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.
The beleaguered McCarthy came back from a one game layoff due
to concussion and torched the Commanders for 3 passing TDs, and
added another 19 yards rushing. This week he'll face the
Cowboys, who have given up the most points to opposing QBs.
Mariota took over when Jayden Daniels re-injured his elbow and
similarly struggled against a tough Vikings defense. He's been
solid in his six starts this year, and should be solid again versus
a Giants defense that has allowed the 2nd-most points to QBs.
It's been a struggle for Tagovailoa in his last four games.
He hasn't thrown for over 200 yards and has a 3:3 TD:INT
ratio. However, they've all been wins. He should be able
to put up a solid stat line this week against the Steelers, who
have allowed the 6th-most points to QBs.
Tyler Shough, NO @ TB: Shough struggled throwing the ball in
a wet victory in Tampa, going 144-0-1, but saved his fantasy day
by rushing for 7-55-2. He'll face a tougher test against
the Panthers this week.
Tyrod Taylor, NYJ vs MIA: Taylor injured his groin in the first
quarter in what ended up to be a blowout loss to the Dolphins.
3rd stringer Brady Cook came in and looked completely overwhelmed.
Taylor would get a positive matchup against the Jaguars if he
can suit up.
Knight is still the back to own for the Cardinals, as it appears
Trey Benson won't return from his early-season knee injury. Knight
only rushed for 7-16-0 against a tough Rams defense, and sprinkled
in a 6-3-18-0 receiving line. He'll face another tough Texans
defense this week, but he's scored a touchdown in three of his
last four games.
Neal is getting the volume, and it finally paid off in a win
over the Bucs, as he rushed for 19-70-1 and caught his only target
for 14 yards. Up next, he'll face the Panthers, who have
allowed the 8th-most points to the position.
Gainwell just keeps getting it done, even with limited touches.
He rushed 4-15-1 and caught 6 of 7 targets for 27 yards. That's
now double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four games,
and his 24 targets over that span has given him a nice floor.
He should be similarly utilized against a Dolphins defense that
has been middle of the pack against RBs.
Rodriguez has taken over the lead back role for the Commanders,
as he saw the most touches of any RB in a blowout loss to the
Vikings, rushing for 10-52-0. He'll face a much easier task
against the Giants this week, who have given up the 2nd-most points
to the position.
Singletary has seen double-digit carries over the last three
games, and was highly productive with his timeshare workload in
a loss to the Patriots on Monday Night Football before their bye
week. He rushed for 12-68-1 and went 3-3-34-0 through the air.
With Tyrone Tracy Jr. nursing a hip injury, Singletary could have
a larger role against a dreadful Commanders defense that has allowed
the 7th-most points to RBs.
Wright has seen his workload increase, and after De'Von
Achane left with a rib injury, Wright was the primary beneficiary,
rushing for 24-107-1 in a blowout win over the Jets. If Achane
can't go, Wright would be a must-add, although early reports
are that Achane could have continued if it was necessary. Wright
is worth an add as a handcuff for Achane owners.
Jordan Mason,
MIN vs WAS: Aaron Jones ended up being able to play, but Mason
still saw a decent workload, rushing for 11-52-1 in a rout over
the Commanders. He'll face an improved Cowboys defense this week.
Kyle Monangai, CHI @ GB: Monangai has forced a near-even timeshare
with D'Andre Swift, and rushed for 14-57-0 while catching
1 of 2 targets for no gain. He'll get another tough defense
when the Bears face the Browns this week.
Bam Knight / Trey Benson, ARI vs LAR: For Knight, see above.
Benson is looking like he may not return from his early-season
knee injury, as he has yet to be activated and missed practice
last week.
Reed got his first start after being out for the last 11 games
with a broken collarbone, and caught all 4 targets for 31 yards.
He'll face a tough Broncos defense this week, but Jordan
Love spreads the ball around, and Reed is one of his favorite
targets. After Week 15, he'll get the Bears and Ravens so
he might be worth a stash for the fantasy playoffs.
Jeudy had a nice day in a tough loss to the Titans, going for
5-3-76-1. The scoring opportunities are limited with the Browns'
run-heavy attack, but at least Sheduer Sanders tries to push the
ball downfield occasionally. Up next is another positive matchup
against a Bears team that has given up the 10th-most fantasy points,
and 3rd-most TDs to WRs.
Shaheed had his best game as a Seahawk, delivering a 5-4-67-0
receiving line (and scoring a kickoff return TD) in a blowout
win over the Falcons. This week he'll face a Colts defense
that has given up the 4th-most points to the position.
Pearsall had a midseason knee injury, and has had some slow games
in his return. Coming out of the bye, however, Pearsall could
take advantage of a Titans team that has allowed the 7th-most
points to opposing WRs, and his remaining playoff schedule is
tantalizing, against the Titans, Colts, and Bears.
Metchie has seen 23 targets over his last three games, as he's
emerged as a high target earner with Garrett Wilson out. He only
managed an 8-4-34-0 line against the Dolphins, but should see
more production against a Jaguars defense that is middle-of-the-pack.
Fannin has been solid this year, and blew up for a 11-8-114-1
line in a tough loss to the Titans. This week he'll face a Bears
defense that has given up the 6th-most receptions to opposing
TEs, and with David Njoku being out with a knee injury, Fannin
should feast again.
Taylor led all Jets in yards, targets, and receptions (8-5-51-0)
in a blowout loss to the Dolphins, as rookie UDFA Brady Cook was
pressed into service early after Tyrod Taylor left with a hamstring
injury. He won't have a high ceiling, but could serve as a safety
blanket versus a Jaguars defense that has allowed the 3rd-most
points to TEs.
Likely had another solid fantasy day, catching 4 of 6 targets
for 25 yards and a touchdown in a tough divisional loss to the
Steelers. Up next, he gets a horrific Bengals defense that he
gouged for 6-5-95-0 two weeks ago. The Bengals are allowing a
whopping 50% more points than the next-worst defense against TEs,
so anyone playing them is a must-start.
Adonai Mitchell, NYJ vs MIA: The bottom dropped out once again
for Mitchell, as he was 3rd on the team in targets (6) but only
managed 1 catch for 24 yards. Having UDFA rookie Brady Cook play
most of the game certainly didn't help. He'll face
a so-so Jaguars defense this week, but if Cook is forced to start,
he will likely have poor efficiency.
Isaac TeSlaa,
DET vs DAL: TeSlaa went back to a limited role with Amon-Ra St.
Brown able to see his normal workload, but still managed to grab
a TD and 2 receptions on 3 targets in a big win over the Cowboys
on Thursday Night Football. He should go back to waivers this
week against the Rams.
Devaughn Vele,
NO @ TB: Vele led all wideouts with a 5-3-40-0 receiving line
in a nice win over the Bucs, as he's clearly emerging as the WR2
to Chris Olave. He'll face a tougher Panthers secondary this week.
Christian Watson, GB vs CHI: Watson had another big game in a
rivalry game win over the Bears, catching all 4 targets for 89
yards and 2 TDs. That's 5 TDs in his last four games. Up
next is a stingy Broncos defense.
Alec Pierce, IND @ JAX: Pierce saw a decent workload again, going
for 8-5-80-0 in a loss to the Jaguars. The Colts have lost four
of their last five games, and also lost their starting QB in Daniel
Jones (Achilles). Pierce gets a tough Seahawks defense this week
with rookie QB Riley Leonard likely to get the start.
TE Brenton Strange, JAX vs IND: Strange underperformed against
a porous Colts defense, going for 6-3-27-0 in a big home win to
take control of the division. He'll face a Jets defense
that is middle of the pack against TEs this season.
TE Dawson Knox,
BUF vs CIN: Dalton Kincaid was able to suit up for this one, but
against the dreadful Bengals, all Bills TEs were able to feast.
Knox led the team in receiving with a 7-6-93-0 line, and Kincaid
and Jackson Hawes scored TDs. He'll face a vulnerable Patriots
team this week, although with Kincaid back he should have limited
appeal.
The Jaguars defense has scored double-digits in four of their
last five games, including this past week where they had a sack
and 3 turnovers in a big win over the Colts. They’ll hope
to continue the trend against a Jets team that has allowed the
8th-most points to the position, and may be forced to start their
3rd QB, UDFA rookie Brady Cook, if both Tyrod Taylor (hamstring)
and Justin Fields (knee) can’t go.
49ers vs TEN
San Francisco was on bye this week, but before that they got
3 sacks and 2 turnovers in a win over the Browns. Now they’ll
get a Titans team that has given up the 2nd most sacks and scored
the 2nd fewest points, en route to allowing the 4th-most points
to DSTs.
Bears vs CLE
The Bears have been playing better defense of late, as they had
won 9 of their last 10 games before a tough loss to the Packers
in Lambeau, where they were only able to get a sack and 1 turnover.
This week they’ll face the forgiving Browns, who have looked
a little more explosive with Shedeur Sanders behind center, but
who still give up plenty of sacks and turnovers. They’ve
also given up the most kick return TDs (3) on the year.
Other DST to consider: Cowboys vs MIN, Seahawks vs IND
Last week’s waiver adds:
Buccaneers vs NO: The Bucs had 3 sacks and a
turnover but couldn’t get stops when it mattered most in
a loss to the Saints. They get another divisional rival when they
play the Falcons this week, who have been struggling with Kirk
Cousins at the helm.
Titans @ CLE: The Titans defense got 2 sacks
and 2 turnovers in a huge win over the Browns in an unexpected
shootout. They’ll face the 49ers this week.
Commanders @ MIN: Washington managed 4 sacks
but otherwise struggled in a blowout loss to the Vikings. They’ll
get the Giants this week in a divisional matchup between two teams
playing for draft positioning.
