Fantasy football teams are starting to take shape. Hitting the waiver wire is a critical task in filling the holes or adding significant depth, especially as we enter bye-weeks and an increasing list of injuries. My goal is to find you the best player available for the lowest owned percentage. Therefore, you will see some of the more prominent names under others to consider.
Quarterbacks:
Ryan Fitzpatrick-MIA (ESPN-13.4%) (Yahoo-20%)
It’s not clear how long Fitzpatrick will be the starting quarterback, as Tua Tagovailoa will return. Still, when Fitz is on the field, he is magical. On Sunday, Fitzy passed for 257 yards and two touchdowns and going over 19 Fantasy Points in five of the past six contests. He and the Dolphins will face the Bengals and should be an automatic start.
Others to Consider: Kirk Cousins (MIN), Taysom Hill (NO), Derek Carr (LAS), Philip Rivers (IND), Baker Mayfield(CLE).
Running Backs:
Devontae Booker-LAS (ESPN-5.3%) (Yahoo-9%)
Over the last four weeks, Booker has 34 attempts for 171 yards and three touchdowns. That equates to 5.02 yards per carry. Now with Jacobs in limbo with an ankle injury, he could have the entire backfield to himself. Booker is a good receiver and has 14 receptions this season in limited action. He should be snared by all Jacobs’ owners, especially with the injury history that comes with him. The Raiders play the Jets next week.
Brian Hill-ATL (ESPN-31.4%) (Yahoo-46%)
Hill has been a better running back than Todd Gurley; he just doesn’t have the name, dollar signs, or recognition to go with it. Against, the Raiders Hill rushed for 55 yards on 13 carries in the absence of Gurley, who could be out next week. The flip-side is Hill split carries with Ito Smith, and it was Smith with the better fantasy production and the touchdown. The Falcons face the Saints next week.
Cam Akers (ESPN-28.0%) (Yahoo-29%)
It is good to see Akers back in to fold of fantasy relevancy. He has looked solid, and in Week 12, he rushed for 83 yards on nine carries and plunged into the end zone. Looking over all the Rams running backs, it’s hard to trust any as all three could be dominant on any given Sunday. Akers has an impressive look, and coaches will want to know what they have moving forward with the rookie. The Rams face the Cardinals next week.
Others to Consider: Latavius Murray (NO), DeAndre Washington (MIA), Matt Breida (MIA), Frank Gore (NYJ), Gus Edwards (BAL), Ito Smith (ATL), Benny Snell (PIT), Tony Pollard (DAL), Royce Freeman (DEN).
Wide Receivers:
Allen Lazard-GB (ESPN-27.8%) (Yahoo-39%)
Lazard is healthy now, and so are his stats. On Sunday, he caught four-of-six targets for 23 yards and a touchdown. He is the clear number two receiver behind Davante Adams, which should deliver plenty of fantasy points in all contests. On the schedule, the Packers face Philadelphia, Detroit, Carolina, and Tennessee. Treat Lazard as a number three wide receiver as long as he is healthy.
Breshad Perriman-NYJ (ESPN-14.4%) (Yahoo-12%)
Perriman is finally healthy and now has recorded three straight weeks of double-digit fantasy points while getting into the end zone three times during that time. Perriman is a vertical receiver, and it narrows his volume scope for PPR leagues. He is averaging 20 yards per catch, and when he hits the big one, he will make up plenty of points—a nice flex option. The Jets face the Raiders and Seahawks next.
Jakobi Meyers-NE (ESPN-46.4%) (Yahoo-52%)
Cam Newton completed only nine passes on Sunday, but five of them went to Meyers. His five receptions went for 52 yards. Meyers now has at least 10 fantasy points in five of six contests and is Newton’s primary target. He won’t get many chances to score as the Patriots offense is dismal, and Newton robs players at the goal line.
Others to Consider: TY Hilton (IND), Hunter Renfrow (LAS), Olabisi Johnson (MIN), Gabriel Davis (BUF), Demarcus Robinson (KC), Keelan Cole (JAX), Denzel Mims (NYJ), Corey Davis (TEN), Sterling Shepard (NYG).
Tight Ends:
Trey Burton-IND (ESPN-6.0%) (Yahoo-19%)
Burton has been the clear number one tight end for the Colts since returning from injury. The stronghold on Burton is volume. Not only do the Colts spread the ball around like soft butter, but they also have two other tight ends that are solid in Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox. On Sunday, Burton caught three balls for 42 yards and a touchdown on six targets. Indianapolis has the Texans, Raiders, and Texans again.
Others to Consider: Logan Thomas (WAS), Jordan Reed (SF), Jimmy Graham (CHI), Dalton Schultz (DAL).