Welcome to Waiver Wire Week 10! Week 9 could have been called “the week of anticipation” for Waiver Wire grinders. Mark Andrews AND Jonathan Taylor were announced as OUT. This news was tough to hear if you roster Andrews or Taylor, but if you scooped up Isaiah Likely or Deon Jackson you suddenly had two locked-in fantasy starters.
A Perfect Storm
A perfect storm with Nyheim Hines sent to Buffalo, AND a Taylor injury left Jackson as the next man in for a high-volume role. He was a top 18 pick in most weekly rankings, and I boldly predicted he would finish as an RB1. Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots seemed to disagree with my prediction, as “Jackson week,” went wrong. Sam Ehlinger was sacked nine times, and a late-game injury quelled any hopes of Jackson salvaging some garbage time points to add to a gross stat line.
Isaiah Likely, you are now our only hope. How about a bit of fantasy football karma with a top-five TE performance to save the week for fantasy managers who need points on Monday Night? With the banged-up WR corps in Baltimore, Likely will undoubtedly have an opportunity to put his stamp on tonight’s game.
Isaiah Likely Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
This column had some hits this weekend, but it was mostly a quiet week of impactful performances from Waiver Wire additions. Cade Otton had a 5-68-1 performance, including the game-winning TD reception in Tampa Bay’s win over Los Angeles. Tyler Allgeier rushed ten times for 99 yards. Geno Smith had over 300 combined yards and went 2-0 vs. Arizona.
Byemaggedon Aftermath
Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief at the end of Byemaggedon. Six teams on byes made for some genuinely disgusting start-sit choices. Week 10 will be less painful with only four teams set to miss. Week 11 will have four more teams out with byes (Jacksonville, Miami, Seattle, and Tampa Bay). Plan accordingly and be a week ahead.
This is not a great week of impactful waiver wire additions, but check your league for players not listed in this column who could have been cut last week. Take extra time to comb through your league’s list of available players because the finish line is in sight and the fantasy playoffs are just around the corner.
(ALL PLAYERS LISTED ARE ROSTERED IN 25 PERCENT OF YAHOO LEAGUES OR LESS)
Quarterbacks
(Check and see if Daniel Jones was dropped during the bye week. He would be a strong addition. Also check on Jimmy Garoppollo.)
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland
We are getting closer and closer to Watson’s return. He is the most talented player available on the waiver wire all season long and could lift teams to fantasy titles. If you have the room, add him.
Andy Dalton, New Orleans
Dalton has passed for six TDs in his previous two performances heading into Monday night. It will be hard for him to concede his job as the starter if he keeps this up.
Running Backs
Isaiah Spiller, Los Angeles Chargers
Spiller had a great deal of hype this past summer but quickly faded away as he was inactive in multiple games to start the year. His stat line was nothing special, but he seems to be settling in as the No. 2 back behind Austin Ekeler. We want handcuff RBs to fill the back half of our roster this time of year.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh
Warren could see a “self-scouting” boost coming from the bye week. He outgained Najee Harris in Week 8 and has looked elusive and explosive.
Jaylen Warren Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
If Harris were to miss any time with injury, Warren would be an RB2.
Zack Moss & Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis
Moss was part of the Nyheim Hines trade. Seemingly a fantasy afterthought, Moss could step into a significant role this week as Jonathan Taylor and Jackson are both dealing with injuries. The Colts’ offense is reeling, and there is little upside here. However, Moss could see double-digit touches. Wilkins has been with the organization for a while and served as the backup to Jackson this past weekend. I would prefer Moss, but Wilkins also makes for a speculative addition.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati
Joe Mixon had a massive performance with five TDs. The Bengals’ offense is rolling heading into their bye week. Perine is the clear handcuff to Mixon, and Chris Evans went down with a knee injury. Perine would be a handy player if Mixon were to miss time.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia
Gainwell found the end zone this past Thursday and added three receptions. He does not see the volume to find his way into our fantasy lineups, but if Miles Sanders were to miss any time, Gainwell would be an instant flex play. He is one of the better handcuffs to roster due to how efficient and productive the Eagles’ offense is.
Kylin Hill, Green Bay
Aaron Jones went down with an injury and was spotted in a walking boot. The severity of the injury is being downplayed, but if Jones were to miss time, Hill would serve as the backup to A.J. Dillon.
Tight Ends
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay
I have written about Otton for over a month now, and hopefully, many readers of this column grabbed him and have him rostered.
Cade Otton Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
His strong performance on Sunday will make him one of the most added players in leagues if he is still available this week. He is a low-end TE1 moving forward.
Wide Receivers
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland
Peoples-Jones is shockingly available in 79 percent of Yahoo leagues. He has over 71 yards receiving in four of his last five games. The TDs will come when Deshaun Watson takes over as QB. He should be rostered everywhere.
DeAndre Carter, Los Angeles Chargers
Carter had five catches for 53 yards and has 13 targets over his last two games. He has stepped into an increased role with all the Chargers’ injuries at WR. Consider him bye-week fill-in play for as long as Keenan Allen is out.
Terrace Marshall, Carolina
One bright spot in Carolina’s blowout loss to Cincinnati was Marshall. Marshall found the end zone on a 21-yard TD grab and tied DJ Moore with a team-leading six targets.
Terrace Marshall Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
He has had 15 targets in the past two games and seems to be coming on. He could gain back a lot of dynasty value over the second half of the season.
Odell Beckham, Free Agent
We are officially on Beckham watch. His return seems imminent, and several teams have shown interest. How much of an impact he has when he returns remains to be seen, but he will most likely be signing with someone who has promised him a role.
Demarcus Robinson/Desean Jackson, Baltimore
Rashod Bateman‘s season is over due to an injury. Robinson had a solid game last week, and Jackson was a recent free-agent signing. Someone has to catch passes in Baltimore, right?
Treylon Burks, Tennessee
Tennessee has no one at WR. Let me repeat: Tennessee has NO ONE AT WR. Burks could be stepping into a huge target share out of sheer necessity. Tennessee needs a WR to step forward and produce, and their best option is the first-round rookie coming off of the IR. Do not be surprised if Burks sees 5+ targets in every game for the rest of the season.
Jahan Dotson, Washington
Dotson should return from injury this week against Philadelphia. He should step right back into a prominent role in the Washington offense. Dotson had four TDs in his first four games and will look to build on that number to finish the season.
