Championship Deep Adds RB and QB

 If you are a competing team you might be looking for those perfect depth pieces. With the exception of a few names, these aren’t going to be the guys you want to rely on each and every week, but they could fill in and be competitive enough for you. These are guys you can acquire with late round picks and maybe even get off your waiver wire, depending on how deep your rosters are. These are also guys that non competitive teams might want to pick up (if super cheap) and maybe you can resell later if they start well, make a quick dime! The QB’s of course will cost more depending on format. 

Let’s start with the RB’s 

Gio Bernard 

Think James White with Tom Brady. White was a consistent PPR back for many years being Tom Brady’s security blanket. Brady could have had James White, but he obviously didn’t want White or White didn’t want to leave Old Bill. Brady wanted Gio in Tampa, and Brady usually gets what he wants. Fournette did ok in the pass catching role last year, but this is what Bernard is built for. Let Fournette and Rojo fight over the early down work, that will be a mess. Give me Gio catching 5-7 balls out of the backfield with all those other weapons opening up space for him. He’s not going to blow the top off on games, but he’s not going to put up a goose egg for you either. He will put up 10 ish points per game, with chances of some higher games if the Bucs ever find themselves down. He’s that security blanket for your team incase of an emergency. Don’t want to start him if you don’t have to, but will give you an average game if you need him.

James White 

Speaking of James White, why not bring him up! He signed back with the Patriots after rumours of him being reunited with Brady. Rex Burkhead was not brought back. Which means the running back room is now Michel, Harris, newly drafted Stevenson and White. One of these things is not like the other, the first three names all are early down, between the tackle runners. White will continue the role he has held for many years, but won’t have Burkhead to share these targets with. J.J. Taylor could sneak in there, but White will be the main pass catching back. Now, this will be even better if and when Mac Jones takes over. As mentioned before, rushing QB’s like Newton typically don’t support ppr backs as well, because instead of checking down, they run. However, Mac Jones is likely to get a shot this year and it will likely come later in the year. This would be in your favour as White’s owner, you get a non mobile QB taking over just as you are making your run to the championship! Perfect! Safe floor guy, with upside! These ppr guys are always nice bench guys. 

Tarik Cohen 

Does anyone else remember 2018? I sure do, I picked up Cohen late in my start up dynasty draft and rode him to a championship! I got laughed at for picking him before Duke Johnson that year. Cohen is a shifty back, and when given a prominent role in the offence he performs. I like his outlook coming off an injury plagued season and Andy Dalton coming in. If Anthony Miller is traded that might open things up for him as well, he could get some snaps in the slot. They need to get him in the slot and utilize him more. No reason why him and Monty can’t be on the field at the same time. There always seems to be a ppr back who surprises and jumps into the top 15. Last year it was Hines, White has done it a few times, Cohen had his moment in 2018, jumping up to 11th that year. If Dalton does start for the year, I doubt it’s the full year, but if he does Cohen will be used more. I don’t see him being as utilized if and when Fields comes in. It’s proven that with rushing QB’s ppr backs just don’t do as well, they don’t check down nearly as often. I’d still look to see what the Cohen owner would sell him for. He might be someone you could flip for a bit of an uptick if he starts the year off well with Dalton under centre. He’s not going to start for you each week, but like Bernard he will provide that safe floor for you to help you through bye weeks or an injury, especially if Dalton is the starter for an extended period of time. 

Raheem Mostert 

The 49ers drafted two RB’s this year, but don’t let that scare you away from acquiring Mostert. The 49ers have used multiple backs and it is hard to know exactly who is going to hit each week, but this is his last year under contract. If he stays on the roster I believe he will be used, might as well get your monies worth out of him! Sermon and Mitchell were brought in to replace Mostert and Wilson next year, and some insurance because of Mostert’s injury history. Don’t give up much, but he could be a top 24 back if he remains on the roster, good depth piece in an offence that loves to run the ball. 

Other notable names: Gus Edwards, he will get his carries. Jerick McKinnon, any RB who signs with the Chiefs needs to be starred at least. 

QB’s to target 

Ryan Fitzpatrick 

This is the worse kept secret! Most guys are pretty excited to see Fitzmagic lead his own team, and a pretty good team at that. Fitz has that gunslinger mentality a true number one WR in Mclurain and multiple other weapons to go along with an all world defence. The best part about this situation is the fact that the Football Team did not draft a QB. There isn’t really anyone who will push Fitzmagic for starts this year. Allen and Heinicke aren’t the future considering the team was linked to a QB in the draft and also were in the talks for Darnold, Watson, and Rodgers. They will give Fitzpatrick the reigns and see if he can lead them to a Super Bowl. Two things could push him out of the starting job. If they are losing and want to really see what they have in the other two or because he is turnover prone. Rivera could get fed up with multiple games of turnovers and he might think one of the other two is a the safer option. He started the year with a three interception game against the Patriots, but 3 out of the next 5 games were well above 25 points, and the other two were right around the 20 point mark. His weapons with Washington are much better than what he had in Miami. He can be had late in start up drafts, even Superflex leagues and his trade value is lower than most due to his age. Send a 3rd rounder this year, might have to pay a bit more because of the position, but I would be fine having him as my QB 2 in superflex or my backup in 1 QB. 

Big Ben

When is the end for this guy? It sure looked like it towards the end of the season. He disappointed a lot of fantasy owners in the semi finals last year. Although the line hasn’t been addressed, which is a huge concern, he does have a get some help with Harris coming in to take off some pressure. He has all the toys he needs with Juju, Mapletron, Dionte, Ebron and freshly drafted Friermuth, who could help in the blocking department. Big Ben can get the job done, there is no threat to him losing starts, unless they happen to be out of the playoff hunt and want to see what they have in Haskins. He has had injury trouble, so you can use that to your advantage in the negotiating. If he’s not on a contending team you should be attempting to acquire him if you need the depth. I don’t like him as much as Fitz for starting, but he’s a perfect number 3 on a contending team in superflex formats. I wouldn’t pay much higher than a mid 3rd plus maybe a development player, but it’s better to get him now while rookie fever is hot. 

Tom Brady

He’s the G.O.A.T enough said! He’s probably going to cost you the most just because of the name, but he really doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all either. He has the most talent around him of the three mentioned. I would trust him as a starter, he doesn’t seem to be anywhere close to retirement, so make a move for him. If I am contending I’d be willing to move a second + a small piece. It should get it done. It’s better to make the deal today than when you need to do it. I don’t play in too many non superflex, but I think a third + a small piece wouldn’t be crazy if you needed some QB depth to make a run.   

Deshaun Watson

He doesn’t quite fit in with the rest, but I think you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t go and ask the price, it might be a bit too late to get a panic price, but just go and see. If you can get him for any draft pick this year I’d do it. Honestly I’d pay anything except for maybe the 1.01 for him. Even that I would strongly consider. He’s that good and when he comes back, I believe

he will, he could be traded and will have better weapons somewhere else. He will most likely have a suspension, but you could get a QB 1 back right in time for your playoff push. Do yourself a favour and at least see what the price would be. Like I said, the time might have passed, but if you haven’t done your rookie draft yet, see if you can catch someone with rookie fever. 

Other notable names, Matt Ryan, he’s got all the weapons around him. Derek Carr nobody likes to admit it, but he can get the job done. 

None of these guys, besides the QB’s are players I want to be relying on weekly. However, they are players I would trust to give me a safe floor or potential of a high upside game when I need it most. Take a look at your team, if you are contending, maybe see about acquiring one of these guys. They aren’t going to cost you your future, they will cost you less now when they aren’t needed and guys are looking for rookie picks. They might cost you more mid season when you have 2 injures and your buddy is holding them hostage. They also might be guys you want to pick up off of waivers if they are there or trade for cheap now, then you can flip mid season if you aren’t contending, probably for more than what you paid. Good luck!