Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
If you are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, congrats, but don’t get complacent with your roster. We are at the halfway point in the NFL season and about 5-6 weeks from the fantasy playoffs depending on your league settings. There is plenty of season left for your team to fall apart due to a key injury, tough schedule or just random bad luck. You can never have enough talented players on your roster and identifying a couple of 2nd half assets can give your team the boost it needs to lock down a spot in the postseason. If you are already out of it, then these guys will help you play spoiler or restock for next year in a dynasty league. Here is a list of players by position who are owned in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues that I think could have starter value in the 2nd half.
QB
Ryan Tannehill (52%) – Is the 3rd leading rusher of all QBs over the last three weeks (48.3 ypg) and the Dolphins new offense is starting to click. Tannehill isn’t worth starting right now but as the playoffs approach it makes sense to have a top-15 backup on your roster in case something happens to your QB1. You don’t want to be searching the waiver wire for a starting QB in the playoffs.
RB
Tre Mason, Rams (42%) – It was disappointing to see the Rams go back to a RBBC after Mason’s breakout game in week 7, but the Rams will switch into player development mode soon because they aren’t going to the playoffs. Once that happens, Mason should be the lead back, get close to 20 touches per game, and be a solid Flex play with RB2 upside by the time fantasy playoffs start.
Jeremy Hill, Bengals (57%) – His carries have been inconsistent all season, but Hill had 14 touches last week. With Gio Bernard banged up and the Bengals in the playoff hunt, I see Hill becoming a much bigger part of the offense in the 2nd half as the Bengals try to keep Gio fresh.
Charles Sims, Bucs (21%) – He has yet to play an NFL snap, but the Bucs spent a third round pick on Sims, he is finally healthy, and neither Doug Martin nor Bobby Rainey have done enough to lock down the starting RB job. If Sims has a good debut, he could be the Bucs primary RB by the time the fantasy playoffs roll around.
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Carlos Hyde, 49ers (37%) – Current starter Frank Gore has less than 40 yards his last two starts and every season the Niners rest Gore for the playoffs. When that happens, Hyde could be a solid RB2 during the fantasy playoffs.
Jones Gray, Pats (17%) – I don’t trust Bill Belichick at all, but Gray has looked good as the Pats big-back and if he keeps holding on to the ball Gray could have similar value to Steven Ridley in the second half of 2012. Gray is a risky pickup due to Belichick’s hatred of all things fantasy, but the only other option on the roster for Gray’s role is Brandon Bolden who is already a key special teams contributor.