FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKUP WATCH (WEEK 6)
Ourlads’ Football Network host Greg DePalma and RotoExperts.com managing director Scott Engel get together each week to discuss who’s hot, who’s not and who’s hurt in fantasy football, as Scott offers his top targets for pickup.
Listen to Tuesday’s OFN Today for their full exchange. Scott’s full analysis can be found at RotoExperts.com.
QUARTERBACK
C.J. Beathard, 49ers: With Jimmy Garoppolo done for 2018, it’s up to Beathard to salvage what he can of the 49ers’ season. He’ll put up numbers – 647 yards in the past two games – but you’ll also have to live with his mistakes. One thing’s for sure: He’ll need to throw a lot.
RUNNING BACK
Wendell Smallwood, Eagles: With Jay Ajayi lost for the season to a torn ACL, the competition is on to fill his shoes. Darren Sproles will get his touches when he returns from a hamstring injury, but give Smallwood the edge over Corey Clement in the current scenario.
Scott says: “He’s shown some burst and spark when he has the ball in his hands. I think Smallwood might be in line for a lead role. I think he’ll split with Clement, maybe a little bit of Josh Adams in there. But if I want one guy in that backfield fantasy-wise, it’s Smallwood.”
WIDE RECEIVER
Tre’Quan Smith, Saints: Already part of NFL history as the man on the receiving end of the TD toss that made Drew Brees the all-time passing leader, his nose for the end zone could earn a bigger role. That said, Brees’ spread-the-wealth tendency could make it tough to break out.
Scott says: “He can be more than just a big-play artist. … The problem is that Drew Brees is willing to spread the ball around so much to his receivers when everybody is healthy. Tre’Quan Smith has the potential to step up, but it’s a crowded picture.”
TIGHT END
Cameron Brate, Buccaneers: With O.J. Howard expected to miss the next four weeks, Brate won’t have to split the workload. He’s scored in each of his past two outings and QB Jameis Winston has shown he likes to throws to his TEs in the red zone.
DEFENSE
Packers: Defense hasn’t been the problem in Green Bay, which has accumulated 11 sacks and four takeaways the past two weeks vs. the Bills and Bears. Now they draw the 49ers and QB C.J. Beathard, who turned it over four times last week vs. Arizona.