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Fantasy Football 2020: Week 10 FAAB Guide

By Peter Chung
J.D. McKissic Week 6 sleepers

Welcome to the Fantrax Week 10 FAAB Guide! With another thrilling week officially in the books, we’re eager for an exciting new slate of games in the National Football League. But from the aftermath of last week’s games, there is a new batch of readily available players that could provide a much-needed boost to your roster. But which one(s) should you grab? Are they starters that you can rely on for the rest of season (ROS), or just another batch of one-hit wonders? This weekly Fantrax FAAB Guide will help you with these decisions and serves as a resource on how to manage your FAAB, i.e. Free Agent Acquisition Budget.

Each week, I’ll outline available players (with <70% Fantrax availability) that should be picked up and my recommendations on how much of your FAAB should be used on your bids for them. If you don’t see a popular name mentioned below, then they are likely already rostered on over 70% of Fantrax leagues (e.g. Tua Tagovailoa, Mike Davis, Jerry Jeudy). If your league utilizes standard waiver claims instead of the FAAB system, then you can still use these recommendations to prioritize your waiver claims. Also, make sure to catch our weekly Waiver Wire report as well.

Since each Fantasy Football league’s format is different, I will suggest bid amounts by percentage rather than dollar amount. Also, since each league is different, use this guide as general advice but apply it with your knowledge of your own league mates. For example, if you want to bid on Duke Johnson but your league is full of Texans fans, then you should probably bid higher than suggested below.

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Week 10 FAAB Guide

QUARTERBACKS

Drew Lock, Denver Broncos (64% rostered in Fantrax Leagues)
Hope you read last week’s FAAB Guide and rostered him already because Broncos QB Drew Lock is now the fantasy QB4 over the last two weeks. He completed 25 of 48 passes for 313 yards and two TDs against the Falcons, adding seven carries for 47 yards and another TD. The second-year passer has now scored three times in back-to-back games, a stark contrast to the paltry two TDs he’s scored in all previous games combined. It certainly hasn’t been pretty, but Lock’s been finding ways to get it done by the eleventh hour. His increase in rushing attempts is promising and helps secure a decent floor. On the docket is another softball matchup against the Raiders 27th ranked defense. Lock is officially heating up and ready to set fire in Sin City; just save yourself the stress of watching him try to do it.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 3-5% in regular leagues, 15-20% in 2QB or SF leagues.

 

Jake Luton, Jacksonville Jaguars (20% rostered)
Looks like we have another QB controversy brewing in Jacksonville. With Gardner Minshew rehabbing a fractured thumb, sixth-round rookie Jake Luton was thrust into the spotlight and performed admirably in a near-upset against the Texans. Luton completed 26 of 38 passes for 304 yards and a TD, plus a 13-yard rushing score. Any concerns of his gameness were immediately shattered when he launched a bomb to WR DJ Chark for a 73-yard TD on just their third offensive snap (and Luton’s second NFL pass).

Head coach Doug Marrone has already announced that Luton will start again this week against the Packers, who are a much tougher challenge. His rushing score was impressive, though, and could lead to more designed run plays that will boost his fantasy production against the league’s worst run defense. This makes him a risky streamer more suitable for 2QB or SuperFlex leagues unless he continues to prove otherwise.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 2% in regular leagues, 10% in 2QB or SF leagues.


RUNNING BACKS

Duke Johnson, Houston Texans (55% rostered)
Veteran RB David Johnson suffered a concussion early in a narrow win over the Jaguars and was knocked out of the game before he could get anything going. Somehow, I still blame Bill O’Brien. But Johnson’s early departure freed the reins for the similarly-named Duke Johnson to seize.

Well, maybe “loosely grip” is more accurate. Johnson had 16 carries for a mediocre 41 yards and a score, and he also caught all four targets for 32 additional yards. His TD saved an otherwise unexceptional fantasy day. Assuming David Johnson is inactive again this week, Duke should have another heavy workload against Cleveland’s middling defense. His pass-catching prowess inflates his floor in PPR formats, although the Browns have only allowed one receiving TD to opposing RBs this year. Johnson should be a strong streamer this week and a popular waiver wire candidate, but his value remains contingent on David Johnson’s health.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 12-15%

 

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (51% rostered)
As I already mentioned a couple of times, we really need to take J.D. McKissic seriously. The WFT scatback continues to be the ire of Antonio Gibson managers as he out-snapped and out-touched Gibson in a rough loss to the Giants.

McKissic’s high pass-catching usage cements a safe PPR floor, and he next faces a porous Lions defense that just gave up 200+ yards and two TDs to Dalvin Cook. If you’re in a PPR league and need RB help, place a serious bid on McKissic. He’s not a sexy pick by any means, but he’s becoming a reliable flex option that could help provide stability to your lineup.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 10-12%

 

Wayne Gallman Jr., New York Giants (61% rostered)
As most of us know, opportunity is vital for fantasy success. Such is true for the likes of Wayne Gallman Jr., who is quietly emerging as the leader of the Giants’ backfield after Saquon Barkley tore his ACL and replacement Devonta Freeman injured his ankle. He’s now had three games in a row where he’s rushed for 10+ times and scored a TD. In fact, his carries have increased each week from 10-12-14, indicating that he’s earning the coaching staff’s trust and may have carved a larger role even when Freeman returns. However, the inclusion of Alfred Morris puts a damper on Gallman’s upside, and Freeman should retain the lead role again once healed. All this makes Gallman an untrustworthy option despite his recent steady production as the depth chart could easily be shuffled on any given Sunday.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 5-7%

 

Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers (5% rostered)
Pros:

  • Kalen Ballage had a shockingly large workload in relief of Troymaine Pope and Justin Jackson.
  • He rushed 15 times for 69 yards and a TD, plus he caught two of three targets for 15 additional yards.
  • He’s appeared to have jumped ahead of Joshua Kelley in the depth chart.
  • The “post-Adam Gase sucess” narrative.
  • His next matchup is a #RevengeGame against his former team, the Miami Dolphins.

Cons:

  • He’s Kalen Ballage.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 1%

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots (56% rostered)
Like I said last week, undrafted receiver Jakobi Meyers is looking great as “the AFC’s version of Travis Fulgham.” He had his breakout performance in a way-too-close victory over the Jets on MNF, catching 12 passes for an astonishing 169 yards. His connection with Cam Newton is evident as Newton continues to look at Meyers’ way with Julian Edelman still in IR and N’Keal Harry recovering from a concussion. Fortunately, Meyers’ newfound workload under the national spotlight has not rattled him as he secured nearly every one of his whopping 14 targets and passed the eye-test on primetime. One of his few missed targets was an overblown pass that would’ve surely resulted in a long score. Their next matchup against the Ravens is quite an intimidating one, but Meyers should still provide satisfactory results as he’s quickly becoming Newton’s favorite target.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 7-10%

 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers (43% rostered)
It took a few tries, but WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling is slowly becoming a “thing” again. Kind of. His night against the 49ers started off horribly, capped off with an egregious dropped pass that caused Aaron Rodgers to give the death glare. But a forgiving Rodgers turned back to MVS to offer a shot at redemption. And boy, did Valdes-Scantling take advantage, as he nabbed two of four targets for 53 yards and two TDs. One of those was a 52-yard bomb from the future Hall of Famer.

The problem with MVS is that he’s wildly inconsistent. The last time he’s finished as a WR1 was in the season opener. In the weeks between, he’s ranged from the WR52 to the WR115. That’s an easy way to lose your matchup, and though his upside is obvious, it occurs much too rarely. To make matters worse, fellow wideout Allen Lazard — who impressed earlier this year — is expected to return soon. Aside from the amazing Davante Adams, no other receivers are trustworthy as weekly starters. Don’t chase points with MVS unless you’re desperate for a risky, big-play option.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 5%

 

Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (47% rostered)
Fifth-round rookie Darnell Mooney is slowly crawling his way towards fantasy relevance. In a loss to the Titans, Mooney caught five of 11 targets for 43 yards. Those 11 targets led the team and have been a growing trend that may help solidify his claim as Chicago’s WR2. Since October, Mooney’s seen an average of 7.2 targets per game, which is much higher than Miller’s measly 4.3 average. QB Nick Foles’ volatile gameplay (one INT per game) encourages a positive game-script for his receivers. If their rapport continues to build, Mooney could have a mini-breakout, though his upside will always be capped by lead receiver Allen Robinson. Nevertheless, Mooney’s increasing target share could be a sign of good things to come for those that have stashed him. He should be a cheap acquisition, so give him a chance if you have the bench space.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 3%

 

Richie James, San Francisco 49ers (5% rostered)
Last week’s clear WR1 in all formats was not Packers superstar Davante Adams or Chiefs phenom Tyreek Hill. No, the honor was instead bestowed upon unknown 49ers wideout Richie James, because that’s just how things are in 2020. Predominantly a special teams returner, James went absolutely postal after lead receivers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Kendrick Bourne were all ruled out amid COVID-19 concerns. James caught nine of 13 targets for 184 yards and a score against the Packers, all of which were career highs. Coach Kyle Shanahan is evidently a fan of James too, but make no mistake, he will be relegated back to backup duties when the starters return, which is expected to be this week against the Saints. Don’t chase points by targeting James. Save your FAAB and bid on someone else instead.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 1%

 

TIGHT ENDS

Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers (34% rostered)
Oof. If you started TE Jordan Reed after he was just activated from IR on game day, then condolences for your loss last week. I only say this because that’s exactly what I did, and his lone three-yard catch from two contemptible targets is exactly why I lost my matchup. But such is fantasy. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that they wanted to play it safe by easing Reed into action so that they can keep using him “for the long haul,” especially with George Kittle out for the year.

Now with a long week of rest, Reed gets an advantageous matchup against the Saints, who have given up the third-most points to opposing TEs. However, this has no longer been the case for New Orleans since returning from their bye, as they’ve managed to shut down the likes of Ian Thomas (TE40), Jimmy Graham (TE33), and Rob Gronkowski (TE46). But those poor performances could be attributed to shaky QB play — and downright catastrophic for Gronk’s case. Reed also has a proven history of league-winning production in a desolate position that is more bust than boom. He should be in serious consideration and will likely be a popular streaming option and DFS play. His body might not last the year, so enjoy him while you still can.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 5%

 

Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings (46% rostered)
Promising TE Irv Smith Jr. always had the potential to break out as a TE1. But how could he climb the ranks if he’s not even the TE1 on his own team? That’s been the case for Smith as he’s had to compete for touches with “1A” veteran Kyle Rudolph ever since he was drafted in the second round last year. However, Smith may have officially stamped his claim for a larger role in their run-heavy offense after scoring twice against the Lions. It’s also encouraging that his snap count has steadily risen since the opener. Place a bid for him if you’re desperate at the position, though temper expectations as he’ll likely be heavily matchup-dependent.

Recommended Week 10 FAAB Bids: 3%

If you enjoyed Peter’s Week 10 FAAB Guide, make sure to check Corbin Young’s Week 10 Waiver Wire for more help in optimizing your lineups.

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