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 10.
Mariota got some garbage-time points against the Lions as the
Commanders were down big early, throwing for 213-2-0 and adding
5-22-0 on the ground. Up next he'll get a soft Dolphins
defense that has given up the 8th-most points to QBs.
Brissett has been moving the ball with regularity since coming
in for an injured Kyler Murray, throwing for 2 TDs and 250+ yards
in each of the last four games. Now that Murray is on IR, Brissett
will get the start for at least the next four weeks. Up next,
he'll face a 49ers defense that is middle of the pack but just
got lit up by Matthew Stafford for 4 TDs.
Tagovailoa had an efficient outing in a surprising rout of the
Bills, throwing for 173-2-2 on only 21 attempts. Up next he'll
face a Commanders defense that has struggled against QBs, giving
up the 3rd-most points.
The Bengals were on bye, but Flacco will now face the Steelers,
who he outdueled in a shootout win Week 7, throwing for 342 yards
and 3 TDs. The Steelers have given up the 4th-most points to QBs.
J.J. McCarthy, MIN vs BAL: McCarthy struggled to punish the weak
Ravens defense, throwing for 248-1-2 and rushing for 5-48-0 in
a loss at home. He gets another soft defense in the Bears this
week.
Sam Darnold,
SEA vs ARI: Darnold was efficient but didn't have to do much as
the Seahawks routed the Cardinals early, completing only 10-of-12
passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. Up next he gets the Rams,
who have been rather stingy against QBs but have been torched
by Mac Jones (twice) and Jalen Hurts, so Darnold could have a
nice fantasy day if he stays efficient.
C.J. Stroud, HOU vs JAX: Stroud was unable to start due to a
concussion, but Davis Mills threw for 2 TDs and rushed for another
in a come-from-behind victory over the Jaguars. Up next Stroud
will face the Titans.
Singletary is forcing a timeshare with Tyrone Tracy Jr., rushing
for 8-20-0 and catching 3-3-53-0 in a loss to the Bears. Tracy
is seeing more carries but Singletary is seeing more targets.
Up next is a tough matchup against the Packers, but they've given
up the 10th-most receptions to RBs, so Singletary should have
opportunities.
Demercado saw 7 touches but racked up 104 scrimmage yards against
the Seahawks, while starter Bam Knight was limited with an ankle
injury. Up next he'll get the 49ers, and his receiving prowess
should keep him in the mix as the Cardinals are expected to play
from behind. Note that Trey Benson is available to come off IR
but hasn't been on the practice field yet.
Spears has forced a time share with Tony Pollard, and appears
to be the preferred back on passing downs. He's had at least 3
receptions in four-straight games, and that should continue as
the Titans come out of the bye week against a tough Texans defense.
Terrell
Jennings, NE @ TB: Jennings got the start and saw 4 carries
early, but was forced from the game with a knee injury in the
2nd quarter. With TreVeyon Henderson having a monster game, Jennings
will likely see less work even if he's healthy.
Dylan Sampson, CLE @ NYJ: Sampson was relegated to backup duty
with Quinshon Judkins back as the starter, and managed only 3
touches as the Browns were in a tight matchup with the Jets. Up
next he’ll get a chance to redeem himself against a soft
Ravens run defense.
Franklin led the team in receiving in a rough win over the division-rival
Raiders, putting up a 9-5-40-1 stat line. That's 37 targets
and 4 TDs in the last four weeks. He may be emerging as the favorite
target of Bo Nix, and will probably be needed in another division
battle against the Chiefs this week.
Mitchell was just traded to the Jets at the deadline, and joins
a WR corps desperate for someone to step up, as Garrett Wilson
left Week 10 with a knee injury after sitting out the previous
two games with a knee issue. Mitchell gets great separation but
couldn't get on the field for the Colts, but that shouldn't be
an issue in New York. Going up against a soaring Patriots team
this week, the Jets should be forced to the air to keep up.
Higgins had his best game as a pro, going for 7-5-42-1 in a shootout
win over the Jaguars. He's been a little inconsistent, but
this week he gets a Titans team that has allowed the 9th-most
points to WRs.
Washington led the Jaguars in targets again, going 7-3-33-1 in
a shootout loss to the Texans. With Jakobi Meyers joining the
team, Washington's target share may take a hit, but there is no
denying the connection with Trevor Lawrence. If Brian Thomas Jr.
(ankle) is out again, Washington should see 6-8 targets versus
the Chargers.
Lockett led the team in receiving in a rough loss to the Broncos,
putting up a 6-5-44-0 stat line. Someone will have to lead this
team now that Jakobi Meyers is gone; it should be Brock Bowers,
but that wasn't the case in Week 10. Up next they'll face the
Cowboys, who have been destroyed by WRs this year, allowing the
2nd-most points to the position.
Johnson had a solid game in a loss to the Bears, going 8-7-75-0.
He's scored double-digit PPR points in five of his last
seven games. That should continue this week against a Packers
team that has given up the 7th-most points to TEs.
Fannin just keeps seeing targets, even in a low-volume Browns
passing attack. He went 7-4-44-0 in a loss to the Jets. He leads
the team in receptions, yards, and receiving TDs, while averaging
over 6 targets per game. He should be featured in a likely shootout
with the Ravens, who he caught 5-for-48 against in Week 2.
Schultz had a monster game against the Jaguars, going for 11-7-53-1
in a home win. He's 2nd on the team in targets and actually
leads the team in receptions. He'll face a struggling Titans
team this week.
Christian Kirk, HOU vs JAX: Kirk only caught 1-of-3 targets for
3 yards in a win over the Jaguars. He'll hope to get back
on track against the Titans this week.
Tyler Johnson, NYJ vs CLE: Johnson failed to catch his only target
in a game where Justin Fields only completed 6 (!) passes on 11
attempts. With Garrett Wilson leaving with a knee injury, Johnson
will probably continue to be involved, although the floor is nonexistent
when Fields passes so little. They should be forced to throw more
this week against the Patriots.
Christian Watson, GB vs PHI: TBD based on Monday Night Football.
TE Colston Loveland, CHI vs NYG: Loveland had a decent outing
in a win over the Giants, going 4-4-55-0 receiving. Up next he'll
face a tough Vikings defense.
TE Greg Dulcich, MIA vs BUF: Dulcich caught 1-of-4 targets for
22 yards in a blowout win over the Bills, as Tua Tagovailoa only
had 22 attempts. He should see more success in a matchup against
the Commanders this week.
Luke Musgrave, GB vs PHI: TBD based on Monday Night Football.
Defense/ Special Teams
Bears @ MIN
The Bears had a solid outing in a tight win over the Giants,
getting 4 sacks and a turnover. Up next they get the Vikings,
who have allowed the most points to opposing defenses, and who
gave up 3 sacks, a turnover and a D/ST TD to the Bears in Week
1.
Ravens @ CLE
The Ravens were struggling to stop anyone early in the season,
but since the Week 7 bye, they’ve allowed 13 points per
game with 7 turnovers in three games. Up next they get the hapless
Browns, who haven’t given up a lot of sacks, but they’ve
scored the fewest points in the NFL. When they met Week 2, the
Ravens routed them 41-17 and had 2 sacks, 2 turnovers, and a defensive
TD.
Patriots vs NYJ
The Patriots have won 7 straight games by playing complimentary
football and taking advantage of weak offenses. That happens this
week as they face a Jets team that has given up the 6th-most points
to opposing DSTs, as they’ve scored the 7th-fewest points
and allowed the 3rd-most sacks.
Other D/ST to consider: Cowboys @ LV
Last week’s waiver adds:
Browns @ NYJ: The Browns had a tough time containing
the Jets, despite getting 3 sacks and a turnover in a loss. Up
next they’ll get the Ravens, who they gave up 41 points
to in Week 2.
Panthers vs NO: The Panthers couldn’t
get a divisional home win against the Saints, despite getting
2 sacks and a turnover and holding them to 17 points. Up next
they’ll get a Falcons team they crushed 31-0 in Week 3,
but that feels like a long time ago.
Bills @ MIA: The Bills faceplanted after a big
win over the Chiefs, losing big to the reeling Dolphins while
not recording a sack (although they managed 2 interceptions).
Up next they get a tough task against the Buccaneers.
