Generally speaking, I believe in spending early and often on the waiver wire. However I don’t believe in completely blowing FAAB on just anyone. That’s one reason why we dig deep here, trying to highlight players BEFORE they become the next $200+ shiny toy in the free agent player pool. Most of these guys won’t hit. We shouldn’t expect them to as $1 fliers, but we will roll a yahtzee every once in a while, or sometimes just uncover a cheap bye week replacement.
We highlighted David Moore a few weeks ago. The rookie remains the #3 in Seattle but has the upside of a WR2 if Doug Baldwin or Tyler Lockett goes on the shelf. In the meantime, if you picked him up, you could do worse at the flex position or if you need to cover a bye for one of your receivers, so I would hold on to him. Seattle’s fantasy playoff schedule is attractive (49ers and Chiefs the last two weeks) and they get the Lions this week.
The Miami Dolphins put Albert Wilson on Injured Reserve, and Kenny Stills may be looking at a multi-week absence(though there is some chance he returns week 9). The Miami Dolphins brass had appeared allergic to giving DeVante Parker playing time(5 inactives and only 37 snaps on the season through the first seven games) but the post hype wideout busted out a career high 134 yards against the Texans Thursday night. Jakeem Grant was probably picked up in your league on Wednessday. Meanwhile, Danny Amendola is an injury waiting to happen, and quietly, Leonte Carroo was promoted from the practice squad. It remains to be seen if Parker becomes a staple in the Dolphin offense, or if this is just a showcase before Tuesday’s trade deadline. If the latter materializes, it will be interesting to see if and how Caroo is used(12 snaps and zero targets against Houston). Though you won’t see him on any of my rosters yet, he is a deep dart that I will track in the coming weeks.
Surprisingly, Malcolm Brown is still on the wire in a number of leagues. Yes, Todd Gurley is an elite talent, but it’s the system that is the most important factor in the #1 overall pick’s fantasy value. With Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks stretching the field, opposing defenses can’t afford to stack the box. Brown is one injury away from a fantastic situation. No, I wouldn’t expect a carbon copy in terms of fantasy production. Talent does matter on the margins, but I would still expect the backup to produce like an RB1 with enough carries. The fantasy playoff schedule for the Rams lists two tough matchups(Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles), before ending with a dream matchup against the Arizona Cardinals week 16. Even with the tough sledding in weeks 14-15, Brown would be a must start in that offense.
Some teams understandably dropped Alfred Morris, but Kyle Shanahan is fickle and could turn to the former Cowboy on a whim, plus if the 49ers are wise, they will rest Matt Breida for a while. That would bring the carousel down to just two. San Francisco plays Denver with the fantasy playoffs kick off, so having a share of their running game may come in handy as a flex option, packaged with RB1 upside. Just be warned that frustration about musical chairs within the stable could continue.
I normally don’t talk about kickers, but Mason Crosby is still available. Aside from the debacle in Detroit with 4 missed Field Goals and an failed extra point attempt, the veteran has been extremely reliable (14/15 FG made) and checks all the boxes you want from a fantasy kicker, including playing for a winning team with a great offense. I picked him up in one league in which I had chaff to discard. I would have had more shares but lack of roster space prevents me. Crosby is great for bye week coverage or even to carry as your only kicker since Green Bay’s bye week has passed.
Jacksonville’s offense is a mess, so much so that I recently dropped Keelan Cole notwithstanding the decent target totals. I have no confidence in Blake Bortles, who maintains a tenuous hold on the starting job heading into week 8. So why mention them at all? DJ Chark, my occasional 20th round pick back in September, received five targets in the second half delivered from Cody Kessler. This is a situation to monitor, especially if Kessler gets a longer run under center. Quarterbacks often have a favorite they have good chemistry with. I’ll watch this situation today and in the coming weeks.
Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson will both be sidelined today against Chicago. Newly signed Rishard Matthews was largely ignored on the wire, so he should be available in most leagues again Wednesday night. The former Titan is another that could prove useful in a pinch depending on usage, albeit with a low ceiling.
Good luck this week and follow Greg @liquidhippo.
