Welcome to the 2023 season. We all begin the season with optimism for our players and a (mostly) healthy roster. But to win, you have to make moves that keep you ahead of the game. That’s what this weekly post is all about. Here, I’ll be looking at lightly rostered players who could benefit you this season. Here are some players to look for in Week 12. All roster percentages are courtesy of the NFL.
Quarterbacks
Tommy DeVito, New York Giants
Roster Percentage: 0.1%
About: DeVito wasn’t spectacular at first, but he looked sharp on Sunday against the Commanders. Week 12 features all 32 teams in action, so you might not need a quarterback. But, for the first time, DeVito looks like a player you might consider starting. I’m rostering him in Superflex.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 0.3%
About: It wasn’t pretty, but Thompson-Robinson got the win Sunday. There is a reason the Browns felt comfortable letting Josh Dobbs go before the season. Deshaun Watson isn’t coming back, and P.J. Walker and Joe Flacco aren’t the long-term answer. I’m picking up Thompson-Robinson and adding him to my Superflex squad.
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
Roster Percentage: 0%
About: We still don’t know a lot about Browning, but he’s the guy now for the Bengals. Joe Burrow is down and not coming back in 2023. The Bengals have incredible passing game weapons, so the quarterback in that lineup has appeal. For the time being, that quarterback is Browning. He should be rostered.
Running Backs
Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins
Roster Percentage: 0.4%
About: The Dolphins’ backfield has fantasy value. On Sunday, De’Von Achane returned. As a result, Jeff Wilson was inactive. That meant, when Achane went down, Ahmed stepped in. He appears to have cemented himself higher on the depth chart. Raheem Mostert is still the starter, but Ahmed has value, particularly as other backs remain injured and unavailable.
Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders
Roster Percentage: 0%
About: He’s the RB3 for the Commanders, but we’ve seen him involved. That happened again on Sunday as Antonio Gibson missed time. The Commanders are still trying to figure things out on offense and Rodriguez has value, particularly if one or both of the Commanders’ other backs miss time.
Wide Receivers
Dontavyion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 0
About: Sure, Christian Watson has a higher profile and caught a touchdown on Sunday. But Wicks continues to get more receptions and yardage. Along with Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed, Wicks is looking like a key part of the Packers’ young passing game. He should be rostered.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Roster Percentage: 1%
About: The Bills are another team looking for receivers to step up. Of late, Shakir has been that guy. He’s seeing consistent targets and making the most of his opportunities, including catching three passes for 115 yards and a touchdown Sunday. He’s as good a bet as Gabe Davis at this point. He should be rostered.
Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 0%
About: Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but for a passing game needing a spark Dortch showed out on Sunday. While Marquise Brown has caught just three passes since Kyler Murray returned, Dortch caught six for 76 yards to lead the team. They’ve had a connection before, so Dortch is a player that has caught my eye.
Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Roster Percentage: 1.8%
About: Likely hasn’t had a huge impact yet this season but he’ll get his chance. Mark Andrews is hurt and out for the year, meaning Likely will have the chance to step up and take the lead at tight end. He should be rostered.
Stone Smartt, Los Angeles Chargers
Roster Percentage: 0%
About: Another long-shot dart throw. Smartt is the third tight end for the Chargers, and we haven’t even seen a consistent workload for Donald Parham or Gerald Everett. But Smartt has gotten shots the past two games and on Sunday turned that into a long reception for a 51-yard touchdown. He’s a deep league stash.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
