DFS: Deal or No Deal - There's Always Next Year

For a handful of teams, the focus has already shifted to next season:

• The Ravens' starters at the skill positions look completely different compared to the start of the year, with Matt Schaub, Javorius Allen and Kamar Aiken replacing Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett and Steve Smith Sr.

• At 5-5, Seattle is still within reach of a wild card spot, but is surely preparing for life after Marshawn Lynch, with the veteran suffering through an underwhelming, injury-riddled season.

• The 2-8 Titans have handed rookie WR Dorial Green-Beckham an increasing role in recent weeks as it looks for a top wideout to emerge.

For different reasons, teams are looking ahead to next season, with these three players essentially receiving auditions for starting roles in 2016:

RB Thomas Rawls, Seahawks (vs. Steelers)

The undrafted rookie from Central Michigan has made the most of his two starts, carrying 53 times for 378 yards and two TDs, while adding three receptions for 46 yards and a TD Sunday against San Francisco.

On the season, in almost equal playing time, Rawls is vastly outproducing the veteran Lynch:

Lynch has missed time with hamstring and abdomen injuries, and the latter ailment will likely keep him out Sunday against Pittsburgh. Rawls' production has essentially been a better version of what was expected from "Beast Mode," and despite a moderate price rise on the back of last week's performance, he's still among the cheapest starters at running back.

Pittsburgh is easier to attack through the air than on the ground, but given that Rawls should see the bulk of the backfield work and put up 169 yards against Cincinnati's strong rush defense in Week 5, he should easily be able to return value.

Verdict: DEAL

RB Javorius Allen, Ravens (at Browns)

Allen never had a full workload to himself until this past Sunday, when the rookie received 27 total touches in the wake of Justin Forsett suffering a season-ending broken arm early in Baltimore's win over St. Louis.

Prior to that, Allen's most productive game of the season came against Cleveland in Week 5 when he carried eight times for 58 yards, and will get to face the Browns' league-worst rush defense again Monday night.

In his final two seasons at USC, Allen caught 63 passes in 26 games, and those skills were on display Sunday in registering five receptions for 48 yards. With a patchwork receiving corps and Schaub now at the helm, Allen may find defenses keying on him, but his receiving skills should help him as a checkdown option in PPR-scoring formats.

Verdict: DEAL

Like Rawls, Allen is among the cheapest starters at the position, and despite a weaker offense around him, has a positive matchup to look forward to.

WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Titans (vs. Raiders)

Green-Beckham, a second-round pick in the 2015 draft, has been handed more playing time of late in the wake of injuries to the team's already thin receiving corps.

According to Football Outsiders, Green-Beckham has played at least 61 per cent of his team's offensive snaps since Week 7; prior to that, he hadn't featured in more than 42 per cent of the offensive plays.

Despite the increased action, the results haven't been there, with his best game being a five-catch, 77-yard performance on a day where fellow rookie Marcus Mariota threw for 371 yards and four TDs against New Orleans.

Tennessee lacks a clear No. 1 receiver - Walker's numbers dwarf those of Wright, the most productive Titans receiver. The 6-foot-5 Green-Beckham is seemingly getting his chance to fill the role, and has a favorable matchup this week against Oakland's 30th-ranked pass defense, but it's hard to trust him as anything more than a deep tournament play flier given his numbers so far.

Verdict: NO DEAL