4 Players to add to the end of your bench
Written By: David Connors @connors_david
Overview:
Dynasty football is great because of the level of depth one must make to complete their roster. The deeper benches and deeper leagues allow players to stash that secret weapon and wait. If you can stash the right player, you guarantee an unmatchable advantage throughout the season. As most dynasty leagues wrap up their rookie drafts, there are a few players still out on free agency that could be useable this season. All these players are available in more 70% of dynasty leagues on the Sleeper.com platform, and each of them has the talent and/or the situation to be relevant immediately.
Disclaimer: All these players are free agents in dynasty. That means they are all long shots. I am not saying they will definitely hit, but that they are worth a stash just to see how preseason shakes up.
Kevin White, WR (AZ)
Kevin White ran a 4.35s 40-yard dash at 6’3” and weighed 213 pounds at his combine. He is an athletic freak who is going to a good offensive system. His route tree is still underdeveloped, but a Kingsbury offense should provide very simple concepts that he can take advantage of. He can get down the field and make contested catches. The Kingsbury “Air Raid” offense will scheme receivers open horizontally utilizing Kirk, Adderly, and David Johnson’s skills. As defenses try to cheat up, downfield holes will open up and White could be the player who feasts. Unfortunately, the Cardinals offensive line leaves a lot to be desired even with the additions. This will make it difficult for deep plays to develop. Luckily, Arizona added a deep ball specialist with the mobility to extend plays with the first pick of the 2019 draft. This former 1st round pick has been hampered with a laundry list of injury thus far in his career; nevertheless, he gets an opportunity on a new team. I know the Cardinals added some other weapons in the draft, but none of them have White’s size and speed. It's a longshot, but Kyler and Kevin could be a great pairing you can get for free.
Reece Horn, WR (MIA)
Horn has a great background story which includes the University of Indianapolis and the Vienna Vikings (yes, Vienna, Austria). I am personally interested in adding a few Dolphins WRs just because of how cheap I can get them. The Dolphins added Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick to their QB depth chart. No matter which QB wins the starting job, the Dolphins will be playing behind in most games, which will force the Dolphins to throw. However, if “Fitzmagic” is starting, he will take shots downfield. Both Parker and Stills have elite speed to get behind a defense and take advantage of the gunslinger, although neither seems to play an entire 16-game season. If Horn gets the opportunity, he could turn into a weekly starter in Miami. He has incredible body control and really flows in and out of his routes and pairs that with soft hands. Reece Horn has the talent and potential opportunity to pay off early.
De’Mornay Pierson-El, WR (OAK)
The French Sith Lord may seem buried too deep on the Raiders roster, but this talented receiver could have a role in their offense. Pierson-El is a chippy wideout -- at 5’9”, he can get open underneath and be a chain mover. He is solid in open space and an electric returner. Antonio Brown should garner a ton of attention, and teams will need to keep a safety deep to contain Tyrell Williams. De’Mornay will play the Julian Edelman role. He may never be a week winner, but he could be a safe flex option to play during the bye weeks. The Raiders bye week is week 6, so he will be available during the bye-apocalypse. The French Sith Lord could be a deep dynasty asset.
Justin Watson, WR (TB)
Justin Watson is a very athletic and raw WR on the Buccaneers roster heading into his second year. He has the speed for days and a 6’3” 203 lbs frame. While enrolled at Penn, he set the career school record for receptions, receiving yards, and all-purpose yards. This could be an ideal talent and situation. The Buccaneers have a decent run defense and no pass defense, which should put them behind early and often. Tampa’s best pass rusher just got hurt for the 2019 season and their best corner will probably be the small school rookie standout they drafted in the second round, Sam Bunting. Bruce Arians and Jameis Winston will need to air the ball out to stay competitive. Evans and Godwin have the two top spots locked down, but with only Breshad Perriman between Watson and the WR3 on the Tampa depth chart, he could be a solid depth piece with a ton of upside. Perriman has never come close to his potential and rarely has made it more than five games in a single season before getting hurt. Watson could be a surprise weapon for Tampa Bay.