6 teams have byes, so check waiver wire
Six teams — including all of the AFC East — are off this week. But besides the Patriots, no other team has essential fantasy starters to replace.
The 49ers’ break forces you to sub for running back Matt Breida and tight end George Kittle. Cleveland’s only regular fantasy starters are Nick Chubb and Jarvis Landry. Still, you must deftly navigate the waiver wire for potential playoff contributors, especially with trade deadlines about to pass in most leagues. Running backs Jaylen Samuels, Steelers: Le’Veon Bell is no longer relevant in Pittsburgh, so now is the time to grab James Conner’s handcuff. When Conner left Thursday’s game against the Panthers, Samuels scored his first NFL touchdown. Theo Riddick, Lions: He has started to re-emerge since the Lions traded Golden Tate. Riddick is purely an add in point-per-reception leagues, but a viable one. The upside is not high, but with 13 catches for 96 yards in his past two games, there is an adequate floor for your flex spot. Rashaad Penny, Seahawks: The rookie delivered his best performance Sunday, rushing for 108 yards on a dozen carries and registering his first NFL scoring run. Penny displayed the explosive abilities that made him a first-round pick. But you have to be patient with him, as Chris Carson might return to the mix and Mike Davis is the team’s best receiver at RB. Wide receivers Anthony Miller, Bears: He is healthy and starting to make his presence felt in the rapidly improving Chicago offense. He produced with his best performance of the season Sunday, catching five passes for 122 yards and a TD. Donte Moncrief, Jaguars: Fantasy owners seem to avoid Jacksonville wide receivers as a rule, but Moncrief has performed at least respectably enough to make him a quality bye-week and injury fill-in. In a dire situation, if you have to start Moncrief, he will provide good enough PPR numbers. Josh Reynolds, Rams: Cooper Kupp is done for the season with a knee injury, so you have to take a cautious flier on Reynolds again, who was mediocre in terms of catches and yardage last time Kupp was out but did deliver a two-TD game in Week 8. Tight ends Jonnu Smith, Titans: Marcus Mariota has started to raise his game recently, and Smith has been involved enough to make savvy fantasy owners raise an eyebrow. Smith has scored in each of his past two games. Gerald Everett, Rams: The Los Angeles tight ends could benefit from the absence of Kupp. Everett scored Sunday, and along with Tyler Higbee, could start to get more attention from Jared Goff in the weeks ahead. Nick Vannett, Seahawks: He has scored in two consecutive games, as he is getting more attention from Russell Wilson on red-zone plays. Vannett’s not much more than a TE2 in fantasy but certainly can fill a role on a bye week. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, Ravens: Injury issues and mediocre play appear to be putting Joe Flacco on the hot seat. Although Robert Griffin III could get a chance to play first, Jackson should get his opportunity if Baltimore gets booted out of the playoff race soon.