This is the Waiver Wire Week 8, and wow, yesterday was a tumultuous day for Breece Hall managers. Maybe you drafted him in dynasty as the 1.01 in all formats- even Superflex. Perhaps you drafted him in redraft as a fifth-round steal. Either way, you played it perfectly. You filtered out all of the noise, the “bad landing spot” narrative, and the hilarious “crowded backfield,” arguments. Through six weeks, and despite a mediocre Jets offense, Hall was RB7 overall and the focal point of a winning team. He had league winner written all over him. This past Sunday, he ripped off a 62-yard TD run on the road in Denver. Things were going great, and then disaster fell- a knee injury.
The post-game press conference brought further bad news as head coach Robert Saleh confirmed what most feared- this was a severe knee injury and a possible torn ACL. Hall’s season is now over.
More injuries piled up yesterday. Mike Williams, the PPR WR9 overall, went down with an ankle injury that could be season-ending. Allen Lazard, Green Bay’s WR1, went down with a shoulder injury. D.K. Metcalf, the fantasy football version of the Terminator, was taken off the field on a stretcher, and this time it was not to use the bathroom but to have his knee examined. (Not believed to be too severe or season-ending). The tight end position was not spared on an injury-riddled Sunday as David Njoku suffered an ankle sprain.
Pressing Onward
But this is not an injury column or a fantasy football obituary. This is the Waiver Wire column. The injuries are piling up this season, and let that be a motivator to keep your roster as strong as possible. Depth matters. Having usable options and the right potential lottery tickets on your bench matter.
This week we also have to deal with the upcoming NFL Trade Deadline. We have already seen one small trade (Robbie Anderson to Arizona) and one gargantuan one (Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco). Expect an active year for trades. Trades are hard to predict, but like injuries, one constant remains in the NFL: change brings opportunities. One door closes, and one door opens. Post Breece Hall Monday is a sad day for Hall managers but an optimistic one for Michael Carter managers. It may seem callous, but “this is the business we have chosen.” (Godfather 2 for young readers).
We have a light week of Byes, but they are impactful ones. Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers will sit this one out. No Mahomes, Kelce, Herbert, or Ekeler to insert in our fantasy lineups. As always, we want to be a week ahead of byes. Here are the next three weeks.
Week 9
Cleveland
Dallas
Denver
New York Giants
Pittsburgh
San Francisco
Week 10
Baltimore
Cincinnati
New England
New York Jets
Week 11
Jacksonville
Miami
Seattle
Tampa Bay
(ALL PLAYERS ARE ROSTERED IN 25 PERCENT OR LESS OF YAHOO LEAGUES)
Quarterbacks
Malik Willis – Tennessee
Ryan Tannehill suffered an ankle injury and was spotted in a walking boot.
Malik Willis Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Mike Vrabel seems optimistic that he will play this week and downplayed the severity of it (Tannehill finished this week’s win against Indianapolis). If he were to miss time, Willis would make for an exciting streaming option.
Deshaun Watson – Cleveland
Watson is the ultimate speculation play at the QB position if you have the room on your roster. He will be an immediate low-end QB1 when he steps onto the field in early December. With Njoku, Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and a strong running game, Cleveland could have a say in fantasy titles this season.
Andy Dalton – New Orleans
Dalton passed for 361 yards and four TDs this past week. He did throw for three interceptions, including two pick-sixes (gross). However, unless your league has negative points for pick-sixes, you had a high-end QB1 finish from the Red Rifle. Expect Dalton to start again this week in a plus matchup against Las Vegas. Just target that Olave kid Andy. He is a baller.
Running Backs
James Cook – Buffalo
The bye week is often a time when teams self-scout. Could Buffalo find some additional touches and work for their second-round pick? Devin Singletary is clearly in the lead role, but fantasy gamers should treat Cook as a handcuff with upside. If Singletary were to miss time, Cook will be an RB2. He is a competent pass catcher.
Ty Johnson – New York Jets
Hall’s season-ending injury puts Michael Carter in the weekly RB2 discussion, but Johnson should be an appealing add this week, especially for managers who play in deeper formats. Johnson is a capable pass catcher and had a few weeks of fantasy viability last season. He is the clear handcuff to Carter as long as he survives the NFL trade deadline.
D’Ernest Johnson – Cleveland
Johnson is an appealing speculation play this week. He has a few outs that could put him on the fantasy map. Johnson could get traded or No. 2 running back Kareem Hunt could get traded. Johnson is a capable back but is in a bad situation right now. Things could look a lot brighter soon, and if nothing changes you can send him right back to the waiver wire.
Kyren Williams – Los Angeles Rams
Williams is closer to his return date from the IR. Barring a trade for another RB, Williams would have a chance to carve out a role as the pass-catching back in a Rams offense that could use a boost. He could see a good amount of work due to the Rams’ OL issues. Williams is a favorite of the coaching staff, and one of my favorite additions if he is still available in your league.
Keaontay Ingram – Arizona
Ingram looked explosive this past week in Arizona’s Thursday night win over New Orleans. Operating as the No. 2 RB behind Eno Benjamin, Ingram had 11 touches including two receptions, and he found the end zone (nearly twice).
Keaontay Ingram Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Dynasty managers should prioritize him over redraft ones as James Conner and Darrel Williams could be back. But the Eno Benjamin-Ingram combo looked the part, and Arizona won. Why not stick with the younger backs?
Kenneth Gainwell – Philadelphia
Another “self-scout bye week speculation play. Gainwell could come out of the bye week with a few new looks or an increased role. He is a good player in a great offense. If Miles Sanders were to miss time, Gainwell would split the RB duties with Boston Scott, but he would be my preferred choice of the two.
Wide Receivers
Parris Campbell – Indianapolis
Campbell has had to deal with countless injuries and setbacks over the course of his career, but this looks to be his best season as a pro. He now has 20 targets over the past two games including 11 on Sunday.
Parris Campbell Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
He is playing an every-down role, and his ability to win on the low average depth of target routes lines up perfectly with Matt Ryan‘s (Editor’s Note: This was written before the news of Matt Ryan’s benching) limitations. Ride the hot hand and add Campbell this week as a flex or WR3.
Marquise Goodwin – Seattle
Goodwin was the biggest beneficiary of Metcalf’s absence. Geno Smith YOLO season continues in Seattle, and they have been an aggressive offense. Tyler Lockett will see a bump up in usage but expect Goodwin to be in the WR4 range. Goodwin was No. 2 among all Seattle players with five targets this week.
Mecole Hardman – Kansas City
Hardman has often been a tease in fantasy. We expect him to take steps forward and are continually let down. He has always been a “better in best ball special,” and a player whose weekly production was too difficult to predict. Yesterday cannot be ignored as Hardman found the end zone three times in an Andy Reid-Pat Mahomes masterclass beatdown of San Francisco. Heading into the bye week, Kansas City could look to slightly increase Hardman’s role, especially on designed rushing plays. Do not go overspending because this game is most likely a one-off, but do not leave him on the waiver wire either. Price check bid.
Van Jefferson – Los Angeles
Last season’s WR36 overall in PPR, Jefferson makes for a quiet low-key waiver wire addition this week. He should make his debut soon, and the Rams clearly could use another pass-catching weapon. Jefferson should be on the field in 3 WR sets and should see five targets a game.
Odell Beckham FA
Beckham has recently been linked to Kansas City. Whether or not that works out, I believe he will be signed by someone this season. If you have a roster spot, he makes for a lottery ticket-type speculative add. I doubt he would sign without the promise of playing time/opportunity.
Darius Slayton – New York Giants
Slayton saw six targets and caught three of them for 58 yards and a TD this past weekend. He is a deep league bye-week fill-in/emergency streamer.
KJ Hamler – Denver
The Jerry Jeudy trade rumors are out there, and Hamler makes for a speculative addition, especially for WR-heavy formats or deeper leagues. Hamler is one of the fastest players in the NFL. Despite the Bronco’s offensive woes, Hamler in nearly every down role would potentially be fantasy viable.
Khalil Shakir – Buffalo
The bye week is another opportunity for Shakir to earn playing time and perhaps leapfrog Isaiah McKenzie as Buffalo’s WR3.
Khalil Shakir Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Shakir is one of my favorite WR stashes in deeper leagues. I believe in his talent, and we have already seen Gabe Davis, McKenzie and TE Dawson Knox all miss at least one game this season.
Tight Ends
Cade Otton – Tampa Bay
I’ve been writing for three weeks about Cade Otton, but he is still available in 86-percent of Yahoo leagues. This Sunday, despite The Tampa Bay offense being stuck in neutral, Otton managed four catches and 64 yards. His strong play, and the Bucs’ offensive woes, could create a few more opportunities for the rookie. Otton is a low-end TE1 this week vs. Baltimore.
Greg Dulcich – Denver
I have written more about Dulcich than some Denver beat writers, and I know he will be unavailable to most high-stakes players, However, Dulcich is still available to 89 percent of Yahoo players.
Greg Dulcich Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
He went from three targets in his debut to nine in his second game. He is a stud and will be a TE1 for many years to come in this league. Add him now.
Harrison Bryant – Cleveland
A deep league and TE premium league special. Njoku’s injury creates some short-term opportunity for Bryant. Bryant could make for an interesting TE streamer for as long as Njokou is out. He could step into an every-down role for as many weeks as Njokou is out. (UPDATE: NJOKOU WILL BE OUT FOR 2-5 WEEKS)
Foster Moreau – Las Vegas
With Darren Waller injured, Moreau played 54 of 56 snaps. He only saw four targets, but based on his usage, he is a potential addition. Consider Moreau a mid-level TE2 any week he has the job to himself.
Juwan Johnson – New Orleans
Johnson is an interesting player and one I have written about a few times in the past two seasons. This past Thursday night he found the end zone twice, catching five passes for 32 yards. He has 11 targets over his past two games and his fantasy trajectory is pointed up.
