It’s my favorite time of year, the days are as long as they will get, and the air is warm. Days are spent watching the kids play ball, on slip and slides, and generally driving their parents crazy. There’s nothing better than drinking a cold beer while manning your grill or smoker and knowing these are the days worth living for.
But it’s also the time of year when fantasy football slows down a little – unless you’re in a Campus2Canton league, I have six drafts going on right now! But for most, it’s a slow time of year. Time to comb over rosters and offer trades. Time to find some players at the ends of rosters worth targeting or adding to your team.
Today, I outline four deeper candidates in the AFC North that I would be targeting via trade or in my early waiver runs if they are free agents.
Keaton Mitchell, RB BAL
Recently, starter JK Dobbins displayed his unhappiness with his contract situation. Despite the fact that he has started only nine games in three seasons. I don’t doubt the talent, but things like that get players shipped out post-haste. Gus Edwards is on the roster for a few more seasons, and Justice Hill is signed through 2024. The team’s depth chart could need a jolt if Dobbins is let go.
With all the J.K. Dobbins contract saga that we are about to witness I'm pretty sure that should be only one guy right there to take advantage of the situation, and this is Keaton Mitchell. Gus Edwards is a living proof that you can be useful being an UDFA piece…
— Pedro H. Rhormes (@rhormes_) June 16, 2023
That’s where Mitchell comes in; he’s a dynamic smaller back that could give the Ravens’ offense a nice kick. He’s got long speed and burst, with phenomenal instincts in the open field. Mitchell won’t be a guy to take on a full workload but would be an excellent compliment to a back like Edwards.
Mitchell was added as an undrafted free agent and was likely not even selected in your rookie drafts. He should be targeted when your waivers run if you have larger rosters or a taxi spot to stash rookies. Mitchell could end up being the RB2 and third-down back for the Ravens and provide you some fantasy startable weeks to help you get through byes and injuries.
Andrei Iosivas, WR CIN
Let’s head back to the rookie well and stash another rookie; this time, it’s a former Ivy League wide receiver. The Bengals are likely going to face some turnover after 2023. Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins are up for new contracts. Boyd will likely be done, but he will be much cheaper, and Higgins is likely to demand more than $20 million a year. There’s a possibility both can be gone as massive contracts for Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase loom on the horizon.
It could open up the depth chart, and it falls to rookies Charlie Jones and Iosivas to establish themselves in roles. While Jones is more polished and could see the field quicker, Iosivas provides an interesting upside but is more of a project.
Last year, it was Christian Watson who shot up draft boards after the season. This year, I think it’s Andrei Iosivas.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 21, 2023
The Princeton WR has legit 4.2 speed at 6-3, 200. He’s a moldable ball of clay — however high you have him, it’s not high enough. pic.twitter.com/js4dLIlBkk
Iosivas was a track star at Princeton and destroyed the level of competition he faced. He’s physical and bullies defenders, plus he has the speed to embarrass them if they get caught flat-footed. Iosivas is tough after the catch due to that speed and strength. But he was facing Ivy League corners and safeties. And he needs work on route running.
He’s a stash to me due to his low cost and the potential for the depth chart to part like Moses parted the Red Sea. Iosivas could find himself in a perfect position to see targets in 2024. If he can develop, you’ve got a solid WR3 sitting on the bench that cost you nearly nothing.
Demetric Felton, RB CLE
A month ago, it would have been Jerome Ford on this list, but he’s garnering value quite rapidly as the primary backup to veteran Nick Chubb. But if you followed Ford in college, you understand why I have trepidation approaching Ford and giving him much value. He was largely underwhelming.
Not that Felton was a world burner either, but he presents a skill set that could be very valuable and get him on the field more. Felton is similar to Mitchell from above. Felton is a fun receiving back with great footwork and plays at top speed all the time. I love his moves when he gets the ball, and he can be a dangerous third-down back and change of pace.
If Ford spells Chubb for a series, I could still see Felton getting third-down work. If one of the two backs goes down, Felton could really see an uptick in usage. He’s not going to win you a week, but he’s worth a stash for depth and could have fantasy value if the Browns get him some work.
Cody White, WR PIT
Looking through the Steelers team, it was tough to come up with a name I really liked for this category. Rookie tight end Darnell Washington could almost fit, but I don’t think he’s ever a fantasy asset. It’s like trying to find the right temperature porridge in the Three Bears’ cottage – too hot or too cold.
I’ll go to the well and shoot from deep, as Felix Sharpe says, and go for someone that feels just right to me. A former Michigan State (yes, I am a Spartan at heart) receiver, White never fully realized what he was capable of and has an interesting skillset for a DEEP dynasty stash. He’s got 6’3,” and 217 lb. size, and his production increased every year in college. White has ball skills and good moves within his routes to create space. He’s struggled with press and consistency and would have benefitted from another year in school.
Beyond Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson II, the depth chart is fairly thin. White could find himself in a great position if his game has improved and he’s playing with more physicality. This is more of a deeper dart throw, but I am sticking him deep on benches.
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2 Responses
Miller is no longer a Steeler, also Calvin Austin would be a far better pick than White, he seems to be missing from your list of Steelers WR depth
Jerome Ford is far superior to Felton, He weighs more and ran a quicker 40 yard dash, Felton also played WR in college. Ford is the punt returner so they seem to trust that he can catch.
I am not sure why Miller is still listed on their depth chart but he is, I will remove him. I like White better than Austin but can see the argument.
This is a deep stash, Ford is too high for what we are looking for as far as article requirements. I even mentioned if I wrote this a few weeks or months ago, Ford would have been the pick. His ADP has risen quite a bit, rightfully so! I’m not sold on Ford entirely, I watched too much of him in college to buy-in that he’s the answer but if he works on consistency, he could be a viable option if Chubb misses time.