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Welcome to "Money Talks". The general purpose of this column will be to give you some advice for one of the more popular methods of adding new fantasy players each week – the Free Agency Acquisition Budget, or "FAAB". What this is in a nutshell is a budget of money that every team is given to bid on free agents each week, much like in an auction. Usually this is done via blind bids, meaning that no other owner knows how much you have bid on a given player – unless you announce your bid in some sort of a poker-like bluff move. Some leagues do reveal all bids after the bidding is closed and waivers are processed, while other leagues just show winning bids. It can be fun to see if several teams bid on a given player or if an owner spent a ton of money on a guy no one else even wanted.
Enough of that for now. I will give both general advice and also some weekly assistance for this advanced waiver process in this column. I hope you enjoy and get the player(s) you want every week. Here we go.
ASSUMPTIONS
As with anything in fantasy football, not all leagues are the same. Some are big, some are small. Such is the way with FAAB waivers. Some leagues use a big budget of $1,000 per owner or more, while others use $100 or less. I will assume $1,000 for the purposes of this article and let you, the reader, do the math to adjust to your league. Another difference is that in some leagues the FAAB process is the ONLY way to get new players. Other leagues have the FAAB process first and then allow free transactions for that week on any player not getting a bid (so you can cover your kicker's bye, for example, for free). I will assume that is NOT the case here and think that every transaction will cost you something. If it does not, great – but at least you know why I might say to grab a kicker now for a buck.
Now let's talk about bidding in general. For many more experienced leagues, round numbers are the kiss of death. Even older leagues (and owners) start to see bidding trends over time ("Jeff loves to end in a 7"), which can be dangerous when you are trying to outbid everyone. The natural assumption is to bid in large round numbers – please avoid that temptation. $53 vs. $50 may seem like a trivial difference, but many more people bid $50 instead of adding a few extra bucks that can change who wins.
Another generally accepted rule – do not be stingy early in the year. Sure it is nice to hold on to extra "cash" in case a stud RB goes down for the year, but look around your league and count how many NFL backups are even available on the waiver wire. Not many? Right. Go big early on players who seem to come out of nowhere, like Victor Cruz last year. Most fantasy studs appear on the scene in September instead of weeks later.
There is a "ying" to the "yang" of the last rule – which is to not excessively churn your roster. While it may not seem like much, but if you drop 5-10% of your bankroll each week on bench players that never see the light of day in your lineup, then you are just wasting money. Think about it this way – if you save for a rainy day, you can be prepared to go all out for when you need that money to go "all in" on a player you really want. Of course the trick is figuring out which player is worthy of such a big bid.
Last comment for now – it is far better to bid on a player a week or two early instead of a week late. That can be the difference between a $3 player and a $300 player. If you really want Frank Gore’s understudy, get him now before he pulls that hammy and everyone gets in on the action.
Week 3 Comment: Another item to discuss – who to drop. Keep perspective on your team. If you are short on running backs, you probably want to cut a different position player to grab running back depth. To say that another way, if you are strong and deep already at wide receiver, a sixth or seventh wideout is very unlikely to help. Let that steer your cuts.
Week 4 Comment: Bye weeks are starting now, so teams are going to be more active on the waiver wire, especially with Green Bay off in Week 4. Kickers and defenses will be added and dropped, so start looking ahead and you’re your lineups for the weeks where you will be short a starter or two. Depth is going to play a bigger part in the next several weeks, so do not be afraid to add players for a rainy day now instead of later.
Week 5 Comment: Bye weeks are here, so some of the best deals are both players on a bye week or coming off of one. For example, Green Bay and Philadelphia were both off last week. With the idea of "out of sight, out of mind", players on both teams could be bargain acquisitions – and this general trend will continue through Week 12.
Week 6 Comment: The fantasy regular season is nearly half over, so if you are sitting on some free agent money, it is probably time to buy some guys you might need – now or later. Even if a player is only startable for 2-3 games, that is a big percentage of the fantasy regular season. Shoot the lock off of that wallet.
Week 7 Comment: Not only is the (fantasy) season half over, injuries are starting to pile up. Once you can start to get past some bye weeks, depth on rosters will matter. Add players and handcuffs accordingly.
Now, on to some specific players to target here in NFL Week 6 of the 2016 season:
BIG BUCKS
Big Bucks are reserved for immediate starter potential players (QB1, RB1/2, WR1/2/3, Flex, TE1) in most league formats.
Note - It is getting harder to find true starters, but I am assuming that the following players are owned. If not, go get them:
Terrance West, RB, Ravens ($355)
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers ($293)
Cameron Meredith, WR, Bears ($287)
Golden Tate, WR, Lions ($277)
Matt Jones, RB, Washington ($233)
- Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins ($357): Was it Pittsburgh making Ajayi look that awesome, or did we just finally see him step up and produce like he used to at Boise State? The big back scored twice and rushed for over 200 yards in Week 6, plus he had a goal line carry vultured by a fullback. If you want to have Ajayi going forwards, be prepared to pay a lot this week, as he will be right at the top of everyone’s bid list.
- Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers ($177, $228 in TE PPR-bonus leagues): Antonio Gates came back to action, yet Hunter Henry looks like the top tight end now in San Diego. The rookie scored again last Thursday against Denver to highlight his 6-83-1 night, and can be considered a borderline TE1 going forwards. He gets a great matchup against Atlanta in Week 7.
MEDIUM MONEY
Medium Money is reserved for players who could be bye week starters or that have upside potential on good matchups in most league formats.
- Kenny Britt, WR, Rams ($167): Los Angeles finally gave up on trying to force the ball to Tavon Austin, and then the targets all flowed to Kenny Britt, who converted seven of eight chances for 136 yards and two scores. Britt is now emerging as the top receiver for the Rams and gets to face the Giants in London this week before his bye.
- Cole Beasley, WR, Cowboys ($157): If Cole Beasley is still on your league’s waiver wire, scoop him up now with Dallas on a bye week. Beasley had two touchdowns on 6-58 receiving against the Packers in Week 6, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Rookie QB Dak Prescott likes to target his slot receiver in Beasley, who leads the team in targets with 39 this season.
- Coby Fleener, TE, Saints ($123, $145 in TE PPR-bonus leagues): Fleener continued his presence as a TE1 for the Saints, scoring twice (one rushing) and catching six of seven targets for 74 yards against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. Fleener is becoming a bigger part of the offense for the Saints as time progresses and he is definitely a starting consideration in favorable matchups.
- Devontae Booker, RB, Broncos ($115, $190 if you own C.J. Anderson): I continue to beat the drum that C.J. Anderson does not look to be the top back any longer in Denver, despite his great catch and run for a touchdown that was denied due to a penalty against San Diego last Thursday. Booker had 46 yards rushing on just five carries, adding two catches for seven yards in the split backfield. This could be the way Denver handles this situation the rest of the season, making both backs RB2/flex options. Regardless, Booker needs to be on a roster in most leagues.
- Mike Wallace, WR, Ravens ($113): Even though Wallace only pulled in four of his nine targets, he was able to amass 97 yards and was the go-to target for Joe Flacco against the Giants in Week 6. He also would have had a score if not for a penalty, so his day could have been even better. With Steve Smith out, Wallace is the clear top wide receiver for Baltimore, and he gets a plus matchup next week against the Jets.
- Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans ($112): Mariota is the top quarterback to pick up this week, if he his available. Mariota rushed for 64 yards and threw for 284 more, including three scores against the hapless Browns in Week 6. Mariota gets another great matchup in Week 7 (home against the Colts), making him a borderline QB1 this week.
- James White, RB, Patriots ($110): The good news for White is that he had 15 touches, 66 total yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals in Week 6. The bad news? Dion Lewis will be back soon, and White was involved more (at least it appears that way) because the game was close in the first three quarters. Once New England had established a lead, LeGarrette Blount was the featured back yet again. White should be owned, but he is not a reliable fantasy contributor every week.
- Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington ($109): Washington is another up and down team this season, but right now they are on a high with four wins in a row and they get to face Detroit indoors in Week 7. Cousins still needs Jordan Reed back and to get on the same page with DeSean Jackson, but he has enough of a supporting cast to put up respectable numbers most weeks and deserves a bench spot and the chance to start in favorable matchups like Week 7 against the Lions in most fantasy leagues.
- Eli Manning, QB, Giants ($108): The Giants are not looking that strong overall this year, but the passing game is trying to make up for run game and defensive deficiencies. Eli Manning is not getting much time to throw, but when he does and finds Odell Beckham, all bets are off. Manning gets a solid matchup in London in Week 7 against the Rams, who just gave up four touchdown passes to Matthew Stafford.
- Brian Hoyer, QB, Bears ($106): When you start to put “Brian Hoyer” and “Top 10 quarterback” in the same sentence, you know that it has been a strange year. Forget the name of the quarterback for a moment and just look at the numbers. Hoyer has four 300-yard games in a row, which could be in jeopardy on a short week with a trip to Green Bay for Thursday. Hoyer does deserve a roster spot in most fantasy leagues with some favorable matchups down the line, but you will have to look elsewhere in Week 8 (Minnesota) and Week 9 (bye).
- Anquan Boldin, WR, Lions ($105): It feels like I mention Boldin every week here. This time he had nine targets in Week 6 against the Rams, pulling in eight of those for 60 yards and a touchdown. With Eric Ebron out, Boldin is a big part of the passing game and a clutch veteran to target for Matthew Stafford.
- Ty Montgomery, WR, Packers ($103): Many experts thought that Green Bay would get Randle Cobb more involved in the backfield with both Eddie Lacy and James Starks banged up, but it was actually Ty Montgomery that saw a much heavier workload. Montgomery was on the field for 35 snaps, a huge increase for him, and had three carries (3-6 rushing) and 12 targets (10-98 receiving). Green Bay is on a short week this week (hosting the Bears), but both Lacy and Starks (who is out) are still not 100%. Montgomery is a sneaky short term pickup and may have value even beyond Week 7.
- Rishard Matthews, WR, Titans ($102): Matthews is a tricky player to target this week, as he had three catches and a touchdown against Cleveland on Sunday and also has a great matchup in Week 7 (Indianapolis). Do not bid too high, but he could be a solid bargain with many owners targeting Kendall Wright.
CHUMP CHANGE
Chump Change is reserved for players who are relatively considered to be a good flier pick to stash on a fantasy bench in case he blows up over the next few weeks and becomes a potential immediate or spot starter.
- C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Texans ($95, $107 in TE PPR-bonus leagues): No, I am not talking about this guy, but the tight end for the Texans. Fiedorowicz has been catching a large percentage of his targets, pulling in 70% of 20 chances the last three weeks for 194 yards and two scores, which is true value at a thin tight end position this year. The matchup in Week 7 (Denver) will likely push targets towards the tight end position, making Fiedorowicz a solid sleeper this week.
- Robert Woods, WR, Bills ($93): Woods continues to be the top receiver in Buffalo with Sammy Watkins out. Woods had the ball in his hands six times (1-6 rushing, 5-44-1 receiving) against San Francisco and is seeing close to the most targets (Charles Clay is the other Buffalo receiver). Woods is a decent WR3/flex option.
- Justin Forsett, RB, Lions ($89): Forsett was added by Detroit this past week and was already given a few carries in Week 6 despite barely knowing the offense. If Theo Riddick (undisclosed) is out for a while, which could be given this signing, Forsett could become Detroit’s lead back. That possibility alone makes Forsett worth a pickup this week.
- Kendall Wright, WR, Titans ($88): Kendall Wright was the best fantasy receiver for Tennessee in Week 6 against Cleveland, pulling down eight of nine targets for 133 yards and a score versus the Browns. The problem with going after Wright – despite a plus matchup against Indianapolis in Week 7 – is that he was only on the field 22 of 62 offensive snaps. The smarter play would be to go after Rishard Matthews
- Charles Clay, TE, Bills ($83, $97 in TE PPR-bonus leagues): With Buffalo without Sammie Watkins, Clay saw the most targets for the second week in a row, pulling in five of seven tosses for 55 yards against the 49ers.
- Jack Doyle, TE, Colts ($81, $93 in TE PPR-bonus leagues): Doyle’s value has been up and down this season, but now Dwayne Allen is week to week with a sprained ankle. Doyle stepped in on Sunday Night Football against the Texans to produce (4-53-1), and Andrew Luck loves to target the tight end. If you own Allen, get Doyle – but he should be owned in most leagues that roster 20+ tight ends.
- Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars ($78): Jacksonville is throwing quite a bit this year with a questionable ground game and often trailing in contests, so the Jacksonville WR2 makes for a reasonable bench / flex / bye week option. Hurns saw 11 targets in Week 6, pulling down less than half but still posting a respectable 5-74 afternoon in Chicago. He is worth owning in most deeper leagues and is worth using in games where Jacksonville is expected to be moving the ball mostly through the air.
- Chris Ivory, RB, Jaguars ($67): So much for this being T.J. Yeldon’s backfield. Ivory had more touches (13-7) and carries (11-6) in Week 6 against the Bears, including the goal line plunge in Chicago. While neither of them are top end choices, if you need a running back from Jacksonville, favor the guy who got the goal line carry, touchdown and more yardage last week.
- Knile Davis, RB, Packers ($65): Speaking of sneaky pickups in Green Bay, the Packers just traded with Kansas City for Knile Davis. James Starks is out about a month now, so once Davis gets up to speed, he will be the understudy to Eddie Lacy.
- Mohamed Sanu, WR, Falcons ($58): Atlanta has a high-powered offense, which helps to cover for a lackluster Falcon defense. Sanu is the WR2 to Julio Jones’ WR1 status, and Sanu found the end zone for the second time this year in Week 6 against Seattle. Sanu pulled in five of 10 targets for 47 yards, but the score made him a value this week. In positive matchups, such as next week against the Chargers, Sanu is a WR3/flex option, especially in PPR leagues.
- Mike Gillislee, RB, Dolphins ($55): Gillislee is the clear backup to LeSean McCoy, and he showed his explosiveness with a 44-yard touchdown late in Week 6 against San Francisco. McCoy owners looking for a handcuff should target Gillislee.
- Brandon LaFell, WR, Bengals ($54): I thought I was kidding when I mentioned a “Brandon LaFell revenge game” in For the Win last week, but apparently not. LaFell’s score against his former team was a respectable moment in the third quarter, but two catches and 13 yards barely gets you any consideration.
- Kamar Aiken, WR, Ravens ($53): Filling in as the WR2 in Week 6, Aiken converted four of six targets for 64 yards against the Giants. Aiken has modest value and it will diminish once Steve Smith returns to action.
- C.J. Spiller, RB, Seahawks ($47): As long as Thomas Rawls is out, Spiller is the backup running back for Christine Michael in Seattle. Spiller had some production on limited touches in Week 6, catching three of six targets for 38 yards, but just one carry for a loss of three yards.
- Marqise Lee, RB, Jaguars ($45): Blake Bortles has to throw a lot with his team usually behind in the second half, so if Allen Robinson is not seeing the majority of targets in a given contest, owning Lee or Allen Hurns make for viable deeper league plays. Lee led the Jaguars in catches and targets against the Bears in Week 6, catching all six chances for 61 yards in Chicago. While not a high end option, Lee is viable bench fodder in very deep fantasy leagues.
- Zach Zenner, RB, Lions ($44): Zenner led the Lions in rushing for Week 6, posting a respectable 14-58 along with 2-19 receiving against the Rams. This value seems temporary, however, with Justin Forsett rapidly learning the offense and Dwayne Washington possibly back for Week 7.
- Chester Rogers, WR, Colts ($43): Rogers is getting more run for Indianapolis with both Donte Moncrief and now Philip Dorsett (hamstring) banged up. Rogers caught four passes for 63 yards in Week 6 against the Texans in relief of Dorsett. If both Moncrief and Dorsett are out in Week 7, Rogers has some sleeper appeal.
- KaDeem Carey, RB, Bears ($33): In case you were wondering who the backup or handcuff to Jordan Howard was while Jeremy Langford is out, Carey led the Bears in rushing in Week 6 (9-50), and was used to spell Howard. Carey’s only value is as a handcuff until Langford returns to action.
- Landry Jones, QB, Steelers ($11): With Ben Roethlisberger (knee) out this week, we have to at least make mention of Landry Jones. Just say no. Even for one game, most everyone else across the league is probably worth starting aside from a very short list of quarterbacks. Jones may get you a decent spot start score, but I would not take that risk.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com.
