The midpoint to every fantasy sports season can be a trying time for any owner.
You’re going to be faced with one of two scenarios: you either started the season red hot out of the gates and find yourself slowing down or vice versa.
Believe it or not, it’s best to be the team that doesn’t get off to a good start.
Hear me out. If you’re the worst team in the league, record-wise, you can have the edge when it comes to the waiver order and picking up the key free agents that you’ll need to build for the long haul.
What you have to do a good job at, as an owner, is being selective on who you pick up.
You’ll be fine, as long as you follow the rule of the thumb: you should want every player on your roster to be a potential starter for your team.
Those miracle waiver wire pickups tend to slow down as this point in the season, because teams are starting to learn how to prepare for them, so temper expectations.
If you’re not happy with this first half of the fantasy season, then it’s time to take a hard look at your team and realize that you need to make some drastic changes.
Let’s take a look at some players that are getting hot at the right time and can be stable contributors during your playoff push…
Cecil Shorts (3% owned) Much like Randall Cobb, Cecil Shorts has been the beneficiary of injuries to the starting receivers on his team. Laurent Robinson has missed multiple weeks with injuries early in the season, opening opportunities for Shorts to stand out. In the past two weeks, he’s caught 12 passes for close to 200 yards and a touchdown. He did that against the Raiders and Packers, which should give owners confidence as he prepares to take on the Lions and Colts in the upcoming weeks. While Robinson is hurt and Justin Blackmon continues to struggle, Shorts will be the number one options in Jacksonville. Maurice Jones-Drew is going to be out for an indefinite period, so the Jags offense will have to run through someone. Get shorts in your lineup as a strong flex option and a viable number two receiver.
Miami Dolphins D/ST (15% owned) In seven games this season, the Dolphins have forced eight interceptions and executed three fumble recoveries. Between the defense and the special teams, this unit has also scored two touchdowns. They are an underrated unit that can help fantasy owners that are hurting for some stability at the position. If you’re a Jets, Eagles, or Ravens defense owner and you’re just not sure what to think about those units at this point in the season, then you might want to consider the Dolphins D/ST. They have a solid run defense and pass rush, but aren’t a lights out unit just yet. The only thing that concerns you going forward with them is the fact that they haven’t played the Patriots yet. Those two matchups are probably going to put them in a difficult spot as a starting option for owners, but otherwise can be a viable and sneaky pickup.
Titus Young (50% owned) This could be a tough spot if you’re trying to pick him up, but Titus Young can help any team right now. If he’s available in your waiver wire, you should start viewing Titus Young as the second best option in the Lions defense. Right now, teams are putting more attention on Calvin Johnson than normal, leaving plenty of opportunities for Young. He’s caught 15 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns these past two weeks, against two top defenses in the Bears and Seahawks. He’s battled injuries for more of the early parts of the season, but those are non-factors at this point. The thing that you like most about Titus Young is the fact that he can contribute as a great PPR league option, he can stretch the field, and he’s efficient in the red zone. If he’s available, nab him.
WATCHLIST
LeGarrette Blount (28% owned) The trade deadline is on Thursday and there are tons of rumors swirling about where backup certain backup running backs could be heading. We know about two major names in DeAngelo Williams and LeGarrette Blount. The two teams that jump out at you that could be buyers are the Arizona Cardinals the Green Bay Packers. Blount has been in Greg Schiano’s doghouse since day one and you have to think that he’ll do whatever it takes to get some return value for him. Doug Martin has been blowing up these past two weeks, leaving Blount even more expendable. In the snaps that he’s gotten this season, Blount has been very effective. Don’t think that just because he’s not starting that it means that he doesn’t have something to offer. Keep an eye on his situation leading into Thursday.
