I swear this isn’t a joke.
Sure, after touting Sammie Coates last week, I’m feeling good, but this is by no means an extreme long shot. Plus, I’ve written about running backs and wide receivers every week up until now, so I wanted to mix things up.
First off, no one knows anything about C.J. Fiedorowicz because everyone has been ignoring Texans tight ends since Owen Daniels was relevant. But that’s about to change right… now.
Fiedorowicz was a third-round pick in 2014 and has been used mainly as a blocker in limited action throughout the years. In his first two seasons, he caught 21 balls for 195 yards and two touchdowns. But it usually takes a few years for tight ends to get opportunities.
That opportunity is about to happen for Fiedorowicz this week. While he’s dealing with a knee sprain himself, he’s made it the last two games just fine.
But elsewhere on Houston’s roster, Ryan Griffin is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after getting knocked out of the Vikings game with what looked like a serious neck injury. Third-string tight end Stephen Anderson is still dealing with a hamstring strain and likely won’t be involved fully just yet.
That leaves Fiedorowicz, who has eight receptions on 13 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown in the last two games, to be the lone tight end for Brock Osweiler.
Going further, Osweiler has grown accustomed to dishing passes to the tight end with regularity in recent weeks and that has shown in Griffin’s 13 receptions on 21 targets in the last three games.
Even with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller on the roster, the tight ends continue to see targets in this offense and that’s not going to end.
Conveniently for Fiedorowicz, he’ll go against the worst rated team against tight ends in the league in the Colts on Sunday night (according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA).
Just a week ago, the Colts waived starting linebacker Sio Moore and replaced him with… not much. In addition, slot corner Darius Butler needed surgery on his finger and his status is in doubt for this game.
The Colts haven’t given up that many fantasy points to tight ends this year mainly because their defensive backs have been torched. That will probably be the case again, but Vontae Davis at least presents some resistance in the Colts secondary.
That said, the Colts have such a bad DVOA against tight ends because they have allowed 21 receptions on 23 targets to that position. That is bad.
Zach Miller was often open in the middle of the field for the Bears last weekend and caught seven passes for 73 yards.
There’s no point in looking at his price in daily leagues because he’s at the minimum at both DraftKings and FanDuel.
There’s no point in looking at ownership percentages because he’s available in every league.
Maybe I’m crazy, but the numbers speak for themselves. As long as Osweiler doesn’t exclusively target Hopkins and Fuller, Fiedorowicz could easily get 6-to-8 looks and as said above, he’ll probably catch most of them.
If you think that’s too crazy, Charles Clay also deserves some hype as he’s had a bigger role in the Bills offense without Sammy Watkins. This week he’s against the 49ers.
And if you don’t like tight ends, I’m sorry.
Some low-end wide receivers I like include Chris Conley on the Chiefs. Also, someone on the Titans will score again and I’ll guess Tajae Sharpe gets his first one, but hey, that’s just a guess.
As for running backs, Devontae Booker should be added in most leagues at this point. Maybe you’re not going to start him, but he’s worth consideration on your bench as he splits time with C.J. Anderson.
If you need more, my rankings are here.
