Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to help your team from week to week while you strive
for that elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp.
The waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes
to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll
highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players that
might be available in 12-team PPR leagues. I’ll also provide
a brief update on the players I covered the previous week.
Update:Teddy
Bridgewater, MIA – Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for Week
5 giving Teddy the start against the Jets who have given up the
12th most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Trevor Lawrence,
JAX – The viable steaming options are thin so I’m going to hit
up Lawrence again as the matchup is much better this week against
the Texans, and hopefully the weather isn’t a factor. He’s in
the QB2 consideration.
Carson Wentz,
WAS – Wentz has posted back-to-back terrible games against the
tough defenses of Philadelphia and Dallas. He may be without rookie
Jahan Dotson (hamstring) but the sledding should be easier at
home against Tennessee.
Kenny Pickett,
PIT – The switch was made at halftime in Week 4 as Mike Tomlin
went to Pickett who showed off some of his rushing chops with
two scores on the ground. He did throw three picks (one was an
end-of-game Hail Mary) so expect volatility. Assuming he gets
the starting nod moving forward, rolling him out against the Bills
(Wk5) or Bucs (Wk6) doesn’t sound like a good idea, but he’s worth
a bench stash as you wait for better matchups.
Trevor Lawrence,
JAX: It was a messy, rainy game for the Jags and Eagles which
contributed to Lawrence’s stat line: 11/23, 174-2-1, 4 fumbles.
Jacksonville simply never found their rhythm on offense despite
being up early thanks to a pick-6. The turnovers buried Lawrence’s
fantasy day.
Marcus Mariota,
ATL: Dud. Mariota (7/19, 139-0-1, 5-3-0) was a popular streamer
this week, facing the Browns who were middle of pack against QBs.
However, the running game was plan and that included Patterson
(knee), Allgeier and Caleb Huntley of all people.
Jacoby Brissett, CLE: Brissett (21/35, 234-0-1; 5-16-1) failed
to throw a TD but down produce 16 yards and a TD on the ground.
Still, not what we’re looking for in a soft matchup. He’s
the QB15 heading into Monday night.
Zach Wilson, NYJ: Wilson (18/36, 252-1-2; 2-15-0) struggled against
the Steelers defense but was on the receiving end of trick play
touchdown to help save his fantasy day.
Tyler Allgeier,
Caleb Huntley
ATL - Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) has been placed on IR meaning
he will miss the next four games. That leaves the ground work
to rookie Allgeier and Huntley against the against the Bucs, 49ers,
Bengals and Panthers the next four weeks. Huntley posted a 10-56-1
line with 0 targets in Week 4.
Mike Boone,
DEN – The loss of Javonte Williams (knee) means Gordon will move
into the lead back role and Boone will see his playing time increase.
How much remains to be seen but he’s worth an add as the Broncos
take on the Colts in Week 5.
Mark Ingram
/ Latavius
Murray, NO – Ingram (10-30-0, 3-13-0) was sitting on the wire
this past weekend in a couple leagues I’m in and wasn’t picked
up even with the news of Alvin Kamara (ribs) being Inactive. Too
early in the morning for some folks, I guess. The problem is,
Murray (11-57-1, 1-8-0) was up called from the practice squad
and quickly landed 12 touches in London making both risky plays
when Kamara is out.
Raheem Mostert,
MIA – Mostert is currently the preferred option at running back
for the Dolphins and the matchup against the Jets in enticing.
The Dolphins are a pass-first team with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen
Waddle as their main two weapons, but we’ll see how much that
changes with Teddy Bridgewater expected to start against the Jets
in Week 5.
Deon Jackson,
IND – We need to see how severe the ankle sprain is for Jonathan
Taylor before making a serious bid for Jackson who has seen minimal
action this season (2 carries, -3 yds). If Taylor sits in Week
5, then we’ll probably get a timeshare between Jackson and Hines
against the Broncos on Thursday night.
Khalil Herbert, CHI: Herbert (19-77-0; 1-24-0) got 20 touches
against the Giants but failed to find the endzone. He’ll
remain the lead back and a decent fantasy option as long as Montgomery
is out.
Brian Robinson Jr., WAS: It sounds like Robinson is going to
be activated this week. When he sees the field is still up in
the air, but he makes for a worthy bench stash in deep leagues.
Kenneth Walker,
SEA: With an injury to Travis Homer, the Seahawks pared down their
RBBC to just Penny and Walker (8-29-0, 1 (-5)-0) but the rookie
couldn’t get any traction in the shootout with Detroit while Penny
posted 17-151-2.
Update:George
Pickens, PIT – Pickens was drafted in most leagues, but in
case he’s floating around on your waiver wire, grab him. The switch
to Kenny Pickett may do wonders for Pickens fantasy value but
take note, the upcoming schedule isn’t pretty (@BUF, TB, @MIA,
@PHI) making him more of a long-term stash.
Isaiah McKenzie,
BUF – Jamison Crowder suffered a broken ankle in Week 4 meaning
we should see a little more McKenzie (4-21-1) in the slot and the
Steelers are giving up the 8th most fantasy points to wide receivers.
McKenzie did take a hit to the head so monitor his status. Khalil
Shakir could be a thorn in McKenzie’s side.
Rondale Moore,
ARI – Moore saw his first game action in 2022 yesterday and while
the result wasn’t impressive (3-11-0, 5 tgts), he did run twice
as many routes than Greg Dortch and looks like he’ll be an every-down
player for the Cardinals. Upcoming schedule includes: PHI, @SEA,
NO, @MIN, SEA
Hunter Henry, NE – This move is only for deep leagues and
predicated on Jonnu Smith (leg) missing time. If he’s back
in Week 5, then you got leave Henry on your waiver wire especially
considering the mess at quarterback.
Romeo Doubs,
GB: Doubs (5-47-1) has found himself in an every-down role alongside
Allen Lazard for the Packers. He saw 8 targets and is the WR23
heading into Monday night.
Russell Gage,
TB: Gage became unplayable as the week progressed with the return
of Chris Godwin and Julio Jones. Of course, Julio got nicked up
again but Gage continues to be bothered by his hamstring injury
making his fantasy appeal shaky at best.
Mack Hollins,
LV: Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams took center stage in this contest
with the Broncos but Hollins (3-33-0) again was an every-down
player. He’ll be a deep league Flex option as long as Renfrow
(concussion) is out.
David Njoku, CLE: Njoku (5-73-0) saw 7 targets and is starting
to feel like someone you can trust as a low-end TE1. He’s
the TE10 in PPR leagues heading into Monday night.
DeVante Parker, NE: Mac Jones (ankle) was out and the Patriots
lost Brian Hoyer (concussion) early in their game against the
Pack leaving Bailey Zappe at the controls. Parker (2-24-1) did
find the endzone but can’t be recommended until Jones returns.
