Tyler Huntley, QB, Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson is one of the best players fantasy football has to offer. Fortunately for the Ravens, their offense doesn’t have to change as much with Huntley under center. With six teams on a bye in Week 14 and injuries to Jackson and Jimmy Garoppolo, Huntley is a streaming option because of his rushing ability. If you’re a Jackson owner, Huntley is a logical replacement until Jackson returns to the lineup.
Zonovan Knight, RB, New York Jets: I was hesitant to add him to this list last week after the injury to Michael Carter because James Robinson was still on the roster. Sunday’s game against the Vikings answered my questions. He totaled 20 touches, compared to 11 for the rest of the Jets’ backfield. Knight figures to get the majority of the running back work until Carter gets back, and that makes him a FLEX-worthy player.
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills: When the Bills traded for Nyheim Hines, many thought that was the end of Cook’s fantasy relevance. Instead, he’s been featured more each week and got more touches than starter Devin Singletary this past week. Cook will continue to get more work, and his ties to Buffalo’s explosive offense make him a FLEX option.
Cook falls into the group of handcuff running backs as well, and each week, I’ll stress the importance of owning handcuffs over backup tight ends and fifth wide receivers. Semaje Perine has been a top-10 fantasy running back for an injured Joe Mixon in back-to-back weeks. Players like Perine, Cook, Alexander Mattison, Matt Breida, Dontrell Hilliard and Kenneth Gainwell all become starting options in the event of injury.
I have no idea what to make of the Seahawks’ running back group. Kenneth Walker left with an ankle injury, but if he’s on the field, he’s their best option. DeeJay Dallas was next in line with Travis Homer inactive, and Tony Jones Jr. got a few carries with Dallas getting banged up as well. If Walker misses action, Dallas likely gets the bulk of the touches, but I’d be afraid to start anyone other than Walker this week in such a pivotal point of the season.
Maryland online sports betting is here.
Sign up now with these special offers.
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants: He’s on this list once again because he’s criminally underrated by fantasy owners. Slayton was the Giants’ leader in targets, receptions and receiving yards once again on Sunday, and he is a reliable WR3 due to the Giants’ depleted receiving corps.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans: He only had three receptions on Sunday, but one of those was for a touchdown and he was targeted 10 times. That gives him 36 targets in his last four games. He’s become the No. 1 receiver for a team that is often trailing and forced to throw. He’s another WR3, especially when Brandin Cooks is out the lineup.
Las Vegas Raiders D/ST: This defense has broken down a handful of times late in games this season, but the Raiders have a favorable schedule in the final four weeks of the fantasy campaign. In the next four weeks, they play the Rams on a short week with Matthew Stafford on injured reserve, Mac Jones and the Patriots, rookie Kenny Pickett and the Steelers, and the 49ers without Jimmy Garoppolo.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox