thursday night. Johnson looks to be the next man up with an opportunity to start against the Broncos.