Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to help your team from week to week while you strive
to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs, and win the
elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp. While
I’m a big proponent of making trades to bolster your roster,
the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes
to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll
highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players who can
help your squad and may still be available in your league. I’ll
also provide a brief update on the players I covered the previous
week.
Note: This column will be updated tomorrow at the conclusion
of Week 17.
Quarterbacks
Mac Jones,
NE – The impressive rookie had another solid outing in
Week 17 in a soft matchup against Jacksonville, completing 22 of
30 passes for 227-3-0 and adding two carries for 12 rushing yards.
Jones (20% owned in ESPN leagues) just keeps adding to his resume
ahead of the postseason, and that should continue facing the Dolphins
in a Week 18 road matchup the Pats will be there to win.
Taysom
Hill, NO – Hill (50% owned) had
222-1-0 passing and added 45 rushing yards on 12 carries in Sunday’s
18-10 win over the Panthers. The mobile QB should post even better
numbers in Week 18 against the Falcons, when a win could help
mean a playoff appearance for the Saints.
Carson
Wentz, IND – Wentz never real got
it going against the Raiders and threw for just 148-1-0 in Sunday’s
23-20 loss, adding three carries for 10 yards. While he's been
held to under 200 passing yards in five of his last seven starts,
the Week 18 matchup against Jacksonville is a favorable one.
Zach
Wilson, NYJ – Wilson completed 18
of 32 passes for 224-1-0 in Sunday’s 28-24 loss to Tampa Bay.
He added two rushing attempts for no gain and probably isn’t worth
starting vs. the Bills in Week 18.
Running Backs
Rhamondre
Stevenson, NE – Stevenson returned
from a one-game absence due to COVID-19 and ended up with a big
workload following a hamstring injury to Damien Harris, rushing
19 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Jaguars
on Sunday. While Harris downplayed the hamstring issue after the
game, he could still be rested in the Week 18 finale against the
Dolphins and put Stevenson (just 40% owned) into a monster spot
for fantasy RB1 production.
Boston
Scott, PHI – Scott (25% rostered)
finished with 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s
20-16 win over Washington, adding 4-39-0. Pending the status of
Miles Sanders in Week 18, Scott should maintain a key role in
the matchup against the Cowboys.
Jaret
Patterson, WAS – Patterson rushed
the ball 12 times for 57 yards in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to Philadelphia
and helped DFS lineups in all contests, as well as season-long
owners still in the mix. He added 5-41-0 and while the return
of Antonio Gibson in a Week 18 matchup against the Giants could
spoil his utility, Patterson is a name to know heading into 2022.
Ty Johnson,
NYJ – Johnson (15% owned) rushed five times for 35 yards
and a TD while catching three of four targets for 47 yards in
the loss to the Buccaneers. Starting RB Michael Carter left with
a concussion in the first half, leaving Johnson and Austin Walter
to split carries (since Tevin Coleman is on the reserve/COVID-19
list). Stay tuned for Week 18, as the injury news could help form
a better picture of who’ll tote the rock the most against the
Bills.
Dare
Ogunbowale, JAC – Ogunbowale rushed
nine times for 36 yards and caught both his targets for 32 yards
and a score during the blowout 50-10 loss to the Patriots.
Rex
Burkhead, HOU – The veteran continued
to carry the load for Houston, rushing 16 times for 47 yards and
adding 6-32-0 receiving in Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the 49ers. He’s
carrying a solid floor into Week 18 against the Titans, when his
volume could help owners settle their RB3/flex spots.
Darrel
Williams/Derrick
Gore, KC – Williams rushed 14 times for 88 yards
and two touchdowns while catching all three of his targets for
19 yards in the 34-31 loss to the Bengals, while Gore rushed three
times for 37 yards and caught his only target for eight yards.
If Clyde Edwards-Helaire doesn’t suit up for Week 18 against Denver,
Williams should continue to lead the Chiefs backfield into the
postseason, where the seeding still hasn’t been determined.
Ke’Shawn
Vaughn, TB – Vaughn (5% owned) rushed
eight times for 31 yards and caught 2-14-0 on Sunday. Vaughn (ribs)
helped fill the void left by Ronald Jones, who exited early with
an ankle injury. He could play a big role in Week 18.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Cyril
Grayson, TB – Grayson (less than 1%
owned) secured six of eight targets for 81 yards and a TD, getting
lots of snaps after Antonio Brown took off during the game. With
AB slated to be released and the coaching staff and Tom Brady showing
their trust in the speedster, Grayson could be in for a significant
role in Week 18 against the Panthers.
Braxton
Berrios, NYJ – Berrios (about 5%
owned and included in my WRs to considers last week) caught 8-65-1
on 12 targets for 65 yards, adding 12 yards and a touchdown on
two rushing attempts. While he also lost a fumble, Berrios could
see double-digit targets again in Week 18.
Zay Jones,
LV – Jones has emerged as a solid WR No. 2 for the Raiders,
recording eight receptions on 10 targets for 120 yards in Sunday’s
23-20 win over the Colts. He’s one to watch heading into Week
18 and 2022.
Antoine
Wesley, ARI – Wesley (less than
1% rostered) caught four of five targets for 30 yards and two
touchdowns in Sunday's 25-22 win over the Cowboys. A popular red
zone target over the past two weeks, Wesley is athletic and should
get a handful of looks against the Seahawks in Week 18.
Allen
Lazard, GB – Lazard (15-20% owned)
hauled in all six of his targets for 72 yards and a TD on Sunday
night, establishing himself as a solid and consistent fantasy
option lately (with three touchdowns over the last four weeks
and three carries for 32 yards over that span). A meaningless
Week 18 game could be difficult to handicap, but he should have
some chances to make plays.
TE Anthony
Firkser, TEN – Firkser had 3-24-1 in Sunday’s 34-3
win over the Dolphins, and he’s one of very few options available
at TE for Week 18.
K.J.
Osborn, MIN – Osborn had three receptions
(five targets) for 50 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-10
loss to Green Bay.
Isaiah
McKenzie, BUF – McKenzie caught
just one ball for 6 yards on two targets with the Buffalo WRs
nearing full strength.
Byron
Pringle, KC – Pringle took a big
step back in Week 17 with just 3-35-0 on four targets.
TE Gerald
Everett, SEA – Everett had 3-36-0 on five targets
in Sunday’s win over Detroit.
Chris
Conley, HOU – Week 17 was a total
bust for Conley, who was limited in practice all week and questionable
to suit up. He had one catch for -2 yards and was targeted twice.
He also had a 3-yard carry.
