Free-agency advice for free
More notable injuries, plus the Buccaneers and Bears on byes this week, will create a greater sense of urgency when heading to the waiver wire.
Be prepared to spend aggressively if you use a Free Agency Acquisition Budget (FAAB), or have contingent/ alternative options ready in case you don’t land your preferred player on waivers because an opponent has priority.
RUNNING BACKS Robert Turbin, Indianapolis:
Turbin returns from a four-game suspension this week. He can bring a stabilizing presence to the Colts’ 29thranked rushing game. Turbin is an adequate ball carrier and scored seven TDs two years ago. Alfred Blue, Houston: Lamar Miller has rushed for 59 yards on 24 carries in the past two games, and he sat out the fourth quarter in the Week 4 win over Indianapolis. Miller has not lived up to expectations since coming to Houston. Ty Montgomery, Green Bay: Injuries are starting to pile up at wide receiver for Green Bay. Montgomery is a former Stanford wide receiver and has familiarity with Aaron Rodgers — Montgomery has caught eight passes for 105 yards in his past two games. Mike Davis, Seattle: He was a surprise starter over Rashaad Penny when Chris Carson (ankle) was declared a late inactive Sunday. Davis rushed for 101 yards and two scores.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Willie Snead, Baltimore: We are witnessing the re-emergence of the Snead we saw in his first two pro seasons with New Orleans. He has scored in double figures in three of four games in a PPR format. Keke Coutee, Houston: The fourth-round rookie subbed for Will Fuller and tied a modern NFL record for catches in a pro debut with 11 against Indianapolis. Chester Rogers, Indianapolis: With T.Y. Hilton hurting, Rogers caught eight passes for 85 yards and added a twopoint conversion against Houston. Hilton could miss Thursday’s game at New England. David Moore, Seattle: He caught two passes for 39 yards Sunday at Arizona. Doug Baldwin is a health risk and Brandon Marshall is very obviously done and will have his snap counts reduced.
TIGHT ENDS
Tyler Kroft, Cincinnati: Kroft has replaced Tyler Eifert (broken leg) before; Kroft caught seven TD passes last year. Andy Dalton loves to look for his tight ends in the red zone. Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay: O.J. Howard is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a knee injury, and Jameis Winston is back as Tampa Bay’s starting QB. Brate caught eight TD passes last year with Winston as the starter.
QUARTERBACK
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay: He has been confirmed as the starter when the Bucs return from the bye week, and with a need to throw because of the lack of a defense and running game, Winston often will be in high-volume passing situations.