Running Backs
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Rex Burkhead, NE- We have been through this drill many times with Bill Belichick and his infamous merry-go-round of running back usages BUT at least for the time being it looks like we may have a peak into his madness. Dion Lewis is the clear starting back and should receive the majority of the touches. James White is the clear 3rd down and receiving back and should see most of the receptions. You may be wondering where that leaves Burkhead and the answer is that he gets a little bit of both. Against Denver Burkhead carried the ball 10 times for 36 yards and caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and a touchdown. In the Patriots Week 8 contest, they had a bye in Week 9, Burkhead caught seven passes for 68 yards while carrying the ball four times for 15. With Mike Gillislee a healthy scratch in Week 10 it seems that Burkhead should be in line for about 10 carries and a handful of receptions each week going forward.
Samaje Perine, WAS- We have gone through this already a few times this season with Robert Kelly going down with an injury and fantasy owners rushing to grab the rookie Perine off of waivers and each time it has fallen flat. This week the Redskins placed Kelley on season ending IR which should again lead the way for Perine to get more carries and that has some fantasy value though he is still behind Chris Thompson in that pecking order most likely.
Jamaal Williams, GB- News broke that Packers running back Aaron Jones is going to miss multiple weeks due to injury. We suffered that injury early in Week 10 and that lead to Williams getting an increased workload. Against the Bears Williams carried the ball a team high 20 times for 67 yards with TY Montgomery seeing just six carries for 54 yards and a touchdown. Williams figures to be the lead back with Montgomery coming in as a change of pace option which will lead to some fantasy value here but I don't love the Packers offense without Aaron Rodgers and I'm sure I am not alone in that opinion.
Wide Receivers
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Dontrelle Inman, CHI- The Bears acquired Inman a few weeks ago and he made his team debut in Week 10 and went on to lead the team with six catches for 88 yards. Inman showed success at times during his tenure with the Chargers and offers a big downfield threat for Bears rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky to throw to. Inman could find himself being a strong fantasy add over the final few weeks of the fantasy season.
Josh Doctson, WAS- The Terrelle Pryor experiment in Washington as turned out to be a bust but in recent weeks that has lead to a bigger role from Doctson who the Redskins took in the first round in 2016. After flashing some big play ability earlier in the season we have now seen a bit more consistent involvement in the teams passing attack and Doctson has totaled seven catches for 89 yards over the past two games. He is worth an add as he has the upside to be the No.1 receiver on this team with Pryor out and tight end Jordan Reed injured.
Dede Westbrook, JAC- With Allen Hurns expected to miss a few weeks due to injury the Jaguars are expected to activate receiver Dede Westbrook who has been out due to injury since the start of the season. Westbrook was a standout during the preseason and was taken in the fourth round by Jacksonville this year so they do believe in the kid. Of course Blake Bortles is still his quarterback so temper your expectations but he should slot in as the team's No.2 receiver behind Marqise Lee this week.
Tight Ends
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Martellus Bennett, NE- Bennett found himself placed on waivers after an injury dispute with the Packers last week and he was claimed by the Patriots with whom he was a member of their Super Bowl team just last season. Bennett was expected to undergo season ending surgery and be placed on IR at the time of his release from Green Bay but apparently those plans are now on hold as he suited up for New England in Week 10 against the Broncos and caught three passes for 38 yards. Should the ever fragile Rob Gronkowski suffer any sort of injury then Bennett would see his value sky rocket given the already injured receiving group currently in New England.