👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. 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

 

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

Haywood Highsmith

Jordan Goodwin, Haywood Highsmith Available Thursday
Calvin Austin III

Giants Sign Calvin Austin III
Andre Drummond

Ruled Out Thursday
Grayson Allen

Won't Play Against Pacers
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars Deny Shopping Brian Thomas Jr.
Obi Toppin

a Late Scratch Thursday
Kyler Murray

Vikings Sign Kyler Murray to a One-Year Deal
Aaron Nesmith

Won't Play Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Good to Go Against Suns
Ivica Zubac

Set for Pacers Debut Thursday
Jonathan Kuminga

Returns From Three-Game Absence
Dyson Daniels

Unavailable Thursday
Caris LeVert

Remains Sidelined Thursday
Maxi Kleber

Jaxson Hayes Out for Lakers on Thursday
Bobby Brink

a Game-Time Decision for Meeting with Flyers
Evander Kane

Available Against Predators
Marcus Smart

Unavailable Against Bulls
Mark Stone

a Game-Time Call Thursday
Carter Verhaeghe

Anton Lundell Won't Play Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Returns to Action Thursday
Payton Pritchard

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Andrew Copp

to Sit Out Two Weeks
Dylan Larkin

Ruled Out for Two Weeks
Pascal Siakam

Slated To Miss Thursday's Matchup With Suns
Jayson Tatum

Sidelined on Thursday
Dre Greenlaw

49ers Reuniting With Dre Greenlaw on One-Year Deal
Tutu Atwell

Dolphins Sign Wideout Tutu Atwell to One-Year Deal
Justin Fields

Expected to be Replaced as Starting QB in 2026
Mike Evans

Expected to Fit in Nicely in San Fran as X Receiver
Jonathan Allen

Bengals Signing Jonathan Allen to Two-Year Deal
Zack Wheeler

to Face Hitters in Live Batting Practice on Saturday
Gerrit Cole

Could Pitch in a Spring Game Next Week
Matthew Boyd

Named the Cubs' Opening Day Starter
Rachaad White

Commanders Signing Rachaad White to a One-Year Deal
Stefon Diggs

Patriots Not Shutting the Door on Reunion With Stefon Diggs
Alvin Kamara

Will Alvin Kamara Retire?
NFL

Makai Lemon Runs 40-Yard Dash at USC's Pro Day
Landon Dickerson

Eagles, Landon Dickerson Agree to Revised Two-Year Contract
Maxx Crosby

Committed to Raiders After Trade Falls Apart
Lil'Jordan Humphrey

Broncos Re-Sign Lil'Jordan Humphrey
Orlando Brown Jr.

Signs Two-Year Extension With Bengals
Riley Patterson

Dolphins Re-Sign Kicker Riley Patterson
Cooper Rush

Ravens Release Cooper Rush
Jauan Jennings

Remains Top Receiver on the Open Market
Francisco Lindor

Remains on Schedule for Opening Day
David Njoku

Browns Officially Release David Njoku
Ricky Pearsall

Could Be Stuck in the WR2 Role in San Francisco
Spencer Knight

Available Thursday
William Eklund

Questionable to Play Thursday
Alex Ovechkin

Records Power-Play Assist
Lane Hutson

Extends Road Point Streak to 10 Games
Ivan Demidov

Bags Two Points in Wednesday's Win
Nick Schmaltz

Inks Eight-Year Extension With Mammoth
Pascal Siakam

Expected to Remain Out Thursday
Dyson Daniels

Dealing With Toe Sprain, Questionable Thursday
Michael Porter Jr.

Won't Play Against Hawks
Kevin Porter Jr.

Could Return to Action Thursday
Tyler Herro

Iffy for Thursday
Derrick White

Questionable Thursday Due to Knee Issue
Owen Tippett

Multi-Point Effort Leads Philadelphia to a Victory
Drake Batherson

Scores Twice Versus Montreal
Bryce Miller

Shuts Down Bullpen Due to More Oblique Discomfort
Zac Gallen

Named Arizona's Opening Day Starter
Kyle Teel

Could Miss 4-6 Weeks With Hamstring Strain
Hideki Matsuyama

Brings Strong Course History to TPC Sawgrass
Josh Hader

to Start the Year on the Injured List
Adam Scott

in Strong Form Ahead of The Players
Shayne Gostisbehere

to Remain Out for "Couple of Games"
Robert Thomas

Blues Hopeful Robert Thomas Can Play Through Upper-Body Injury
Ross Colton

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Tuesday Night
Connor Ingram

"Feeling Well" After Tuesday's Early Exit
Dylan Larkin

Doubtful for Rest of Road Trip
Andrew Copp

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Tuesday
Kyle Teel

Exits Tuesday's Game With Hamstring Injury
Rickie Fowler

on Quite the Run Heading to TPC Sawgrass
Sepp Straka

Needs to Forget What Happened Sunday at Bay Hill
Jordan Spieth

an Enigma Heading to The Players Championship
Justin Rose

Trying to Pick Up the Pieces in Florida
Maverick McNealy

Bounces Back at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Brooks Koepka

Continues His Florida Swing With Some Momentum
Nicolai Hojgaard

in Strong Form Ahead of The Players
Robert MacIntyre

a Volatile Option at The Players
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looks to Return to Top Form at The Players
Sam Burns

a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Players
Keegan Bradley

Hard to Trust at The Players
Xander Schauffele

Rounding into Form Heading to Players Championship
Rory McIlroy

Set to Return at Players Championship to Defend Title
Jake Knapp

Set to Return at Players Championship
Viktor Hovland

Continues Strong Start to 2026 Season
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking for Bounce-Back at Players Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Will Need to Find Putter to Compete at Players Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Continues Improving Heading to Players Championship
Merrill Kelly

Set to Make Spring Training Debut on Friday
Francisco Lindor

"100 Percent Optimistic" he Can be Ready for Opening Day
Justin Thomas

Continues Competitive Return at The Players Championship
Corbin Carroll

Set to Play in Cactus League Game on Wednesday
Kyle Stowers

to Make Grapefruit League Debut on Saturday
Hunter Greene

to be Sidelined Through July
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo, Phillies Agree on Five-Year Extension
Corbin Carroll

Could Make Spring Debut This Week
Max Holloway

Drops Decision At UFC 326
Charles Oliveira

Becomes The New BMF Champion
Caio Borralho

Bounces Back
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Rob Font

Gets Dominated
Raul Rosas Jr.

Extends His Win Streak
Michael Johnson

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Drew Dober

Knocks Out Michael Johnson
Rafael Devers

Back in Cactus League Lineup on Monday
Ryan Blaney

Earns his Second Consecutive Phoenix Cup Series Win
Christopher Bell

Falls Short of Victory Despite Dominating at Phoenix
Kyle Larson

Earns Hard-Fought Finish of Third at Phoenix
Denny Hamlin

Quietly Gains Another Top-Five Finish at Phoenix
Joey Logano

Crashes out at Phoenix Despite Strong Run
Tarik Skubal

Could Make Another Start in World Baseball Classic
Jackson Chourio

Should Return to WBC Lineup on Monday
Byron Buxton

"Fine" After Being Hit by Pitch
Ryan Blaney

is Always A Top Favorite to Compete for the Win At Phoenix
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Phoenix?
Christopher Bell

is Likely to have Another Solid Phoenix Run
Chase Briscoe

has Plenty of Upside for DFS Lineups at Phoenix
Joey Logano

Could Dominate at Phoenix This Weekend
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Sunday's Race at Phoenix
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher Worth Rostering For Phoenix DFS Lineups?
Ross Chastain

Has Found Speed Again at Phoenix
Josh Berry

a Solid Sleeper at Phoenix
Brad Keselowski

Skips Qualifying After Practice Crash at Phoenix
Tyler Reddick

Spins in Practice at Phoenix
William Byron

Should Be a Contender at Phoenix
Kyle Larson

Is Always a Threat at Phoenix
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Be Playable for Phoenix DFS Lineups?
Anthony Alfredo

Is A Favorable DFS Option In A Substitution Role At Phoenix
Brandon Woodruff

Making Cactus League Debut on Saturday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF