Diamond in the Rough: Waiver Wire
We are now at that point in the season where waivers are depleted in terms of finding quality players that can be inserted into your lineups immediately. However, waivers are still important in hitting your players, especially if you stream quarterbacks or even tight ends. Besides that, injuries can lead to players proving themselves and taking a step forward. We are here to help you win your league no matter where your team is in the standings!
Quarterbacks
Drew Lock - Broncos QB - ESPN - 5.6% - Yahoo! - 9% (Zach)
Lock returned last week after missing the previous three and struggled with accuracy going 10/24. I believe there was rust involved, and he will have matchups with high over-unders with games against the Chiefs, Chargers, Falcons, and Raiders all on the docket in the coming four weeks. While he has a low-floor, he showed last season he has upside and may be worth the pickup with plenty of QB injuries and byes around the league.
Teddy Bridgewater - Panthers QB - ESPN - 34% - Yahoo! - 45% (Joe)
After a tough week six matchup against the Chicago Bears, Teddy Bridgewater looks to bounce back against a weaker New Orleans Saints secondary. The Saints have allowed an average of 237.2 yards per game, recently getting lit up by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert for 264 yards and four touchdowns (27.4 fantasy points). This high-end passing offense could easily get into a shootout with the Saints as well, leading to more passing from Bridgewater.
Running Backs
J.D. McKissic - Washington RB - ESPN - 23.6% - Yahoo! - 12% (Zach)
McKissic will likely never be the lead back for the Redskins, but we have seen it over the last three weeks that he is a capable flex play. The Redskins are down often in games, needing to throw the ball, and McKissic is the pass-catching back in the offense. He has value in leagues that reminds me of James White never being the lead runner but having pass-catching value. This week, he led the team in RB snaps and ran the ball for a season-high, eight attempts for 50 yards. He will not be a league winner but will have flex upside and can be used as a plugin for those on a bye week or if your team has injuries.
Boston Scott - Eagles RB - ESPN - 10.6% - Yahoo! - 14% (Jake)
Boston Scott will likely see the majority of the workload for the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football against the Giants. While Scott is unlikely to log a heavy workload, he is someone that Doug Pederson has been prone to count on. He totaled 19 carries in week 17 last year, but I’d expect to see a performance more similar to nine carries in week one. His ability to catch short passes out of the backfield should serve as a running game for the Eagles against a vulnerable Giants defense. Between bye weeks and injuries, Scott is about as safe you can find at this point in the season.
Wide Receivers
Tim Patrick - Broncos WR - ESPN - 18.6% - Yahoo! - 18% (Zach)
Due to injuries to the Broncos team, Tim Patrick has been given a chance to show what he’s got. He has taken advantage of the situation and become a good fantasy player in the process. While I am not sure how to gauge his dynasty value, I believe he has season-long redraft value. Over the last three weeks, he has led the team in targets, has two TDs, and is averaging 17 PPR points per game. For those in need of an injury replacement, bye plugin, or a season-long WR3, Patrick is your guy.
Adam Humphries - Titans WR - ESPN - 4.5% - Yahoo! - 9% (Jake)
The Tennessee Titans are one of the most effective and dynamic offensive attacks in the NFL. In the games that Humphries has played this season, he has logged no less than six targets and 41 yards. Though the return of Corey Davis may cut into Humphries production a bit, I'll take any piece of this offense I can at this point in time. In a matchup of the last undefeated teams in the NFL, the Titans will need contributions from all their offensive players in what should be a high scoring affair against the Steelers, especially if Jonnu Smith is sidelined with an injury.
Tight Ends
Darren Fells - Texans TE - ESPN - 3.4% - Yahoo! - 5% - (Jake)
With Jordan Akins sidelined, Darren Fells has taken on a larger role within the Texans offense. He has totaled 57 and 85 yards in the last two weeks while finding the endzone once in each outing. His snap percentage has been 80% or above over the last three weeks, so as long as Akins is out of the lineup, Fells is a low level starting TE. The Texans and Deshaun Watson will be forced to score this week against the Packers, then following their bye week, positive matchups against the Jaguars and Browns could lead to consistent output.
Honorable Mentions
Jimmy Garoppolo - 49ers QB - ESPN - 20.3% - Yahoo! - 29% - Gus Edwards - Ravens RB - ESPN - 1.4% - Yahoo! - 3% - Keelan Cole Sr. - Jaguars WR - ESPN - 14.3% - Yahoo! - 29% - Nick Boyle - Ravens TE - ESPN - 0.2% - Yahoo! - 0%
