This week's waiver wire is filled with gems like Gus "The Bus" Edwards and Nelson "No Hands" Agholor. Not only can you get bye week fill-ins, but you can snag a few players that might stick in your lineup in deeper leagues.
Derek Carr - QB - Las Vegas Raiders - ESPN 38% Yahoo 36%
In a primetime matchup, Carr lost the duel with Mahomes, but he played very well. Throwing for 321 yards, 3 TD’s, and an interception, he had his 2nd best fantasy outing of the year. While the Raiders are generally a run-first team, Carr has been a solid, consistent QB who is not scoring outlandish numbers, but he also will never lay an egg for your fantasy team. He is a great streaming option for the next couple of weeks as he has matchups with the Falcons and Jets.
Nelson Agholor - WR - Las Vegas Raiders - ESPN 10% Yahoo 20%
In a muddy Wide Receiver room for the Raiders, Agholor has emerged as the top target for Carr outside of Waller. While he has not been the most consistent player and has likely hurt your team twice this year, he helps your team more than he hurts it. In 5 of the last 7 games, he has had at least 55 yards and a TD. Like I mentioned in the part about Carr, he has favorable upcoming matchups against the Falcons and Jets and is a good piece to add to your bench to replace byes and fill in for injuries as you head for a playoff push.
Wayne Gallman - RB - New York Giants - ESPN 34% Yahoo 54%
In the absence of Barkley and Freeman, Gallman has taken advantage of the opportunity as the lead back in the Giant backfield. Since taking over 5 weeks ago, he has scored between 13-19 PPR points every week. Freeman is projected to be on IR for at least two more weeks, making Gallman a valuable RB2/flex option. Coming off of a bye week, he is likely available in your leagues and should be a priority add for those in need of an RB.
Gus Edwards - RB - Baltimore Ravens - ESPN 7.3%
Normally, virtually none of the Ravens’ running back should be startable in any week due to the committee approach they use week-to-week. It is hard to tell who will take the bulk every week and it is just a headache to deal with. This week is much different though. Both Mark Ingram and JK Dobbins tested positive for Covid-19 following their Overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans. Edwards should handle the bulk of the carries. Although it is an unfavorable matchup, you cannot pass the opportunity to obtain the main running back in a run-first scheme.
Damiere Byrd - WR - New England Patriots - ESPN .8%
A few weeks ago, Jakobi Meyers was the main target for Cam Newton catching 12 passes for 169 yards. This past week, Damiere Byrd looked to be the main target for Newton catching six of his seven targets for 132 yards and a touchdown. He should look to build off the breakout performance he just had playing against the Carolina Panthers next week. If anything, he could just be worth a stash if he ends up becoming the WR1 for the Patriots.
Will Dissly - TE - Seattle Seahawks - ESPN .8%
Will Dissly has not caught more than two passes in a game all season. That should change from now on though as veteran tight end Greg Olsen suffered a ruptured plantar fascia and will miss at least six weeks. Olsen has not been tight end relevant himself, but last season, Dissly had one of the highest fantasy points per game. He averaged 10.4 points per game in Half Point PPR which was the ninth-highest last season. With the new high-flying Seahawks offense that loves to let Russell Wilson cook, Dissly could be a beneficiary of this. He isn’t worth a start this week, but he is worth a stash.
Daniel Jones - QB - New York Giants - ESPN 17.1%
Jones has had a difficult schedule recently, but over the next several weeks it will lighten up nicely as he faces the Bengals, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Browns who all rate as plus matchups for fantasy quarterbacks. Jones has had 40+ rush yards in five games this season and will look to build on that moment as the Giants fight their way back into the NFC East. Jones could put up some big games in the next few weeks and guide teams to the fantasy playoffs.
Denzel Mims - WR - New York Jets - ESPN 4.4%
Over the last two weeks, the rookie Denzel Mims has seen eight targets in each outing. It looks like Flacco and Gase are looking to him a bit more. He has accounted for 40+ yards in all four of his games, though his matchup against Miami this week is not perfect. He could be a valuable stash as he sees the Raiders and Seahawks in the following two weeks.
Jordan Akins - TE - Houston Texans - ESPN 2.1%
Akins only trailed Will Fuller in targets on the Texans in their victory over the Patriots this past week as he accumulated 83 total yards. In weeks one and two Akins saw above 80% of the team's snaps and was clearly the team's number one TE option. After battling back from injuries, he will likely share time with Darren Fells still, but there is undeniable chemistry between Akins and Watson. Given how shallow the tight end position is, at this point in the season Akins is worth a shot if you are in desperate need.
