Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Note: This column will be updated tomorrow at the conclusion
of Week 9.
Week 10 Byes: Cincinnati, Dallas, Kansas City, Tennessee
McCarthy returned from six-week absence to lead the Vikings to
a key victory over the division rival-Lions, rushing for 9-12-1
and passing for 143-2-1. Up next he gets a burnable Ravens defense
that is 8th-worst against opposing QBs.
With Jayden Daniels out with a dislocated elbow, Mariota will
be starting for the foreseeable future. He's been serviceable
in spot starts so far this year, and has a solid matchup this
week against a Lions defense that has given up the 10th-most points
to QBs.
Darnold lit up the Commanders for 4 first-half passing TDs, and
ended up with a 330-4-1 passing line. Up next he gets a Cardinals
defense that has been solid against QBs, but they've lost
five-straight games (although by a combined 13 points). Darnold
has been dealing of late, as he leads the NFL in Y/A and PFF ranking,
so expect a solid performance against their division rival.
Stroud had strung together some solid performances, but was forced
from the Broncos game with a concussion and the Texans lost on
a last-second field goal. If he can clear the concussion protocol,
he'll face a Jaguars defense that has given up the 4th-most
points to QBs.
Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs BAL: Tagavailoa couldn't take advantage
of an abysmal Ravens defense despite playing from behind for most
of the game. He managed 261 yards passing but no touchdowns and
an interception in a blowout loss. Up next is a tough matchup
against the Bills.
Jaxson Dart,
NYG vs SF: Dart did it again with his legs, rushing for 8-56-1
and added 191-2-0 passing in a loss to the 49ers. Up next he gets
a Bears defense that was torched by Joe Flacco and the Bengals.
Singletary actually out-touched starter Tyrone Tracy (10-8),
rushing for 8-43-0 and catching both targets for 8 yards. Tracy
might start again, but this situation appears to be a timeshare.
Singletary could be worth an add, as the Bears have allowed the
8th-most points to opposing RBs.
Jennings was called up with Rhamondre Stevenson out with a toe
injury. He managed 11-35-1 on the ground and added a 9-yard reception
in a tight win over Atlanta. Up next is an expected shootout with
the Buccaneers, who have allowed the 11th-most points to RBs,
although mostly through the air.
Sampson took on more work when starter Quinshon Judkins left
the Week 8 game early with a shoulder injury, catching 5-of-6
targets for 29 yards. If Judkins can't go or isn't 100% after
being on bye, Sampson should be the primary beneficiary. Up next
is a Jets defense that is middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points
to RBs, but they've given up the 6th-most rushing yards as they've
trailed in most games.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG vs SF: Tracy got the start but struggled
in a loss to the 49ers, rushing for 5-18-0 and catching 4-3-19-0.
Unfortunately, he was out-touched by Devin Singletary, so he might
be difficult to trust in a favorable matchup against the Bears.
Woody Marks,
HOU vs DEN: Marks struggled along with the rest of the Texans
offense as C.J. Stroud leaving midway through the first half with
a concussion. He failed to catch any of his 3 targets and saw
almost as many carries as Nick Chubb, going 10-27-0 on the ground.
Up next is another tough rushing defense in the Jaguars.
Kyle Monangai,
CHI @ CIN: Monangai blew up with both D'Andre Swift and Roschon
Johnson out with injury, rushing for 26-176-0 and catching 3-of-5
targets for 22 yards. He could face another soft run defense in
the Giants this week, although Swift and Johnson could return.
Tyjae Spears,
IND vs LAC: Spears is splitting the RB work evenly with Tony Pollard,
and managed 7-26-0 rushing and 3-3-36-0 receiving in a surprisingly
close loss to the Chargers. The Titans will be on bye this week.
Zonovan Knight, ARI @ DAL: TBD based on Monday Night Football.
Washington led the Jaguars in targets, going for 9-8-90-0 in
an overtime win over the Raiders. With Travis Hunter on IR with
an ankle injury and Brian Thomas Jr. injuring his ankle in the
win, Washington should be in line for more targets. Up next is
a tough Texans secondary, but Washington is a clear safety blanket
for Trevor Lawrence.
Kirk was 2nd on the team in targets in a loss to a stingy Broncos
team, going 8-4-26-0. Up next is a positive matchup against the
Jaguars, who have allowed the 8th-most points to opposing WRs.
Johnson is the leading receiver over the last two games for the
Jets, as Garrett Wilson has been out and Josh Reynolds went on
IR. Johnson had a 5-3-64-1 stat line in the last game and could
be the top option if Wilson remains out after their Week 9 bye.
The Browns have a stingy defense but are middle-of-the-pack against
WRs.
Franklin led the team in targets (10) in a last-second win over
the Texans, but only managed 4 receptions for 27 yards. He's
2nd on the team in targets this season, and has seen 28 over his
last three games. Up next he gets a juicy matchup against the
Raiders, who have allowed the 4th-most points to opposing WRs.
Watson predictably struggled against a stingy Panthers defense,
catching 2-of-4 targets for 58 yards, although he was 2nd amongst
Packers pass catchers in targets. With Tucker Kraft out with a
season-ending knee injury and Matthew Golden injuring his shoulder,
Watson and Romeo Doubs should pace the Packers passing attack
for the foreseeable future. He gets a middle-of-the-pack Eagles
defense this week.
Loveland went nuclear against the Bengals, going for 7-6-118-2
in a thrilling shootout win. Cole Kmet left early with a concussion,
but his performance should demand more work regardless. Up next
is a neutral matchup against the Giants.
Dulcich saw his first action of the season due to an injury to
Darren Waller, and went 5-5-49-0 in a blowout loss to the Ravens.
He was 3rd on the team in targets behind Jaylen Waddle and De'Von
Achane. The Bills are a tough matchup but with Waller scoring
4 TDs in three games played, Dulcich could have some upside as
the No.3 receiving option in Miami.
Musgrave saw more work after Tucker Kraft left with a knee injury
that will likely end his season, putting up 3-3-34-0 receiving.
Kraft was the TE2 on the season, so Musgrave could be in line
for some nice days if he absorbs most of Kraft's targets.
He gets a tough matchup against the Eagles, but Kraft was matchup-proof
before his injury.
Xavier Hutchinson, HOU vs DEN: Hutchinson had a ho-hum day as
Davis Mills took over at QB after Stroud left with a concussion,
catching 3-of-5 targets for 30 yards. Up next is a positive matchup
against the Jaguars.
Chimere Dike, TEN @ LAC: Dike saw less work as the Titans kept
it surprisingly close in a loss to the Chargers, catching only
1 pass for 5 yards. He'll be on bye this week, and Calvin
Ridley (hamstring) may be back in Week 11.
Malik Washington,
MIA vs BAL: Washington continues to see more work with Tyreek
Hill out, going 3-3-48-0 through the air and adding 3-13-0 on
the ground. He will probably be forced into more targets against
the Bills this week, but he's struggled to gain traction with
the targets he's received.
TE Oronde Gadsden II, LAC vs MIN: Gadsden stacked another solid
game in a win over the Titans, going 5-5-68-0 receiving. He'll
get a great opportunity at a blowup game against the Steelers
this week.
The Browns were on bye this week, but their defense has been
lights-out this season, especially the previous two games where
they totaled 10 sacks, 6 turnovers and a defensive TD. Now they’ll
get a struggling Jets team that has starting QB questions, and
has given up the 3rd-most points to opposing D/STs.
Panthers vs NO
The Panthers have won four of their last five games, mostly based
on a suffocating pass defense. This week they beat the Packers
on the road, holding them to 13 points, getting a sack and 2 turnovers.
Up next they’ll get the Tyler Shough-led Saints, who haven’t
given up a lot of sacks but have scored the 5th-fewest points
as they’ve struggled to move the ball.
Bills @ MIA
The Bills defense stepped up in a big win over the Chiefs, getting
3 sacks and a turnover while holding them to 21 points. Up next
they get the Dolphins, who they have historically dominated defensively,
and who have given up the 6th-most points to opposing D/STs, partly
due to their NFL-worst 11 interceptions.
Other D/ST to consider: Jets vs CLE
Last week’s waiver adds:
Lions vs MIN: The Lions got 5 sacks and a turnover
but still ended up losing a close game to the division-rival Vikings.
Up next will be a tougher assignment against the Commanders.
Chargers @ TEN: The Chargers got into a surprising
dogfight against a Titans team that had nothing to lose. They
managed 4 sacks and gave up 14 points (all D/ST) in a road win.
Up next is a tougher matchup against the Steelers.
Rams vs NO: The Rams dominated as expected the
Shough-led Saints, getting a sack and 2 turnovers while holding
them to only 10 points. Up next is a tough rematch against the
division rival 49ers.
