Friday, November 22, 2024

Fantasy Football

This Fantasy Football Waiver Adds Ripens Rosters for Thanksgiving and Beyond

First and foremost, Belly Up Sports and I would like to take a moment to wish each and everyone the best Thanksgiving holiday ever. Second, the NFL and fantasy worlds don’t take a moment to rest. Because of that, this fantasy football waiver adds Thanksgiving edition will ensure rosters are ripe with all the holiday trimmings. The fantasy playoffs are just a few weeks away and every manager needs to check the wire bargain bin to get their teams holiday and postseason ready.

Running Backs

Devonta Freeman, Baltimore Ravens, 34.7% Owned

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Freeman scored the winning touchdown Sunday against Chicago

Without question, the Raven running back position has been hit the hardest of any team in the league this season. Fortunately for the team, Devonta Freeman has been a critical performer for them in the past month or so. In fact, this past Sunday, Freeman scored the winning touchdown against the Bears.

He finished that game with 16 carries for 49 yards and caught all six of his targets for 31 more. In the past five games, Freeman has three rushing touchdowns and has another TD catch. He finished with 19 fantasy points against Chicago, his most of the season. Freeman projects as the lead back once again this week going up against the Cleveland Browns. There can be no doubt that Freeman definitely belongs at the top on this fantasy football waiver adds Thanksgiving edition.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers, 40% Owned

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Hubbard would make an excellent bench stash in case of another injury to starter Christian McCaffrey

After the return of Christian McCaffrey, lots of managers cut lose Chuba Hubbard. Those that don’t have much roster space. that certainly makes sense. However, those that do have room might want to take a look to see if Hubbard is available and make a move.

For as great a talent as McCaffrey is, he has been fragile the past two seasons. If he were to go down again, Hubbard would be the number one back. Of course, no one would wish for that, but it would be wise to plan for for just such a situation. Hubbard has demonstrated he can be a 100 rush yard runner and he has caught as many as five passes in a game. If available, he would make for a great bench stash for now.

Wide Receivers

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers, 3.2% Owned

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Valdes-Scantling could be the add of the week if Lazard sits again

Anyone that watched this Sunday’s matchup between the Packers and Vikings could see that Aaron Rodgers went out of his way to find Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Rodgers targeted him 10 times, which equals the total from their last four games together. The result was four catches for 123 yards, including a beautiful 75 yard touchdown that briefly gave Green Bay the lead late in the game.

To be sure, the fact the Allen Lazard was out with an injured shoulder had a lot to do with the above success. Lazard’s availability this week is up in the air at this point. Seeing as how opponents have to account for Davante Adams on every play, Valdes-Scantling would be a wise add for anyone having to replace a wide receiver for at least this week.

Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons, 20.3% Owned

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It is doubtful that there are any players who have enticed managers to add him to their rosters this season and then disappoint like Russell Gage. With a game upcoming against Jacksonville, though, Gage is back in the bargain bin this week. Gage has been targeted eight times in two of his last three games. Against a tough Patriot defense, he caught five of those targets for 49 yards.

Even though the Jaguars have surprised some teams in the past few weeks, their defense is still soft, coming in at number 21 in total defense. They have also allowed 2506 yards passing. Only 11 teams have allowed more. The Falcon offense has been in a black hole the past two weeks, no question. However, fantasy teams that have receiver issues can ride Gage for one more week. Gage has earned a spot on this fantasy football waiver adds Thanksgiving edition.

Other Wide Receivers Worth a Look-

Nelson Agholor has been as up and down as any player out there this season. However, he was up against the Falcons, catching all five targets for 40 yards and a TD. Who knows which Tennessee team will show up this week? Agholor is definitely worth kicking the tires for this game.

Elijah Moore is probably not widely available, but managers need to check his availability just in case. His game against Miami demonstrates why as he set season highs in catches, yards and targets. He even had a carry in the game. With the Houston Texans upcoming this weekend, grab him immediately if he is indeed on the waiver wire shelf.

Tight Ends

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears, 12.6% Owned

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The Lions are terrible, opening the way to add Kmet for the game this Thursday

Of all the recommendations on this list, none gives me as much hesitation as this one does. Everything was looking up for Cole Kmet after Chicago’s week nine game against Pittsburgh. Kmet caught six of eight targets for 87 yards in that game. The elevator seemed pointed straight up coming out of the the Bears’ bye week against Baltimore.

However, the clock struck midnight on Kmet as he only caught one of two targets in the game for 12 yards. It is not known who will QB the team against Detroit on Thanksgiving. What we do know, though, is that there are only five defenses worse than the Lions. To make things worse for them, they only have three days to prepare for the game this week. As stated above, the position is desert dry right now and Kmet is worth a dart throw this Thursday.

Quarterbacks

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, 40.8% Owned

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Newton’s return is big news for fantasy managers this holiday season

Welcome back to the NFL, Cam Newton! The last anyone had heard of Newton was when the Patriots dumped him back in the preseason. For the first nine weeks of the season, Newton twisted in the wind without anyone giving him a contract. Suddenly, he was signed by his old team, Carolina, and appeared in his first action against the Cardinals two Sundays ago. Newton accounted for two touchdowns in that game and was named the starter this past weekend against Washington.

All he did in that game was throw for two TDs and scored another on the ground. That’s five total touchdowns in just two games. Additionally, Newton completed 21 of 27 passes for 189 yards and rushed for another 46. Those that held onto to him in dynasty have to be plenty happy. For everyone else, if not already, Newton will be off the wire with blinding speed. Newton leads the way on this fantasy football waiver adds Thanksgiving edition.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 16.5% Owned

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Roethlisberger returned to the lineup in a big way, throwing 3 TDs against the Chargers

After missing a game due to a positive virus test, Ben Roethlisberger returned to the starting lineup in a big way Sunday night. Roethlisberger completed 28 of 44 passes for 273 yards against the Chargers. Even better, he threw three touchdown passes and wasn’t intercepted. For the game, Roethlisberger finished with an excellent 42 fantasy points.

To be sure, it has been an up and down season for Roethlisberger and the Steelers. However, he has scored over 30 fantasy points in his last two starts and the Bengals’ defense hasn’t been all that this season. Managers were right to be concerned about him earlier in the year, but if there are any QB issues on a roster, Roethlisberger is just the right prescription this week.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football start/sit week eleven edition! As always, I welcome input and suggestions from all of my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!

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