Winning Fantasy Football Championships Beyond Draft Day
It’s a well-known fact that fantasy football championships aren’t clinched on draft day; they’re earned throughout the season, really in the trenches of weekly decisions.
Effective management of the waiver wire, staying updated on NFL news, and keeping an eye on daily practice reports can make all the difference.
If you’re not careful, you might miss out on key updates, like the emergence of a new wide receiver in Week 9.
When the Jaguars announced that wide receiver Travis Hunter would be placed on injured reserve, the obvious first step should have been to check the waiver wire and scoop up Parker Washington.
Depending on your league’s structure and who’s on your bench, Washington could bring significant value, particularly with the Jaguars facing the Las Vegas Raiders this week.
Washington has been a regular part of the Jaguars’ offensive plays. However, he tends to focus his targets primarily on the two main receivers, much like what head coach Liam Cohen has done in previous seasons.
Of course, they run plays with three receivers. Just think about how he managed Mike Evans and Chris Godwin back in Tampa Bay. The tactics we see in Jacksonville reflect that approach.
In the coming weeks, Washington might take on a role similar to Godwin’s, which he had before Hunter’s injury.
If he ends up playing more outside, his snap share could reach 85 percent. But if he’s placed in a three-receiver set, he’ll be in the slot, where he’s already taken about 26.5 percent of snaps.
The Raiders sit at 17th in DVOA against the pass and 18th against No. 2 receivers, allowing an average of 60 yards per game.
With the increased snap count and targeting opportunities, Washington provides depth at WR3 and flex positions.
Another intriguing story is Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp being listed as Limited after Thursday’s practice session. He was already managing a heel injury, and now there’s an added concern with a hamstring issue. Enter Tory Horton, your new fantasy standout.
Horton has stepped up, playing 45 percent of the snaps while substituting for the veteran Kupp, and he’s demonstrated the kind of explosiveness that offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak appreciates.
He possesses the speed to stretch down the field and the ability to gain yards after the catch, particularly on diagonal or crossing routes.
Currently, Horton is leading the receiving corps, which is ranked 20th in DVOA against the pass and 17th against opposing No. 2 wideouts, with an average of 60 receiving yards per game.
Consider Adding These Players
He should be picked up quickly, as his availability is listed under 5 percent in leagues on Yahoo and ESPN.
Even if neither Washington nor Horton ends up starting this week, they both hold substantial future value.
Washington will be a focal point in Jacksonville for at least the next few weeks, while Horton may become a key player in Seattle as Kupp continues to struggle.
These players might have been overlooked during the draft, but now each has an opportunity to help secure a championship.
