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
for that elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp.
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 that
might be available in 12-team PPR leagues. I’ll also provide
a brief update on the players I covered the previous week.
Mike White,
NYJ at Seattle – White was getting it done before the two-week
absence so there’s no reason to think he won’t be a huge improvement
over Zach Wilson and Chris Streveler in what is a must-win game
for the Jets against the Seahawks. He’s available in most formats
and could be in line for low-end QB1 numbers.
Jared Goff, DET vs. Chicago – The Bills offense pummeled
the Bears in Week 16, and while I could see the Lions leaning
on their RBs a bit more in this matchup, there’s no reason
not to roll out Goff, who’s less than 55% owned in ESPN
leagues heading into what for many will be their fantasy Super
Bowls.
Daniel Jones,
NYG – Jones threw for 334-1-1 in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to Minnesota,
adding 34 rushing yards on four carries. He’s got an even easier
matchup against the Colts, though we could see a lot of Saquon
Barkley and Matt Breida in this one.
Sam Darnold, CAR – Darnold completed 15-of-22 passes for
250-1-0 in the Panthers’ 37-23 win over the Lions on Saturday.
He also rushed six times for 19 yards and another score, capping
off his best fantasy performance of year. He gets the much stingier
Bucs-D in Week 17.
Running Backs
Tyler Allgeier,
ATL vs. Pittsburgh – Allgeier had a solid game and appears to
be the main “traditional” ball carrier in Atlanta these days.
He had 18 rushes for 74 yards and caught 4-43-0 on five targets
in the 17-9 loss to Baltimore but remains a viable RB3/flex play
in Week 17.
Chuba Hubbard,
CAR at Tampa Bay – Hubbard rushed 12 times for 125 yards in the
37-23 win over the Lions on Saturday. Like his QB, he’ll have
a tougher time in Tampa, but the volume was impressive and the
Panthers running game looked excellent.
Gus Edwards,
BAL vs. Pittsburgh – I’m not sure what exactly happened to J.K.
Dobbins in the second half in Week 16, but Edwards ended up with
11 carries for 99 yards in Saturday's 17-9 win over the Falcons.
Zack Moss and
Deon Jackson,
IND vs. Los Angeles Chargers – UPDATE:
Moss had 12 carries for 65 rushing yards in Monday’s 20-3
loss to the Chargers, adding one reception for 5 yards. Jackson
saw only three targets (3-9-0) and didn’t have any carries
in the run game. Moss seems like the only viable Indy RB for Week
17, especially since Jordan Wilkins only had one touch against
the Chargers.
James Cook, BUF – Cook had 11 carries for 99 rushing yards
and a TD in the win over Chicago, adding one catch for 9 yards.
He’s a viable RB3/flex at this point and should be deployed
with confidence considering how run-oriented this offense has
been and the matchup against Cincinnati in Week 17.
Marlon Mack, DEN – Just four carries for 22 rushing yards
against the Rams in a blowout loss.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
D.J. Chark,
DET vs. Chicago – Chark got hot despite a generally lackluster
offensive performance by the Lions team in Saturday’s loss, ending
with 4-108-0 on five targets. He’s got a great matchup against
the Bears in Week 17 against an inexperienced Chicago secondary
that’s been battling injuries.
Richie James,
NYG vs. Indianapolis – Isaiah Hodgins actually finished with 8-89-1
on 11 targets in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to the Vikings – the best
fantasy day for the Giants WRs. But James caught eight of a team-high
12 targets (Barkley even had 10) for 90 yards. He’s really come
on strong the past few weeks and should stay involved vs. Indy
in Week 17.
Trenton Irwin,
CIN vs. Buffalo – Irwin had three catches for 45 yards and two
touchdowns in Sunday’s win over the Patriots, and while this performance
was TD-reliant, he’s clearly a part of the offense and gets in
crucial red zone situations when Tyler Boyd is being rested.
Kendrick Bourne, NE vs. Miami – Bourne hauled in 6-100-1
on nine targets and rushed once for 29 yards in the Patriots’
loss to the Bengals on Saturday. It’s always hard to tell
if he’ll be part of the game plan week-to-week, but I’ve
featured him in this column a lot over the past few years and
enjoy his random big games and featured usage in the red zone.
Marquise Goodwin, SEA – Goodwin was targeted four times
but didn't catch a pass in Saturday’s 24-10 loss to the
Chiefs. Gross. I’m not interested in rolling him out against
the Jets.
Jahan Dotson,
WAS – Dotson posted 6-76-1 on nine targets in Saturday’s 37-20
loss to San Francisco. The Commanders are still undecided on who
will start between Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz for Week 17,
but Dotson is a must-play at this point in 12-team leagues.
TE Chigoziem
Okonkwo, TEN – Okonkwo recorded just one catch on two targets
for 10 yards in Saturday’s 19-14 loss to the Texans. It’s a different
offense with Malik Willis at the helm.
K.J. Osborn, MIN – Osborn followed up his huge week with
a mediocre 3-17-0 on four targets.
TE Juwan Johnson, NO – Johnson had just 1-9-0 in the win
over Cleveland and we knew it was a possibility he’d go
quiet.
Noah Brown,
DAL – Saturday was the CeeDee Lamb show and Brown caught just
one of two targets for 5 yards in the big win over the Eagles.
