Injuries took a major toll on teams around the NFL this past week. The likes of Le'Veon Bell and Steve Smith went down for the season with serious injuries.
While their teams look to cope, the fantasy football community is fully prepared to shuffle the deck heading into the second half of the season.
Based on allocated blind-bid funds of $100, here are those free agents you should target heading into Week 9. Keep in mind, this is looking at the situation through the lens of an owner that has yet to dip into his/her funds this year.
Based on your specific situation, go ahead and do the necessary match to figure out where you should be at when it comes to bidding.
Derek Carr, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
Recommendation: $20
Over the course of the past two weeks, Carr is the third-ranked fantasy quarterback behind Tom Brady and Drew Brees. He's tallied 622 yards, seven touchdowns, zero interceptions and 52.98 fantasy points. Overall, Carr is the 13th-ranked fantasy quarterback through eight weeks. In standard 12-team leagues, that makes him a top-end QB2 option. Simple math indicates Carr should be rosterable here.
The only real reason we recommend doling out a smaller portion of your available funds here is simply because the difference between quarterbacks in the high teens and the 20's just isn't too great. For example, Carr is averaging about two fantasy points more per game than Brian Hoyer — the 20th-ranked fantasy quarterback.
As it relates to reasonable expectations for Carr moving forward, there is no reason to believe he can't inch into QB1 territory when all is said and done. With an elite receiving option in Amari Cooper, a solid No. 2 possession guy in Michael Crabtree and an up-and-coming running back in the form of Latavius Murray, this is quickly becoming one of the most-talented offenses around the NFL. As the mistro under center, Carr will continue to reward those who pick him up.
Tyrod Taylor, Quarterback, Buffalo Bills
Recommendation: $12
Taylor will return this week after missing Buffalo's past two games with a sprained MCL. While most in the fantasy football world have a short memory, it's important to remember that this first-year starter ranked as a top-six fantasy quarterback in the five games he started.
With a 2.5-to-1 TD/INT ratio and 256.8 yards per game, Taylor has proven himself to be a starting option in standard leagues. The fact that he's available for a minimal bid in a majority of those leagues out there should tell us what we need to know about how underrated he is.
DeAngelo Williams, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
Recommendation: $80
If you have been smart and decided to pocket your bidding cash for this part of the season, there's a decent chance you will find a way to roster Williams. In that, there's also a good chance you will receive a shot in the arm in the form of a top-10 fantasy running back moving forward this season.
With Le'Veon Bell lost for the season, Williams will become the primary ball carrier in a Steelers offense that does a darn good job giving its running backs consistent touches. Expect 20-plus touches per game at 5.0 yards per touch. That makes Williams a must nab, even if it's going to force you to use a vast majority of your remaining budget.
Jeremy Langford, Running Back, Chicago Bears
Recommendation: $14
We have absolutely no idea how long Matt Forte will be out after suffering a knee injury on Sunday, but the expectation has to be that it will be for at least a couple weeks. If that's the case, Langford is the only real option on the Bears' roster to take over primary ball carrier duties. The rookie from Michigan State put up 46 yards on 12 touches. This is one of those bids you make in order to catch lightning in a bottle just in case Forte's injury sidelines him for more than just a couple weeks. If that's not the case, you likely didn't waste a huge percentage of your budget.
Malcom Floyd, Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers
Recommendation: 15%
With Keenan Allen sidelined for an undetermined amount of time following a kidney injury he suffered on Sunday, the Chargers are going to need another wide receiver to step up opposite Stevie Johnson. Considering Floyd has a comfort level with Philip Rivers, it's reasonable to expect that he will be that guy. With 10 receptions, 194 yards and two touchdowns over the past three games, Floyd promises to make himself fantasy relevant while Allen is sidelined. That's magnified by the fact that he's played an average of 70 snaps over the past three games. The opportunities will definitely be here.
Kamar Aiken, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens
Recommendation: $11
Yet another player you should consider picking up due to an injury, Aiken takes over as Baltimore's No. 1 receiver with Steve Smith lost for the season. What might be bad news for the Ravens, could be good news for your fantasy teams. With an average of 6.7 targets per game over the past five weeks, Aiken should see those numbers increase to 10-plus targets moving forward. This makes him a decent FLEX option in standard 12-team leagues.
Benjamin Watson, Tight End, New Orleans Saints
Recommendation: $40
Consistently good fantasy performances from the tight end position are hard to come by. That's exactly what Watson has been since he started playing a larger part in the Saints' offense over the past four games. During that span, Watson has put up 26 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns. To put that into perspective, those numbers would have Watson ranked as the 13th-best fantasy tight end for the ENTIRE season. In a Saints offense that's going to continue relying on the passing game, Watson offers top-five fantasy upside each and every week. Use your cash on him, and don't think twice about it.