Priority Add
Gardner Minshew, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
On the day the Chiefs’ season effectively ended, Pat Mahomes went down with a torn ACL, thrusting Gardner Minshew into the starting role for the rest of the season. Like most backups, Minshew isn’t an overly exciting option. However, he’s an experienced player in the Chiefs passing attack, and so could have some upside, even if the Chiefs pass game isn’t what it used to be.
Any competing team should make a bid for Minshew; starting quarterbacks have to be rostered in dynasty leagues.
Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Michael Carter worked in as the clear RB1 on a team that just announced Trey Benson would not be coming back this season. His two other competitors for playing time were active on gameday but took a backseat to him.
Carter received an eyebrow-raising 18 touches compared to just 1 for Bam Knight and Emari Demercado. With 14-56-0 on the ground and 4-28-0 through the air, Carter is a priority add for competing teams in need of depth at running back.
Waiver Adds
Jahwar Jordan, RB, Houston Texans
Woody Marks suffered an ankle injury in the Texans’ win vs the Cardinals. While it’s not yet clear to me exactly how serious it is, Jordan took full advantage of his opportunity with Nick Chubb inactive.
Jordan broke 100 rushing yards with only 15 carries, and could easily find the endzone going forward on a surging Texans team.
For now, it sounds like Marks could have come back into the game, implying his injury isn’t serious, but sometimes ankle injuries swell or stiffen up the day or two after. Jordan is a priority add for any team sweating Marks’ game status in Week 16.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Indianapolis Colts
We’ve known for a while that Ameer Abdullah is Jonathan Taylor’s handcuff, but Abdullah showed some appeal in the passing game for the first time this season, with five receptions for 32 yards.
As long as Philip Rivers is starting in Indianapolis, we can expect the checkdowns to flow. This means Abdullah moves from a pure handcuff to somebody who can be an emergency (and I mean emergency) starter .
Deep League Stashes
Audric Estime, RB, New Orleans Saints
While I’m not exactly an Audric Estime believer, it should at least be on your radar that he caught three passes for 39 yards and actually led the Saints backfield in snap rate at 36%.
This Saints team cannot support a decent rushing performance, but Estime at least showed signs of life. We should be collecting players in ambiguous backfields, and this Saints corps definitely qualifies.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens
There isn’t a ton to report about Mitchell, but he’s the clear handcuff to Derrick Henry with Justice Hill on injured reserve. He’s also an explosive option, gaining 66 rushing yards on only eight carries.
Isaiah Williams, WR, New York Jets
Williams worked in as the Jets' WR3 along with Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie, and he chipped in a 6-53 line while he was at it. While not an exciting option, he’s getting playing time and auditioning in a wide-open receiver room behind Garrett Wilson.