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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: The FFPC Playoff Challenge is back with a massive $500,000 grand prize and $1.35 million total prize pool, paying down to 800th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 10 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The 7,250 entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 10th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $500,000! Sign Up Now!

 

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

 

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