Last week saw many star players go down with injuries from Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery to Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Fantasy owners are looking to pick up some injury replacements but this week in particular that may be difficult as there are six teams on bye. There are only a few reliable options in free agency so here are some players that can help you get through this week.
With players like Fields going down, it may be time to look for another quarterback. With the low amount of solid QB play available, the safest move to make this week is to pick up the Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love.
Love is a great pick-up because he is facing the Denver Broncos’ horrible defense. The Broncos' defense is currently in a youth movement with the trading of edge rusher Randy Gregory and the release of Frank Clark.
The Broncos have only been able to put up one win this season in large part because of their defense that gave up 70 points in week three. The Broncos sport a unit that has given up more points than any other team in the league this season totaling 200 points this season as a whole according to PFF.
Meanwhile, Love has put up eight total touchdowns this season while leading the league in passes over 20 yards according to Fan Nation. Love has had a rough couple of weeks but coming off the bye week Love will be looking to rebound.
The Bears are a team to monitor every week for players to pick up due to their injuries and because RB D’Onta Foreman could be a solid piece for your team. Foreman started week one against the Packers and was disappointed, but due to injuries in the Bears’ RB room with Khalil Herbert (IR), Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) all hurt, the free agent could see significant carries. As previously stated, Fields will be missing time with a dislocated thumb, so the reliance on the Bears to run the football will see Foreman getting more opportunities.
In addition, Foreman is facing a bottom-five defense in the Las Vegas Raiders according to Pro Football Network. Despite having a rebound performance against the Packers in week five, they still have one of the worst rushing defenses in all of football which will help Foreman score.
With Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams tearing his ACL in week three of the NFL season, QB Justin Herbert has turned to WR Joshua Palmer to be his number two target. One of the benefits of picking up Palmer is that his teammate Keenan Allen takes on a lot of attention from the opposing team's secondary which can open up lanes for Palmer. Palmer showed this against the Dallas Cowboys where he caught four catches for 60 yards.
He faces off against the Kansas City Chiefs this week, who have a much-improved defense this season. QB Herbert, however, has always had great performances against the Chiefs, sporting a 107.3 quarterback ratingPalmer could be a great pickup for your team.
Tight end is always one of the most difficult positions to pick up in fantasy because of the lack of consistency at the position. When picking up a backup for the position it’s good to go with a veteran and for this reason, Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz would be a great addition to any team.
Ertz has been a stalwart at his position for nearly a decade and has gone 122 straight games with a reception. There have been very few TEs with more consistent production than Ertz and being a member of the Cardinals he might be on the move as the NFL trade deadline approaches. If Ertz is moved to a contender he may be an even better addition to your team. The veteran will make for a solid backup and could fill in nicely for your roster while your starter is hurt or on bye.
With there being three fewer games this week, picking up a win with several players on bye could be a huge boost to your season. Make sure to catch as many games as possible and good luck this Sunday.
Jasper Greuel is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Jasper about his column? email him at jg453620@ohio.edu
