RADIO
Scott Engel looks at some players to pick up on waivers or via trades before we fully get rolling for the 2023 season.
As you ready to finalize fantasy football lineups for Week 1, there is still overall roster construction work to be done. This is especially true in a high-stakes format such as the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC), where we must constantly attempt to stay ahead of the pack on player acquisitions.
In any format, this rundown of players that may be on free agency in some leagues, and guys to go after in trades can help identify potential impact performers for the weeks ahead. This listing is applicable to any fantasy format, as the Watch List types should be monitored or added in all types of leagues, and the trade targets are also recommended for all fantasy players.
Trading is a main and constant focus in FFPC dynasty leagues, and the guys featured here may be easier to acquire at this point, or even after Week 1 games in many cases. You will see a good amount of rookies featured here as recommended players to acquire, so be ready to give up some value in your offers. Yet the package compiled should still be lesser than you might have to part with later in the season. FFPC drafts are also continuing throughout this weekend, so consider the trade targets as players to possibly draft, and the Watch Listers as late picks.
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Fantasy Football Free Agent Watch List
Terrace Marshall Jr.: He looks to be ready for Week 1, and Marshall may be a viable splash play type for Bryce Young. He averaged 17.5 yards per reception last season and could play a key role in the Panthers’ passing game, as D.J. Chark, who is already out for the opener, often struggles to stay healthy. He is an ideal type of player for this section of the article, as Marshall should at least be closely monitored if you don't have the roster room for him yet.
-D.J. Chark Out
-Adam Thielen Questionable-Terrace Marshall full practice on Friday and is not listed on the injury report 🤫pic.twitter.com/UagTUszAmX
— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) September 8, 2023
Evan Hull: Zack Moss is the projected starter while Jonathan Taylor is out, and Deon Jackson is also obviously in the RB mix for the Colts. If Taylor does not play for Indianapolis any time soon, though, the versatile Hull might become a more prominent factor in the Colts’ backfield over time.
Deuce Vaughn: The Dallas rookie is not a pure backup for Tony Pollard considering he is listed at 5-foot-6, 176 pounds. But Vaughn could also be the new Darren Sproles. He rushed for two TDs in the preseason and has some promise as a dual threat.
Kadarius Toney: After an awful opener, many fantasy players might cut Toney. Keep a watch on your league’s transaction reports to see if he gets cut. Keep in mind that Toney may have been rusty after coming off a preseason injury, and he still should have the chance to be the No. 1 fantasy producer at WR from the Chiefs when he is not injured. If Toney becomes available, consider him as a free agent add.
Salvon Ahmed: Raheem Mostert is an annual durability risk and Jeff Wilson, who falls under the same heading, is already on IR. De’Von Achane is not a feature back type due to his size. Ahmed is a tough runner with good vision who may be in line for an ample amount of carries at some point. I would even consider adding him as a stash.
Salvon Ahmed
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) August 31, 2023
Mecole Hardman: The Jets lack a true No. 2 WR, but the former Chief might eventually emerge to be that option. He is lower on the New York depth chart to open the season, but stepping past Randall Cobb won’t be difficult, and Allen Lazard has a ceiling of just being adequate as a wide receiver. Hardman can become an effective slot receiver for Aaron Rodgers in the weeks ahead.
Logan Thomas: The FFPC is a TE premium format, so we have to go deep when perusing the free agent list and the bottom portions of other rosters. Thomas is off the injury report to open the season and could be a key option for his young QB. Sam Howell can help Thomas return to fantasy relevancy this season.
Fantasy Football Trade Targets
Roschon Johnson: Khalil Herbert is opening the season as Chicago’s lead RB, but it just may be a matter of time before the rookie pushes his way to the top of the depth chart. Savvy fantasy players in the FFPC, or anyone who drafted Johnson view him as sleeper, so you will have to give up someone of decent value in return. Still, now is the time to engage in trade talks for Johnson before the asking prices eventually rise.
Jordan Love: Reports out of Green Bay suggest Love is on the verge of showing why the Packers’ front office was so willing to hand him the starting QB job while bringing in no apparent competition. Love is especially viable as a superflex league trade target before he possibly takes off. The Christian Watson injury may also lower the perceptions about him a bit at the beginning of the season.
Tank Dell: He was mostly drafted as a late-round pick, and at 165 pounds, Dell may not seem to be headed for a role as a frequent contributor. But he is the best potential big-play threat on the Houston roster and could have some spike weeks that will help with bye week or other streaming needs.
Quentin Johnston: The sizable WR is lower than expected on the Chargers’ depth chart to open the season, being listed behind Josh Palmer. See if that status makes Johnston’s easier to pry away from an impatient league mate. Johnston plays on a team with starting WRs that have been often linked to injury issues, so he could see an expanded role in the Chargers’ passing game at any time.
Tyler Higbee: With Cooper Kupp out, the Rams are looking very thin at wide receiver. Higbee has been overrated as a fantasy tight end in the past, as his game logs have often pointed to mediocrity. Yet the eighth-year Ram can be a prime pass-catcher for Matthew Stafford now, especially given the familiarity the Los Angeles QB has with him. Higbee has a TE-friendly matchup at Seattle in Week 1, too.
Mike Gesicki: There was some preseason buzz about Gesicki earlier, but it appears to have faded away with some reports of Hunter Henry still being involved in the New England offense. I still back Gesicki, though. The Patriots’ WR corps is so thin, and a guy who was misused at the end of his Miami tenure now is on a team that has historically looked to give its tight ends opportunities to be featured in the passing game. Gesicki might be one of the most purely talented pass-catchers on the New England roster.
Jalin Hyatt: The Giants’ rookie is being overlooked before he busts out. Hyatt is an electric playmaker who gives New York unique dimensions of speed and downfield gears that are simply lacking anywhere else on the roster. Deal for him now, before the explosion comes, whether it’s early or later in the season. I targeted Hyatt in the double-figure rounds of all my drafts.
Jason Pinnock has had a front row seat to witnessing the @Giants' new and improved offense for 2023.
Including rookie WR @jalinhyatt, who Pinnock claims might be one of the fastest players in the NFL:
"His speed is for real. He's [running] 22.8+ mph everyday. He's speeding in a… pic.twitter.com/IjjBNKlTG9
— 2nd Wind Podcast (@2ndWindPod) September 8, 2023
Diontae Johnson: The Steelers have an obviously tough draw against the 49ers in Week 1. Kenny Pickett should improve this season, but we won’t see the results immediately. When Johnson opens the schedule with nothing better than a decent stat line, or worse, it will be time to make a trade for those who fear another disappointing season from him.
Geno Smith: I get the sense that there is some lingering skepticism about Smith, who was less productive down the stretch last season. But the Seahawks’ offense around Smith is deeper this year. Jaxon Smith-Njigba gives Seattle what may be the best WR trio in the NFL, and the rookie can also help his new QB as a key target on third downs, which were an issue for the Seahawks last year. Smith, who finished as QB5 in fantasy football in 2022, might be primed for a better overall fantasy season in 2023 in terms of consistency as a starter.
Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.
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