This Week’s Pick Ups
Eric Ebron – TE
Bengals TE Tyler Eifert sustained a gruesome injury yesterday and will probably miss the rest of the year. I think that with the recently developed hamstring issue of TY Hilton of the Colts makes a two-fold reason to consider picking up Eric Ebron of the Colts. Although Ebron has only 17 catches on the year, 3 are for TD’s and he will become a more vital cog for Andrew Luck, who is struggling to throw the ball deep anyway. The Colts are coming back on a short week and playing Thursday night so there is even less time for Hilton to heal. When Ebron came out of college 6 years ago and was drafted by Detroit he was known as a receiver first type player. Look for that skill set to reappear for the Colts. For any Eifert owners, stick with the E’s and play Ebron.
Tyler Boyd – WR
Another play off the Eifert injury is to double down on Bengal WR’s. Most of the attention goes to AJ Green when Cinn throws the ball and because of this, guess who doesn’t lead their team in receptions. The coverage gets rolled to his side and Tyler Boyd, an excellent route runner from Pitt has averaged over 100 yds in the last 3 games. He actually leads the Bengals in receiving. I think he’s only going to become more of an option because of the Eifert injury.
Tarik Cohen – RB
In case you hadn’t noticed, and I’m guessing most of you have, Tarik Cohen the running back in Chicago is becoming a viable weapon based on matchups each week. He is dynamic as a playmaker in both the running and passing games. His body control and ability to make people miss, especially in the flat after a catch or once into the secondary remind me of Darren Sproles who has a similar build and skill set. Cohen had 7 catches yesterday for 121 yds but also 13 carries for 53yds as a ball carrier. Look for Matt Nagy to enhance on these matchup advantages and for Tarik to become Mitchell Trubisky’s new “best friend”.
Kenny Golladay – WR
The most obvious plays in Detroit are Matthew Stafford and Golden Tate (Mr Top Pot for Seahawk fans). Two things beyond the obvious, 1. Detroit is always going to be behind this year, their defense stinks. 2. The more numbers from the slot that Tate puts up the big beneficiary of the attention this will draw is Kenny Golladay (4-74 last week) the WR from Northern Illinois who is both bigger and faster and also a better option to stretch the field. Look for Stafford and O.C. Jim-Bob Cooter to find ways to get the ball downfield and that best option will be Golladay.
Sony Michel – RB
After sharing the run game load between loads of backs the last few years, New England may just have found their “go to” guy until well, Bill Belichick decides he is getting too much attention, which is more of a question mark than Sony Michel’s abilities. He is Michel went off for 25-112 vs the Dolphins (a team that was embarrassing soft) but I think he gives them their first back in years who can play and contribute on all 3 downs. He had his first NFL TD and breakout numbers vs Miami. To that end I’d expect him to deliver some numbers that may just make him a “go and get him” type in some fantasy leagues if he’s not already spoken for.
Other breakout performers:
Corey Davis WR Tenn Titans- Do it all type, can be feast or famine though with inconsistent hands.
Ryan Switzer WR Pitt Steelers- Receptions over yards guy, He’s an option as extension to their missing running game.
Dede Westbrook WR Jax Jaguars- Finally had a breakout game (9-130) with 13 targets vs the Jets. It won’t be like this every week but Westbrooks versatility from the slot gives Blake Bortles some option and he has acceleration to take short routes and get a lot of yards after catches.
David Njoku TE Cleveland Browns- With Baker Mayfield now in place as the QB in Cleveland look for David to become a great outlet for him. At Oklahoma Baker loved Mark Andrews, his TE. Bigger bodied- short to medium range options from both inside the pocket and when he flushes from the pocket, plus the fact that they will still be behind in a lot of their games makes him a viable option. He had 5-52 vs Oakland.
Ed Dickson TE – One to keep in your pocket for after week 6. Seattle lost rookie TE Will Dissly this week to injury for what appears to be the rest of the year. Russell Wilson loves to find TE’s. Ed Dickson comes off reserve after 6 weeks and should figure into Seattle’s offensive plan when that happens. Just saying, something to keep in mind for the future.
