We are halfway through the NFL season and beginning to get a better idea of which players can and can’t help when it comes to fantasy football. Many teams are on their bye week and as always, there will be injuries to key players such as Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Let's review some players that could seriously help your team that might be available in free agency.
Coming into this season, many wondered how Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans would fix a Texans franchise that has been in turmoil for the past couple of years. The answer to that question is quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud is making a solid case for the Rookie of the Year award and propelling his team into playoff contention.
Last week, Stroud threw for 356 yards against the Bengals and scored two touchdowns, one being a rushing touchdown. Stroud is a dual threat who can have big games rushing and throwing the football, an amazing value pickup for this late into the season.
Playing the Arizona Cardinals this week, Stroud faces a defensive unit that has given up 263 points this season and ranks third worst in the league, according to PFF. Stroud is an amazing talent who could turn into a long-term starter.
The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the playoff picture despite not outgaining their opponent in yards once this year. This comes from having a great defense and getting great play from your offense in the fourth quarter. A big reason that they are winning is because of running back and undrafted free agent Jaylen Warren.
Former Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris was expected to have a great season, but for the most part, he has not amazed. Harris has been outshined several times by Warren, who rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in last week's win, flashing big play ability every time he gets the ball.
Warren faces the Cleveland Browns this week, who sports the top defense in the league, according to Fox Sports. While Warren’s production may go down from a yards-per-carry standpoint, Cleveland has shown vulnerability when it comes to giving up big plays such as giving up a 39-yard touchdown run to Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell last week.
Quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott is on a hot streak right now, throwing for 404 yards and four touchdowns last week against the New York Giants. From this game, we had a breakout player in wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who had nine catches for an astounding 173 yards and a touchdown.
Cooks started the season slow with 39 targets this season, but this could be the turnaround he needs to get going this season. Cooks benefit from teammate CeeDee Lamb getting matched up against the opposing team's best cornerback, leaving Cooks in one-on-one situations and available for the deep ball on a lot of plays.
The Cowboys play the team with the worst record in the league, the Carolina Panthers, this week. The Cowboys sport the sixth-best passing attack in the league at 261 yards per game and with a top-five defense giving the offense more opportunities against a bad Panthers offense, Cooks will have many chances for big numbers this week.
One of the season's biggest surprises is the Washington Commanders offense's improvement under first-year offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Quarterback Sam Howell has had no shortage of weapons to throw to, but one player is constantly getting targets on the team, and that's tight end Logan Thomas.
Thomas is coming off a solid five catches for 40 yards against the Seattle Seahawks and has been a reliable safety net for Howell this season. Going against the Giants this week, who gave up a touchdown to Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson and 640 total yards, it’s not crazy to assume Washington can put up similar numbers. Thomas will not blow you away with production but will be a solid fill-in for your tight-end position.
Jasper Greuel is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that 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.
