This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
I'm always open to suggestions as to how to attack this piece each week. And, in fact, the format and content has been shaped over the years in large part through reader feedback. If there's a specific player I've overlooked or someone you're interested in, feel free to inquire in the comments section and I'll happily give my take. Let's get to this week's waiver wire.
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.
QUARTERBACK
PRIMARY TARGETS
Derek Carr, OAK - Carr is still available in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues. The schedule for him couldn't be much better; the toughest game he has is Week 17 against the Broncos. Other than that he has Cincinnati (think Lamar Jackson Sunday), the Jets (think Daniel Jones Sunday) and the Chiefs (think Ryan Tannehill) for the next three games. He has a solid floor, and, as tough as it might be to admit, Jon Gruden has done a really good job with this team. FAAB: $10-$15
Nick Foles, JAC - I'm not sure Gardner Minshew should be benched, but that's what will happen with Foles having an $88 million contract. Foles has a nice schedule ahead of him: the Colts, Titans and Buccaneers. Those are not matchups from which to shy away. The receiving corps is competent and defenses will
I'm always open to suggestions as to how to attack this piece each week. And, in fact, the format and content has been shaped over the years in large part through reader feedback. If there's a specific player I've overlooked or someone you're interested in, feel free to inquire in the comments section and I'll happily give my take. Let's get to this week's waiver wire.
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.
QUARTERBACK
PRIMARY TARGETS
Derek Carr, OAK - Carr is still available in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues. The schedule for him couldn't be much better; the toughest game he has is Week 17 against the Broncos. Other than that he has Cincinnati (think Lamar Jackson Sunday), the Jets (think Daniel Jones Sunday) and the Chiefs (think Ryan Tannehill) for the next three games. He has a solid floor, and, as tough as it might be to admit, Jon Gruden has done a really good job with this team. FAAB: $10-$15
Nick Foles, JAC - I'm not sure Gardner Minshew should be benched, but that's what will happen with Foles having an $88 million contract. Foles has a nice schedule ahead of him: the Colts, Titans and Buccaneers. Those are not matchups from which to shy away. The receiving corps is competent and defenses will be focused on slowing Leonard Fournette, a good fantasy recipe for using Foles. FAAB: $8-$12
RUNNING BACK
PRIMARY TARGETS
Brian Hill, ATL - Devonta Freeman had an MRI on Monday on his foot to determine the severity of his injury. Brian Hill had 21 touches Sunday in relief of Freeman, including a 10-yard touchdown score through the air. He's likely to receive more heavy workloads like that while Freeman is out and should be the top waiver priority of the week. Don't hesitate to use your top pick or blow your FAAB budget, especially if there's negative news about Freeman from the MRI. FAAB: $30-All
Secondary Targets
J.D. McKissic, DET - It's unknown if or how much time Ty Johnson will miss dealing with a concussion. McKissic took over for him but only managed 10-36 on the ground and 6-19 through the air on his way to 55 yards from scrimmage. Still, McKissic should be the main back for the Lions while Johnson is out and get a bump in PPR formats for his receiving ability. He's also averaging 5.9 yards per carry this season, albeit on only 30 carries. FAAB: $4-$8
Derrius Guice, WAS - Guice is poised to make his return this week after being on IR with a knee injury. It's unlikely he jumps right back into a workhorse role, and Adrian Peterson should continue to get touches. The silver lining is that Bill Callahan wants to go with a run-heavy offense, especially with Dwayne Haskins playing quarterback the rest of the season. Guice easily has the most upside in the Washington backfield, but remember he comes with the injury-prone label. FAAB: $4-$8
HAIL MARY
Patrick Laird, MIA - It pained me (no pun intended) to write about Kalen Ballage last week, and he didn't disappoint Sunday finishing with 24 touches for 45 yards. While the volume is nice for Ballage, logic would dictate the Dolphins give Laird or even Myles Gaskin some more touches while Mark Walton is suspended. Laird is a rookie out of California who was only used on special teams before Sunday, but he could have a larger role over the next three games. FAAB: $1-$2
WIDE RECEIVER
PRIMARY TARGETS
Deebo Samuel, SF - Emmanuel Sanders should miss some time with a rib injury, and Samuel led the team with 11 targets in Monday night's loss to the Seahawks. Kendrick Bourne caused a turnover tipping the ball into the air and George Kittle is banged up, leaving Samuel as the top receiving option for the 49ers. After taking an initial look at the matchup with the Arizona Cardinals this week, it doesn't look so bad considering Patrick Peterson left Sunday with a calf injury and won't be 100 percent healthy even if he plays. FAAB: $5-$10
SECONDARY TARGETS
Darius Slayton, NYG - Slayton turned in a huge game Sunday, finishing with 14-10-121-2. This was his second two-touchdown game in his last three, and he also found the end zone Week 5 against the Vikings. Slayton would probably be a better target in my eyes but for a couple factors working against him. First, the Giants are on bye this week, so he isn't going to help anyone's fantasy team. When the Giants come back from their week off, they have a tough matchup in Chicago. It's likely that Sterling Shepard will return that game as well, further clouding Slayton's upside. FAAB: $4-$8
SECONDARY TARGET
Mecole Hardman, KC - It would seem a few of the targets heading Sammy Watkins way would be better used on Hardman, one of the fastest players in the NFL. Hardman caught his only target for a beautiful 63-yard touchdown and is up to five touchdowns already this season. Obviously it helps having Patrick Mahomes back under center, and this week he could see more targets his way with Jalen Ramsey likely shadowing Tyreek Hill. FAAB: $3-$6
HAIL MARY
Tre'Quan Smith, Ted Ginn, NO - Tre'Quan and Ginn are both interesting adds this week given their matchups with the Buccaneers' porous pass defense. Tampa Bay has been great against the run but has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers. My lean is slightly to Smith, who is the younger and likely the faster player of the two. The floor is low but the ceiling for both is high given this matchup with Tampa. FAAB: $1-$2
TIGHT END
SECONDARY TARGETS
Kyle Rudolph, MIN - He doesn't look as explosive as he once was, but Rudolph had two spectacular touchdown catches Sunday night and caught a two-point conversion as well. He now has four touchdowns in his last four games, so maybe the Vikings are making a concerted effort to target him in the red zone. Just realize the floor is extremely low; Rudolph has less than four fantasy points in six games this season. FAAB: $3-$6
Jacob Hollister, SEA - Will Dissly is down, Luke Willson is down, so here we are with Hollister. Tight end is an important piece in the Seattle offense and Hollister had a 10-8-62-1 line Monday, including a nifty touchdown grab. If Tyler Lockett misses any time, it will help Hollister's value, especially in the red zone. FAAB: $3-$6
HAIL MARY
Dawson Knox, BUF - Awesome Knox, as we call him here in Buffalo, has been a pleasant surprise for the Bills. He was targeted a season-high six times in the loss to the Browns on Sunday and could continue that trend. This has been a thin position throughout the season, so he might be useful. FAAB: $1-$2
