The NFL gets more and more bonkers as the season goes on.  Week six was another wild ride with hard hits, incredible runs, and even a Hail Mary go for a touchdown on Monday night.  Tuesday didn’t disappoint either, with two divisional opponents in the AFC East playing chess with one another and getting All-Pro wide receivers added to their teams.  Even Tom Brady is back with an NFL team, this time as an executive with the Raiders.  As a Raider fan, I am excited about this and hopefully, this is a new chapter starting for the Raider organization.  Oh yeah, can we please stop assuming Tom Brady will be coming back to play quarterback in the NFL, this just solidified that he won’t be playing in the NFL, I think. 

Last week, we discussed two players who could boost your return game. KaVontae Turpin delivered an impressive performance, especially in leagues like the Scott Fish Bowl (SFB14), where he earned 47.05 points. In the SFB14, returners receive one point for every five yards gained. The other player we mentioned was Raheem Blackshear, who scored 15.2 fantasy points in the same SFB14 scoring format. While most players we talk about are primarily beneficial for the return aspect of the game, these two players are also earning playing time on offense. With injuries mounting and more bye weeks approaching, consider adding these players to your roster as they might also contribute and boost your return game in fantasy football.

Sean Tucker

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back Rachaad White is at risk of losing his starting position. In 2023, White ranked in the top ten in fantasy football, where volume is crucial. However, both efficiency and volume are equally important to players keeping their jobs in the NFL. In a recent divisional game, the Buccaneers rushed for 277 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per rush attempt, dominating the Saints in New Orleans. Sean Tucker emerged as a standout player, accumulating 247 yards and two touchdowns, earning him the top spot among running backs in fantasy football for week six. With seventeen touches and his role as a kick returner, Tucker may see increased playing time. Coach Todd Bowles also acknowledged Tucker’s strong performance and suggested that he may earn more playing time in the future.

In week seven, the Ravens will be playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams have a 4-2 record and are coming off impressive wins in week six. While Tucker has been earning more playing time, the Ravens are a tough team that doesn’t give their opponents many opportunities to return kicks. The Ravens have allowed only eight kick returns all season. On the other hand, the Buccaneers have been more active in attempting to return kicks, averaging 2.3 returns and 27.8 return yards per game. It seems like Tucker might have more opportunities on the offensive side of the ball this week. Additionally, since he is available in less than 40 percent of Sleeper leagues, it’s worth checking if he’s available. Tucker could become a key player for the Buccaneers and, more importantly, for your fantasy football team moving forward.

Kalif Raymond

The Lions have been exciting to watch this season, and it’s time to talk about Kalif Raymond. The 30-year-old has been a significant part of the offense, showcasing his speed and agility on the field. Raymond handles both kickoffs and punts. He’s now getting more playing time in this diverse offense, and Ben Johnson is finding ways to get the ball to all his playmakers, including Raymond. The Vikings have only allowed five returns all season. It will be interesting to see how this game plays out in Minnesota this week. It could be a physical game with some hard hits, but the last three games between these two teams have shown that we can expect a high-scoring game. In the last three contests, the Lions have won all of them, and the total combined score in each of those games has been an average of 53 points. Even if Raymond is limited in the return department this week, he could still get an opportunity to display his speed on the offensive side of the ball. Raymond is currently rostered in only one percent of Sleeper leagues.