Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 7 free-agent forecast

Six teams on bye and injuries galore make for an all-important week of waivers.

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: Bills, Cowboys, Vikings, Steelers, Chargers, Jaguars

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns: No Nick Chubb (calf) in Week 6 left Kareem Hunt as the feature back, and the veteran’s day came to a premature end as he was carted off with a calf injury of his own. While it doesn’t sound season-ending in nature, Hunt will miss a few weeks and has been placed on the Reserve/Injured list. Johnson is closer to a prototypical NFL back for this smashmouth offensive system, whereas RB/WR Demetric Felton (more below) is cut from the change-up, pass-catching cloth. Cleveland was without both of its starting tackles in Week 6, which will warrant some attention before playing Johnson on this short week of rest. Ahead for Cleveland: Denver, Pittsburgh, at Cincinnati and at New England. One or both of the Chubb-Hunt duo should be back by the end of that stretch.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $34-36

2) QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: Reiterating from last week … It’s easy to get hung up on his Week 5 performance that was highlighted by four touchdown strikes, but it’s not easy to also forget the prior three games of utter mediocrity. The Saints return from a Week 6 bye and are eligible to get injured WRs Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith back in Week 7. Looking at the schedule, the former Tampa Bay quarterback will have a legitimate month’s worth of lineup utility. The Weeks 7-10 slate serves up the exploitable defenses of Seattle, Tampa, Atlanta and Tennessee before the schedule stiffens again.

Availability: 64%
FAAB: $4-5

3) RB Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears: A reminder from last week’s inclusion, in case your entire league passed on the rookie: Herbert remains available in 35 percent of leagues polled. Damien Williams missed Week 6 on the COVID list, but Herbert saw more attempts in Week 5 when both were on the field throughout the contest. Given the strength of Herbert’s Week 6 showing (19.2 PPR), expect him to see the lion’s share (bear’s share?) of the reps. The downside: a murderer’s row of running back defenses ahead of the Week 10 bye with matchups at Tampa, vs. San Fran, and at Pittsburgh. Chances are high someone in your league won’t think about the schedule and will overbid based on Herbert’s recent results.

Availability: 36%
FAAB: $20-22

4) RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots: It has been a tumultuous ride for the rookie as he was a preseason darling and then found himself in the doghouse after an early-season fumble. Damien Harris entered with injured ribs but managed to rush 18 times for 101 yards and a score vs. Dallas. The Pats turned to Stevenson on the goal line for a short TD on one of his five rushes. A three-target, three-catch, 39-yard showing is more intriguing, especially as 31-year-old Brandon Bolden had one target and a lone rushing attempt in Week 6. Ahead on the schedule for the Patriots: NYJ, @LAC, @CAR, CLE, @ATL, TEN and @BUF before a Week 14 bye. It may be tricky knowing when to play Stevenson. We have the benefit of a heavy dose of bye teams this week, and the Jets coming to New England is a fine time to give it a go.

Availability: 67%
FAAB: $6-7

5) TE Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team: A week after being included here as a one-week play for the strength of the matchup and a legitimate role, RSJ deserves to be put on rosters for the near future. He could be useful for the next few weeks while Logan Thomas is out, and the tight end position has been as volatile as ever of late. The upcoming two weeks send Washington on the road to Green Bay and Denver — trust him vs. the Packers before reevaluating his utility against Denver.

Availability: 71%
FAAB: $3-4

6) RB Le’Veon Bell, Baltimore Ravens: Latavius Murray scored a TD in Week 6 — as did both Bell and running back Devonta Freeman — before an ankle injury cut short the former Saint and Raider rusher’s day. While we don’t know the severity of Murray’s injury just yet, there’s value to speculatively adding Bell (and even Freeman). Baltimore faces Cincinnati in Week 7 before going on bye, making Bell a so-so rental with potential staying power should he show out.

Availability: 93%
FAAB: $2-3

7) PK Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons: Check for the talented kicker on the wire after his Week 6 bye likely cast him free from the clutches of your opponents. While he hasn’t been as strong of a performer as in 2020, Koo has a great chance of turning things around as Atlanta gains comfort in head coach Arthur Smith’s system and a mess of absent players return to the field.

Availability: 53%
FAAB: $1-2

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One-week plays

WR Quez Watkins, Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Purely a flier for a cheap touchdown during “Bye-mageddon” Week 7. The Bucs have given up the third-most catches to WRs, but that’s not Watkins’ game. As Tampa focuses on slowing impressive rookie receiver DeVonta Smith, Watkins will see isolated coverage and has a plus-chance of breaking free against an injury-ravaged secondary. Keep in mind, though, this is an all-or-nothing type of lineup commitment.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $0-1

TE Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans: Ertz appeared in this spot last week and delivered on Thursday night, only to be traded to the Cardinals the next day. The former Philadelphia stud still has some juice left in the tank, and while he doesn’t have as high of a ceiling these days, Houston offers one of the softest matchups for the position in Ertz’s first game in the desert. No team has allowed more points in PPR, and it’s an excellent matchup in standard scoring, too, as the Texans have yielded the five scores over 36 receptions faced. It’s a risky recommendation due to the newness of his tenure in Arizona, but the matchup is prime.

Availability: 40%
FAAB: $1-2

RB Chris Evans/Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens: This recommendation comes with the caveat of Perine (COVID-19) could be back this week, and, if he is, substitute him for Evans. The sole purpose of playing either back is for a touchdown flier — Baltimore has yielded seven offensive scores (1 receiving) to the position at a top-10 rate of once every 20.5 touches. Whichever back is slated to be Joe Mixon’s direct backup is worthy of a desperation play in a pinch with six teams on bye.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $1-2

TE Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: We saw signs of life from the second-year pro in Week 6 as he landed four of five looks for 49 yards. In the prior month of action, Kmet totaled five receptions for 39 yards. Justin Fields is slowly starting to settle in a little more as an NFL starting quarterback, and this week brings a trip the Tampa Bay — a defense that has granted tight ends a score every 10 grabs in 2021. Only two teams have permitted more receptions to the position, and an average of one TE per week has posted 10 or more PPR points against the Bucs. Kmet is a super risky play, but there’s ample upside.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

PK Graham Gano, New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers: Gano has averaged 2.8 field goal attempts in the past five games, connecting on 12 of the 14 tries. He has made all five of his PATs. The offensively battered Giants may have just enough fight in them to put the veteran into range enough to matter. Seven of the nine total field goals attempted vs. the Panthers have come in the last two outings, possibly an indication of a developing trend.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $0-1

New England Patriots D/ST vs New York Jets: New England’s neutrally ranked fantasy defense (16th) still manages to carry name recognition, which likely has them rostered in more casual formats than advanced, but it’s worth inspecting the wire for its presence. Other than the Week 2 trip to the Jets, when the Patriots created four turnovers and posted as many sacks, this defense has not come even close to matching that output. It has four total takeaways and nine sacks otherwise. Some of it is matchup-related, but this isn’t your older sibling’s Pats defense … that is, unless it is facing a rookie quarterback not named Davis Mills. Go back to this well once more vs. Zach Wilson and crew.

Availability: 42%
FAAB: $0-1

Carolina Panthers D/ST at New York Giants: The 18th-ranked Carolina fantasy defense is floating about on nearly half the wires polled, and it’s no wonder why after this group has two or fewer points in a pair of the last three contests. The Giants have allowed defenses to score 8.0 fantasy points in each of the past two weeks as injuries have decimated this offense. That number of points just happens to match the high point of Carolina’s defensive capabilities seen thus far in 2021, so understand there’s a fair amount of risk associated here.

Availability: 47%
FAAB: $0-1

Grab & stash

RB Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers: Wilson is eligible to return this week after being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list following offseason knee surgery. The lack of interest in utilizing Trey Sermon (two plays) in Week 5 before San Fran’s bye is telling, and Wilson has been a coach Kyle Shanahan favorite. Roster him and wait to see what kind of role he has upon returning, but it’s likely to be notable in the red zone, even if Elijah Mitchell dominates touches between the 20s.

Availability: 81%
FAAB: $1-2

Keep your eye on ’em

WR/RB Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns: As mentioned above, Cleveland’s backfield is an infirmary. Give Felton a look in deep PPR formats if thoroughly desperate for an option during the week with six bye teams. For all other settings, it’s best to keep him in your sights as we await to hear more about Chubb entering Week 7’s Thursday nighter.

Availability: 99%

RB Travis Homer & DeeJay Dallas, Seattle Seahawks: Keep tabs on Chris Carson (neck) and Alex Collins (hip, glute) this week as Homer and Dallas will have a sizeable roles if they both must sit. The downside here, and largely why neither isn’t a true recommendation, is the matchup with the New Orleans Saints as they return from a bye week. Not only is this a dominant run defense but they’re also well-rested, which spells trouble for first-string backs, let alone third/fourth-teamers.

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.

RB Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks (10/2)
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers (10/2)
WR Tyrell Williams, Detroit Lions (9/23)
QB Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans (9/21)
WR Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns (9/21)
WR Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos (9/14)
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team (9/14)
WR Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (9/13)
WR Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints (9/10)
PK Wil Lutz, New Orleans Saints (9/6)

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:

RB Ty Johnson, New York Jets (averaging 7.8 utilizations)
RB Jaret Patterson, Washington Football Team (Antonio Gibson insurance)
Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (FB with an adoring coach)
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (James Robinson insurance)
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (maybe gets traded?)

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 6 free-agent forecast

Bye weeks return for Week 6, and we have you covered.

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: Falcons, Saints, Jets, 49ers

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) WR Kadarius Toney, New York Giants: Never mind a fourth-quarter ejection for throwing a right jab, Toney delivered a haymaker of a performance vs. the Dallas defense in Week 5. Provided he doesn’t get suspended, which is unlikely, the rookie’s breakthrough showing comes on the heels of being a watch lister in this very space last week after a nine-target, 6-78-0 Week 4. The explosiveness displayed in Week 5 makes him dangerous regardless of the quarterback. Daniel Jones was concussed and wobbled his way onto a cart ride into the locker room after sending four of Toney’s 13 targets. Human-giraffe hybrid Mike Glennon threw nine passes to the Florida product out of a total 10 catches for 189 yards between the QBs. The Giants lost wideout Kenny Golladay (hyperextended knee) in a game in which New York also was without Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard for the second straight contest. The G-Men play the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders before a Week 10 hiatus. Toney could be a busy dude.

Availability: 80%
FAAB: $24-26

2) RB Devontae Booker, New York Giants: Saquon “Snake-bitten” Barkley stepped on a defender’s foot in Week 5 and rolled his ankle severely enough to immediately grow a baseball worth of swelling just above his lateral ankle bone. It appears as if he escaped serious injury with a low-grade sprain, though it’s unlikely he can shake it off before next Sunday’s tilt with the Los Angeles Rams. His backup, Booker, may be handcuffed to Barkley in deeper and/or more competitive leagues. There’s a strong chance he’s available in smaller formats or causal settings. Booker ran 14 times for only 35 yards in Barkley’s stead, finding the end zone once on the ground and another time via a three-catch, 16-yard aerial display.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $14-16

3) WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: Last week, the rookie was listed in the “watch list” section after he was targeted eight times (6-70-0), and St. Brown came through again with another quality day for PPR purposes. Detroit’s most talented wideout saw eight more targets, going for 65 yards on his seven snatches. He isn’t going to be a serious threat to score touchdowns, making St. Brown a weekly flex consideration in PPR as bye weeks alter the lineup landscape for the next few months. Cincinnati, LAR, and Philly are ahead before a Week 9 rest, but St. Brown has season-long rosterability.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $7-8

4) RB Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears: As Chicago tries to find its way for the next month-plus without running back David Montgomery, Herbert, a rookie sixth-rounder, paced the team in carries with 18. The 5-foot-9, 212-pound back ran for 75 yards (4.2 YPC) and had no passes sent his way. The Bears could get RB Tarik Cohen (knee) back soon, which makes Herbert a less appealing short-term investment, but he’s worth an add with bye weeks upon us. Veteran running back Damien Williams toted it 16 times for 64 yards and scored, catching 20 yards worth on two passes. Herbert doesn’t have the easiest schedule, though, which is another factor preventing him from being a stronger recommendation. Chicago hosts Green Bay in Week 6 before traveling to Tampa Bay, returning home vs. San Francisco, and then heading to the Steel City before a Week 10 bye.

Availability: 81%
FAAB: $6-7

5) RB Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks: Chris Carson (neck) could return this week, which would render Collins useless, but it’s no guarantee. Any starting running back belongs on rosters, so if you were late to the party last week, make sure to check your wire for the veteran. In the past two weeks, including one start, he has posted 78 and 72 total yards, respectively, including a touchdown on the ground two games ago. The loss of QB Russell Wilson (finger) should lead to more reliance on the backfield. Unfortunately, despite pitching well in relief last Thursday, Geno Smith doesn’t scare defenses. And the units Collins will see in the next couple of games (PIT, NO) are terrifying for fantasy backs. Add him but only due to bye weeks and the ever-present need to cover a running back injury.

Availability: 67%
FAAB: $6-7

6) QB Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team: Week 5 wasn’t pretty for Heinicke, but gunslingers keep slingin’, and he will have to do just that over the next few games. In Week 6, with bye weeks commencing, the Kansas City Chiefs come to town, and the matchup all but promises a pass-happy day for Heinicke. The following week sends him to Lambeau Field for a meeting with Green Bay Packers, a defense that will be without star CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder). The Packers, like KC, should force excessive passing by Washington. Anyone playing Heinicke must accept the bad with the volume-driven good.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $1-2

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One-week plays

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals: Jarvis Landry is at least one week away from returning from a sprained knee, and the Browns will need all receiving hands on deck vs. the undefeated Cardinals. Arizona’s offense could erupt on this defense, much like the Los Angeles Chargers did in a Week 5 barn-burner. The Michigan alum has been inconsistently utilized this year, and Cleveland doesn’t care to throw it more than necessary, which makes Peoples-Jones a highly volatile play. That said, bye weeks and injuries create nose-plugging lineup choices sometimes, so this one is all about the opportunity to capitalize on a season-high five catches for 70 yards (six targets).

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

TE Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Washington lost starting tight end Logan Thomas to injury ahead of Week 5, and he has been put on IR. His well-traveled backup saw eight targets against New Orleans, corralling five for 41 yards. The Chiefs have permitted tight ends to post top-five figures in 2021, and there’s an inflated probability we’ll see Washington playing garbage-time football.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $0-1

TE Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Held to one catch for seven yards on a half-dozen Week 5 looks, Ertz played well enough in the two weeks entering that dud performance to warrant consideration vs. Tampa. The Bucs couldn’t stop a tight end from producing double-digit PPR production in every game over the first month, and Miami’s Mike Gesicki (8.3 points) was the lone starter who narrowly missed that mark. Ertz is far from being a panacea in fantasy this week, but injuries and byes always make the medicine go down easier.

Availability: 62%
FAAB: $1-2

PK Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions: The rookie sent every kick through the pipes in the first three weeks. In the past two contests, however, McPherson has missed a trio of field goal tries, presenting a risk-reward situation. The Lions have yielded 14 field goals in five contests, which is the second-highest figure in football. The remarkably scrappy Detroit defense is just good enough to keep Cincinnati from dropping bombs all day long.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $0-1

PK Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The veteran has booted all of his PATs through the uprights and only one of nine three-point tries has missed its mark. Kickers have attempted a dozen extra points and as many field goals in 2021 — only three teams have given up more FGAs. Ten kicks of each variety have gone through the uprights.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $0-1

Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs Houston Texans: The Colts have posted at least five points in each game this year, including seven in consecutive contests ahead of a Monday Night Football meeting with Baltimore. The Houston offense looked drastically improved vs. New England in Week 5, but some of the trickery and the fluke touchdown to Chris Moore have me skeptical we’ll see an encore showing. This one really could go either way. The consistency of Indy overvalues the one-game offensive upgrade by Davis Mills and Co.

Availability: 53%
FAAB: $0-1

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST at Detroit Lions: Jared Goff has seven turnovers — including a few hideous decisions — in five games as a Lion, and he’s lucky to not lose two of his fumbles. The Bengals gave Aaron Rodgers everything he could handle in Week 5, and with Detroit’s offensive line injuries, Goff may be harassed all day. Cincy is tied for sixth in sacks (13) and 10th in interceptions.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $0-1

Grab & stash

QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: It’s easy to get hung up on his Week 5 performance that was highlighted by four touchdown strikes, but it’s not easy to also forget the prior three games of utter mediocrity. The Saints go on bye in Week 6, which means you’ll need to tie up a roster spot on him in a week with four teams on vacation. The upside is wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle), among other receiving threats, should return in Week 7, and the former Tampa Bay quarterback will have a legitimate month’s worth of lineup utility. The Weeks 7-10 schedule serves up the quarterback-challenged defenses of Seattle, Tampa, Atlanta and Tennessee before the schedule stiffens again.

Availability: 64%
FAAB: $4-5

Keep your eye on ’em

RBs Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs: The extent of Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s knee injury is unknown at this time, but in the scenario that he misses time, Williams is the primary target for fantasy purposes. He’s owned in about 53 percent of leagues polled. Should it be a season-ending injury, McKinnon is a low-end consolation prize for desperate times. The Chiefs simply don’t run the ball enough, which makes both backs no better than matchup plays or fill-ins for bye weeks. Williams offers more TD upside, while McKinnon could catch a few passes here and there.

Availability: 47% (Williams) and 98% (McKinnon)

WR Anthony Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars: The loss of wideout DJ Chark Jr. for presumably the rest of the year created the need for a deep threat. The Jaguars will sign Miller to the practice squad and try to fast-track him. He has a long-standing durability issue, and while the fact he couldn’t stick with talent-deprived Houston is alarming, consider this likely Miller’s final chance before he officially gets tossed onto the scrap heap. Keep tabs on his progress.

Availability: 100%

Eligible-to-return tracker

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

QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (9/25)
WR Tyrell Williams, Detroit Lions (9/23)
QB Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans (9/21)
WR Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns (9/21)
WR Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos (9/14)
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team (9/14)
WR Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (9/13)
WR Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints (9/10)
PK Wil Lutz, New Orleans Saints (9/6)
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (9/2)
WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts (9/2)

Deep diving for running backs

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (FB with an adoring coach)
Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns (Electric WR/RB but limited role)
Alec Ingold, Las Vegas Raiders (FB with a role)
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (James Robinson insurance)
Larry Rountree, Los Angeles Chargers (Austin Ekeler insurance)
Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots (James White injury)
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (maybe gets traded?)

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 5 free-agent forecast

All of the most important waiver targets entering Week 5.

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: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons: This is geared for the 24 percent of gamers who didn’t listen two weeks ago when CP was included in this space. … Sure, three touchdowns is sexy and gets him the highlight reels. Equally as important from week to week, the journeyman has a consistent role in an offense struggling to create an identity. The entire Arthur Smith system is predicated on a functional rushing attack, and they just haven’t seen it yet from Mike Davis. Patterson has operated in space as an extension of the running game and is eligible at WR and RB in some leagues. The chance to touch the football 10-12 times a game makes him relevant in most formats, especially as bye weeks lurk, and the newfound multi-TD potential is a nice bump to his stock. The offense hasn’t pushed the ball down the field, so until this changes, Patterson has weekly value in PPR.

Availability: 24%
FAAB: $36-38

2) RB Damien Williams, Chicago Bears: Positional scarcity bumps Williams up the list after running back David Montgomery left early with what has been given a preliminary diagnosis as a hyperextension. Provided Monty escapes serious injury, the former Chiefs running back will fill in as the primary option. He’ll share touches with Khalil Herbert on clear passing downs, and Williams should prove to be useful over the next two weeks, anyway. Those opponents (Las Vegas and Green Bay) are followed by less friendly foes in Tampa and San Fran. Williams likely offers a week or two of use and should be acquired with that in mind. But if a running back can come in to help you win off the wire, he’s worthy of being the top-billed waiver target. Montgomery owners should spend up for insurance purposes.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $23-25

3) QB Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers: In competitive leagues, chances are someone has stashed the No. 3 overall selection from April’s NFL Draft. In more casual setups, he is available in the majority of leagues polled. Lance has the wheels and weapons to make some noise, even if it isn’t the prettiest look each week. Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a calf issue of unknown severity in Week 4, and the veteran could be forced to sit at least a game with a Week 6 bye looming. The interesting wrinkle here is whether or not he actually loses his job because of an injury. In the event Lance beats the undefeated, division-leading Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, it’s tough to envision the team going back to Garoppolo after the break.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $9-10

4) WR Jamison Crowder, New York Jets: After missing the first three games, due to COVID-19 and a groin injury, the veteran slot receiver returned to the lineup in a big way. He hauled in seven of a team-high nine targets, going for 61 yards and a score. New York is coming off its first win but is still a feeble team that just happened to draw a hobbled Tennessee roster. Gamers get the luxury of Crowder facing a banged-up Atlanta secondary in Week 5 before the Jets go on bye. Crowder has staying power in PPR, so unless you absolutely need to treat him as a one-week rental, keep the veteran stashed through his week off.

Availability: 81%
FAAB: $6-7

5) WR Josh Reynolds, Tennessee Titans: No Julio Jones (hamstring) and A.J. Brown (hamstring) thrust Reynolds into the lineup after being a healthy-ish scratch in Week 3. He had missed time with an injury but was cleared ahead of the third game and still ended up being inactive. In that game, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine made the most of his opportunity. This past Sunday, in a losing OT battle with the Jets, this former LA Ram paced the Tennessee wideouts with nine targets. Ahead, a trip to an underrated Jacksonville pass defense, followed by Buffalo and Kansas City. While hamstring injuries can be tricky, three to four total weeks should be more than enough time to get both receivers back.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $5-6

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6) WR Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions: Reminder from last week … Raymond should be added in most formats of 12-plus teams. He’s a starter on a team with a shaky defense and limited talent around him. Raymond’s shelf life may not necessarily be the longest, if WR Tyrell Williams regains his job upon returning soon from IR, but the former Tennessee receiver has been the team’s best receiver in the past two weeks, suggesting Williams may be left out in the cold. An upcoming matchup with Minnesota should have Raymond in plenty of lineups.

Availability: 97%
FAAB: $4-5

7) WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers: This might be one of the shorter rentals, because it has taken three weeks and a Marquez Valdes-Scantling injury before Aaron Rodgers threw meaningfully to the player he just had to have on the roster. Green Bay heads to Cincy next week to face an opponent a similarly skilled Laviska Shenault Jr. exploited in the opening contest of the season’s fourth stanza. It’s a favorable PPR schedule over the next two months for Green Bay wideouts, and MVS will be out a minimum of two more weeks after being placed on IR. Cobb is capable of covering bye weeks.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $4-5

8) RB Jeremy McNichols, Tennessee Titans: McNichols has a little bit of wiggle in his game and demonstrates sound hands out of the backfield as a change-up to Derrick Henry. While he won’t lead the team in targets most weeks — or ever again, if we’re being realistic — but as long as hamstring injuries to WRs A.J. Brown and Julio Jones continue to keep them out of action, McNichols offers utility in deep formats.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

One-week plays

TE Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens: It’s easy to get on board with a player after he scores a pair of touchdowns the prior week, but that’s merely a factor in his inclusion here today. The more impactful reason is the opponent: No team has given up more fantasy points to TEs through the first month of the season than the Ravens. One in 10 grabs by the position has scored, Baltimore has given up the most catches, and only Kansas City has yielded more yardage to the position. While the volume against is nice to see, anyone playing Alie-Cox should be gunning for a touchdown from the hybrid tight end. In PPR, it wouldn’t be a stretch to play Colts tight end Jack Doyle for a cheap chance at 10 or so points if you’re looking to be safety-minded.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

TE Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Miami Dolphins: Rob Gronkowski has at least four fractured ribs and a punctured lung, which seemingly will keep him sidelined through the upcoming week (or more). Brate, a veteran who has stepped up a time or two when given an earnest chance, faces a Miami defense that had been in the middle of the pack vs. the position prior to permitting a pair of scores to Indianapolis tight ends in Week 4. Miami is strong enough on the back end that Tom Brady may be forced away from his star-studded cast of receivers at times, especially in the red zone.

Availability: 82%
FAAB: $1-2

WR Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks: Following three total looks his way in the first two games, Jefferson has lassoed 10 of 12 targets for 132 yards and a score, including a career-best 6-90-1 in Week 4. After seeing the smackdown put on the venerated LA defense by the Cardinals, it’s no a stretch to expect Seattle’s offense to put on a show of their own, forcing the Rams to sling it all around the park again. Seattle has given up five scores to WRs in the past four contests, and the attention paid to slow Cooper Kupp should send Matthew Stafford Jefferson’s direction.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $1-2

TE C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers: It’s easy to be reactionary to a two-TD performance. Care more about the opportunity if WR Tee Higgins (shoulder) is indeed out again, and it never hurts when the matchup is the sixth best of the week. Green Bay has allowed tight ends three scores over 25 catches in this young season, and there’s always the chance Aaron Rodgers forces Joe Burrow into a game of “catch me if you can” on the scoreboard. Uzomah is unlikely to see the volume of a week ago (six targets, five catches), but he certainly is a worthwhile gamble for a TD.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $1-2

QB Jacoby Brissett, Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This one is best viewed through the lens of superflex leagues. Tampa has so many injuries — down its top trio of cornerbacks from Week 1, plus a safety — and has shockingly struggled to reach quarterbacks in 2021. Brissett has plenty of weapons around him to do enough to warrant a lineup spot, but he’s not a reliable option in single-quarterback scenarios as we don’t have bye weeks to press the need.

Availability: 97%
FAAB: $0-1

QB Zach Wilson, New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons: In Week 4, Taylor Heinicke went for 290-3-0 — plus he added 43 rushing yards. Over the first month of 2021, Atlanta has given up 11 passing touchdowns without an interception and 274 yards per contest. Something in the vicinity of 275-2-1 from Wilson should be considered a win for two-QB setups.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $0-1

PK Aldrick Rosas, New Orleans Saints at Washington Football Team: Only the Jets have allowed more field goal attempts than Washington, and just a handful of teams have granted more than the 11 extra points against NY. In the first month of play, all 22 combined kicks — split evenly between one- and three-pointers — have hit their mark, and no squad has yielded more fantasy points to the position. Keep an eye on whether Saints kicker Wil Lutz (abdomen) gets activated from IR this week. He’s probably one week or so away before it’s a reality.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0

Grab & stash

TE Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills: Another reminder from last week’s recommendations: Knox won’t do much for you with volume but can offer a better than average chance of finding the end zone. Byes are two weeks away, and even if you don’t intend to play him vs. KC (not a bad start), Knox has staying power for depth.

Availability: 53%
FAAB: $1-2

WR Kadarius Toney, New York Giants: Keep tabs on injuries to Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, both of whom missed Week 4 with hamstring strains. Their absence led to Toney’s first serious role as a rookie. The first-rounder missed so much time during the offseason that he was behind the curve, making it more refreshing to see a nine-target day turn into a 6-78-0 line. The speedy rookie is a viable deep threat in an offense that has several, which could lead to more underneath action in effort to let him create yards after catch. He was a watch-list guy last week and ascended into the stash territory. In a pinch, Toney could be a flex play vs. Dallas next week, provided the two veteran receivers are again inactive.

Availability: 97%
FAAB: $0-1

Keep your eye on ’em

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: There’s an argument to be made that St. Brown should be in the “grab and stash” segment after a eight-target, six-catch performance that netted the rook 70 yards. Teammate Kalif Raymond was in this article last week as well as being reiterated above, but St. Brown is the player this team wants to get going in possession situations. He was one of my favorite sleepers entering the year, and it’s mildly surprising the Lions took this long to get him involved to any notable degree. We’ve seen tight end T.J. Hockenson get shut down in consecutive games, which bodes well for Jared Goff being forced to target other outlets. St. Brown might be worth a roster spot in the deepest of PPR leagues, though he is more safely observed for the time being. Fingers crossed for this being the jump-start performance that he needed.

Availability: 100%

Deep diving for running backs

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (FB with an adoring coach)
Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns (Electric WR/RB but limited role)
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks (saw increased work in Week 4)
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears (depends on Montgomery’s prognosis)
Alec Ingold, Las Vegas Raiders (FB with a role)
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (James Robinson insurance)
Larry Rountree, Los Angeles Chargers (Austin Ekeler insurance)
Royce Freeman, Carolina Panthers (CMC injury)
Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots (James White injury)
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (maybe gets traded?)

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 4 free-agent forecast

All of the most important waiver targets entering Week 4.

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: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers: It doesn’t get much easier than this one … Hubbard backs up the best running back in the business, and said RB Christian McCaffrey could miss several games with a hamstring strain. Furthermore, we’ve now seen a pattern of injuries, fair or otherwise, appearing to develop for CMC after such a massive workload. Hubbard can do it all — not as good as the man he replaces — but we’re talking about a guy who created 2,292 yards and 21 total touchdowns in 2019 at Oklahoma State. The rookie looked every bit capable over his post-McCaffrey reps (14 touches, 79 yards). If you own CMC, spend whatever it takes. This is the tax you pay for not handcuffing the consensus RB1.

Availability: 75%
FAAB: $65-70

2) RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings: While Mattison is almost universally owned, and Dalvin Cook could return as soon as Week 4, gamers need to take a peek at the wire just to be safe. This one is intended for the most casual of formats. Spend up if you own Cook, but the FAAB recommendation really comes down to whether you’re willing to tie up a roster spot for a player who won’t touch the rock without an injury to No. 33. He’s a must-add, regardless of whether you roster Cook, so long as you can traverse bye weeks with Mattison in reserve.

Availability: 32%
FAAB: $12-13

3) WR Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots: Fourteen targets, even due to trailing on the scoreboard, ought to catch one’s attention. Meyers led the Patriots vs. New Orleans in receptions (nine) and has 19 on the year, which is the same number as the next two New England receivers combined. The only thing he hasn’t done is catch a touchdown. Meyers has weekly utility and deserves universal ownership. He’s still on the wire in far too many casual leagues.

Availability: 42%
FAAB: $7-8

4) WR Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders: After three weeks of watching the Vegas receiving corps shake out, it’s clear Renfrow means so much more to this offense than he was last year. The third-year wideout has chemistry with his quarterback, partially illustrated by Renfrow being targeted at least six times in each game this year. The sure-handed Clemson hero managed to bulk up in the offseason to become more durable and useful in new situations. After his 5-77-1 line in Week 3, the Raiders may showcase plenty more of Renfrow with matchups against LAC, CHI, DEN and PHI before a Week 8 bye.

Availability: 89%
FAAB: $6-7

5) WR Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills: The veteran snagged a pair of Josh Allen touchdown strikes in Week 3. The well-seasoned Sanders has been targeted six or more times in the first three weeks, and there’s actually room for him in this offense to keep it going. He won’t house it every week, especially not twice, but we have a pass-happy system and a proven veteran with his QB’s eye … gamers can do much worse for depth off the wire as bye weeks near. Upcoming games include Houston and trips to KC and Tennessee before a Week 7 break.

Availability: 75%
FAAB: $6-7

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6) TE Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings: The Central Michigan product isn’t completely the classic inline “Y” tight end, often flexing into the the slot at 248 pounds. He saw four targets for 41 yards in Week 1 and was mostly written off, due to the strong play of WR K.J. Osborn. Part of Osborn’s success had been thanks to a lack of a tight end presence. Conklin landed seven of eight looks in Week 3, generating 70 yards and a touchdown. He’ll be added in most competitive leagues and warrants a roster spot in casual setups, too. Ahead: Cleveland, Detroit, Carolina … Conklin could have some staying power heading into a Week 7 bye. There is some concern he and Osborn may cancel each other out from week to week, however. Focus on the strength of the opposing matchups before deploying either player.

Availability: 96%
FAAB: $3-4

7) WR Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions: There’s not a great deal of excitement with Raymond, but the opportunity cannot be ignored. The former Tennessee wideout and special teamer paced the defensively challenged Detroit group with 10 targets vs. Baltimore. WR Tyrell Williams went to IR, rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown has been a total non-factor, and Quintez Cephus isn’t getting it done by himself. Smart money says Cephus emerges as the season-long best bet, but after flex utility in two of three 2021 games, Raymond’s consistency will become much more transparent in the coming weeks (@CHI, @MIN, and vs. CIN in the coming games.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

One-week plays

QB Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team at Atlanta Falcons: The New York Giants were unable to capitalize on this matchup after losing WRs Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton to hamstring injuries in the first quarter. While it is somewhat risky by virtue of Heinicke’s inexperience, he has showed moxie and a willingness to push the ball down the field.

Availability: 94%
FAAB: $1-2

WR Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Despite leading the Patriots in yardage and scoring in Week 3, unlike the aforementioned Meyers, Bourne has less long-term utility. While there’s an argument he should be more than a one-week play, you’ll know what to do with him if Bourne cannot make hay vs. the maligned Tampa secondary. No bye weeks don’t lend to taking a flier at the deepest fantasy position, but few teams are as exploitable vs. Tampa Bay, and the Pats will be forced into a script that requires volume through the air.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $0-1

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans at New York Jets: This one is mostly based on the injury to WR A.J. Brown after a hamstring issue suffered in Week 3 kept him from returning to the game. Westbrook-Ikhine caught a team-high four passes, which led to 53 yards and a touchdown vs. Indy, hauling in each of his targets. It could get tricky, since Brown may not miss time, and WR Josh Reynolds was a healthy scratch this week after being removed from the Week 2 injury report with a foot ailment. Should Brown miss time, the second-year Westbrook-Ikhine is a sneaky Week 4 play against a Jets defense that has to contend with Julio Jones and Derrick Henry.

Availability: 100%
FAAB: $0-1

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence has at least two turnovers in each of his first three games, and that alone is enough reason to feel compelled to trust the Bengals. Cincy upgraded its pass rush in the offseason, and it has shown (tied for 4th in sacks). While the Bengals have only four takeaways in three games, it could be worse as several teams have two or fewer, and Lawrence should help pad those stats.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $0-1

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears: It’s unclear whether Andy Dalton (knee) is available this week, and it doesn’t even matter. If the mobile Justin Fields couldn’t stay upright vs. Cleveland (nine sacks), even a healthy Dalton has no chance. Presuming Fields makes his second start after injuring his hand, it’s an even better time to take a chance on the Lions. This defense made Lamar Jackson look human in Week 3, and he was dropped four times. Detroit is tied for 10th in sacks and has recorded four takeaways so far. Fields has completed a laughable 12-for-33 (36.3 percent) of his throws for 128 yards, no TDs, and a pick since Dalton exited in Week 2.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0

PK Randy Bullock, Tennessee Titans at New York Jets: Tennessee heads to New York in Week 4 to face a team that has given up consecutive games of four field goal attempts (all made). The Titans could be without WR A.J. Brown (hamstring), possibly stunting the offense. This matchup is 42 percent better than the league average.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0

PK Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears: A general rule of thumb is to avoid recommending a kicker visiting a city known for its wind, but it’s early enough in the season where it shouldn’t be a factor. Check the weather as the game approaches to be safe. Kicker Ryan Santoso filled in for Austin Seibert (COVID) in Week 3, so if Seibert returns, then he’s an adequate play instead. It’s more about the matchup than the kicker himself. The Bears have given up seven kicks (all made) from three-point land in 2021, and two of those contests resulted in double-digit fantasy points being scored.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0

Grab & stash

WR DeSean Jackson, Los Angeles Rams: The issue with a 34-year-old D-Jax isn’t the inevitable injury (it’s just a matter of time), but rather the erratic nature of his role in an offense absolutely loaded with talent. As evidenced by his 75-yard touchdown grab in Week 3, and pretty much all of Jackson’s career, he can pop off for a monster play at any moment. But in this scenario, he’s basically the team’s WR4 and will require either a broken play or a designed throw. The latter is more likely, and he has several fantastic matchups ahead for adventurous gamers to test the waters: ARI, @SEA, @NYG, vs. DET, @HOU, vs. TEN, and @SF before a Week 11 bye. He won’t produce in all of those games, but Jackson belongs on rosters as byes approach.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $1-2

TE Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills: Given the weapons around him, Knox is more likely to be that two-catch, one-TD guy from Week 2 than the 4-49-1 dude from Week 3 who was five targets. However, he has at least four grabs and 41 yards in two of his first three games this season, which makes him worth entertaining in either cavernous leagues or as a spot-play reserve. Generally, I’m not a fan of rostering two TEs, but by weeks are approaching, and the position is extremely volatile.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $1-2

Keep your eye on ’em

WR Collin Johnson, New York Giants: Pending updates on WRs Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton — both suffered hamstring injuries — Johnson could be worth an add. Rookie first-round WR Kadarius Toney is behind the curve after missing just about the entire offseason program. Johnson has flashed prior to this season, and at 6-foot-6, the former Jaguar has serious potential in the red zone. The Week 4 opponent (New Orleans) doesn’t leave us feeling comfortable promoting Johnson as a viable play, but a Week 5 visit to Dallas will have him in the conversation should the injured duo still be out.

Availability: 100%

TE Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers: The trading of TE Dan Arnold to Jacksonville gives the rookie a chance to see more action. He’s a hybrid and can be utilized in more ways than Arnold. The position has little consistent use in this offense, so the hope here would be Tremble helps fill the loss of McCaffrey as a pass-catching outlet in short area.

Availability: 100%

Deep diving for running backs

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers (FB with an adoring coach)
Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns (Electric but limited role)
Alec Ingold, Las Vegas Raiders (FB with a role)
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (James Robinson insurance)
Larry Rountree, Los Angeles Chargers (Austin Ekeler insurance)
Royce Freeman, Carolina Panthers (CMC injury)
J.J. Taylor, New England Patriots (James White injury)
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (maybe gets traded?)

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 3 free-agent forecast

Target these free agents entering the third week of NFL action.

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.

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) RB Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams: The oft-dinged Darrell Henderson left Week 2 with a rib issue, and Michel stepped in after joining the team just a few short weeks ago. Michel will be owned in most competitive leagues, so this one is geared toward those in smaller or casual designs. It’s unclear how much, if any, time Henderson will miss, which makes knowing what to spend on Michel is difficult. He should be universally added, and even if Henderson returns for Week 3, Michel (10-46-0) figures to have a larger role going forward. If nothing else, his injury has to be a reminder to the coaching staff of Henderson’s fragility. Michel is prioritized here mainly due to positional scarcity. He’s not as important of an add if Henderson escaped a time-costing injury, an the price will be updated in that scenario.

Availability: 35%
FAAB: $26-28

2) WR Henry Ruggs, Las Vegas Raiders: Seven targets resulted in five grabs for 113 yards and a long touchdown … encouraging involvement. He’s absolutely worth rostering in all redraft formats, yet there’s a factor of one-dimensional fantasy results at risk. The Raiders are playing aggressively and won’t be afraid to take downfield shots. Even though he saw seven looks, there is a concern Ruggs is too dependent on the big play to consistently matter in fantasy lineups. That is, until he proves otherwise. I suspect the coaching staff will work on ways to keep him involved now that we’ve seen flashes of why he was such a high pick.

Availability: 66%
FAAB: $12-13

3) WR Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals: His NFL debut produced a respectable 4-68-0 line on six looks, and Moore decided to kick it up a notch vs. Minnesota. The rookie secured all but one of his eight targets, going for 114 yards and a score. DeAndre Hopkins’ mere presence alone makes the slippery Moore a reasonable bet for a huge play vs. isolated coverage. Moore gained steam in the late stages of the fantasy draft season, so there’s a strong chance he won’t be on your wire. Be careful when deploying him as Moore and Christian Kirk seem destined to cancel out one another many weeks.

Availability: 48%
FAAB: $9-10

4) QB Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders: Consecutive games with absurd yardage figures — 435 and 382, respectively — Carr has vaulted from being a matchup play to a strong contender for weekly utility. He has a minor ankle injury after Week 2 but is expected to play in Week 3. Despite playing better up front, Las Vegas’ defense is still a liability, and the running game will remain in doubt as long as Josh Jacobs (toe, ankle) isn’t 100 percent. Carr has proven to be among the more judicious quarterbacks, which helps in leagues that heavily penalize for turnovers.

Availability: 74%
FAAB: $7-8

UPDATED — 5) WR Quintez Cephus, Detroit Lions: I was going to include him in the first release but felt it was premature since he didn’t play his Week 2 game until Monday night. Injuries at the position have given Cephus considerable playing time, and he has held up his end of the deal. The Lions also have a great short-term schedule for promoting offensive passing attempts, a product of the Lions fielding a declawed defense. The opportunity to becomes Detroit’s WR1 is well within Cephus’ grasp.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $6-7

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6) RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons: The journeyman has a fairly interesting opportunity in an offense struggling to create an identity. The entire Arthur Smith system is predicated on a functional rushing attack, and they just haven’t seen it yet from Mike Davis through two games. He has lost seven carries in each of those contests to Patterson, who is eligible at WR and RB in some leagues. Patterson had much different results in those appearances, but the chance to touch the football 10-12 times a game makes him relevant in most formats, especially as bye weeks lurk. The offense hasn’t pushed the ball down the field, so until this changes, Patterson has flex value in PPR over the next three weeks (NYG, WAS, NYJ).

Availability: 86%
FAAB: $3-4

7) WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns: Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) has missed the first two contests after tearing an ACL last year, and it’s uncertain as to when exactly he will make his return. Quarterback Baker Mayfield — who injured his non-throwing shoulder in Week 2 but should be fine after returning — lost his BFF in Jarvis Landry to a suspected MCL sprain. He’ll have an MRI to confirm the injury, one that typically ranges from 2-6 weeks, depending on its grade and treatment. Peoples-Jones should share reps with Rashard Higgins — even if OBJ returns in Week 3. There’s a small amount of concern DPJ’s fumble put him in the doghouse so badly injuries can’t let him off the leash, because the Week 2 turnover was his only targeted play. Presuming necessity forces Cleveland’s hand, Peoples-Jones’ combination of size (6-foot-2, 212 pounds), speed (4.48), and big mitts make for an dangerous weapon in the red zone. He had an awesome camp, so there is upside here, but he is a gamble of sorts.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $1-2

8) WR K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings: Last week in this space, Osborn was included as a player to watch after his quality Week 1 showing in garbage time. Following his 5-91-1 day on six targets, he belongs on more rosters. The Vikings are in a unique spot as a team that doesn’t use a ton of three-wide sets but also does not have anyone to speak of at tight end. The third receiver is shielded by two strong starters, and Minnesota’s weak defense will keep him in the conversation of flex options when the matchup is right. The upcoming tilt with Seattle is a fine place to begin trusting him, and Osborn has enough of a role to stick around if he sees four to six targets each week.

Availability: 67%
FAAB: $1-2

One-week plays

QB Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans: The first-year Panther has been much closer to the USC standout than the New York Jets flop through two weeks in his new system. The weaponry is there, and Carolina’s defense is just shaky enough to make Darnold threaten 300 yards each week. He has considerable utility as a rotational player, and this week is a great time to roll with him. Houston has gave up 332 yards and three TDs in Week 1 to the inexperienced Trevor Lawrence. The Cleveland matchup skewed the stats in Houston’s favor. The Texans struggle vs. running backs, which will present a decision between slowing Christian McCaffrey and challenging Darnold to beat them.

Availability: 85%
FAAB: $1-2

WR Braxton Berrios, New York Jets at Denver Broncos: The former New England Patriot racked up 73 yards on seven grabs in Week 2 vs. his former employer. Eleven targets from Zach Wilson represented one-third of the total attempts. The Jets were without WR Jamison Crowder, which paved the way for Berrios to see meaningful work. The veteran has a groin injury and is uncertain for Denver in Week 3. Berrios is a fine play vs. the Broncos as they’ll look to take away Corey Davis as the Pats did Sunday. Three could be multi-week staying power here if Crowder misses more than this week. Berrios is far from becoming a household name, though he has produced nearly each time he has garnered an opportunity.

Availability: 85%
FAAB: $0-1

WR James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: This one really comes down to what we learn about Diontae Johnson’s knee injury … if it turns out to be nothing, Washington has zero utility. Currently, he’s day-to-day. If given a chance, though, the veteran is a decent flier vs. Cincy for a touchdown. There’s no need to spend actual FAAB on him. Consider Washington for a one-week rental, if you miss on one of the more prominent free-agent targets at the position.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $0-1

Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence has been a turnover buffet through two career starts, and the Cardinals will put his offense in a pass-happy mode. This may not be a great matchup for those in more nuanced scoring formats — penalty points for yardage and points allowed, for example — but the Cardinals present enough big-play upside to warrant another start after a stinker vs. Minnesota.

Availability: 48%
FAAB: $0-1

Carolina Panthers defense at Houston Texans: The Texans appear to be starting rookie Davis Mills this upcoming Thursday after Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) suffered an injury that is expected to keep him out at least for this short week ahead. Mills could be without two of the team’s top three wideouts. Carolina’s pass rush is strong enough to put the rookie into precarious situations.

Availability: 82%
FAAB: $0-1

PK Austin Seibert, Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens: This one is mostly about a battle between offensive weaknesses and defensive strengths and vice versa. The Ravens have suffered a few key injuries that have really impacted the depth and flexibility of this unit. Even the talent-starved Lions should be able to move the ball effectively enough to make Seibert a consideration for owners who play the matchups. Baltimore gave up a pair of field goal attempts and three extra points in the first week.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $0

PK Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers: The matchup is primed for McPherson to see several field goal attempts, especially if the Steelers don’t get healthy fast enough. In the first two games of the year, Pittsburgh has allowed 3-for-3 and 4-for-4 from three-point land. McPherson is good for at least two attempts and an extra point or two.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $0

Grab & stash

UPDATED — QB Justin Fields, Chicago Bears: This recommendation also is geared toward owners in shallow or relaxed leagues. Andy Dalton’s knee injury (bone bruise) has him week-to-week, but even if it is a game or two, does anyone really expect Fields will relinquish the job? Media reports say Dalton won’t lose it due to injury, but we have heard that before. Fields is a first-rounder in an offense going nowhere under Dalton, and this coaching-GM combo is fighting for the survival beyond 2021. Be skeptical about coach-speak.

Availability: 49%
FAAB: $3-4

NEW — QB Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team: After reconsideration, Heinicke gets a lukewarm endorsement as a Week 3 addition. Yes, he had a strong game against the New York Giants in Week 2, and he does have ample weaponry to excel. However, the upcoming schedule is far from appealing (BUF, ATL, NO, KC, GB, DEN) before a Week 9 bye that precedes a much softer second half of the season. Between now and Week 8, Heinicke could be tested to throw to keep Washington in games against high-powered offenses, but the defensive matchups prevent him from being a must-play option. Aside from possible deployment vs. Atlanta and the Chiefs, Heinicke is a far better stash for owners whose starter isn’t on bye before Week 10.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $3-4

RB Peyton Barber, Las Vegas Raiders: The results weren’t pretty against a tough but injury-impacted Pittsburgh defense in Week 2. The point here is if Josh Jacobs (toe/ankle) misses time over the next few weeks, Barber’s volume alone makes him worthy of a roster spot. He faces decent matchups in Miami, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Chicago Bears over the next three weeks. While that’s not to say you necessarily should play him, it’s a suggestion that he could be used in a pinch.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $3-4

Keep your eye on ’em

UPDATED — San Francisco 49ers running backs: The top three backs were injured in Week 2. Rookie Trey Sermon (concussion) will need to clear the league’s protocol. JaMycal Hasty (ankle) didn’t return, and Monday updates say he will miss several weeks. The preliminary belief is RB Elijah Mitchell’s shoulder issue is just a stinger, because he returned to the game after a short exit. Week 3 brings Sunday Night Football into the picture to complicate things Sermon is a game-time decision. Trenton Cannon is the only remaining running back on the active roster. As long as Mitchell is available to start, Cannon is merely a flier for a vultured TD.

Availability: 100%

UPDATED — WR Cedrick Wilson, Dallas Cowboys: Veteran wideout Amari Cooper (rib) was left on the field writhing in pain after a catch late in the fourth quarter. An update revealed the issue is bruised ribs, which is a pain-management situation. If Cooper misses time, fantasy owners should turn to Wilson as WR Michael Gallup will sit a few more weeks while on IR.

Availability: 99%

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 2 free-agent forecast

Which players are the hottest waiver wire adds after Week 1?

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.

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Priority free agents

1) RB Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers: After rookie Trey Sermon was inactive and starter Raheem Mostert left early with a knee injury, Mitchell’s debut couldn’t have gone much better. He rushed 19 times for 104 yards, including a 38-yard score. While pass pro was a liability, as can be expected, he is a must-own in an offense that lives for pounding the rock. Keep tabs on Mostert’s situation as the news develops, because it will dictate Mitchell’s long-term utility. That said, the oft-injured veteran could find himself losing serious touches anyway. Mitchell will be tough to bid on … it’s early, so people will not be afraid to drop huge numbers on him, even in the face of uncertainty over just how long he will be relevant. Also, will we see Sermon get heavily involved now? The situation is fluid, and hopefully we know more before waivers process.

Availability: 93%
FAAB: $20-22

2) WR Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts: A pair of touchdowns grab one’s attention, although Pascal’s role should be just as important. He’s the No. 2 receiver with T.Y. Hilton (neck) out indefinitely. Michael Pittman Jr. may not be ready for the top cornerbacks this league will throw at him, and Pascal stands to benefit from it. There will be clunkers along the way, so be optimistically guarded when rostering him. He led all actual wideouts on the team with five targets (4-43-2).

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $8-9

3) WR Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals: Basically a forgotten man in fantasy drafts, Kirk proved he doesn’t yet have a fork protruding from his back. The free-agent addition of WR A.J. Green (6 targets) proved fruitless one week into the experiment, and it was the fourth-year Kirk who thrived in the opener (5-70-2, 5 targets). It won’t be like that every week, and Kirk comes with durability concerns over the long haul, but gamers should play him with tasty matchups ahead vs. Minnesota (Week 2), Jacksonville (Week 3), and San Francisco (Week 5). Someone in your league may overspend.

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $7-8

4) QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: Looking poised and in command of the offense, the former Tampa Bay starter was efficient in his dismantling of the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Winston toss five touchdowns and missed only six throws on his 20 attempts. Given such low volume, it’s tough to discern his favorite target at this point. It seemed as though Marquez Callaway was on track to be that guy, but a date with Packers CB Jaire Alexander forced Winston to target him just twice (1-14-0). The turnover-prone quarterback leaned on tight end Adam Trautman (6 targets) and Alvin Kamara (4). Touchdown grabs from the likes of WR Chris Hogan, TE Juwan Johnson and WR Deonte Harris highlight Sean Payton’s ability to get blood out of a rock. Winston is a matchup play for now (tough schedule) but belongs on all rosters.

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $6-7

5) WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants: It is kind of surprising Shepard isn’t more universally owned after having a strong camp. We’ll blame it on the Daniel Jones effect. It didn’t detract from the veteran receiver in Week 1 as he saw a game-high nine targets, generating 113 yards and a score on seven grabs. Working in Shepard’s favor: He is a proven producer playing for a team with major question marks around him in the passing game. For as lame as it may sound, this is all about a good opportunity on a bad team.

Availability: 61%
FAAB: $4-5

6) WR Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles: An unmemorable rookie season can be put behind him after a 6-49-1 line to open 2021. The Eagles still have some question marks on defense, which will create added passing opportunities. More importantly, quarterback Jalen Hurts fits the new offense and creates plays. The upcoming two weeks feature matchups with San Francisco — a defense in big trouble on the back end — and Dallas in Week 3.

Availability: 65%
FAAB: $4-5

7) RB Mark Ingram, Houston Texans: Simply put, any running back with this pedigree and rushing 26 times to dominate his backfield’s touch split belongs on a roster. Ingram struggled (3.3 YPC) his way to 85 yards and a touchdown behind a shoddy offensive line and vs. a feeble defense, so don’t get overly excited. The workload says more about Phillip Lindsay (9 utilizations) and David Johnson (7 utilizations) than it may about Ingram.

Availability: 80%
FAAB: $10-12

8) RB Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars: Last year’s rookie darling, James Robinson’s relationship with the new regime has to be in doubt. They tried to replace him with first-rounder Travis Etienne, whose season ended with an injury before it began. When it seemed like Robinson was ready to pick up where he left off in Week 1 with a strong matchup, he carried the ball only five times and added just three catches in a game lost nearly from the onset. Hyde, a former Ohio State back under Jags head coach Urban Meyer, paced the backfield with nine carries and 11 touches. While we don’t see this as a full role swap, alarm bells should be a ringing.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $5-6

9) Arizona Cardinals defense: A trio of takeaways and six sacks vs. Tennessee, highlighted by five belong all to Chandler Jones … yikes. In the next two weeks, Arizona faces Minnesota and Jacksonville — both teams with offensive line questions. While there is definitely reason to be skeptical about the cornerbacks on this defense, a fierce pass rush hides plenty of deficiencies.

Availability: 94%
FAAB: $1-2

10) WR Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots: He was utilized properly, something the Las Vegas Raiders understood last year that Philadelphia didn’t seem to ever truly figure out. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones looks like the real deal in the smallest of sample sizes, and Agholor’s seven targets checked in second among Patriots wide receivers. Look at the veteran receiver for roster depth.

Availability: 67%
FAAB: $3-4

One-week plays

QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers: Poor defenses give up points, and giving up points leads to come-from-behind football … #No$#*!Sherlock. There aren’t too many times with a full set of slate in which Goff is an advisable play, but after we saw a blueprint from New Orleans as to how a team should attack, be sure former Saints assistant and current Lions head coach Dan Campbell took notice. An angry Green Bay offense should create plenty of garbage time, if nothing else.

Availability: 100%
FAAB: $0-1

Seattle Seahawks defense vs. Tennessee Titans: Can we expect Tennessee to give up six sacks and turn it over three times again? Of course not, but that doesn’t mean this offensive line — specifically a rusty Taylor Lewan — will get all of its ills cured early on. Seattle recorded three sacks and a takeaway vs. a talented but banged-up Colts line in Week 1. There could be hope here after the ‘Hawks played relatively well in the secondary.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $0-1

New York Giants defense at Washington Football Team: No Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) leaves Taylor Heinicke as the starter after he replaced the 38-year-old in Week 1. New York had a tough defensive matchup vs. Denver in the opener, facing a quarterback known for his cautious, protective ways. The Giants have a quality secondary and can focus on stopping the running game, which may lead to a low-scoring affair for those in leagues that reward such a feat. Expect a few sacks and up to two takeaways on the measured side of being optimistic.

Availability: 95%
FAAB: $0

PK Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers: A year after tying for the most fantasy points at his position, Carlson became a forgotten man among gamers. He hardly was drafted and has the duties of booting for an offense that should be only marginally better at finding the end zone. Pittsburgh allowed three field goal attempts (all made) and a PAT vs. Buffalo in the opener.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $0

Grab & stash

WR Trent Sherfield, San Francisco 49ers: Playing in 49 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 1, Sherfield found the end zone and wound up posting a normally forgettable two catches for 23 yards on three looks. The importance here is two-fold: Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t targeted at all in this game, and his head coach didn’t seem too excited to get the second-year wideout onto the field. Aiyuk played 47 percent of the snaps as Deebo Samuel took over the game. The playing time situation certainly could be a blip — or even the product of something internally the public isn’t privy to just yet — so just be aware this situation may morph in the coming days and weeks.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $3-4

RB JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers: Fantasy owners 0, Kyle Shanahan 2. Mostert’s injury paves the way for one of the reserve backs to see a few touches each week. Hasty (1-3-1 rushing, 1-15-0 receiving) was the next man up with Sermon inactive in Week 1. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said in the most vague of coach speak that Sermon simply wasn’t even the team’s third-best running back entering Week 1, contrary to media reports all summer. With that in mind, Hasty may be the better pickup of the two, but neither player is likely to see huge volume spelling a productive Mitchell, and especially not if Mostert comes back soon. This is a fluid situation, so stay light on your fantasy feet here.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $2-3

RB Keith Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles: The rookie saw 12 plays come his way, producing 43 total yards (2-6-0 receiving) and a rushing touchdown. The backfield runs through Miles Sanders, and the matchup was vs. a cake defense, so don’t get too carried away with expectations. Gainwell is depth and injury insurance with the occasional matchup utility.

Availability: 92%
FAAB: $2-3

TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints: Two touchdowns is bound to get him noticed, but there’s that whole three targets thing, which is difficult to ignore. Johnson, a second-year player and former collegiate wide receiver, wasn’t even the most utilized player at his position on this team, so be cautious when looking to invest. Someone will buy in, however, meaning you’ll likely have to spend more than he is worth to get him. It’s not all skepticism, since he and Jameis Winston had time to build chemistry when TE Adam Trautman was out with an injury late in the summer. If you’re desperate for a possible spark after one game or just want to stash him, Johnson is worthy of a few bucks.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $3-4

WR Quintez Cephus, Detroit Lions: Garbage time will be a regular theme in the 2021 Detroit season. Cephus flashed a few times in 2020 as a rookie, and then there’s that whole seven targets in Week 1 thing worth noting. He caught only three balls for just 12 yards, salvaging a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

RB Larry Rountree, Los Angeles Chargers: This clearly is Austin Ekeler’s backfield as he out-touched the rookie nearly 2-to-1, but Rountree’s eight handles are worthy of attention. Given Ekeler’s durability concerns, add his primary backup for insurance.

Availability: 44%
FAAB: $1-2

Keep your eye on ’em

WR K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings: Nine targets for a 7-76-0 line shouldn’t be totally written off. Yes, Minnesota was trying to play comeback football, but that might be the case most weeks vs. a competent offense with the way Minny’s defense is playing. As the WR3 on a team without a viable tight end, Osborn could have an erratic but productive role with the right matchup.

Availability: 100%

TE Pharaoh Brown: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is known for his management skills and part of that is taking the easy plays. Brown saw five targets, converting four for 67 yards. Keep tabs on what’s next for this tandem.

Availability: 100%

Fantasy football free-agent forecast: Week 1

Which players should you check for on the waiver wire before the season starts?

Be sure to check the fantasy football waiver wire for the following players, provided your league’s settings permit acquisitions before Week 1. Depending on how early your league drafted, its bench depth, and a few other factors, the availability of these players is bound to vary.

5 fantasy football waiver wire picks before Week 1

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

1) RB Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars: Depending upon when you drafted, Travis Etienne may have still been a factor in this backfield. With the rookie on the shelf for the year, Hyde, a former Urban Meyer rusher at Ohio State, gets thrown into the mix. While James Robinson will be the primary back, expect to see plenty of Hyde. He warrants a roster spot, even if Robinson isn’t on your team. Quality depth is hard to find at the running back position. Nab him while he remains a bargain.

Available: 56 percent
FAAB: <$8

2) WR Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills: Davis has a secure role on the team as a deep threat and also would be thrust into the WR1 role if Stefon Diggs were to miss time. The second-year receiver was Josh Allen’s favorite weapon in the last preseason game, connecting on all five targets, including a 31-yard score. The duo showed they picked up right where things left off in 2020.

Available: 37 percent
FAAB: $2-4

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3) RB Tony Jones, New Orleans Saints: Reports out of NOLA suggest Jones is right on Latavius Murray’s heels for the top backup job to Alvin Kamara. Considering Murray is 30, and Kamara has never rushed for even 200 carries in a season, the No. 2 gig has plenty to offer for fantasy purposes. Jones is more of a grab-n-stash guy at the moment.

Available: 68 percent
FAAB: $1-2

4) QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: Sticking in The Big Easy, some leagues drafted before Jameis officially was named the starter. The availability percentage is low, but it’s worth taking a gander in case your league picked early in August or even before. He may start slowly without Michael Thomas, but as long as the turnovers are kept in check, Winston will get his chance to shine as the year unfolds.

Available: 23 percent
FAAB: $1-2

5) WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans: On any other roster, with any other quarterback, Collins probably would be a WR3 or no worse than a fourth. Fantasy gamers have been scared away from the Deshaun Watson situation, and rightfully so, since Tyrod Taylor is left as the de facto starter if Watson is indeed no longer starting for Houston. Collins brings 6-foot-4 size, adequate speed, and a presence in the red zone this team desperately needs.

Available: 65 percent
FAAB: $0-1

Next week, our typical format will return full of player recommendations of all types. Best of luck in Week 1, and hopefully your players stay healthy!

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 17

Fantasy Market Report will focus on the players whose stock will be the most improved heading into 2021 – good and bad – and how their draft stock will change from this year to next year.

There are times when you notice a seismic shift in the NFL happening before your eyes and it’s obvious when you notice it. A decade ago we noticed the decline of the running back as the NFL started taking on the successful components of the college passing game and transformed itself almost overnight.

That transition remains. Through 15 games of the season, only five running backs have rushed for 1,000 or more yards, while 14 players have more than 1,000 receiving yards. The balance of power in fantasy football remains with running backs, but primarily because they’ve become a scarce commodity, not the big scorers of fantasy football. When you have a true featured back, his value skyrockets because of the rarity of those breeds.

What 2020 has taught us is that there is a youth movement shift at the quarterback position that is pronounced, as the runner/passer has become the new big thing. Until three years ago, Cam Newton was the trailblazer who cut against the grain, providing more fantasy value with his legs than him arm. Patrick Mahomes may have defined the switch, but he is not alone. Lamar Jackson followed suit and you have similar skill sets in younger players like Kyler Murray, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts – all of whom came into their own in 2020 as the future of the position for their respective organizations.

When you throw in other young emerging quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and the anticipated arrival of Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, the transformation is more than simply beginning. It’s here and there’s no reason to think it will let up any time soon.

For Week 17, our Fantasy Market Report will focus on the players whose stock will be the most improved heading into 2021 – good and bad – and how their draft stock will change from this year to next year.

Fantasy Football Risers

Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills

Viewed as little more than a WR2 at best in most leagues, Diggs’ talent was never in question, but he was seen as a malcontent who forced the hand of the Vikings to trade him. All he has done in Buffalo is lead the league in receptions (120), catch six or more passes in 14 of 15 games and post seven 100-yard games, including each of the last three when Buffalo needed them most. The only question heading into next year is how high will he go?

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

I remember shaking my head at fantasy rankings last summer that had Rodgers ranked below guys like Daniel Jones. Sure, he was coming off a sub-par 2019 season and the Packers front office did nothing to help him out (other than drafting his eventual replacement), but, in the second year of the new offensive system, Rodgers is having the best season of his illustrious career. He has thrown for 4,000 yards with 44 touchdowns and three rushing TDs. He has accounted for two or more touchdowns in 14 of 15 games, with three or more in 12 of those. The question heading in 2021 is how much carryover will there be because reigning MVPs rarely go unnoticed the following year.

Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings

When Minnesota traded Diggs, Jefferson was viewed as merely his replacement. He didn’t go in the initial flurry of receivers that saw Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Reagor come off the board. He was viewed as a consolation prize. But, nobody is looking at it that way now. After playing limited snaps in his first two games, over the last 13 Jefferson has posted eight games with 85 or more receiving yards and has scored seven touchdowns. In the process, he broke the organization’s rookie record for receptions and yards, which is saying something considering those records were previously held by Randy Moss. In what was regarded as the deepest wide receiver draft in league history, Jefferson has emerged as the biggest star of them all.

Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers

People have been predicting that Brady would hit the age wall for three or four years now and all his does is keep defying the odds. In 15 games as a Buccaneer, he has thrown for 275 or more yards eight times and has two or more TD passes in 11 of them, including each of the last six. He’s not going to give you a lot on the ground, although he scored three rushing touchdowns, but he is surrounded by an all-star team of receivers and won’t be viewed as a QB2 next season despite turning 44 in 2021.

James Robinson, RB, Jaguars

In a year when 1,000 yard rushers have been hard to come by, Robinson has hit that mark in 13 games, despite topping 100 yards just three times. He has been steady, scoring 10 touchdowns along the way. When the team abruptly cut Leonard Fournette, Robinson wasn’t viewed as the top candidate to replace him initially and was plucked off the waiver wire by most owners who ended up with him. Don’t expect that to happen again this year, because he has proved capable of being a three-down back and Trevor Lawrence is going to need him to take the heat off him in his rookie season.

Fantasy Football Fallers

Cam Newton, QB, Patriots

An abject failure in New England, Newton’s 12 rushing touchdowns couldn’t make up for the fact that he played in 14 games and had just five TD passes – a total some quarterbacks have posted in a single game. In his last 10 games, he has fewer than 125 passing yards in six of them and never seemed to catch on the Bill Belichick’s offensive scheme. This may be the end of the line for Newton because any coach or G.M. who looks at his game film can only be sickened by what he sees.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys

In the five games he played with Dak Prescott, it was the Zeke was have come to remember. He rushed for five touchdowns, was catching passes and looking like a first-round fantasy draft pick. In the nine games he has played without Prescott, he has no rushing touchdowns, has topped 100 yards just twice and rushed for 63 or fewer yards in six of those games. Injuries played a role in his lack of production, but he was on the field almost every week and was a disappointment in almost every game for those who were counting on him as their crown jewel of their fantasy roster.

Michael Thomas, WR, Saints

Injuries happen and Thomas went down in Week 1, crippling those fantasy teams that made him the first receiver to come off the board. But, it was what he didn’t do when he was in fantasy lineups that was so troubling. In the seven games he played, he didn’t score a touchdown and 50 or fewer receiving yards in four of the five games he played with Drew Brees at QB. He was the No. 1 guy on most boards last year. It’s safe to say he won’t be in 2021.

Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles

Wentz was viewed as being prepared for a breakout season with the Eagles. Instead, he became a turnover machine who never had more than two touchdown passes in any game, threw for less than 250 yards in nine of the 11 games he started before being benched and had almost as many interceptions (15) as touchdown passes (16). Saddled with a huge contract and the Eagles seemingly willing to move on with Jalen Hurts, Wentz seems like a man without a team heading into 2021 and his future is more cloudy than sunny.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams

It’s hard to put a guy with so many receptions on this list, but, in many rankings, Kupp was ranked ahead of guys like DK Metcalf and Stefon Diggs and produced next to nothing in terms of the big breakout games he was known for earlier in his career. He had just one touchdown in his last 11 games and was held to 70 or fewer receiving yards in nine of his last 12 games. For a receiver with such potent ability, he became a roster liability and may never be taken in front of guys like Metcalf or Diggs again.

Fantasy football free-agent forecast: Week 17

The best one-week plays for the regular-season finale.

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team leagues, unless specifically stated otherwise. FAAB $ amounts have been removed for this week. Spend whatever you have left, since it’s highly improbable you’ll be starting more than one of these players anyway.

Bye weeks: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Running backs

1-Week Plug & Play

AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

The bruising rookie put on a show Sunday night vs. a Titans defense without an answer. The Boston College product ran 21 times for 124 yards and two scores, adding a lone catch for five yards. He’s not going to be much of a receiving weapon for you, but Dillon could continue to see a serious role in the offense with Jamaal Williams (quadriceps) on the mend. It’s unclear if Williams will be back for Week 17, but with the way Dillon played, there’s no rush. Cold-weather, late-season football … Dillon is built for this environment, and a banged-up Aaron Jones (toe, back) needs a sidekick. The Bears have given up four rushing scores in the past five games, including one to Williams in Week 12.

Availability: 62%

Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

In competitive leagues, Wilson should be owned already, so this one is geared to the most casual of gamers. If his two touchdowns in consecutive games leading up to Week 16 weren’t enough to convince one to add Wilson, his lines of 22-183-0, 1-21-1 in Week 16 should do the trick. He’s the sole back in an offense that will be heavily reliant on running the rock. In Week 16, he even flashed receiving skills. There’s not a lot of aerial volume to be found from him, but Wilson isn’t awful at it, either. The Seattle defense has been inconsistent vs. RBs in 2020, and in the last seven games, six rushing and three receiving scores have come against this unit. These teams last played in Week 8, and Wilson wasn’t involved. He’s a must-start this time around, however.

Availability: 38%

Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals gave the former Washington back 13 carries in Week 16, and while Giovani Bernard garnered three more, it was Perine who found the end zone twice and racked up the most yardage (95 rushing, 41 receiving). Granted, it was vs. one of the best defensive matchups possible for running backs, but Baltimore has slumped a little in this area of defense. In its last five games, four rushing touchdowns have been scored, and the position has generated five performances of at least 12.3 PPR points. Only the Giants couldn’t gain any traction, but it’s hard to score points when the entire backfield touches the ball 13 times. The best way to keep Lamar Jackson off of the field is by running the rock.

Availability: 91%

[lawrence-newsletter]

Wide receivers

1-Week Plug & Play

Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

In consecutive games, Pascal has at least 64 yards and one or more touchdowns. He has seen six targets apiece in those games. The resurgence of WR T.Y. Hilton has helped Pascal, but the fourth-year wideout has done enough on his own to merit attention for a one-week play with this strong matchup. Jacksonville somehow held Chicago receivers out of the end zone last week, but Allen Robinson still posted 20.3 PPR points. In the prior six games, wideouts have scored nine times through the air, and and nine times a WR has produced at least 15.8 PPR points in that window.

Availability: 68%

Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Admittedly, this one is a total shot in the dark. The matchup is inconsistent but has its bright spots for a flier play. A larger concern should be Chad Henne likely starting or seeing the overwhelming majority of snaps at quarterback with Patrick Mahomes’ services unneeded in this meaningless game. Hardman should see an uptick in work with Tyreek Hill also unlikely to play, and more targets are available without TE Travis Kelce, too. Hardman is not a volume guy, and his home run profile is the basis for this gamble. LA has yielded no WR touchdowns in the past two games — Las Vegas and Denver — but had given up five in the previous four. Seven different receivers posted at least 10 PPR points in that span.

Availability: 79%

Cam Sims, Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles

With all of the chips at stake, one has to imagine Riverboat Ron Rivera won’t gamble on Taylor Heinicke if Alex Smith can drop back and throw a football. All Washington needs is a win and it is playoff bound. The Eagles have been utterly atrocious vs. WRs in 2020, and the position has racked up five performances of at least 121 yards in the last six outings. Oddly, three of those efforts were exactly 121 yards on the nose. Nine touchdowns later against Philly, and Sims has a favorable opponent for utilizing his 6-foot-5 frame. He has seen eight or more targets in three of the last four games, including 17 in the past two games, and the third-year pro has the potential for a breakout game when Washington needs it most, especially if WR Terry McLaurin (ankle) cannot play once again, which is looking like the case.

Availability: 84%

Tight ends

1-Week Plug & Play

Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

While only two of the nine total touchdowns by tight ends against the Lions have come in the last six weeks, both were had by Rob Gronkowski last week. And of those nine mentioned scores, we’re talking a clip of one TD every 6.2 receptions by the position — in other words, few teams are weaker than Detroit when it comes to holding the position position out of the end zone. Smith has three scores spread over Weeks 14 and 16, going for a modest 3-37-0 line in Week 15. TE Kyle Rudolph (foot) has missed a few games in a row, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready, but Smith scored vs. Tampa with him available in Week 14.

Availability: 51%

1-Week Plug & Play

Nick Keizer, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers

This one is going on out the thinnest of limbs, but there’s a shot here for a desperation touchdown. KC is poised to sit anyone of consequence, which means Travis Kelce won’t play much, if at all. That leaves Keizer and his whole six receptions to face the Chargers’ weak defense of the position while catching passes from Chad Henne. Sounds tempting, huh? Five players have at least 11.2 PPR points in the last nine games. Still not there? LA has given up 10 scores on the year to TEs, and six of them have come in the past nine outings. How about now? A touchdown every 6.8 catches by tight ends rates among the highest frequencies of scores surrendered in 2020. That should help convince most anyone.

Availability: 100%

Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

It’s remarkable Zuerlein is available as widely as he is with his success of late, posting at least 10 fantasy points in four of the last five games and three straight with 11 or more. The veteran has attempted nine field goals in the past three weeks, and he has made all but one. He also has tacked on an average of four PATs in that window. New York gave up 13 fantasy points on three field goals and four extra points in Week 5’s meeting. Only 10 teams have surrendered more field goal opportunities in 2020.

Availability: 65%

Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco (in Arizona)

Myers was good for a modest seven fantasy points in the Week 8 battle, and he has registered eight or more fantasy points in all but one game since. He hasn’t blown up for a day bigger than 11 points, though, which is likely why he remains on so many wires. The Seahawks have presented him with at least two three-point kicks in seven of the last eight appearances, and Myers has not missed a kick on the year from three-point land. Just three teams have permitted more field goal attempts than San Francisco in 2020.

Availability: 62%

Defense/specials teams

1-week plug & play

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

There’s still a chance at the postseason for both of these clubs, and something has to give … in the last three weeks, it has been the Giants. New York has allowed 15 total sacks in that time. Surprisingly, only three fumbles — all against Arizona in Week 14 — have come in that window. The Cowboys were good for two sacks, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown in the Week 5 meeting. Dallas has a takeaway in six straight games and 10 in the last three, in addition to recording seven sacks in those three most recent outings.

Availability: 87%

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Prior to Monday night, the Pats have allowed three sacks a game in the last five contests. Four turnovers and a defensive touchdown have been logged against this unit. Since these teams last played — a game in which the Jets posted zero fantasy points — the New York defense has stepped up its game. Since Week 10, New York has 17 sacks in six contests, recording six fumble recoveries and three interceptions. While neither team is giving or generating exciting stats, there’s a different feeling about the Jets in the last couple of games, and New England is stuck in neutral. This one could go either way.

Availability: 94%

2021 keeper league waiver targets

For gamers who are in full or partial keeper leagues, the following players may be available on waivers and are worthy of stashing into 2021 to see if their situations warrant retention. With so many varying setups and rules for keeper/dynasty leagues, many of these players may be too casual for more hardcore formats.

QB Drew Lock, Denver Broncos
QB Jameis Winston (UFA in 2021)
RB James White, New England Patriots (UFA in 2021)
RB Marlon Mack (UFA in 2021)
RB Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers (James Conner is a UFA in 2021)
WR Kendrick Bourne (UFA in 2021)
WR Demarcus Robinson (UFA in 2021)
WR Quintez Cephus, Detroit Lions
WR Cam Sims, Washington Football Team
TE Gerald Everett (UFA in 2021)
TE Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 16

Looking at players who have seen steady, weekly production — and others who are the exact opposite.

In most fantasy football drafts, kickers are about as disrespected as any position. Their job is based on perfection and, this season, perfection has been hard to come by. However, when it comes to scoring fantasy football points, you want someone consistent and capable of the big game as well. That’s why the Magnificent Seven of kickers has been an unsung fantasy star for the owners lucky enough to have them on the rosters. Why? Because most if not all of them were waiver pickups at some point during the season.

Through 14 weeks, seven kickers have scored 117 points or more – putting all of them on pace to score 134 or more. Who are these titans of the toe? Younghoe Koo (133), Daniel Carlson (125), Rodrigo Blankenship (125), Tyler Bass (125), Jason Sanders (122), Joey Slye (117) and Ryan Succop (117).

These are far from household names and none of them are on teams seen as favorites to win a Super Bowl. Respectively, they represent the Falcons, Raiders, Colts, Bills, Dolphins, Panthers and Buccaneers.

There are few things less predictable in fantasy football than kickers and the Magnificent Seven is a current living testament that having a kicker on a light’s out offense doesn’t translate into the value you may think it does.

Here is the Week 16 Fantasy Football Market Report:

Fantasy Football Risers

Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons

A month ago, he was on the Fallers list, but, as Julio Jones has been shelved due to injury, he has stepped up in WR1 form. Over his last four games, he has caught 29 passes for 445 yards and three touchdowns – scoring a TD or topping 100 yards in each and doing both in each of the last two. At a time when fantasy owners needed production, Atlanta’s No. 2 guy is playing like a No.1…again.

Robert Tonyan, TE, Packers

In his first four games, Tonyan caught five touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers, putting him in rare air among tight ends. After a mid-season lull that had fantasy owners thinking he was a flash in the pan, he has caught a touchdown pass in each of the last five games. With all the elite tight ends in the league, there are only two that have 10 touchdown catches – Travis Kelce and Tonyan, who are tied for the league lead.

Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns

He went three straight weeks in November without a TD pass and 458 passing yards and people started murmuring that, despite Cleveland having a good record, he wasn’t the guy who could take them to the next level. In his last four games – three on the road and one at home against Baltimore — he has thrown for 1,232 yards with 10 TD passes, one TD run and a passer rating of 120. He has made it hard to bench him – even in fantasy tittle games – because, if you had to play him the last month, he’s helped get you to this point by bringing the points every week.

David Montgomery, RB, Bears

On November 16, Montgomery was inactive for the Bears’ prime time home loss to the Vikings. Chicago had seemingly hit bottom after a strong start and it looked as though the season was over. But, Montgomery has returned with a vengeance rarely seen – even in a RB centric city like Chicago. Over his last four games, he has rushed for 434 yards and has scored six total touchdowns. He was brought on rosters at auctions and drafts to be a starter. He has proved more than worthy of that and has been as important to Chicago staying alive as any player on the team.

Hollywood Brown, WR, Ravens

When you’re a receiver on one of the most prolific rushing teams in the league, it’s hard to expect consistency. If defenses can’t stop Lamar and his backup singers, bad things happen. However, Brown has put together a month for the books. In his last four games, he has notched three touchdowns in three of them and had six catches for 98 yards in the one he didn’t. That’s starting material for daily or league players…and somehow he still flies under the fantasy radar.

Fantasy Football Fallers

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks

The one thing fantasy players have always known about Lockett is that, when he’s hot, he’s as hot as anybody for a three- or four-week stretch. He put a lot of fantasy owners in a good spot. But, when things run cold, they run very cold. His high water mark for yardage has been 67 and that was a month ago. In his last eight games, he has one touchdown. The problem with that is that, unlike marginal players, he was in the starting lineup every week because nobody wanted to see a repeat of his 200-yard, three-touchdown game against Arizona with him sitting on your bench. It is the price of loyalty.

Devin Singletary, RB, Bills

Singletary broke off a 51-yard touchdown run against Denver Sunday, but nobody had him in their lineup. There were some hesitance on the belief system of fantasy owners that that drafting of Zack Moss would damage Singletary’s fantasy value. Moss hasn’t torn things up, but Singletary has been a weekly disappointment. 100 yard rushing games? None. 20-carry games? None. In his last 10 games, those with more than three receptions? None. Receiving touchdowns? None. Rushing touchdowns before he was long-since benched Sunday? One. Whoever ended up with Singletary on their roster this year, only one thing is for certain – he won’t be next year.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Chiefs

In an offense as prolific as Kansas City’s one would have to search to find a turd in the punchbowl. Watkins is that guy. The de facto No. 2 wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes, he missed five games due to injury at midseason, but, when he came back there was hope that he could be a flex play star. Nope. In the four games since he missed five, he has caught 14 passes for 185 yards and no touchdowns. The best thing can be said about Watkins is that at least he didn’t hurt you when he wasn’t in your lineup when he was inactive.

Jonnu Smith, TE, Titans

When Smith came out of the gate on fire, scoring five touchdowns in the first four games. He became cemented in fantasy lineups. Since then, he has topped 32 yards receiving just once and has two receiving touchdowns. The problem with a guy who comes out hot is that the tendency is not to give up on him when things go south. That has been a problem and Jonnu has found himself almost unplayable.

Travis Fulgham, WR, Eagles

Remember when Fulgham was the greatest thing since slice bread? Neither do I. For the record, in the first five games, he played, he caught 29 passes for 435 yards and four touchdowns. In the last six games? Six catches, 62 yards and no touchdowns. A meteoric rise and a fizzled meteoric fall.