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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 Adrian Peterson’s understudy, get him now before Peterson 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 New England 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, New England and Tennessee 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.
Week 8 Comment: This week is a make or break waiver wire week to me. Pick up the wrong guys and you will pay dearly for it. Waiver wire money will cost you, as will the wasted roster spot, but also the missed chance to get someone else. I see lots of Fools' Gold this week, so read on and choose wisely.
Week 9 Comment: Time to make some moves. With stars from six teams on the bye week, it is either time to build some depth or to position your team for a playoff push. Throw the budget away and get some guys you want (and might need) for November and the fantasy playoffs.
Week 10 Comment: Time to make some moves. With stars from six teams coming off of the bye week, those guys could fly under the radar. it is either time to build some depth or to position your team for a playoff push. Throw the budget away and get some guys you want (and might need) for November and the fantasy playoffs.
Running behind this week, so here are some early entries if you need to bid in the next few hours. Commentary to be added late Tuesday.
BIG BUCKS
Big Bucks are reserved for immediate starter potential players (QB1, RB1/2, WR1/2/3, Flex, TE1) in most league formats.
- Brandon LaFell, WR, Patriots ($375): If LaFell is available, grab him now as he is going to be a major factor for Tom Brady down the stretch. New England just lost Dion Lewis, who was just as much a receiver as a running back, so now Brady has to look elsewhere when he wants to throw. LaFell finally broke out in Week 9 with over 100 yards and a fantastic matchup against the Giants looming, get him on your roster now.
- DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington ($335): He’s back, and if your league-mates left him dangling on the waiver wire, go get him. Kirk Cousins is going to be throwing a lot the rest of this season, and DeSean is a welcome deep threat now that he is playing again.
- Karlos Williams, RB, Bills ($265): LeSean McCoy is not 100%, but it does not really matter when Williams can put up 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just nine carries. That’s RB1 numbers for anybody. Grab him if you can, and if McCoy is expected to miss any time, DOUBLE this bid.
- Davante Adams, WR, Packers ($225): As I have said many times before, a starting wide receiver for an elite quarterback is always worth a roster spot. That is the case here as Green Bay often uses three wideouts on the field at once, and Adams is the WR3. Not a rock solid, every week lineup guy, but in the right matchups Adams can “boom” for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
- James Starks, RB, Packers ($201): Eddie Lacy left the Week 9 game against Carolina early due to a groin injury, but even before that it was pretty clear that Lacy does not look like the lead and feature back we all pegged him for entering this year. Starks has been able to perform like a top tailback in the past, and he did it again in a tough loss to Carolina on Sunday with over 120 total yards and a touchdown. Lacy may get the first snap (when healthy) going forward, but Starks may see more touches.
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.
- Jeremy Langford, RB, Bears ($195): Remember when people were wondering who would be the next back after Matt Forte after all these years as the top guy in Chicago? I think we got the answer on Monday Night Football, as Langford looked strong as a runner and also made some nice grabs as a receiver. Langford could push for more playing time as Forte turns 30 next month and is a free agent after this season. The Bears may want to get a better look at Langford down the stretch, so grab him now and do not worry about the bad matchup next week (Rams) because Langford could be valuable through Week 17.
- Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars ($145): As long as Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson are playing, I am going to like Bortles this year. I love him this week against Baltimore as well. If you want to add a quarterback, both Bortles and Mariota lead the way this week.
- Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans ($133): If you are shopping for a quarterback this week, Mariota should be high on that list. He spread the ball around to multiple targets and looked comfortable back as the starter. Four touchdown passes tend to have that effect. I like him down the stretch as a decent QB2 with some upside.
- Marvin Jones, WR, Bengals ($131): The second receiver in Cincinnati used to be a throwaway spot from a fantasy perspective, but not when Andy Dalton is playing like he has this year. Jones caught five balls for 78 yards last Thursday in a game where Tyler Eifert dominated red zone targets. Jones offers solid WR3 / flex value going forward.
- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Titans ($129): Green-Beckham was utilized a lot more in Week 9 by Marcus Mariota (and the new coaching staff), and I think that is an indication of what to expect the rest of this year. Add him as a flex option for now but he has much, much higher upside.
- Cole Beasley, WR, Cowboys ($115): Matt Cassel had a respectable game against the Eagles in Week 9, although his team fell short in overtime. Beasley saw a ton of targets and looked very, very quick over the middle as he darted between defenders for nine catches, 112 yards and two touchdowns. Do not expect a repeat performance against Tampa Bay, but Beasley offers great WR3 value with upside in good matchups.
- James White, RB, Patriots ($101): While everyone chases Brandon Bolden, go get James White instead. He is the back that will likely step in for Dion Lewis, although he is not the equal talent. White was inactive on Sunday, so that is why Bolden played ahead of him. Both should be active going forward, but White will see more work, just as he did earlier this year when Lewis was out.
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.
- Antonio Andrews, RB, Titans ($99): David Cobb may be getting ready to play for the Titans, but until he does you have to respect that Antonio Andrews is the top back for Tennessee. Andrews had over 100 total yards in a big win for the Titans and the coaching staff is supporting him as the lead back – for now. If you need a RB2/flex option, Andrews could be your guy – but I would still add David Cobb too just in case.
- Jacob Tamme, TE, Falcons ($96, $144 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Tamme had another solid outing (6-61) despite a terrible performance overall by the Falcons in Week 9. Tamme has established himself as not just the starting tight end for Atlanta but also one of Matt Ryan’s favored targets after Julio Jones.
- Kamar Aiken, WR, Ravens ($95): Out of sight, out of mind as they say. Baltimore just had a bye week, but the Ravens are still hurting at wide receiver. Aiken is likely to be their top target against the Jaguars in Week 10 and possibly the rest of the way, so pick him up and hope for WR3 value or better.
- Griff Whalen, WR, Colts ($88): Andrew Luck has been spreading the ball around with T.Y. Hilton out with an injury, and Griff Whalen saw a pretty interesting utilization in Week 9 against Denver. Whalen was only on the field for 10 snaps, but he was targeted on 50% of those plays and he pulled in every one of those chances for a combined 73 yards. Indianapolis needs a third receiver, and Whalen is stepping up. He’s a dark horse fantasy addition, but if Hilton misses more time I like his upside.
- Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers ($85): Not flashy but the speedy back is getting touches out of the backfield as both a rusher and a receiver. His impact has increased with limited wide receiver options, and he is stepping it up with more touches. He deserves roster consideration.
- Landry Jones, QB, Steelers ($78): Most likely, Jones is going to get one start before Ben Roethlisberger is back under center for Pittsburgh. Big Ben’s ankle will sideline him for “2-4 weeks”, it was reported, and the Steelers have just one game before a Week 11 bye. That would mean one missed start if he is out three weeks, and that is what I expect here. Unless you need Jones to start for you this week, I would add another quarterback if you want one.
- Wes Welker, WR, Rams ($76): Welker is a bargain basement guy in the hopes no one else even knows that he just signed with St. Louis. The Rams just lost Stedman Bailey for a four game suspension, so they want Welker to get ready to play quickly. Is most of the tread off of Welker’s tires? Possibly, but for a cheap bid, take a chance that he has something left in the tank.
- Owen Daniels, TE, Broncos ($75, $109 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Vernon Davis may have been traded to Denver, but Owen Daniels is not giving up the role of top tight end for Peyton Manning that easily. Daniels had six catches, 102 yards and a score in a tough loss to the Colts, but Manning certainly likes targeting him in key situations.
- Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington ($67): Some may move off of Crowder with DeSean Jackson returning, but Crowder is the WR3 for Washington and he can get open over the middle. Considering that Kirk Cousins is going to have to throw a lot with a bad defense giving up too many points, all three receivers have fantasy value.
- Blaine Gabbert, QB, 49ers ($59): I can’t find a good reason to chase the anomaly that was the 49ers in Week 9 against San Francisco. If you have Atlanta replay that game in San Francisco 100 times, I still believe that they win it 80% or more – but that’s why they play the games. Gabbert had two touchdown passes and ran for 32 yards, but I cannot see him putting up starting quarterback numbers again this year, plus he faces Seattle next in Week 11. No thanks.
- Dontrelle Inman, WR, Chargers ($55): Philip Rivers has been having a great season as a passer, but his targets are fading fast. Keenan Allen is done for the year, Ladarius Green is hurt and Malcom Floyd was injured on Monday. San Diego was putting any receivers that they had left on the field (literally) so Inman is the only wide receiver after Steve Johnson with NFL experience on the roster if Floyd is out for a while. He is a cheap add candidate with the Chargers on a bye this week.
- Marcel Reece, RB, Raiders ($45): I wish I had clear direction for you in the Oakland backfield, as Latavius Murray suffered a concussion on Sunday and could miss time. If he does, I think Marcel Reece gets more work as he is the best receiving back and has played the most after Murray was out. I don’t expect a ton from anyone if Murray is sidelined for a while, but Reece is the best bet of the backs left on the roster, ahead of Taiwan Jones.
- Adam Humphries, WR, Buccaneers ($44): Who? Yes, another guy we have to dig a little to find out who is stepping in for Vincent Jackson. Humphries is an undrafted free agent (UDFA) from Clemson just signed a few weeks ago off of the practice squad. Stranger things have happened, but your roster has to be pretty deep to add him this week.
- Brandon Bolden, RB, Patriots ($23): I had to mention him as he is the RB fool’s gold of the week. The only reason Bolden was playing ahead of James White last Sunday is because White was inactive. Sure, Bolden scored and had 39 yards on just four touches, but Bill Belichick does have a pecking order for his running back roles. With Dion Lewis out, expect James White to be ahead of Bolden.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com.