Welcome to the Week 3 tilt, everyone. We now live in a world where Mike Glennon has twice as many touchdowns as Andy Dalton. That’s right. We have somehow stumbled into the Upside-Down. While some of you may be enjoying your time, others are looking for any way out. The waiver wire can be that life-line you’re looking for, or just a means to round out a solid team. Below is a list of potential targets, who average 50 percent or lower in ownership, to help you in either pursuit.
Fantasy Football: Working the Waiver Wire Week Three
Quarterbacks
Trevor Siemian – Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 11.6%
Strike while the iron is hot, right? It’s only been two games, but Siemian is averaging three touchdowns per game. That’s what the kids call pretty good. While there are reasons to still doubt his value over the course of the rest of the season, his recent great play makes him an excellent streaming candidate against the Buffalo Bills.
FAAB bid: Seven to ten percent of your budget; although, if you’re desperate for him as a streamer, you may need to make a more aggressive bid.
Sam Bradford – Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 17.7%
Yes, Bradford has a lengthy injury history. Although, there’s still a lot to like about Bradford this season. Not only does he have excellent weapons in Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Kyle Rudolph, but he also has an excellent schedule for this upcoming season. He’s a great QB2 option, and will hold decent value the entire season (assuming he’s healthy).
FAAB bid: 10-15 percent of your budget. While Siemian will likely attract more potential bidders, Bradford holds more season long value.
Watch List:
Is there anything better in this world than a Jay Cutler Hail Mary? Outside of that beauty, Cutler was efficient in his debut. While he does play for a run first team, Cutler has the weapons to be fantasy relevant this season.
Running Backs
Javorius Allen – Yahoo: 55%, ESPN: 8%
The artist formerly known as “Buck.” While Allen has seen his ownership percentages rise from last week, it’s still not enough. Allen both out-touched Terrance West (19 to 10) and out-gained him (101 yards to 45). It’s not all sunshine and rainbows though. West will still have a role going forward (for instance, the goal line back), but Allen now holds more value.
FAAB bid: ~30 percent of your budget; although, his value could take a severe hit when Danny Woodhead returns in Week 11.
Chris Carson – Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 6.5%
Pete Carroll had previously said that he would be ok with one running back taking over. Well, Seattle, it looks like you have your guy. Carson out-carried Eddie Lacy in the first game, despite Carroll saying that Lacy was “ready for a full load.” And while Rawls received the “start” this past Sunday, it was Carson (20 carries for 93 yards) who did the most damage. Sure, the Seattle Seahawks could turn to the hot-hand approach going forward. However, the fact that they trusted him to help kill the clock against the San Francisco 49ers says a lot. In short, Carson is a solid bet to maintain decent value going forward.
FAAB bid: 25-30 percent of your budget. Some will point to Seattle’s line and the presence of Rawls and C.J. Prosise as reasons to stay away, but after Carson’s performance in the preseason and this Sunday, he has feature back potential. Just temper your expectations. Seattle still needs to remember that it’s OK to score touchdowns. And Carroll has hinted at a scheme change, which could benefit Prosise if they move towards passing more.
Samaje Perine – Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 1.6%
Rob Kelley was off to a good start on Sunday (12 carries for 78 yards), and then left the game with an injury. In Kelley’s absence, Perine carried the ball 20 times for 67 yards with no fumbles (huzzah!). Many have predicted that Kelley had just been keeping the starter’s seat warm for Perine. Well, if Kelley’s injury is truly a fractured rib, then Perine will have his opportunity to take the job and run with it. Assuming he stays in his coach’s good graces, Perine will fill the early down while Chris Thompson will continue to operate as the receiving back.
FAAB bid: ~15 percent of your budget. While Perine has the opportunity to take over, there’s also a chance that Kelley will regain his role when healthy. Either way, Thompson is the more valuable back in PPR leagues and is also worthy of an add if available.
Chris Johnson – Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 4.8%
Here we go. First, Kerwynn Williams seemed to be the logical choice after David Johnson went down. Then the Arizona Cardinals signed Chris Johnson. At the time, the signing seemed like a move to support their depth while Williams received more carries; however, that wasn’t the case this Sunday. Johnson led the team in carries (11) and rushing yards (44). Avoid this situation if you can.
FAAB bid: ~10 percent of your budget in standard leagues. Andre Ellington is the more attractive option in PPR leagues.
Watch List
The New Orleans Saints have a conundrum on their hands. Adrian Peterson is the squeaky wheel, but Alvin Kamara fits their strengths better. C.J. Prosise is the third down back on a struggling offense right now; however, if the Seahawks continue to struggle to move the ball on the ground in the first half, Prosise could become more important to the team. It’s important to understand that handcuffing and rostering a team’s backfield don’t have to be the same thing. As long as the second player adds week-to-week value, he would be more than simply a handcuff. D’Onta Foreman fits that description right now.
Wide Receivers
Marqise Lee/Allen Hurns – Yahoo: 34%/26%, ESPN: 30.2%/7.5%
Last week almost seemed like a toss up between Lee and Allen Hurns. Now, an incredibly small sample size (read: last week’s game) suggests that Lee will see a greater amount of targets while Hurns will see more depth in each target. Still, both of these wide receivers play in an offense that wants move things through the ground game because, you know, Blake Bortles. The only way that either Lee or Hurns sees Allen Robinson numbers is if Bortles is allowed to thrive in his natural habitat (i.e. turning the ball over). Those turnovers would set the stage for Bortles to rack up garbage points as he decimates those soft, prevent defenses. In that sad choose your own adventure, yes, Lee and Hurns would be worth more of your FAAB budget; however, until that happens it would be wise to bid more conservatively.
FAAB bid: 5-10 percent of your budget.
Devin Funchess – Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 5.4%
Right now Cam Newton has the precision of a t-shirt gun shooting long range. That’s hardly a selling point, but Funchess does have at least two things going for him. First, his athletic profile and comparables are promising. Second, someone has to benefit from the Greg Olsen injury. Funchess was second in the team with seven targets this past Sunday, so it looks like Funchess will get the first shot to prove he can provide value. He’s worth a speculative add.
FAAB bid: Three to five percent of your budget.
J.J. Nelson/Jaron Brown – Yahoo: 21%/2%, ESPN: 18.1%/.6%
You know it’s not a good sign when Bruce Arians is already saying that he isn’t too hopeful that John Brown will play this coming Sunday. Jaron Brown led the team in targets this past week, so there is a chance that Nelson would be third in line for targets. The selling point for Nelson though is the depth of those targets. Per Next Gen Stats, Nelson accounted for over 40 percent of the team’s air yards. Both of their values are likely dependent on Brown and his health.
FAAB bid: ~five percent of your budget (Nelson), one to three percent of your budget for Jaron Brown.
Kendall Wright – Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 7.6%
After two major injuries to their wide receiver corps, the Chicago Bears needed someone to step up. Seven receptions on ten targets and 69 yards might constitute stepping up for Wright. The bad news for his value going forward is that Tarik Cohen and Zach Miller will challenge Wright for targets every week. And Wright does lack touchdown upside.
FAAB bid: ~five percent of your budget in PPR leagues.
Watch List:
Rashard Higgins might not be an exciting name, but he’s going to be seeing targets as long as Corey Coleman is injured. And if Kenny Britt continues to underwhelm, that role could grow even more for Higgins. Jermaine Kearse could be worth a speculative add. He led the New York Jets in targets and his team will likely be playing from behind a lot this season.
Tight Ends
Charles Clay – Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 14.4%
After three targets on a low volume passing offense, Clay doesn’t really fit the profile as a priority add. And he’s not. At this point, Clay is a better option for deeper leagues and is best used as a streaming option.
Watch List:
If you’re desperate for a high upside tight end, now is the time to pick up Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He comes back from his suspension this week, and only has to compete with the likes of Kearse for targets. Sign me up. The historic trends aren’t kind to rookie tight ends, but Evan Engram has shown glimpses of his potential.
