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.
Carson
Wentz, WAS – Cracking the top 5 in
QB scoring in Week 1, Wentz (313-4-2) has a talented in receiving
corps to work with including rookie Jahan Dotson and the upcoming
schedule looks favorable - @DET, PHI, @DAL, TEN. He’ll throw some
picks, so be mindful of your leagues’ scoring system.
Marcus
Mariota, ATL – The Falcons made
use of Mariota’s legs against the Saints (12-72-1) and that kind
of rushing ability isn’t easy to come by on the waiver wire. However,
the upcoming schedule (@LAR, @SEA, CLE, @TB) doesn’t look promising
outside of a Week 3 matchup against the Seahawks.
Matt Ryan,
IND – Prescott owners may want to take a look at Ryan
if the Indy QB went undrafted in your league. The schedule is
friendly enough (@JAX, KC, TEN, @DEN, JAX, @TEN) including potential
shootouts / garbage time against the Chiefs and Broncos.
Cooper
Rush, DAL – Dallas is going to get
a good look at Rush with Dak Prescott (thumb) on the shelf for
the next 6-8 weeks. The Cowboys have a bye in Week 9. If the team
was loaded with weapons, Rush might be a QB2 priority, but with
only CeeDee Lamb as a viable threat on the outside, plus a host
of offensive line issues, Rush is only a consideration in 2QB
leagues.
Other QBs to consider (Week 2 opponents in parentheses):
Tua Tagovailoa,
MIA (@BAL); Jared
Goff, DET (WAS)
Jeff Wilson,
SF – After missing most of training camp with a hamstring
injury, starting 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell injured his
knee in Week 1. The 49ers seem content on using Deebo Samuel in
a similar manner as last season, so Wilson won’t have this backfield
all to himself. He’ll be more of a Flex option as long as Mitchell
is out. Rookie Tyrion Davis-Price was inactive in Week 1.
Rex
Burkhead, HOU – Largely overlooked
this pre-season as the hype train ran out of control on rookie
Dameon Pierce, Burkhead (14-14-0; 5-30) was working as the lead
back for the Texans on Sunday playing on 71% of the offensive
snaps and receiving 8 targets. I’d expect Pierce to be more involved
in the offense as the season moves on, but Burkhead is definitely
someone to take a look at, especially in PPR leagues.
Kenyan
Drake, BAL – Drake (11-31-0; 1-15-0)
was working as the lead back for the Ravens in Week 1 ahead of
Justice Hill and Mike Davis. Drake will be a viable Flex option
with a limited ceiling as long as J.K Dobbins (knee) is out -
which may not be long. The Ravens host the Dolphins in Week 2.
Khalil
Herbert, CHI – Between David Montgomery,
Justin Fields and Herbert, the Bears ran the ball 37 times in
the slop against the 49ers on Sunday. Herbert (9-45-1; 1 catch,
-2 yds) saw a 29% snap share which isn’t exciting but he’s likely
carved out a role and worth a roster spot at the back-end of your
bench.
Dontrell
Hilliard, TEN – Hilliard (2-8-0;
3-61-2) is the clear backup to Derrick Henry but is also involved
in the passing game and has some low-end PPR Flex value in games
that project Tennessee to have a negative game script… like @BUF
in Week 2.
Curtis
Samuel, WAS – Seemingly over his groin
injury that plagued him all of last season, Samuel (8-55-1) led
the Commanders in targets (11) yesterday and is clearly the main
underneath option for Wentz. Once again, the schedule is favorable
- @DET, PHI, @DAL, TEN and he would fill in nicely as WR3 or Flex
in PPR leagues.
Jahan
Dotson, WAS – Nothing will grab
the attention of casual fantasy football owners like touchdowns
and Dotson (3-40-1) scored yesterday against the Jags. If he happens
to be available (rostered in only 23% of Yahoo! leagues), grab
the rookie.
Josh Palmer,
LAC – Keenan Allen is likely to miss Week 2 with a hamstring
injury leaving the door open for Palmer (3-5; 1-4) and DeAndre
Carter (3-64-1) in a potential shootout with the Chiefs. I’d prefer
Palmer but Carter is certainly worth a look as well in this scenario.
Sterling
Shepard, NYG – We heard whispers
over the preseason that Kadarius Toney is still a work in progress
and he might not be in-line for a big role early in the season.
Que Week 1 where Shepard (2-71-1), Richie James (5-59) and Davis
Sills (2-17) all saw more playing time than Toney. The Giants’
passing game isn’t something to attack but if you must, Shepard
is likely the best option with Carolina up next on the schedule.
Donovan
Peoples-Jones– 11 targets in Week
1 for DPJ (6-60) which confirms he’s a fixture in the Browns starting
lineup. If you feel Amari Cooper is past his prime then DPJ is
the next best option. QB play is concern but the Jets are next
up on the schedule.
TE Gerald
Everett, LAC – Everett’s coming off a nice game against
the Raiders (3-54-1) and makes for a great streaming option against
the high-powered KC offense in Week 2.
TE Taysom
Hill, NO – For leagues that allow Hill in the tight
end slot, his swiss-army-knife role is still a thing as we saw
in Week 1 against the Falcons (4-81-1 rush; 1-2-0 rec). He’s not
going to rush for 80 yards every week but he is used around the
goaline and that alone makes him an option as your TE2.
Devin
Duvernay, BAL – Remember what I
said about touchdowns up above? Duvernay scored two of them on
4 targets yesterday so he’ll definitely garner attention on your
waiver wire. But he played on roughly half the snaps and he’ll
be incredibly inconsistent as a deep threat in the Ravens offense.
