Samuels at 2 positions creates interesting add

Kareem Hunt and James Conner showed the value of having options as fantasy leagues head toward the playoffs.

Hunt’s release by Kansas City after video surfaced of him in a scuffle with a woman at a Cleveland hotel prompted many fantasy players to flock toward Spencer Ware. And on Sunday night, an injury to Conner led to Pittsburgh turning to Jaylen Samuels, who caught a late touchdown pass against the Chargers.

Fantasy players who hedged on Conner got immediate relief if they rostered Samuels ahead of time. If not, let the anxiety begin about whether you’ll have enough free-agent acquisition dollars or waiver positioning to grab him from free agency.

Samuels is owned in only 3.4 percent of leagues, so not enough owners have been adequately prepared. The stampede for his services will come with a twist — on some fantasy platforms, Samuels actually qualifies as a tight end, a position he played at North Carolina State. That makes him even more desirable because he can be plugged into a particularly thin tight-end position, a rare sight in fantasy.

It also harkens back to the unforgettable days when New Orleans wideout Marques Colston had tight-end eligibility on some sites early in his career, giving owners another unique advantage.

Head coach Mike Tomlin has said he will employ a committee at running back Sunday, but Samuels surely will lead the crew and should be viewed as at least a RB2 for fantasy purposes. Meanwhile, Ezekiel Elliott owners need to grab Rod Smith and Saquon Barkley owners must add Wayne Gallman. Injuries and other unforeseen events could push players like Smith and Gallman into more prominent roles, as we have seen with Ware and Samuels. The backups to Elliott and Barkley are much less talented but could have an opportunity to produce at least decent totals if needed in plug-in roles.

In the fantasy playoffs, you also want to play a little defense on the waiver wire, blocking your opponents from gaining players they need. If you see that the team you are facing this week has Conner and not Samuels, you need either to outbid him for Samuels or make him your top waiver priority to prevent the other team from gaining his services.

More adds RB Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers:

He likely will start Sunday as Matt Breida has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Wilson caught eight passes for 73 yards at Seattle on Sunday and rushed for 61 yards. He could be in line for more quality volume against Denver. He’ll be worth flex consideration.

RB Justin Jackson, Chargers:

There is a good chance that Melvin Gordon returns from a knee injury Sunday, but just in case, Jackson (12.2) looked better than Austin Ekeler on Sunday, rushing for 63 yards on only eight carries. Jackson might usurp Ekeler as the best handcuff to Gordon.

QB Josh Allen, Bills:

He has rushed for 234 yards and a TD in his past two games. Savvy fantasy players well know that any QB with that sort of rushing upside deserves immediate starting consideration. As crazy as it would have sounded in the preseason, Allen now needs to be in starting conversations — possibly over disappointments such as Tom Brady.

WR Dante Pettis, 49ers:

Pettis has 206 yards and three TDs in his past two games, and has emerged as the top playmaker in the 49ers’ depleted passing game. He has big-play ability and demonstrated he can score.

WR Curtis Samuel, Panthers:

In point-per-reception leagues, he has three consecutive double-figure outings, yet he remains only 12.5 percent owned. He has two TDs in his past three games. He’ll challenge defenses with his speed and has shown redzone promise.