The New Orleans Saints and fantastic football The managers will be without Chris Olave for at least the next four games (and five weeks).

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Saints placed Olave on reserve after he suffered his second concussion of the season in Week 9. However, the renowned NFL The insider mentions the standout wide receiver has an extensive “history” of brain ailments that account for his extended absence.

Given the circumstances surrounding the matter, Olave’s status for the remainder of the 2024 campaign is legitimately concerned — and reasonably so. While his health is first and we he is the fastest recovery, fantasy managers suddenly lose second/third receiver for the foreseeable future.

Replacing Olave’s production and edge will not be an easy task for members of the virtual football community who have invested in him. He’s been a rollercoaster in terms of weekly production this year, albeit for reasons beyond his control (injury and poor quarterback play/practice). But his record speaks for itself, demonstrated by his back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023.

However, the opt-out thread seems like a good place to start. Check if these players, available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues, are registered. If not, you might want to pick up at least one of them.

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (45 percent on rosters)

Installing veteran quarterback Jameis Winston under center has been a positive development for the Cleveland Browns organization — except for Deshaun Watson. The presence of the former was especially favorable for receiver Jerry Jeudy.

Jeudy matched or surpassed his single-game receiving total from the previous season (73 yards) in both of Winston’s starts. But more importantly, it feeds. His 19 targets between Weeks 8 and 9 are tied for seventh during that span, drawing at least eight looks in each contest.

While Jeudy and the Browns are on the bye this week, they return from their short layoff for a game against a hapless Saints team. Notably, New Orleans recently traded away their top cover corner and lost talented defensive back Paulson Adebo to a season-ending fractured femur.

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (43 percent on roster)

A high ankle sprain sidelined Quentin Johnston for the Los Angeles Chargers’ last two games, but he returned in Week 9 to finish as the PPR WR8. His four catches for 118 yards and a touchdown led to 22 points, highlighted by this 66-yard catch-and-run score:

As you can see, the broken coverage by the Browns secondary allowed Johnston to break free and run towards the end zone. While the 23-year-old won’t have that going for him on a regular basis, he should benefit from Los Angeles. increased traffic volume after the bye.

After looking like a first-round pick in 2023, Johnston reminded us why the Chargers spent so much capital on him. He provides big-play upside and is paired with Justin Herbert, one of the league’s most pronounced gunslingers.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (36 percent shooting)

Speaking of first-round picks, San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall is worthy of a flier.

Pearsall missed the first six weeks of the season after being shot in the chest on August 31. Remarkably, he made a full recovery and return in 50 days. Meanwhile, his return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Niners.

San Francisco will be without Brandon Aiyuk for the season after tearing his ACL and MCL. Meanwhile, fellow star wide receiver Deebo Samuel has been dealing with rib/oblique issues. The latter is seemingly always injured, although he usually plays through his ailments.

Jauan Jennings’ third hip ailment lingers, putting his Week 10 status for San Fran in question. Suddenly, Pearsall might be the healthiest receiver the 49ers have. Combine that with the latter’s pedigree and talent, and it makes for a useful addition.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (36 percent on the rolls)

Another first-round wide receiver? Why not.

Carolina Panthers rookie Xavier Legette has seen an uptick in usage in recent weeks thanks to the departure of veteran Diontae Johnson. He saw at least six targets and caught four passes in back-to-back contests, scoring touchdowns in each game.

At 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, Legette was a factor inside the red zone for the Panthers. Specifically, inside the 10-yard line, he became a reliable option for Carolina signal-caller Bryce Young. Over the last two weeks, the South Carolina alum is one of 19 receivers to draw multiple targets in go-ahead situations.

Legette’s upside may be limited to a modest Panthers team, but he’s locked into a significant role.

DeMarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (30 percent recorded)

DeMarcus Robinson has been the PPR WR6 the past two weeks, though his value has largely derived from touchdowns. It found paydirt four times during this period, which is outlier and potentially misleading.

Scoring is an easy/hard stat to predict, so managers may want to keep that in mind when bringing Robinson out. Regardless, he has done enough to merit consideration for managers in need of a receiver. A near-bottom player in a high-powered Los Angeles Rams offense, his ceiling is high enough that his ridiculously low floor is worth pursuing.

DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (25 percent on rosters)

DeMario Douglas’ 33 targets in Week 5 are tied for 13th in that span. For what it’s worth, rookie signal-caller Drake Maye assumed the starting role in Week 6, indicating a positive correlation. While he hasn’t consistently put up eye-popping fantasy stats, the volume is there.

Douglas should continue to feed off a cellar-dwelling Patriots team that looks set to have plenty of negative game scenarios going forward. He and Maye will likely have ample opportunity to build their relationship.

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (24 percent on rosters)

It remains to be seen whether Bryce Young can handle just one fantasy-viable pass-catcher, let alone two. I already mentioned Xavier Legette, however veteran Adam Thielen is on the list.

Thielen won’t be available to the Panthers or fantasy managers until Week 12, but will step into a sizable role (probably Diontae Johnson’s). Intriguingly, the 34-year-old was the PPR WR8 from Weeks 1-8 last season while catching passes from Young, so I could see them working well together.

A two-time Pro Bowler with minimal competition for targets in Carolina, Thielen could quietly slide into a sizable workload. Not to mention, the Panthers boast one of the worst defensive units in football.