1) Romeo Doubs

After his dud last week to top off three-straight single digit fantasy weeks, Romeo Doubs was cut by so many fantasy managers that his roster percentage fell below 50% in ESPN leagues this week.

Unfortunately for those managers, its looking like Doubs is the #1 receiver in the Packers offense. In Week 8 he put up 16 fantasy points while leading the Packers receivers in targets with seven.

While no Packers WRs have been promising this season, Doubs at least has four targets in every game throughout the past six weeks. He clearly has the most trust from Rodgers’ side too.

Doubs’ role alone warrants roster consideration since Aaron Rodgers is still slinging passes around and has yet to find his true Davante Adams replacement.

While Doubs has had his fair share of bust games in 2022, it looks like Rodgers trusts him as much as anybody they have available as he does have seven or more targets in half his games so far.

Furthermore, Doubs’ seven targets on Sunday night led the team in addition to his 57% share of the air yards for the Packers offense.

WHAT. A. CATCH.

TOUCHDOWN @RomeoDoubs! ?#GBvsBUF | #GoPackGo

? NBC pic.twitter.com/i3xxgcTUEL

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 31, 2022

With some back-shoulder and 50/50 balls that Doubs managed to reel in during primetime combined with few other notable outside options, it will be tough for WR-needy teams to steer clear of the Packers’ top option against the horrendous Lions defense in Week 9.

Keep in mind, the Lions defense is allowing the most points per game of any team this season with 32 PPG (no other team is even allowing over 30).

Doubs has been incredibly inconsistent this season as evidenced by his production the last three weeks in addition to his sub-50% roster percentage, so he’s definitely somewhat of a dice roll every week (as is the entire Packers offense).

Although, with more fantasy points than Brandin Cooks, Alec Pierce, Corey Davis, and George Pickens, Doubs is a surprisingly competent option when compared to the myriad of other uninspiring options still available at this point in the fantasy season.

 

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2) Darius Slayton

Over his last four weeks, Darius Slayton has at least 10 fantasy points, six targets, and 50 yards in three of them.

If that trend continues, you’ll be lachrymose that you didn’t pick up Slayton sooner because there’s a 97% chance he’s available in your league (rostered in less than 3% of ESPN leagues), and double-digit fantasy weeks are hard to come by consistently when you look at Slayton’s competitors on the waiver wire.

Over his recent productive span, Slayton has snatched 15 of 22 targets for 221 yards and a touchdown.

On Sunday, Slayton led the Giants in receptions and receiving yards. Much like the Packers, the Giants have as many good receivers as the Lakers have three-point shooters so Slayton’s competition for targets is rather minimal.

Slayton has the deep speed to stretch the field, but also the quick-twitch and hands to excel from the slot when asked to.

Moreover, the moment never seems to big, and he’s the only receiver still getting meaningful reps who’s been on this team for more than a season.

THAT’S HOW YOU START A GAME!

?: FOX pic.twitter.com/HDMWgaou4j

— New York Giants (@Giants) October 23, 2022

Slayton also has the intangibles required to leap up and high-point 50/50 balls, and Daniel Jones has shown some unique trust with him in comparison to the rest of the Giants unknown receiving corps.

With Richie James’ recent exile to the doghouse and Kadarius Toney’s departure, Slayton has seemingly stolen the role atop the Giants depth chart.

The Giants head into a bye this week, and since Slayton is rostered in 3% of leagues its understandable if you don’t have the space to stash him this week; however, if you can afford the pickup or can grab him off waivers next week he’s worth FLEX consideration in deeper leagues as long as his steady target share continues.

 

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3) Marcus Mariota

Based on PRK, Marcus Mariota is technically a QB1, and he makes this list once again because it baffles me that he’s still somehow rostered in less than a quarter (24% to be exact) of ESPN leagues despite the countless fantasy busts at the quarterback position this season.

Mariota has the arm strength and mobility to open up a playbook, allowing offensive creativity and scheme to compensate for what he lacks in accuracy and standard pocket play.

This season Mariota ranks among QBs:

• Tied for 7th in TD passes
• 6th in yards per attempt
• 6th in adjusted QBR (per ESPN)
• 7th in rushing yards
• 6th in YPC among qualified QBs (more than rush 25 attempts)
• 8th in fantasy points (more than Brady, Trevor Lawrence, Rodgers, Cousins, Goff, Wilson, Carr, and Stafford)

Mariota is still one of the fastest QBs in the NFL and is executing the Falcons offense to perfection lately, surely lighting up the all-22 film as a shining example for coaches on Monday mornings.

Mariota has over 30 rushing yards in over 60% of his games this year, topping 40 in three of the past four weeks.

Like Daniel Jones, Mariota’s rushing floor provides a consistency that’s hard to come by if you are still searching for answers at QB midway through the fantasy season. He has double-digit fantasy points in all but one game this year.

Beyond stats, Mariota passes the eye test in terms of his awareness and decision-making. He’s a tantalizing, fun-to-watch QB who is ploddingly outplaying the “bridge” QB designation nearly every media pundit gave him this offseason.

First catch of the season -> TOUCHDOWN @LookIn_Da_Miere

?: FOX || NFL+ #ATLvsCIN || #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/YyANFZw2gM

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 23, 2022

A lack of volume is concerning (only 30+ passing attempts once this year), but your competitors are winning fantasy matchups because they’re picking up (and starting) the likes of Geno Smith, Marcus Mariota, and Daniel Jones over name-brands like Rodgers, Stafford, Brady, and Wilson based on production alone – and they should.

Forget about the name plate, and focus only on the fantasy production. Stop losing games due to underwhelming, single-digit QB play.

If you own one of the aforementioned underperforming QBs, you can’t possibly justify refusing to add Mariota to your roster or refusing to drop your underperforming, aging, immobile veteran for the likes of the dynamic, resurgent former #2-overall pick.