Waiver Wire Wonders: Week 10
First of all, I’d just like to say thank you to everyone that has been reading the waiver wire articles and that have been gracious of the advice I have given every Tuesday night on the Fantasy Life App. I’ve received so many kind comments regarding the article and I can’t thank you guys enough for the outpouring of support. Writing these articles each week has been a blast and I’m so thankful for the Fantasy Life Blog, Matthew Fox and so many others that have given me this opportunity.
Anyways, enough of the sappy stuff, let’s get back to fantasy. We’re in Week 10 of the season already and bye weeks are starting to finish up. Over the next few weeks, big Waiver Wire pickups will start to slow down (barring any major injuries). Very soon, we’ll start looking more into bench stashes, handcuffs that need to be owned (in case of resting players) and some smart pick-ups at QB and D/ST for the stretch run.
However, this week, as always, I will be listing my favorite waiver acquisitions. If you haven’t been here before, there will be multiple sections to my article with the main parts including: Standard League Adds (players owned in 50 percent or less) and Deep League Adds (players owned in less than 25 percent of leagues). Furthermore, there will be mini-sections that include players that you shouldn’t drop just yet (Don’t Stop Believin’) and guys you can cut ties with (The Droppables). So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
Standard League Adds
TE Jack Doyle — IND (40.3 percent owned)
For the second week in a row, Doyle finds his way onto my waiver wire adds. I don’t have a clear cut No. 1 add this week, but he’s certainly around the top. It shouldn’t come to any surprise either. Everyone and their mother knows that Andrew Luck loves throwing to his tight ends. Out of Luck’s 23 passing touchdowns, eight have gone to Ebron or Doyle. Doyle even missed a big chunk of the season already. He reeled in six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown in his return against Oakland a few weeks ago. Now, after a bye week, Doyle should be 100 percent healthy and ready to make a huge difference in your lineup down the stretch.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling — GB (20.7 percent owned)
Atop the list with Doyle, is a guy with one of the wildest names in the league. Valdez-Scantling has clearly emerged as the Packers top deep threat recently. News just broke today that Geronimo Allison will be sidelined at least eight weeks due to his groin injury. Enter MVS. I think Valdes-Scantling has a great opportunity to carve his way into the number two receiver role with Allison injured and Cobb continuing to have underwhelming performances. He’s had three straight weeks of at least 10 fantasy points, including two 100 yard games. With Aaron Rodgers at QB, the upside is sky high each and every week. Valdes-Scantling is a guy I want on my roster for the second half of the season.
RB Duke Johnson — CLE (49.5 percent owned)
Well, well, well…would you look at that? Hue Jackson and Todd Haley get fired and Johnson has a monster game. Could this be a sign of things to come? Eh, that I’m not so sure of. However, he received 21 percent of the targets from Baker Mayfield, and that’s something to keep an eye on. Johnson finished the Chiefs’ game with nine receptions for 78 yards and two scores. Overall, he totaled 29.6 points in PPR leagues. Not only was that his highest point total of the season, but it was more points than he’s scored in the last four weeks COMBINED! I’m not fully sold that he’ll continue to get that volume every game, but with the Browns likely trailing most games the rest of the season, Johnson is certainly worth rostering.
RB Mike Davis — SEA (18.5 percent owned)
This pickup is more speculation than anything. Chris Carson has been really banged up lately and he was seen with a wrap around his leg coming out of halftime against the Los Angeles Chargers. Carson ended up sitting out the second half of the game, allowing Davis to get the majority of work. Davis finished the day with 15 carries for 62 yards, along with seven receptions for 45 yards. It’s become clear that the Seahawks have kind of given up on Rashaad Penny this season, and who can blame them? His 3.5 yards per carry haven’t exactly been Earth-shattering. Nonetheless, if Carson were to miss any time, I like Davis as a solid flex option who will see plenty of volume.
WR DJ Moore — CAR (46.8 percent owned)
Another player making the waiver Wire Article for the second straight week is Moore. He should already be rostered in most leagues, yet he’s still available in just over half of them. Moore was impressive and showed the explosiveness that the Panthers offense needs two weeks ago when he caught five passes for 90 yards. Yes, I know, he was totally underwhelming this past week. However, I consider that to be more of a game script issue than anything. I mean, why throw when you’re up 35–7? Nonetheless, I expect Carolina to get DJ a lot “Moore” involved this week in a shootout against Pittsburgh. See what I did there? Sorry, I’ll stick to fantasy.
Deep League Adds
WR Adam Humphries — TB (2.7 percent owned)
Imagine a world where you have the stud Mike Evans, the speedy DeSean Jackson, the improving Chris Godwin and the Red Zone threat O.J. Howard on the field all at the same time. Who would you throw to? All of them are great options. However, lately, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been picking secret option No. 5. That’s right, Humphries. OK, Fitzpatrick throws to all of them, but lately, we’ve seen a ton of Humphries. This past Sunday, Humphries was targeted eight times. He caught all eight targets for 82 yards and two scores. The week before? Humphries was targeted 10 times and reeled in seven passes for 76 yards. He’s been out on the field more than both Jackson and Godwin the past few games, and Fitzpatrick continues to look his way. The Bucs will be down in games all year and will have to throw a ton. Humphries could be a sneaky good pickup, especially in PPR leagues.
RB Elijah McGuire — NYJ (9.4 percent owned)
All aboard the Isaiah Crowell isn’t good hype train. I think just about everyone is on board with that at this point. I know he’s averaging five yards per carry, but that’s largely inflated by his random 200-plus yard day. His last four weeks? Yardage totals of 40, 29, 25 and 49. Not exactly lighting the world on fire. McGuire had been sitting on IR for the first eight weeks of the season, but was activated Sunday against the Dolphins and looked decent. He recorded seven carries for 30 yards to go along with three receptions for 37 yards in limited work. My thought here is that Crowell just doesn’t have it, the Jets will be down a lot and check down to RBs. McGuire looks quicker and more nimble. I think McGuire can be a nice bench stash in deeper leagues at this point.
TE Chris Herndon — NYJ (12.6 percent owned)
Like most tight end picks I have on here, this one is pretty simple. The tight end position has been brutal. However, over the past four games we’ve been seeing some consistency from Herndon. Sam Darnold loves looking for his tight end and Herndon has had at least eight points in PPR leagues for four straight weeks. I know his targets aren’t what you’d like them to be and he’s very touchdown dependent, but searching deep at tight end is rough. Would you rather have Charles Clay and his 0 fantasy points? Herndon is worth a flier if you’re desperate.
RB Josh Adams — PHI (3 percent owned)
Adams was on last week’s article, so I’ll keep this one short. The Eagles’ running backs have been brutal running the ball. Both Clement and Smallwood have been unimpressive and are better off as pass catchers out of the backfield. Adams rushed nine times for 61 yards against Jacksonville two weeks ago. As a big Fighting Irish fan, he always impressed me at Notre Dame and was in the Heisman talks. At this point in the year, what do you have to lose with stashing him just in case he wins the job outright?
WR John Ross — CIN (8.1 percent owned)
Look, I know that Ross has been nothing but flaming hot garbage thus far in his NFL career. However, his main problem has been staying healthy. Ross is still dealing with a groin injury, but he did practice yesterday. AJ Green is dealing with a toe injury and is likely to sit out the next couple weeks. After Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati doesn’t have much to turn to. Alex Erickson will get increased looks, but I’d rather take my chances with the high upside guy in Ross. Outside of Tyreek Hill, he may be one of the fastest guys in the league. All he needs is one deep bomb to make him of fantasy relevance. The Bengals didn’t spend a first round pick on this guy just to not utilize him. I’m scooping him up in all of my 12-plus team leagues if I can and hope that he can stay healthy.
The Droppables
QB Matt Stafford: He lost Golden Tate as a weapon and has a rough schedule down the stretch. You’re likely able to find a better option on the Waiver Wire to stream if necessary.
RB Royce Freeman: It’s hard to let a guy go that was drafted in the fourth or fifth rounds of most drafts. However, there seems to be no hope for him this year, splitting with Phillip Lindsay and continually being banged up. I’m cutting ties.
RB Isaiah Crowell: It’s been nearly a month since Crow has had a good game. On a terrible Jets team, his time is up for me.
WR Allen Robinson: Literally the same situation as Freeman. However, he still has some potential despite his touchdown dependency. Only drop if there are solid options out on the waiver wire.
WR Randall Cobb: The Packers offense hasn’t quite been what it has used to be. Adams and Graham are getting all the targets, while I think Valdes-Scantling is emerging as the team’s No. 2 receiver.
Don’t Stop Believin’
QB Mitch Trubisky: He’s likely only your backup anyways, but his playoff schedule includes the Rams, Packers and 49ers. I’ll hang onto him for that.
RB Latavius Murray: Obviously if you’re a Dalvin Cook owner, don’t be a nincompoop and drop him. Even if you aren’t a Cook owner, I think Murray is worth holding onto just in case he goes down again. Murray has RB2 potential, plus you’re keeping him away from the Cook owner.
RB Matt Breida: With his counterpart Mostert done for the year, this is Breida’s backfield. He’s certainly worth hanging on to.
WR Courtland Sutton: I know his debut of three receptions for 57 yards wasn’t impressive, but I expect better days ahead. You know why? Well I have news for you. Jeff Heuerman isn’t going to have 10 receptions every week. The Broncos will find ways to get the rookie involved.
TE Vance McDonald: I know his last few performances have been uninspiring, but you can’t cut bait with how brutal the tight end pool is. Hopefully he’s your backup, but unless Jack Doyle is out there, hold onto McDonald. I still prefer him over guys like Herndon, Heuerman, etc. Plus, let’s not forget about that nasty stiff arm of his.
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