🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 8 Deeper Sleepers: Replacing Arian Foster

Welcome to our season-long segment at RotoBaller where we will be targeting players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.

To describe last week's picks in one word... meh. Sure, we hit on Stefon Diggs, but that felt more like a "no duh" pick given how good he looked his first two games. The only other picks I felt good about were the Miami D/ST unit (6th in scoring among defenses) and James Starks, who didn't even take a snap.

Same as last week, I'll include a player from every position (including D/ST) each week - as long as the options are worthy of discussion. This week we have some work on our hands at RB for Arian Foster owners. Let's get to it.

Editor's Note: Find sleeper picks, undervalued ADPs, and draft targets to help you dominate your fantasy football drafts. Try our free who to draft tool for personalized recommendations.

 

Digging Deeper - Potential Week 7 Waiver Wire Sleepers

Brian Hoyer (QB, HOU)

21% Owned in Fleaflicker

Trivia Time. Can you name the top five quarterbacks over the past four weeks? If you guessed Tom Brady would be in there (with only three games), go grab yourself a cookie. But what about Philip Rivers, Blake Bortles, Josh McCown, and... Brian Hoyer?

That's right. Brian Hoyer, owner of back-to-back three touchdown performances, has been more valuable than the Drew Brees' and Andrew Luck's of the world. The majority of Hoyer's numbers came in extended garbage-time last week (Houston was down 41-0 before the half) but they all count the same in fantasy. Surprisingly DeAndre Hopkins wasn't the focal point as Nate Washington scored twice with 129 yards.

It should be emphasized that Hoyer looked awful to start the game -- 1-of-13 for seven yards and a pick-six bad. But what we're targeting here is the garbage-time opportunities. With Foster out for the year the Texans should find themselves losing even more games than they already were (a hard task), forcing Hoyer to fling it late. This week Hoyer gets the Titans, a top five passing defense, so this isn't a prime spot for success. The only other option below 25% ownership this week is Matt Cassel versus Seattle, so it's looking like we're on the Hoyer train.

FAAB: $3

 

Orleans Darkwa (RB, NYG)

1% Owned in Fleaflicker

Let's all pause what we are doing and pour one out for our boy Arian Foster. No reason for him to be in that game at that time, but that's a discussion for another segment. Here we need to find a viable replacement (hint: we're not going to find one).

If Orleans Darkwa was part of the Texans backfield, I'd feel a lot better about his 2015 prospects. But Darkwa is in New York, not Houston, and the competition is much stiffer for playing time. The Giants now have four running backs in their arsenal with Darkwa, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, and Andre Williams all splitting time on Sunday versus Dallas. Darkwa clearly was the best between-the-tackles option, rushing eight times for 48 yards and a score. He showed great burst through the lane and has gotten the coaches attention. Coach Tom Coughlin said, "the coaches felt strongly he should be given an opportunity" which is enough for me to buy a couple shares. Darkwa has juicy matchups coming up (@ NO, @ TB) and will be in the FLEX discussion for Sunday.

FAAB: $14

 

Danny Amendola (WR, NE)

15% Owned in Fleaflicker

In the last two weeks:

Player A: 18 targets, 15 catches, 191 yards, 1 TD
Player B: 19 targets, 11 catches, 104 yards, 0 TD

Player A is Danny Amendola. Player B is Julian Edelman.

I have a roommate that owns (and loves) Julian Edelman. The past few weeks I've gotten sick pleasure stating Danny Amendola is the "New No. 1" whenever he makes a play, but maybe it's time I start meaning it. Perhaps Edelman's finger injury is worse than he's letting on. Regardless, it's time Amendola gets the respect a receiver with Tom Brady at the helm deserves. Amendola's downside has always been health. Until that occurs, Amendola should be treated as a WR3 going forward.

FAAB: $20

 

Jacob Tamme (TE, ATL)

12% Owned in Fleaflicker

Tamme disappointed us in this spot last week, grabbing three catches for 36 yards. So why are we going back to the well? The Buccaneers defense, that's why. The Bucs have allowed 15 passing touchdowns this year, second worst in all of football. And that's with having their bye week already. Jordan Reed torched the Bucs last week for 72 yards on 11 catches and two scores. Reed is a much better player than Tamme, but it's a sign the Bucs are prone to giving up plays across the middle. The last time the Bucs visited Atlanta, they lost 56-0. Let's hope for a similar outcome with a Tamme score mixed in.

FAAB: $2

 

Tennessee Titans Defense

16% Owned in Fleaflicker

The Titans just held a stout Falcons offense to seven points and I expect them to continue their strong play versus Houston. And have you heard Arian Foster is out for the year? Look for the Texans to bring the pressure on Hoyer and cause a few turnovers.

FAAB: $2

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Rome Odunze

"Increasing Unlikely to Play" in Week 17
Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Carries Questionable Tag on Thursday
David Montgomery

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
Seth Curry

to Remain Sidelined on Christmas Day
Jae'Sean Tate

Questionable Thursday
Dwight Powell

Likely to Return on Christmas
Jaylin Williams

Misses Fifth Straight Game
Ousmane Dieng

Unavailable on Christmas Day
Guerschon Yabusele

Questionable for Christmas Action
Miles McBride

Remains Out on Christmas
Cameron Johnson

to Miss Time With Bone Bruise in Right Knee
Jaxson Hayes

Considered Questionable for Christmas Matchup
Rui Hachimura

Likely to Return Thursday
Dorian Finney-Smith

Could Make Season Debut on Christmas Day
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Uncertain for Christmas Day
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Listed as Questionable for Christmas Game
Al Horford

on Track to Return Thursday
Jaden McDaniels

Iffy for Christmas Day
Brandon Williams

Expected to Play on Christmas Day
P.J. Washington

at Risk of Missing Second Straight Game
Klay Thompson

Likely to Play on Christmas Day
Max Christie

Probable for Christmas Day
Ajay Mitchell

Out on Christmas Day
Chet Holmgren

Available on Christmas Day
David Montgomery

Questionable to Play With Illness
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable, Expected to Play on Thursday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Place Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
T.J. Hockenson

Ruled Out for Week 17
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Josh Johnson

to Start at QB on Thursday Against Dallas
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Davante Adams

Could Sit Out Final Two Regular-Season Games
Brock Bowers

Placed on Injured Reserve Due to Lingering Knee Injury
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Expected to Play on Christmas Day Against the Vikings
Connor McDavid

Finishes Battle of Alberta With Five Assists
Karel Vejmelka

Battling Upper-Body Injury
Alexandre Texier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Against Bruins
Alexander Nikishin

Dealing With Apparent Ankle Injury
Denver Barkey

Exits Early Tuesday
Travis Sanheim

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Tuesday
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
DK Metcalf

has Two-Game Suspension Upheld
Philip Rivers

to Remain the Starter in Week 17
George Kittle

Dealing With Mid-to-Low Ankle Sprain
Viktor Arvidsson

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Ryan Leonard

Available Tuesday
Tom Wilson

in Danger of Missing First Game of the Season
Phillip Danault

Makes Second Canadiens Debut Tuesday
Collin Graf

Available Against Golden Knights
Jack Eichel

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Vince Dunn

Won't Play Tuesday
Deshaun Watson

Will Not be Activated Off PUP List, 2025 Season is Over
J.J. McCarthy

Ruled Out for Week 17
Rome Odunze

Expected to Return This Season
Christian McCaffrey

Another Monster Game for Christian McCaffrey in Week 16
Brock Purdy

Throws for Five Touchdowns in Week 16
TreVeyon Henderson

in Concussion Protocol, Week 17 Status Unclear
George Kittle

Week 17 Availability in Question?
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach
Timothy Liljegren

to Miss Second Straight Game Tuesday
Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP