We are just five weeks out from the start of the Fantasy Football Playoffs (most leagues). Now is the time to find that player, or two, that will carry you for a playoff push. Below are five players that could make immediate impacts right away. All percentages are based off of Yahoo leagues.
Nyheim Hines (RB) – Indianapolis Colts (29 percent)
For just the third time this season, Hines surpassed double-digit fantasy points. In fact, he topped 20 PPR points for the first time since week one. With Jonathan Taylor struggling and the inconsistent play from Jordan Wilkens, Hines could take over as Indianapolis’ most reliable back for the rest of the season. In week eight against the Detroit Lions, Hines caught three passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding eight rushing yards. On the day, he scored 21.2 PPR points, which was seventh best amongst all running backs in week eight. T.Y. Hilton has been battling a groin injury, and there has been a lack of production from all three Colts tight ends (Burton, Alie-Cox and Doyle). Expect more targets and more fantasy points from Hines from here on out. A week nine matchup against the Baltimore Ravens will be a true test as to if Hines could become an every week starter for your fantasy team(s).
JaMycal Hasty (RB) – San Francisco 49ers (42 percent)
The San Francisco 49ers entered the start of the 2020 season with Raheem Mostert as their starting running back. On the first depth chart, Tevin Coleman was labeled as his backup, Jeff Wilson was the third stringer and Jerick McKinnon finished the running back depth chart as the fourth-string back. Currently, Mostert and Wilson are on the IR, Coleman just suffered another injury (knee) and looks to be out for a while, and McKinnon has recorded six carries for -2 yards and a touchdown the last two weeks combined. In comes the undrafted rookie from Baylor who entered the season on San Francisco’s practice squad. The rookie finished last week with 12 carries, 29 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, one reception, two receiving yards and 10.1 PPR Fantasy Points. In the last three weeks, he’s averaging about 11 touches a game. Expect that to jump as he will battle only McKinnon for touches in week nine. He also has a favorable matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. The Packers have given up the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Expect at least a double-digit outing from Hasty this week.
Corey Davis (WR) – Tennessee Titans (48 percent)
Davis has been underrated all season when it comes to fantasy football terms. In the five games he has played in, the fourth-year-pro has averaged 7.8 targets, 5.8 receptions, 73.8 receiving yards, 0.6 receiving touchdowns and 16.78 PPR Fantasy Points per game (16th among all wide receivers in the league). He is coming off his best game of the season where he caught eight of his 10 targets for 128 yards and a touchdown (26.8 PPR points). He could serve as a great flex option for your team(s) the rest of the season. Yes, A.J. Brown has been exceptional this season (18.48 PPR points per game), but Davis has shown that he is capable of having great fantasy outings with Brown on the field as well. In fact, Davis has averaged more PPR fantasy points with Brown on the field (19.8) than he has when Brown isn’t on the field (12.25). If he is available, Davis should be picked up immediately if you want to push for a playoff spot.
Zack Moss (RB) – Buffalo Bills (55 percent)
Moss has finally broken out of his rookie slump. After only posting 105 rushing yards in five games played, the talented first-year-pro carried the ball 14 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns against the New England Patriots this past week. Yes, this is just one good game, but Buffalo’s usual starting running back, Devin Singletary, has struggled the past few weeks. Even though Singletary rushed for 86 yards on 14 carries against the Patriots, he was on a three-game streak of rushing for less than 50 yards prior to week eight. In fact, the second-year-pro has yet to top 100 rushing yards this season. He has only rushed for over 100 yards once in his young career (week 8 of 2019 season against the Denver Broncos). Expect Moss and Singletary to split carries once again against the Seattle Seahawks, but expect Moss to receive the goal-line touches over Singletary. If he outperforms the second-year-pro once again, Moss could become Buffalo’s regular starting running back.
Justin Jackson (RB) – Los Angeles Chargers (57 percent)
Austin Ekeler looks to be a little behind in his road to recovery. When the talented back went down with a hamstring injury back in week four, rookie Joshua Kelley was expected to carry the load. Instead, he has struggled mightily the past three weeks (30 carries, 90 rushing yards, seven receptions, 26 receiving yards and no touchdowns). Jackson, on the other hand, has averaged about 14 PPR points per game. He has shown that he can hold the starting running back spot for Ekeler while he is out. In the last three weeks combined, Jackson has averaged 16.7 offensive touches and 97 offensive yards (rushing and receiving). The only downfall is that he has yet to score a touchdown this season. Expect the third-year-pro to continue to out-touch Kelley as Ekeler recovers from his injury. In the meantime, pick Jackson up if he is available. He could serve as a reliable RB2/3 for the next couple of weeks.
