Category: Fantasy football roster management tips

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Bye weeks: Cardinals, Chiefs

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) RB DeeJay Dallas, Seattle Seahawks: Meh. Full-on, unequivocal meh. It’s a rough week for waiver recommendations … With Chris Carson (neck) opting for season-ending surgery, Dallas and Alex Collins primarily will be in the mix. Dallas has the most upside of them all, but Collins has been the backfield leader in touches. Dallas is a slightly burlier back and may be more valuable in the red zone, if his Week 11 4-25-1 line is of any prognosticative value. While six total utilizations is far from encouraging, Collins continues to see 10-plus plays come his way, although with unplayable results in four straight games. At some point, and likely soon, something has to give, which should break in Dallas’ favor.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $10-12

2) RBs Tevin Coleman & Ty Johnson, New York Jets: RB Michael Carter exited Week 11 with an ankle injury and may need some time. We should get an update on his prognosis no later than Wednesday, but gamers need to prepare for the stretch run by adding depth, and Coleman is the target for non-PPR, whereas Johnson has more potential reception-rewarding setups. Neither player has much utility beyond being a bye week or injury fill-in, but this late in the year, a warm body with a role is worthy of attention in deeper formats. Ahead for the Jets: at Houston and vs. Philadelphia — a pair of susceptible defenses. If neither back steps up in that window, presuming Carter is out, boot them to the curb.

Availability: 97% (Coleman) & 80% (Johnson)
FAAB: $11-12 (both)

3) WR Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns: Jarvis Landry (knee) and Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) are ailing, which could leave Higgins as the chief WR target for Baker Mayfield. Now that might be akin to being a Toyota Corolla thrust midway into a Formula 1 race, but the opportunity deserves a look for those desperate to fill a need at the position. The severity of Landry’s knee injury isn’t yet known, although he retumed for the final drive. Yet, it’s fair to wonder since the vet just recently returned from missing several weeks with a sprained MCL. Higgins was targeted five times in Week 11, resulting in irrelevant stats, so recognize this one could prove to be a one-week rental vs. Baltimore as the Browns have a Week 13 bye.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $4-5

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One-week plays

Chicago Bears QB at Detroit Lions: Motown’s annual Turkey Day hosting brings Chicago to town for the second time in three years. It’s unclear if quarterback Justin Fields’ bruised ribs will keep him out on a short week. Typically, such an injury is all about pain management … can he withstand the torque required to throw a ball? How will it feel if he takes a shot? What about wearing a rib protector? You get the point … Andy Dalton came in cold Sunday and was as good as can be expected without WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) and facing Baltimore. Furthermore, head coach Matt Nagy refused to commit to a healthy version of Fields. Detroit hasn’t been atrocious vs. QBs, but they gave up an average 23.2 fantasy points to the position in the five weeks leading up to facing Cleveland. The Browns’ injury-decimated passing game can be ignored from this one … the decision to start either is best left for superflex formats, but owners of Patrick Mahomes or Kyler Murray could be in a tough spot with both on bye.

Availability: 68% (Fields), 99% (Dalton)
FAAB: $2-3 (both)

RB Dontrell Hilliard, Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots: The Pats have been playing as well as anyone on defense of late, but one thing this defense struggles with — somewhat due to circumstances — is limiting pass-catching backs. Hilliard filled in for RB Jeremy McNichols (concussion) against Houston and caught eight of 10 targets for 47 yards. He added 35 yards on seven totes. The veteran third-downer faces a Patriots team that gave up the second-most receptions and aerial yardage per game to RBs in the five games leading up to this past week. The Titans have a Week 13 bye, which could lead to McNichols sitting again. In that event, and only in that event, Hilliard is a viable fantasy flex play in PPR settings.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

RB Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans vs New York Jets: The veteran Swiss Army knife rushed 18 times for an uninspiring 40 yards in Week 11. The volume of touches is the focus here. So is the matchup vs. New York, a defense that has allowed obscene numbers to RBs in 2021, especially the past six games. Nine backs in that time have scored in PPR double figures, and six of them were good for 19-plus points. Unreal. After the Jets is Indy, a much stiffer level of competition.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $5-6

WR Cedrick Wilson, Dallas Cowboys: Dallas definitely will be without Amari Cooper (COVID-19) in Week 12, and it looks like CeeDee Lamb (concussion) will join him, given the short week for this Thanksgiving Day game. Wilson and the largely already-owned Michael Gallup will be the top targets at the position in such a scenario. Las Vegas has given up considerable work to receivers of late, especially prior week to Week 11, a game in which Cincinnati rushed all over the Raiders. Opportunity for a low-investment TD from Wilson makes him a WR3 in most formats. In a pinch, WR Malik Turner, who scored twice in Week 10, could be a consolation prize.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $0-1

TE Ryan Griffin, New York Jets at Houston Texans: On the other side of the Burkhead matchup is the veteran tight end against a defense that has had few answers for the position in 2021. Six touchdowns conceded in the first nine games helped create the fourth-easiest opponent to exploit prior to Week 11. Griffin could have Joe Flacco looking his way once more as Zach Wilson (knee) appears to be at least a game away from being close. Griffin is just two games removed from a seven-target game that resulted in a 4-28-1 line — a good illustration of what we’re working with here. He has low-volume TD appeal, and that’s about it.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

PK Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers: In Week 11, Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell made all three of his field goals and went 4-for-4 on PATs. The prior five games saw at least two three-pointers attempted in four of those outings, and at least three extra points have been attempted in all but one of those same games. McManus returns from a bye week after attempting seven field goals in the two games leading up to the vacation.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $0-1

Chicago Bears D/ST at Detroit Lions: Jared Goff … Tim Boyle (he played like one) … David Blough … Scott Mitchell … Rodney Peete … does it matter? Chicago has to finish the season without Khalil Mack (foot), yet this defense has scored 11 and nine fantasy points, respectively, against the Steelers and Ravens the past two games. The Bears will make the Lions look like turkeys and gobble up takeaways. After consecutive games without a sack, Chicago has 10 in the past two outings alone.

Availability: 82%
FAAB: $0-1

Houston Texans D/ST at New York Jets: Houston has allowed only 30 total points in the last two games, racking up six sacks, as many interceptions, and four fumble recoveries. Few teams have been as hot on defense in fantasy of late, which feels really weird to type. The Jets will start either Joe Flacco or Zach Wilson (knee) a week after losing the team’s best running back to injury … for how long is unknown, but it’s not a positive in any context. Houston, the Jets have a problem.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

Grab & stash

RB Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers: With Elijah Mitchell missing Week 11 and Jeff Wilson Jr. averaging a paltry 2.7 YPC since returning from knee surgery, Sermon saw 10 carries while the Niners crushed Jacksonville. He didn’t do much with the action (32 yards), but Mitchell’s broken finger could continue to create more opportunities as JaMycal Hasty (ankle) also was inactive. Deebo Samuel was the team’s leading rusher in Week 11 as it turns out, making this situation even sketchier for recommending Sermon. It’s unclear if Mitchell will miss any more time, but Sermon could warrant a roster spot just in case. Next up is a so-so matchup with Minnesota before trips to Seattle and Cincy. Given the craziness of this team’s backfield all year, don’t totally write off the rookie just yet.

Availability: 80%
FAAB: $2-3

Keep your eye on ’em

WR Dez Fitzpatrick, Tennessee Titans: The rookie had one target — caught for no gain — against the Houston Texans in Week 11’s shocking loss. Tennessee exited the game without WR A.J. Brown (hand, chest) and already is down Julio Jones until at least Week 14. Even though Chester Rogers saw the same number of targets (6) as Fitzpatrick, the latter has more potential. We’ve see exactly what Rogers is through the years, and gamers can keep tabs on how Fitz performs against the New England Patriots in Week 12 as a barometer heading into the Titans’ Week 13 bye.

Availability: 99%

Eligible-to-return tracker

The following fantasy-relevant players are eligible to return from the Reserve/Injured list and could be on waivers, but inclusion below doesn’t guarantee coming back in the upcoming week. The date when the player was placed on IR is in parentheses.

• TE Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (10/6)

Deep diving for running backs

If you’re in a competitive league, it is unlikely running backs are just chillin’ on the waiver wire. But that doesn’t mean gamers aren’t still in need of “break in case of emergency” running backs. These players could be available for a dumpster dive:

• Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons (ATL replaced Mike Davis with … Mike Davis?)
• Matt Breida, Buffalo Bills (apparently he’s a thing now)
• Duke Johnson, Miami Dolphins (activated, 4 touches in Week 11)
  
• Jaret Patterson, Washington Football Team (Antonio Gibson insurance)
• Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (TD flier)
• Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (TD flier)

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Bye weeks: Broncos, Rams

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: Superman returns to Krypton, err Carolina, and is poised to start in Week 11. He came in cold Sunday and accounted for two scores. The veteran may not be the physical terror he once was, and he’s always an injury liability, but Cam’s scoring prowess on the ground and weaponry around him creates a must-own situation in 12-plus-team leagues. Carolina faces Washington and Miami in the next two games before going on bye. Following the week off, the schedule isn’t terrible (ATL, @BUF, TB, @NO, TB). It may not always be pretty, but we’re approaching the playoffs, and injuries can derail an otherwise strong roster. Newton offers insurance and matchup-based utility.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $20-21

2) RB Wayne Gallman, Atlanta Falcons: Cordarrelle Patterson can’t do it alone, and Mike Davis has been substandard in 2021. Gallman saw 15 carries to Davis’ four in Week 10, generating 55 yards plus another 21 via his lone reception on two targets. The latter domain belongs to Patterson, but the backfield may quickly be turned over to Gallman as the bell cow. He played admirably while replacing Saquon Barkley in New York last year, and an opportunity is all it takes at the most volatile position in the game. Week 11 brings in the New England Patriots on a short week, and the remaining schedule is a mixed bag, but Gallman belongs on rosters until this picture becomes a little clearer. There’s more long-term potential here than what Rhamondre Stevenson offers, although the rookie is more gifted.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $20-21

3) RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots: This one kind of stinks because of the situation and through no fault of Stevenson’s. The Patriots were without starting back Damien Harris (concussion) vs. Cleveland, creating an opportunity for the rookie to rack up 100 yards and a pair of scores on 20 totes. He has the chops to get it done, and there will be opportunities in Week 11 at Atlanta, provided Harris sits again. That said, if the Alabama product returns after only a one-game absence, Stevenson becomes unplayable in all but the most desperate of situations. He should be rostered, even though the Pats love to play games with the touches, but gamers are in a tough spot knowing how much to invest. Spend up if you’re a Harris owner.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $19-20

4) WR Marcus Johnson, Tennessee Titans: The Titans called Johnson’s name six times in Week 10 with Julio Jones (hamstring) on IR and ineligible to play until after Tennessee’s Week 13 bye. Johnson hauled in five passes for 100 yards on the nose and did not score. He’s going to see single coverage and has no one of note but A.J. Brown to steal looks from him. The Titans may toy with fantasy owners and work in Nick Westbrook-Ikhine more than a single target some weeks, and Chester Rogers occasionally is in the mix, too, but no one aside from Brown in this receiving corps has shown the ability to get into triple digits like Johnson. He tallied an individual 100-yard performance in each of the past two seasons as a seldom-used Indianapolis Colts reserve. Johnson should have deep-league utility in the next two weeks (HOU, @NE) before Jones is able to return.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $11-12

5) TE Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings: Conklin has at least five targets in each of those games, and he was getting it done with scoreless volume until finding the end zone twice in Week 10 on just three grabs for 11 yards. In Week 11, the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers — a defense that has put the clamps on tight ends in 2021. Injuries and personnel changes at linebacker could give Conklin some utility this week, but he’s primarily included here after four straight games in PPR double figures. Minnesota’s standout receiving duo keeps defenders focused away from Conklin, and defensive attention paid to Dalvin Cook around the stripe makes him just that much more dangerous.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $11-12

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One-week plays

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns: Aside from Week 7 vs. a strong Los Angeles Rams unit, the rookie has been targeted at least five times in each of the most recent six games (Week 9 bye). St. Brown landed four of six looks for 61 yards against Pittsburgh and continues his AFC North road stand with a trip to Cleveland. The Browns allowed WRs to average top-10 figures for receptions, yardage and scoring efficiency in the five weeks leading up to the Patriots’ unheralded cast of wideouts scoring twice and going for 157 yards on eight catches by the team’s top duo. St. Brown has a quality matchup and could be used in a pinch if you’re without one of six useful wideouts from the two bye teams.

Availability: 94%
FAAB: $5-6

TE Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles: Trautman — an offseason sleeper for many until a late-summer injury — never really clicked with Jameis Winston but has settled in nicely over the last few weeks. He has season highs in receptions each of the past two games, and Trautman’s number has been called 6.33 times, on average, in the last three contests. Philadelphia allowed ridiculously good stats to TEs over the five-week span entering Week 10, and while Denver tight ends didn’t score Sunday, they combined for 136 yards on eight grabs.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $3-4

PK Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers: Regardless of whether Ben Roethlisberger (COVID) returns, Boswell has fared well the past two weeks. He heads on the road to face a Los Angeles Chargers group that has given up serious work to kickers of late. The team entered Week 10 as the sixth-weakest unit at limiting kickers in fantasy, and Minnesota’s Greg Joseph added two field goals as well as a trio of TD-cappers to the tally. The injury woes on Pittsburgh’s end, even if Big Ben returns could lead to increased work for Boswell.

Availability: 68%
FAAB: $0-1

PK Zane Gonzalez, Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Football Team: Gonzalez has scored 17 fantasy points twice in the last three games, including in Week 10, and he stands to benefit from Newton’s return to the offense. The Panthers face a Washington group that has given up two field goal attempts in three straight contests and at least that many six times overall this year. Carolina probably won’t be a well-oiled machine in Cam’s first start of the year, which could lead to hiccups in Washington territory.

Availability: 68%
FAAB: $0-1

Miami Dolphins D/ST at New York Jets: Regardless of which quarterback Robert Saleh decides to start, the Dolphins should make a heck of a splash in fantasy. This defense has nine sacks over the last two weeks and six takeaways, including one defensive score. The Jets are somewhere between hapless and hopeless at the moment, and even a veteran with Joe Flacco’s pedigree shouldn’t be considered a huge upgrade over Mike White, presuming Zach Wilson (knee) is unable to play.

Availability: 75%
FAAB: $0-1

Grab & stash

RB D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans: Getting touches but doing almost nothing with them … he could have utility down the stretch, perhaps starting this week vs. his former employer, Houston. The rest of the schedule leans in his favor, and Foreman should be rostered in deeper formats. Those in more casual leagues can treat him as a matchup-based flier.

Availability: 97%
FAAB: $2-3

Keep your eye on ’em

WR Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints: The veteran receiver likely is rostered in deep/competitive formats, but he widely available in more casual settings. That’s bound to change to a degree after he caught four of seven targets for 44 yards and a score in Week 10, his second week out of the last three with 12 or more PPR points. Ahead, however, it gets dicey against the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, so see how he performs before investing in relaxed leagues. He can be bumped into the “grab-n-stash” column for advanced leagues.

Availability: 90%

Eligible-to-return tracker

The following fantasy-relevant players are eligible to return from the Reserve/Injured list and could be on waivers, but inclusion below doesn’t guarantee coming back in the upcoming week. The date when the player was placed on IR is in parentheses.

• PK Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts (10/16)
• TE Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (10/6)

Deep diving for running backs

If you’re in a competitive league, it is unlikely running backs are just chillin’ on the waiver wire. But that doesn’t mean gamers aren’t still in need of “break in case of emergency” running backs. These players could be available for a dumpster dive:

• Matt Breida, Buffalo Bills (apparently he’s a thing now)
• Ameer Abdullah, Carolina Panthers (continues to see targets)
• Jaret Patterson, Washington Football Team (Antonio Gibson insurance)
• Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (TD flier)
• Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (TD flier)

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Bye weeks: Bears, Bengals, Giants, Texans

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers: Last week, Aiyuk made an appearance in the “stash” section in case Kyle Shanahan decided to come to his senses after we saw the second-year receiver get targeted a season-high seven times in Week 8. This past Sunday, San Fran looked his way eight times, resulting in a 6-89-1 line (plus one fumble lost). With several matchups ahead that suggest increased passing volume by the Niners, Aiyuk is a weekly lineup decision once again. San Francisco faces LAR, @JAC, MIN, @SEA and @CIN in the next five games — if he cannot maintain utility in that stretch, he’s not worth rostering.

Availability: 40%
FAAB: $12-13

2) WR Elijah Moore, New York Jets: Recommended in this space as a one-week play vs. Indianapolis, Moore delivered the goods to the the tune of 7-84-2 on eight targets, spanning a pair of backup quarterbacks. The Jets face Buffalo, a defense that has allowed receivers to rack up short-area catches but do little with them, this week, and then Moore takes on the Miami Dolphins — fantasy’s best PPR matchup for the position entering Week 9. Week 11 sends him to Houston for another exploitable defensive matchup. The rookie has scored at least 10 PPR points in three straight and warrants a low-end flex play even with this difficult Buffalo defense ahead. Be more skeptical of him upon QB Zach Wilson’s return from a knee injury, however.

Availability: 73%
FAAB: $11-12

3) RB Devonta Freeman, Baltimore Ravens: After the upcoming game against Buffalo, Baltimore has positive matchups for Freeman against Miami, at Houston, and vs. Philly. The way the veteran has played the last two weeks should earn him more time the field, even when Latavius Murray returns. Freeman is likely rostered in competitive circles but shouldn’t be hovering anywhere near 50 percent at this point. Play him vs. Buffalo only if necessary, due to his receiving skills, but look at him as an RB2 target for the other three matchups in the next month.

Availability: 50%
FAAB: $15-16

4) RB Ty Johnson, New York Jets: Johnson gets a bump from “only if you’re super desperate” to “must be owned in all formats” following his fourth straight game in PPR double figures. In the last month, he has scored once on the ground and twice via the passing game, averaging more than five targets per contest in the last three weeks. Buffalo isn’t an ideal opponent to face in Week 10, but the versatile back has a fighting chance of keeping his double-digit streak alive. The following three games pits him against a trio of easily exploitable defenses, creating one of the easiest schedules for running backs in that window.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $9-10

5) WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns: No OBJ means more DPJ … and, in Week 9, it resulted in a TD. Volume won’t be on his side, because that’s not how this offense operates, but we’ll see the occasional deep shot at trying to catch defenders off-guard as they focus so much on this backfield. The Michigan product has the necessary vertical game to stretch the field, and he’s a reasonable weekly lineup option in the next trio of games heading into a Week 13 bye. Cleveland heads on the road to face New England, returns home for Detroit, and then hits the trail once again for a visit to Baltimore — all three of these defenses ranked inside of the top 11 for yards per catch allowed to the position.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $9-10

6) RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals: Chase Edmonds sprained his ankle and could miss up to six weeks as the typical long end of a high-ankle sprain prognosis. Arizona will rely heavily on James Conner, and rightfully so, but Benjamin could be worth a sniff in deeper setups. Arizona gave him nine carries in Week 9’s blowout win vs. San Fran, and he found the end zone to help justify their efforts to get him more involved — not bad for a 2020 seventh-rounder who has a total of 11 career rushing attempts. We’re talking “warm body at a vital position” territory here, so don’t get overly excited about him. One ancillary perk: Conner is brittle, so this could turn into something even more interesting with a little misfortune.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $8-9

7) WR Olamide Zaccheaus, Atlanta Falcons: We’re at the stage of the season where you begin to see a lot of “last week we told you to keep an eye on Player X, and now he is ascending” … Zaccheaus fits the bill. He was included as a “watch list” — the entire Atlanta receiving corps was — after Calvin Ridley stepped away. Zaccheaus snagged only three passes in Week 9, but two of them were good for scores, and that should be the only reason a gamer is concentrating attention his way. Roster Zaccheaus and see how this plays out. He can be used in a pinch with four teams on bye once more in Week 10. At Dallas this week will be a decent barometer, and then he has meetings with several of the more susceptible pass defenses (NE, @JAC, TB, @CAR). There’s staying power with selective deployment ahead.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $5-6

8) WR DeSean Jackson, Las Vegas Raiders: At 35 nearly years old, Jackson still has the wheels to get over the top. And he has a quarterback who loves chucking it down field. The veteran journeyman will have utility in a pinch as he bids to fill the vertical role left behind following the release of Henry Ruggs III. The Raiders play five straight teams with varying degrees of weakness at stopping the long ball. He should maintain enough weekly utility to trot him out to cover a bye or as an injury fill-in.

Availability: 96%
FAAB: $3-4

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One-week plays

RB Le’Veon Bell, Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins: This one comes with a caveat: Only play Bell if Latavius Murray remains out. Bell has scored a TD in two of his last three games, but until Week 9, the volume wasn’t there to any worthwhile level. His 11 carries (no targets) came in a tight game vs. Minnesota and produced 48 yards with a score, but as long as Devonta Freeman is rolling as he has been, Bell is only a deep-league flier for a cheap TD vs. a defense that has given them out like candy.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $3-4

TE Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: Five different tight ends have scored in the eight games played by LA this year, coming at a rate of once every 8.4 receptions. The position has struggled the last two weeks, which could make Conklin even riskier than usual, but some of that is due to the teams being able to attack on the outside as the Chargers have been mired by injuries at cornerback. In the three previous games, however, each opponent had a TE score, and David Njoku went for a ridiculous 7-149-1 line. Conklin may not score a 71-yard TD, but something around 70 total yards and a score isn’t out of the question.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $2-3

TE Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: With TDs in consecutive games, Doyle is on the radar once again. However, last week, his only grab was the one-yard shovel pass TD, and there’s always the threat of Mo Alie-Cox returning to his TD-vulturing ways. Super risky, but fortune favors the bold. Jacksonville has allowed nothing the last two games vs. TEs (Gerald Everett and Tommy Sweeney), but three scores and as many double-digit PPR showings were surrendered in the previous three games.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $1-2

PK Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: Kickers have averaged 2.25 field goal attempts and a trio of extra points vs. the Chargers in the last four games. Philly’s Jake Elliott failed to get into double figures last week as he was afforded only one three-point try, but five kickers have attempted two or more field goals and four have 10-plus points in 2021 against this unit in typical fantasy scoring. The offensive vs. defensive strengths suggest Joseph could kick two-plus field goals and add his name to the list of prolific fantasy outings.

Availability: 68%
FAAB: $0-1

Baltimore Ravens D/ST at Miami Dolphins: In leagues that deduct fantasy points for giving up real ones, Baltimore has scored in the red its last two games. This defense has a combined minus-two fantasy points in those outings, which spans a Week 8 bye, and its fantasy ownership has dipped accordingly. Whether Miami trots out Tua Tagovailoa or Jacoby Brissett, the future is bright for Baltimore as a one-week play.

Availability: 68%
FAAB: $0-1

Grab & stash

RB Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots: While erratic and risky, Bolden has a place on rosters in deep formats, but he’s closer to a watch lister for more casual setups. Given the concussion concerns with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, Bolden is a fringe lineup consideration for Week 10. His receiving skills keep him in the conversation some weeks, but a greater chance of increased playing time could make him a flex flier this week vs. Cleveland. In the event he draws more PT in Week 11, a trip to Atlanta cannot hurt his chances of relevancy. Stash him until we know more about Harris and Stevenson, because if both are healthy for Week 10, Bolden is untrustworthy in all but the deepest of settings.

Availability: 38%
FAAB: $2-3

WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts: The matchup for WRs is favorable over the next month or so, presuming Hilton can overcome a concussion suffered two games ago and actually stay on the field. In the next four weeks, he faces three exploitable units and one that he has thoroughly owned in his career. Even this sad, shambling carcass of a former star still should be able to make a little noise against Jacksonville and Houston. On the surface, he’s a no-go vs. Buffalo in Week 11 and a bit risky against Tampa the following game, but the way Indy defends the pass, volume could work on his side in both contests.

Availability: 72%
FAAB: $0-1

Keep your eye on ’em

RB Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers: Wilson was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform ahead of Week 9 but didn’t see a utilization, even with Trey Sermon inactive. The ground game remained firmly in Elijah Mitchell’s grasp, and Wilson’s TD-stealing ways were put on the back burner. Will he see an uptick in work going forward? Hard to say. Sermon wasn’t touching the ball the last few weeks anyway, but Kyle Shanahan was a strong advocate for Wilson in the past. San Francisco faces the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10, which is a favorable enough matchup on the ground, and a Week 11 trip to Jacksonville makes Wilson a possible TD target. If he remains underutilized or outright continues to be ignored, you know what to do with him.

Availability: 38%

Eligible-to-return tracker

The following fantasy-relevant players are eligible to return from the Reserve/Injured list and could be on waivers, but inclusion below doesn’t guarantee coming back in the upcoming week. The date when the player was placed on IR is in parentheses.

• PK Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts (10/16)
• TE Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (10/6)
• WR Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (9/13)

Deep diving for running backs

If you’re in a competitive league, it is unlikely running backs are just chillin’ on the waiver wire. But that doesn’t mean gamers aren’t still in need of “break in case of emergency” running backs. These players could be available for a dumpster dive:

• D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans (TD flier)
• Jaret Patterson, Washington Football Team (Antonio Gibson insurance)
• Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (TD flier)
• Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (TD flier)

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Bye weeks: Lions, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Football Team

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) Derrick Henry’s replacement: Henry (foot) has a Jones fracture, which will cost him 6-10 weeks after surgery on Tuesday. Early reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport say Tennessee is working out running back Adrian Peterson.

Peterson is a logical replacement, and despite his advanced age, he proved capable of getting the job done last year. He is now fresh as a daisy, too. Be prepared to pounce. In fact, if you’re in a competitive league and have the ability to drop someone from KC, NYG, LV or BAL ahead of Monday Night Football, go for it. Some leagues allow for first-come, first-served waivers right up to kickoff of MNF, and since none of those four teams have played yet, all of their players are eligible to be dropped.

No one player — or 10 — can directly replace Henry, so we’ll see some kind of time share. RB Jeremy McNichols should be the third-down guy. The primary backup, Darrynton Evans (knee), is on Injured Reserve.

With such a huge loss in fantasy, be aggressive. Peterson hasn’t even signed yet, so recognize the risk in being too aggressive. AD is not a lock to be signed, and this is a preemptive recommendation. The 4 p.m. EDT Tuesday trade deadline will dictate where this one heads.

Other notable options speculatively could include Todd Gurley, Brian Hill, and Frank Gore.

Availability: N/A
FAAB: TBD

2) RBs Boston Scott & Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles: Let’s assume Miles Sanders returns after his three weeks on IR, which means we’ll see him in Week 11 vs. a stout New Orleans run D. Los Angeles’ weakness is stopping the run, and Denver has degraded in a serious way over the last five weeks. This defense went from the 11th-toughest unit on the season-long front to the third weakest over the last three weeks.

Two caveats: Philly rarely ran before Sanders went down, and they faced the Detroit Lions in a blowout win. Those points out of the way, both Scott and Howard saw double-digit touches and each scored a pair of touchdowns. It’s a little mystifying they didn’t give Kenneth Gainwell an earnest chance until the game was out of hand, but we should at least be happy Nick Sirianni remembered the offense is allowed to run the ball.

Availability: 80% (Scott) & 99% (Howard)
FAAB: $24-26 (Scott) & $21-23 (Howard)

3) RB Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars: A few times, Hyde has appeared in this article as a recommended handcuff for James Robinson. The second-year J-Rob has a bruised heel and could miss time … or maybe not. We just don’t know the extent of this one, and neither did head coach Urban Meyer. The opportunity to see the bulk of the carries is appealing, yet the immediate schedule is anything but with matchups vs. BUF, at IND, and vs. San Fran. Roster Hyde in the scenario Robinson misses time and bye weeks or other injuries force your hand to play him despite a tough matchup. Just don’t invest too much to make it happen.

Availability: 94%
FAAB: $13-14

4) RB Ty Johnson, New York Jets: Prior to Week 8, Johnson had averaged 8.5 utilizations over the first six games — nothing special, but every bit helps during bye weeks and at the infirmed position. While Johnson has been capped at five rushing attempts since his season-high 12 totes in Week 2, 13 total targets in the last two games shouldn’t be ignored. He has 11 catches and 13 or more fantasy points in those outings. The Jets aren’t a great team, obviously, but that helps pass-catching backs, and Johnson proved to be immune to a quarterback change. Wide receiver deficiencies have him in the mix, regardless of the matchup.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $9-10

5) WR Jamal Agnew, Jacksonville Jaguars: Three straight games Agnew has at least six targets and five or more receptions. Although the yardage has been capped at 78 and lower than 42 in two of those three contests, the former cornerback has 10 or more PPR points in teach of those outings. He also is coming off a 12-target performance, and Trevor Lawrence clearly has faith in him since DJ Chark Jr. was lost for the year.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $4-5

6) QB Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders: Vegas comes out of the break and faces one of the softest fantasy schedules of any team. Looking ahead, Carr battles at the New York Giants, returns home for the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, and then goes on the road for a Thanksgiving Day trip to Dallas. Afterward, a return home to face the lowly Washington pass defense, and a trip to KC in Week 14 carries us through the schedule in which bye weeks are an issue.

Availability: 38%
FAAB: $4-5

7) TE Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers: Regardless of Eric Ebron’s health, Freiermuth has taken over as the TE1 of this offense. He posted 7-58-0 in Week 6 before the bye week and came out of the break with a 4-44-1 line. His touchdown grab was a masterpiece, and the season-long loss of wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster opened a weekly role for a possession weapon with a QB whose deep ball leaves something to be desired.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $3-4

8) WR DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins: He’ll be inconsistent, but coming back from injury to log 11 targets, eight catches and 85 yards — all season highs. He last dressed in Week 4 and finished with 4-77-1. In his five appearances, he has three games with at least four grabs, 77 yards and 12-plus PPR points. While we’ve see a roller coaster from Tua Tagovailoa, Parker should be universally owned as long as he’s healthy.

Availability: 65%
FAAB: $3-4

9) PK Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders: Check the wire since he is returning from a bye week. Carlson had nailed at least two field goals in five of seven outings, and he has nine or more fantasy points in as many contests. If you’re tired of rotating kickers from the wire, Carlson has staying power in an offense that will continue to provide work.

Availability: 74%
FAAB: $1-2

One-week plays

QB Davis Mills, Houston Texans vs. Miami Dolphins: This one is super risky for a few reasons … the erratic rookie’s highs have been impressive, whereas his lows have been catastrophically bad. Then there’s the looming chance of Tyrod Taylor returning this week after reportedly being close in Week 8. That said, if it is indeed Taylor under center, he’s a reasonable swap into this spot. While Mills should be given a legit chance to start the rest of the way, head coach David Culley appears to favor the veteran — perhaps that changed after this rookie’s strong Week 9 showing vs. a damning LA Rams defense. Quarterbacks have averaged the third-most fantasy points per game since Week 3 vs. the Dolphins. Granted, the competition that has exploited Miami has been stiff, but there’s still moderate upside for Mills to do some damage.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $1-2

WR Elijah Moore, New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts: Thirteen receivers have at least four catches vs. the Colts this year, and 10 have gone for 12-plus fantasy points in PPR scoring. The short week means Mike White is likely to start once again at quarterback, and he looked to the rookie six times vs. Cincinnati in Week 8, resulting in 6-67-0. The prior week, Moore ran in a TD vs. New England, which is an added bonus to know he may be utilized in such a way. Four teams on bye means we need to dig a little deeper sometimes, and Moore makes for a worthwhile PPR flex play.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $1-2

TE Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets: Four targets in Week 8 resulted in a big, fat zero in the receptions column. Not encouraging. However, with a season-high of three catches in any single game entering the week, don’t be turned off too much. Alie-Cox’s role isn’t to rack up volume … he’s a “play-n-pray” TD gamble in fantasy. New York has allowed three TE touchdowns in the last four games, and using data from the past three weeks shows this matchup has been 140.1 percent weaker than the league average.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $1-2

PK Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans: The past five games vs. Houston have resulted in kickers scoring no fewer than seven fantasy points. Every kick but one extra point has been true, tallying 6-for-6 on three-pointers and 15 of 16 overall kicking attempts. The matchup is 46.4 percent better than average since Week 3. Sanders, for his part in this equation, hasn’t missed an XPA this year (14), but he has been on a wild ride when it comes to field goals with three misses in the last six tries. The offense vs. defense matchup profiles as a little bit of a struggle for Miami, which could result in more treys.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $0-1

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Grab & stash

WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers: A disastrous start to his season finally showed a bright spot with seven looks — the highest involvement of 2021 for Aiyuk — and a four-catch, 45-yard day. He added a two-point conversion. Given how limited he has been involved, and the looming prospect of Trey Lance taking over at some point this year, Aiyuk remains ultra risky.

Availability: 49%
FAAB: $2-3

WR Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills: Davis has been a total flop this year, that is until he came off the bye week and posted a 4-29-1 line — not special, but he had one more target than Emmanuel Sanders, who was blanked on his four looks. Davis has shown what he can do during a seven-score rookie season a year ago, and Sanders isn’t the future, so one has to question if we’re starting to see a transition. While I’m skeptical, Davis is worth stashing in deeper leagues to find out where this is headed.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $1-2

TE Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders return from a Week 8 bye, and Darren Waller’s injury situation has him facing a day-to-day status. Vegas returns to face the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, and both are friendly enough opponents for tight ends. The position is a staple in this passing game, and Moreau can build on his Week 7 performance if given the same role. If you can, stash him until we definitively know Waller’s availability.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

TE Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team: A recommendation for people with extra storage space: Thomas is appearing on more and more waiver wires of late, and he’s expected to return after Washington’s Week 9. Upon his return, in Week 10, Thomas has three straight weeks vs. top-10 matchups in his favor.

Availability: 47%
FAAB: $0-1

Keep your eye on ’em

Atlanta Falcons wide receivers: With Calvin Ridley stepping away indefinitely as he focuses on personal matters, Atlanta has a sizeable target share to be seized. Last week, Russell Gage Jr. was included as a recommendation, but he wasn’t even targeted in a losing effort without Ridley. That perfectly illustrates the volatility of this passing game. Tajae Sharpe led the team in receiving Sunday, and Olamide Zaccheaus will have a chance to step up his involvement. Given the erratic nature, it’s best to watch how this shakes out vs. New Orleans. In all actuality, we’re probably looking at Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson as the only contributors with any fantasy relevance from week to week.

TE Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars: In the last three games, following the loss of WR DJ Chark Jr., after Arnold was traded from Carolina earlier in the year, the versatile tight end has 23 targets in the last three contests. He hasn’t scored since Week 14 of 2020 two teams ago, but Arnold catches passes from a rookie QB and on a franchise with a porous defense. The opportunities should be there more often than not, and he’s worth watching in most formats but could be rostered in a pinch.

Availability: 96%

Eligible-to-return tracker

The following fantasy-relevant players are eligible to return from the Reserve/Injured list and could be on waivers, but inclusion below doesn’t guarantee coming back in the upcoming week. The date when the player was placed on IR is in parentheses.

• PK Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts (10/16)
• PK Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers (10/6)
• TE Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (10/6)
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers (10/2)
• WR Tyrell Williams, Detroit Lions (9/23)
• WR Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (9/13)

Deep diving for running backs

If you’re in a competitive league, it is unlikely running backs are just chillin’ on the waiver wire. But that doesn’t mean gamers aren’t still in need of “break in case of emergency” running backs. These players could be available for a dumpster dive:

• RB Jeremy McNichols, Tennessee Titans (PPR only)
• RB Scottie Phillips & Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans (8 utilizations each w/o Mark Ingram)
• RB Jaret Patterson, Washington Football Team (Antonio Gibson insurance)
• Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (FB with an adoring coach)
• Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (maybe gets traded?)