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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.
Now, on to some specific players to target here in NFL Week 2 of the 2015 season:
BIG BUCKS
Big Bucks are reserved for immediate starter potential players (QB1, RB1/2, WR1/2/3, Flex, TE1) in most league formats.
- Donte Moncrief, WR, Colts ($317): T.Y. Hilton is going to be out a few weeks with a knee bruise, which opens the door for Moncrief to assume the deep strike wide receiver role for Andrew Luck. Moncrief had 11 targets (6-46-1), only three behind Hilton’s team-leading 14. Moncrief is the top wide receiver addition for his upside potential with Luck.
- Kendall Wright, WR, Titans ($301): If somehow Wright was overlooked in your league, scoop him up. He should be a WR3 in most leagues at worst and be on a roster in every league.
- Bishop Sankey, RB, Titans ($277): Rostered in most leagues, but if you believe Week 1 was the beginning of him turning the corner to becoming an every week back, get him now.
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.
- Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals ($175, $245 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Remember that debate on who will be the WR2 for the Bengals? Apparently it is the tight end instead, Tyler Eifert, who turned 12 targets into a big day (9-104-2).
- Dwayne Allen, TE, Colts ($165, $225 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Allen (6 targets, 3-17-1) outpaced Coby Fleener (1-5-0 on one target) by a wide margin Sunday, and with T.Y. Hilton now injured, Allen may be finding the end zone with more regularity. If he is somehow available, grab him quickly.
- Steve Johnson, WR, Chargers ($157): Looks like the Chargers are not going to miss Eddie Royal after all. Johnson had a big game against Detroit (6-82-1) with nearly 100 yards and a second touchdown in the contest. Expect WR3 type numbers going forward and definitely scoop him up if you can.
- James Jones, WR, Packers ($155): Davante who? James Jones had two scores and another pulled back due to penalty in Week 1. Jones has a long history with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, and that rapport will go a long way for the WR3.
- Cole Beasley, WR, Cowboys ($152): Beasley will be starting now with Dez Bryant sidelined 4-8 weeks. The Julian Edelman-type receiver has good speed and can get open over the middle.
- Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers ($149): Woodhead was the star of Week 1 for the Chargers in the backfield, catching four balls for 20 yards and adding two touchdowns on 12-42 rushing. Woodhead appears to be the top back in a committee backfield, but he is the one producing all the fantasy numbers you should care about.
- Jordan Reed, TE, Washington ($145, $201 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Reed led all Washington receivers with 11 targets on which he produced solid numbers (7-63-1), making him one of the few bright spots in Week 1. With DeSean Jackson out with a hamstring issue, Reed should lead all Washington receivers throughout September, if not longer.
- Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos ($144): Ronnie Hillman had 12 carries in Week 1 while C.J. Anderson did next to nothing. Gary Kubiak can make good runners great, and this coaching staff is far from married to Anderson.
- David Johnson, RB, Cardinals ($137): You might be able to steal David Johnson for under $100 with some owners going after Chris Johnson this week, but be sure that David is the back to own with Andre Ellington sidelined for 2-3 weeks. Snap him up if you can. Don’t be too stingy here as he could pay off big if he gets rolling in Week 2.
- Darren Sproles, RB, Eagles ($133): Sproles was lined up all over the field for Chip Kelly, and he produced as a rusher and a wide receiver out of the slot (plus he lined up to return punts as well). Sproles will get plenty of touches in the Eagles’ offense, making him valuable.
- Ladarius Green, TE, Chargers ($133, $177 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Green stepped up as the starter for San Diego, catching all but one of his six targets (5-74-1) for a solid day to open the season. San Diego had to throw a lot, and Green was a big factor. I expect more of the same against the Bengals in Week 2.
- Karlos Williams, RB, Bills ($131): Rex Ryan is going to run, run, run the ball this year, and if anything happens to LeSean McCoy, Williams will be the back to own. Williams found the end zone in Week 1 and he has value already in the Buffalo offense
- Brandon Coleman, WR, Saints ($131): Preseason darling Coleman caught a short pass and dove into the end zone for Drew Brees in Week 1, but his other chances were minimal (4-41-1 on the day). Coleman was on the field more than Marques Colston, however, so the value is there if the targets begin to increase.
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Buccaneers ($125, $166 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Tampa Bay looked very bad in Week 1, but at least their big tight end had a good day. Seferian-Jenkins turned seven targets into two touchdowns with 110 yards on five catches in Week 1.
- Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals ($111): I have Palmer ahead of Mariota because of the veteran’s performance, receivers, matchup in Week 2 (Chicago) and now the loss of Andre Ellington. Palmer should be a QB1 against the Bears.
- Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks ($101): Another young receiver with so much upside that was on display in Week 1, both as a return man and a pass catcher. Lockett showed his explosiveness all day against the Rams, catching all four of his targets for 34 yards and returning a punt for a touchdown. Add him before he breaks off his next big play, which is coming soon.
- Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans ($100): I would not go too hard after the rookie quarterback unless you have a desperate need, but most owners should have a solid QB1 on the roster. Mariota had a perfect QB rating of 158.3 and looked like Peyton Manning on paper with four touchdown passes against Tampa Bay. He should be set up well for a solid Week 2 against Cleveland.
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.
- Dion Lewis, RB, Patriots ($98): New England can run the ball, and Lewis showed explosiveness as both a runner and as a receiver. Will he maintain touches after LeGarrette Blount returns? Who knows just yet, but Lewis looked good and is worth a pickup.
- Jared Cook, TE, Rams ($97, $113 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Nick Foles loves a big tight end, and Seattle struggles to cover them – which all led to Cook’s solid Week 1. Washington will likely struggle to cover him in Week 2, so look for another solid performance this Sunday.
- Nate Washington, WR, Texans ($88): The veteran wide receiver debuted in Houston with over 100 yards receiving on 11 targets, catching six of those to complement DeAndre Hopkins’ big day. Houston gets Carolina next, so if the Panthers focus on shutting down Hopkins, Washington could have another strong performance in Week 2.
- Phillip Dorsett, WR, Colts ($77): A slightly speculative add here as he moves from team WR4 to WR3, but that’s a big move for Andrew Luck and the Colts. Dorsett had just two catches for 45 yards, but a young receiver with upside can break out quickly with Luck.
- Eric Ebron, TE, Lions ($75, $101 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Detroit actually looked good early against the Chargers in Week 1, then it all fizzled out late (as it seems to do for the Lions on the road). Ebron and Detroit now go to Minnesota, who gave up yardage to San Francisco tight ends on Monday. Ebron should build on his numbers in Week 2.
- Gavin Escobar, TE, Cowboys ($71, $99 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Dez Bryant is out, so somehow Tony Romo is going to have to move the ball through the air. Escobar has pushed Jason Witten in the past for playing time, and with a week to game plan against Philadelphia, Escobar might be used more.
- Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs ($57): Once again, this is more about supply vs. demand here. Smith was solid in Week 1 but Week 2 looks tough (Denver), and most fantasy teams will already have a solid QB1 option.
- Lance Dunbar, RB, Cowboys ($57): Dez Bryant is out about two months now, and Dunbar is the PPR running back for Dallas. He caught all of his eight targets and racked up 70 yards when they needed him, so that makes him a solid RB2 in PPR and flex option as well.
- Benny Cunningham, RB, Rams ($51): Cunningham has limited upside but is likely to be the starter again for St. Louis in Week 2 against Washington in a much better matchup than he had against Seattle.
- Percy Harvin, WR, Bills ($50): One deep touchdown does not make him a fantasy starter, but it is better than nothing, which is where most of us had him projected in Week 1. Harvin needs to produce more and be a bigger part of the offense going forward to get a starting fantasy spot, but he should be on a deep bench.
- Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals ($49): Do not break the bank on the wrong Johnson in Arizona. David Johnson has more long term value.
- Tyrod Taylor, QB, Bills ($45): The upside is here with Taylor’s dual threat status as both a rusher and a passer for Buffalo. The matchup against New England in Week 2 looks tougher than against Indianapolis, but the DFS darling from Week 1 has some long term viability as a QB2 with upside.
- Rashad Greene Sr, WR, Jaguars ($37): How can a receiver with 13 targets have a quiet day? Ask Mr. Greene with his seven catches adding up to just 28 yards. Only a short touchdown grab saved his fantasy day. I see him as fool’s gold if you add him.
- Tavon Austin, WR, Rams ($27): Another versatile wide receiver that scored in multiple ways as both a rusher and a kick returner (from a wide receiver, no less). Austin has to perform like this more consistently to get into a lineup, but for now he is worth a deep roster spot.
- Jarryd Hayne, RB, 49ers ($27): Reggie Bush had a calf injury on Monday Night Football, and this former Australian rugby star was Carlos Hyde’s immediate backup. Not a bad stash.
- Josh Robinson, RB, Colts ($25): Nice handcuff for Frank Gore owners to own. Grab and stash here.
Bargain running backs (All under $10 if you want to snap one up): Christine Michael (DAL), Khiry Robinson (NO), Bilal Powell (NYJ).
As always, questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com.