Tag: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

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

Bye weeks: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

Priority Free Agent

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

In the next two weeks, the rookie will play at Arizona and at Dallas. He acquitted himself well enough in Week 14’s starting debut, producing 21.3 fantasy points in conventional scoring. If for no other reason than his legs, Hurts is worthy of a start in leagues that allow/require two quarterbacks. He is more of a fringe consideration in traditional formats, but two strong matchups in a a row are hard to ignore if playing the rotation at quarterback has taken you this far.

Availability: 59%
FAAB: $1-2

1-week plug & Play

Nick Mullens, San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys

Nine times a quarterback has thrown multiple TD passes in a game this year vs. Dallas, and the position has averaged 10.2 percent more fantasy points than average in the last five weeks against the ‘Boys. Since Week 9, Ben Roethlisberger and Kirk Cousins each have thrown for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns on this defense, and the numbers against Dallas would be even stronger if not for matchups with Cincinnati, Washington and Philadelphia over the past six weeks. Mullens has the potential to be a borderline starter in 14-teamers or as a secondary starter in a superflex. There is, though, concern San Fran could turn away from him after his recent struggles, so keep tabs on his news throughout the week.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $1-2

Running backs

Grab & Stash

Trayveon Williams, Cincinnati Bengals

This one is geared for gamers in deeper leagues with the ability to stash for Week 16 action. Williams saw a team-high 12 carries in Week 14 after Giovani Bernard fumbled away his playing time. There’s no incentive to bring back Joe Mixon (foot) in 2020. The Bengals also utilize Samaje Perine, whose 10 carries went for only 32 yards vs. 49 from Williams’ dozen. The Pittsburgh defense is their Week 15 foe, and there’s no viability for the second-year back in that matchup. Cincinnati has a poor offensive line and awful QB play, but on the plus side, the Week 16 opponent is Houston, and no team has given up more rushing yards to the position thus far. Grabbing at straws, Williams could be a sly play in the championship round, should one be in position to seriously gamble.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $4-5

[lawrence-newsletter]

Wide receivers

1-Week Plug & Play

Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens

Injuries have shuffled around the Ravens on defense enough to help make this a neutral matchup rating over the last five weeks (entering Week 14). Baltimore has given up four touchdowns in its past three outings, and the position has been especially soft in that time. It ranks 29 percent easier to exploit than the league average, and nine receivers have at least 10 PPR points vs. the Ravens in the last four contests. Cole benefits from Gardner Minshew returning to the lineup and has utility as a WR3 or flex in PPR.

Availability: 42%
FAAB: $3-4

1-Week Plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, vs. Carolina Panthers

After three weeks of more or less abysmal results, MVS returned to the end zone and caught a season-high six passes along the way. He finished with 85 yards against Detroit and continues to benefit from the single coverage sent his way as every team scrambles to slow Davante Adams. Carolina has yielded 10 aerial scores to the position in the last five games, and three different receivers have found the end zone twice, including several from speedy guys, like Valdes-Scantling. He’s risky, no matter how one slices it, but there’s crazy-good upside to be found here.

Availability: 41%
FAAB: $3-4

Tight ends

1-Week Plug & Play

Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears

Prior to missing a few games with various injuries, Smith had flashed a few times, going over the 10-point mark in PPR scoring in three of four appearances before the Week 10 game was missed. He returned in Week 11 only to get injured for the next two weeks and then came back with a bang vs. Tampa last week. The Buccaneers gave up four catches for 63 yards and a score in what was an exploitable matchup from the jump. The Bears are the second-weakest defense in last five games when it comes to controlling tight ends, and Smith will benefit greatly if he’s given the majority of targets. Kyle Rudolph sat out last week, which helped this be the case, but we were beginning to witness a transition in Smith’s favor prior to his first ailment. Long story short, gamers searching for a cheap TD opportunity should roll with Smith if Rudolph is once again out.

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $2-3

Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Dustin Hopkins, Washington Football Team vs. Seattle Seahawks

The veteran booter has made at least two field goals in six straight contests, including six total in the last two weeks. Hopkins has at least two PATs in each of those six games as well. Over the course of 2020, only eight teams have permitted more field goal attempts than Seattle, and this matchup aligns to present Hopkins with one more fine opportunity to score double-digit fantasy points for what would be the fourth straight game.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/specials teams

1-week plug & play

Tennessee Titans vs. Detroit Lions

This inclusion requires a disclaimer that Tennessee is extremely risky. The Titans have not sacked a quarterback in consecutive games and have only four total sacks in the last five games. This unit does, however, have a takeaway in five of the last six games, in addition to a defensive and special teams touchdown in that time. The Lions have given up 14 sacks, permitted three fumble recoveries, and thrown five interceptions in the last five contests. One of the turnovers went the other direction. Quarterback Matthew Stafford exited late last week with a rib injury and gave way to Chase Daniel, so monitor that situation. Either quarterback offers a quality opponent, though.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $0-1

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

Bye weeks: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

1-week plug & Play

Mike Glennon, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

Glennon will get a third straight start in Week 14 and draws a Tennessee defense that has struggled to contain the position all year. Only four teams have been easier opponents to exploit, and six different QBs have gone for at least 23 fantasy points vs. the Titans, including a 30.9-pointer from Gardner Minshew in Week 2. Jacksonville’s veteran journeyman starter has been competent in his two starts, throwing three total touchdowns and an average of 257.5 yards per contest. This recommendation is mainly geared for two-QB settings. The matchup is right, so if you’ve made it this far with a rotation or have a shaky situation, consider Glennon is a Hail Mary.

Availability: 80%
FAAB: $1-2

Running backs

1-week plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Ty Johnson, New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks

Frank Gore left last week with a concussion after a single carry and was replaced by the combination of Johnson and Josh Adams. The latter showed he is capable (8-74-0), and could be added in a pinch, but the former Detroit Lion ran 22 times for 104 yards and scored a touchdown. Johnson also chipped in 13 receiving yards. He hasn’t been given that kind of workload before in his career, which makes him fairly risky, the second-year Maryland product has displayed versatility and now has an opportunity. Even if Gore is cleared for Week 14, what incentive does a likely outgoing coaching staff have to remain loyal to the Hall of Fame-bound back? If New York can close the season with a scrappy finish, maybe, just maybe, this isn’t the end of the road for Adam Gase’s future as an NFL head coach. Added incentive: Wayne Gallman and Alfred Morris demonstrated what a little smash-mouth football can do to Seattle’s defense last weekend.

Availability: 92%
FAAB: $8-10

[lawrence-newsletter]

Wide receivers

1-Week Plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Indianapolis Colts

Last week, Houston’s Keke Coutee — a similar receiver as Renfrow — put on a strong showing with 141 yards on eight receptions without finding the end zone. There is optimism for a similar outing from Renfrow this week. He has seen 15 targets in the last two weeks as a result of Las Vegas struggling to contain anyone on defense. When KC stormed back for a win in Week 11, Renfrow wasn’t involved much, but as the team plays from behind, Derek Carr relies on the second-year checkdown to get out of trouble. Volume is what gives him a chance to matter against Indy, and the Colts likely will be content allowing Renfrow to catch a half-dozen balls underneath if it means Henry Ruggs and/or Nelson Agholor don’t uncork one.

Availability: 46%
FAAB: $2-3

Grab & Stash

Keke Coutee, Houston Texans

No Will Fuller puts Coutee in a great situation for showing what he can do over the final month of the season. This is a lukewarm recommendation, mostly because he has struggled with injuries and to live up to expectations when given a chance in the past. Coutee answered the bell in Week 13’s slugfest with Indianapolis, logging eight receptions for 141 yards on nine looks. The Texans face a stingy Chicago pass defense in Week 14, and it wouldn’t be wise to play Coutee as anything more than a PPR flex out of desperation. Beyond that game, he will see Indy again in Week 15 and then close out against a beatable Cincinnati Bengals unit.

Availability: 51%
FAAB: $3-4

Tight ends

1-Week Plug & Play

Anthony Firkser, Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

With Jonnu Smith (knee) out of commission in Week 13, Firkser landed five of seven looks for 51 yards — a respectable line that would have been much nicer if TE MyCole Pruitt didn’t steal a touchdown from him. The position is a staple in this offense, and strong play on the outside has left plenty of isolated coverage to be exploited in the middle of the field. The Jaguars have yielded nine scores to tight ends in 12 games, but the more impressive aspect is those TDs have come at a clip of once every 5.1 receptions. For that alone, Firkser is a must-play option off of the wire in Week 14 if Smith is indeed out again.

Availability: 71%
FAAB: $3-4

Grab & Stash

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

The rookie is the future at the position, and while it is unclear if head coach Matt Nagy will get a shot at sticking around in 2021, it would behoove the team to find out what they have in Kmet sooner than later. The play from veteran Jimmy Graham has been admirable, but he’s on his last legs, and we may have seen a changing of the guard in Week 13. Kmet was targeted a career-high seven times, landing a personal-best five receptions for 37 yards and his second NFL touchdown. The Houston defense has been strong at liming scores in 2020, although this group ranks in the middle of the pack for yardage and receptions allowed. The wise move is to roster Kmet and see what his involvement looks like before trusting him in the lineup. Upcoming meetings with Minnesota and Jacksonville could prove worthwhile.

Availability: 72%
FAAB: $1-2

Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas has yet to play its Week 13 game as of this writing, although the only way Zuerlein won’t remain in this spot is if he gets hurt. The matchup is too favorable for a player who has kicked well enough in the last month or so. In his last four games, the former Ram has made 11 of 12 field goals, attempting at least a trio in three-fourths of the appearances. He has only one game with more than a single extra point in that time, which bodes well for two teams that are similarly matchup in their deficiencies. The Bengals have permitted the second-most three-point tries in 2020, and just two teams have granted more fantasy points per game in typical scoring.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/specials teams

1-week plug & play

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Green Bay’s defense has more or less lived in this spot the last few weeks, and now we’re looking at another prime opportunity. Available in slightly less than half of the leagues polled, the Packers have been on a defensive tear of late, registering 10 sacks, four takeaways and a defensive score in the last two weeks. This group has a least one takeaway in five straight contests and is finding its groove. The Lions looked more lively in Week 13 under interim head coach Darrell Bevell, yet Matthew Stafford continued to make ill-advised throws and tossed his fifth interception in six games. Detroit has allowed three sacks a game in the last month.

Availability: 56%
FAAB: $1-2

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

Bye weeks: Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

Priority Free Agent

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins

It is unclear just how long the Dolphins will be without QB Tua Tagovailoa (thumb), so this recommendation could be short-lived in nature. The Dolphins have a fairly good fantasy schedule ahead with three consecutive home games against Cincinnati, Kansas City and New England before a trip to Las Vegas. Fitz was dealing before Tua was inserted into the lineup, and the veteran posted a competent 257-2-0 line in Week 12 with the injured rookie looking on.

Availability: 53%
FAAB: $7-8

Running backs

1-week plug & play

Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

This recommendation probably is among the riskier of the week’s possible options, since Wilkins has struggled to matter in any sense for fantasy gamers since his breakout performance more than a month ago. Running back Jonathan Taylor had awakened from a midseason slumber only to wind up catching COVID-19, and the trend has been players miss two games. In that case, Wilkins has a Week 13 date with a defense that has yielded 14 rushing touchdowns on the year, including two last week to Adrian Peterson. The position has averaged more than 142 ground yards a game in 2020 vs. Houston. There are some fears, though, after Indy suffered two key injuries along the line, and Nyheim Hines has been a vulture this year.

Availability: 43%
FAAB: $8-10

1-week plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals

It has been since Week 8 that we’ve seen Gaskin on the field after he suffered a sprained knee ligament vs. the Los Angeles Rams. The seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of Dolphins running backs may turn into a carousel with the eligibility of Gaskin’s return. Keep tabs on this status to be safe. There is a clear opening here with DeAndre Washington being anything but inspiring, and RB Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) uncertain for Week 13 and beyond. Gaskin had played quite well leading up to the injury, suggesting this truly could be a case of “players don’t lose their jobs to injuries.” Cincinnati has surrendered neutral work to RBs in 2020, but we’ve seen steady returns in the mid-teens for PPR results. Wayne Gallman and Antonio Gibson each posted matching lines of 94 yards and a score in the past two games. Consider something near 80 yards and a TD to be a flex win.

Availability: 53%
FAAB: $8-10

Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets

Josh Jacobs suffered an ankle injury in Week 12, and his status for the upcoming game is in doubt. In the event he misses, Booker belongs in lineups. The former Bronco wasn’t particularly effective in Week 12, although he has carved out a niche role as a capable spell to Jacobs this season. Furthermore, Booker has quality hands as a receiver, increasing his potential and utility. The Jets have permitted 6.6 receptions per game to the position this year, and 13 backs in 11 contests have generated at least 10 PPR points vs. New York. The matchup isn’t super exciting, but there’s enough to work with for a low-tier RB2 or strong flex, should Jacobs miss time. And if he sits multiple games, Booker has staying power.

Availability: 55%
FAAB: $8-10

Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos

Unless Freeman is called upon to serve as quarterback this week (slightly joking), the upcoming month of action could prove fruitful following the MCL sprain suffered by running back Phillip Lindsay in Week 12. Melvin Gordon remains the primary back, but we’ve seen both he and Lindsay reward gamers at times in 2020. The upcoming slate of games has some exploitable moments (@KC, @CAR, vs. BUF, vs. LV), and any back with the potential for double-digit touches each week deserves attention — especially this close to the playoffs.

Availability: 61%
FAAB: $5-6

Grab & Stash

Brian Hill/Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons

Hill is the preferred ball carrier, but it actually was Smith who produced more in fantasy with Todd Gurley (knee) out of Week 12 action. The duo of replacements are both worth rostering; however, it would require a dire situation to justify playing them vs. the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. No team has been tougher on RBs both recently and over the course of 2020. Suppose Gurley misses Week 13 and Week 14, then we’re seeing a path to playing time for both backs against the Los Angeles Chargers — one the worst defenses of the position in fantasy by most any angle of inspection. An even longer outlook shows the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15, and that’s also one of the harshest matchups for running backs. Don’t invest too much in either player, regardless of how long Gurley will miss.

Availability: 39% (Hill); 83% (Smith)
FAAB: $7-8 (Hill); $5-6 (Smith)

[lawrence-newsletter]

Wide receivers

1-Week Plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Collin Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings

Johnson, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound rookie, has a legit chance to make some noise over the next week or two, depending on what happens with injuries to WRs DJ Chark Jr. and Chris Conley, both of whom sat out Sunday. The Jaguars turned to Mike Glennon at quarterback after Jake Luton was erratic over a few starts. Gardner Minshew (hand) has been questionable the last two weeks, all while speculation has suggested the Jaguars have seen enough from him. Johnson has appeared in two games this year in which he has seen at least four targets. In each contest, he has found the end zone. Week 12’s showing resulted in career highs in targets (8), receptions (4) and yardage (96). Not only does he have a superb matchup ahead with Minnesota, but Tennessee is on the docket for Week 14. With an impending search for a new GM, perhaps there is added interest in seeing of Johnson can team with Chark as a lethal one-two punch.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $3-4

Breshad Perriman, New York Jets vs. Las Vegas Raiders

In Perriman’s last five games, scattered over seven weeks, thanks to an injury and a bye, the well-traveled veteran has emerged as a steady weapon who is flying under the fantasy radar. In those games, he has generated at least 10.2 PPR points four times. Since Week 9’s breakout game against the Patriots (5-101-2), Perriman has produced in varying ways with both QBs Joe Flacco and Sam Darnold. Not only does Perriman have a quality matchup vs. Las Vegas this week, there’s an even better one against Seattle in Week 14. Following those two fine opportunities, Perriman has uneven matchup ratings with tilts against the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns.

Availability: 47%
FAAB: $3-4

Tight ends

1-Week Plug & Play

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

There are a number of factors at play here, but one is the Adam Thielen situation … he missed last week while on the COVID-19 reserve list, and no reports have said whether he definitively contracted the virus after testing both positive and negative. At any rate, there’s one potential element working in Rudolph’s favor for increased targets. The other is Irv Smith Jr. (groin/back) once again is on the shelf. Finally, the matchup is a major plus, too, as the Jags have granted tight ends four touchdowns in the last five games. The volume has been low, which, unlike Week 12 for Rudolph, has been the norm all year. He’s a decent flier for a touchdown.

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $1-2

Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Matt Prater, Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

Five different kickers have at least 10 fantasy points against the Bears this year, and the position has attempted three or more field goals in seven games. Prater is on that list. Way back in Week 1, he booted three of four attempts and added a pair of extra points. Detroit’s injury-impacted offense is much closer to a three-point powerhouse than a touchdown-scoring juggernaut, but there’s also now a new coach in Darrell Bevell as the interim head man. He tends to play it safer than not, and Prater has a better than average circumstance to kick multiple field goals.

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/specials teams

1-week plug & play

Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Miami is likely to be owned in more competitive leagues, especially after facing the Jets last week. There is a chance after consecutive games of only four fantasy points apiece, someone in your league had given up. Cincinnati presents a respectable opportunity for the Dolphins to make it back-to-back showings with double-digit results. The Bengals provided the New York Giants with three takeaways and a pair of sacks in Week 12, and regardless of which quarterback is giving an chance in Cincy, the odds are in Miami’s favor.

Availability: 44%
FAAB: $1-2

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

In this space last week, Green Bay was listed under the “one-week play/grab and stash” label, because this matchup was ahead … the premise was, if the Packers can exploit the Bears, there’s another strong matchup opportunity in Week 13, warranting retention of the defense. In the four games prior to Week 12 (Philly plays Seattle on MNF), the Eagles had thrown five interceptions, lost three fumbles, and allowed 15 sacks. If Green Bay plays anything like it did vs. Chicago, this will be an awesome outcome for fantasy owners.

Availability: 56%
FAAB: $1-2

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

Bye weeks: none

Fantasy football waiver wire targets

Quarterbacks

Priority Free Agent

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

Hill acquitted himself well in Week 11 as the starter, even though he didn’t throw a touchdown pass. The upcoming slate of games offers a blend of possible passing and rushing success for Drew Brees’ replacement. Be aware, there’s always a chance Jameis Winston is thrown out there if Hill struggles or the offense falls behind. As long has he plays inspired, productive ball, like we saw in Week 11, Hill figures to remain the starter until Week 15 or so. Ahead is Denver, Atlanta again, and Philadelphia. While these teams offer up-and-down matchup opportunities, anyone playing Hill is banking on his legs more than his arm.

Availability: 39%
FAAB: $7-8

1-Week Plug & Play

Daniel Jones, New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals

This one is, IDK, 92.5 percent about the matchup itself and not so much anything Jones has done to date this season. The Giants return from a bye week and face a team that is emotionally deflated after losing its leader in Week 11. Furthermore, Cincy just isn’t very good at stopping quarterbacks, no matter its collective mental state. The position has generated three 30-plus-point results in the last five games, one 21.7-pointer, and a 12-point showing in which Alex Smith was asked to pass only 25 times as the ground game took over. This matchup is 32.3 percent better than the league average in the past five weeks and offers Jones a chance for a hint of redemption in what has been a horrid season to date.

Availability: 59%
FAAB: $2-3

Running backs

Grab & Stash

Frank Gore, New York Jets

Running back LaMical Perine (ankle) left early in Week 11, and his status currently isn’t know for Week 12. The ageless Gore made his way into the end zone vs. the Los Angeles Chargers for the first time as a Jet, and he remains about the only stable aspect of this offense. Gore lacks the upside of explosive play, but injuries and poor performance have robbed gamers of plenty of starting options to date. Miami and Las Vegas are ahead for the cagey veteran, and while neither are promising matchups, all it takes is a short TD (chances that Perine has been garnering) and Gore becomes a platable desperation play after his usual 50-ish offensive yards are factored in. He managed 11 PPR points in the last meeting with Miami and hadn’t even scored, so there’s utility to be found here in the right situation.

Availability: 61%
FAAB: $5-6

[lawrence-newsletter]

Wide receivers

1-Week Plug & Play/Grab & Stash

Denzel Mims, New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

Two Jets?!?! Yeah, yeah, I know. Don’t look at it that way … terrible teams still need someone to step up, and Mims has been a quietly productive option in the passing game of late as he feels his way through an injury-impacted, COVID-hampered rookie season. In the last four outings, Mims has seven or more targets in three of the contests, and he has produced 10-plus PPR points in the past two games. The Baylor receiver was slightly better with Joe Flacco starting in place of the injured Sam Darnold, and there’s no current update on the latter’s Week 12 availability. Miami has permitted 14 different efforts of at least 10 PPR points in 10 games, and that should be your accepted target for a flex play of Mims. He has stash worth, too, with remaining contests against Las Vegas, Seattle and Cleveland ahead.

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $3-4

1-Week Plug & Play

Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Julio Jones kept coming in and out of the lineup in Week 11 with a hamstring issue. He very well could play through the ailment in Week 12, which would make Gage far less appealing, so this is one gamers will need to track as the week progresses. Throwing a speculative buck or two at Gage is not a terrible idea. There could be more utility for Olamide Zaccheaus, too, but Gage has displayed more consistent value when given the chance. The Raiders have yielded a TD per game to receivers in the last five weeks, and 15 times in 10 games has a wideout posted 10 or more points in PPR.

Availability: 53%
FAAB: $1-2

Keke Coutee, Houston Texans at Detroit Lions

Feeling frisky? This one is a major gamble and will be contingent upon what happens with injured receivers Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills in Week 12’s short week of practice. Coutee caught two passes in Week 11 and managed to score, adding almost nothing (10 yards) otherwise. The Lions have been extra friendly to running backs this year but also hospitable to WRs. Detroit has given up only two scores to the position in the last six games, although this is one of the top matchups for receiving volume per outing. The Lions were tied for the fourth-highest receiving average over that period before Week 11, and Carolina’s primary trio combined for 23 grabs. Coutee has a strong matchup ahead for receiving yardage, too, so he has a chance to contribute more evenly meaningful stats this week.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $1-2

Steve Sims Jr., Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys

There are qualifiers required when recommending someone like Sims: 1) His volume won’t be great, and 2) know what kind of risk you’re assuming. That said, he has a tremendous matchup opportunity and is coming off of landing eight of his last nine targets over the past two games with Alex Smith starting. The matchups in those games were quite favorable, too, and a fringe player being able to produce against low-level competition is always a good sign. Back to the first point: With no more than five catches in any game this year and only once in his career, Sims isn’t going to post eye-popping numbers. He can exploit creases in the secondary to be a safety outlet for his veteran quarterback, and fantasy owners should be content with a line around 4-50-1 from the finally healthy receiver. Dallas has permitted 10 touchdowns to the position in the last six games.

Availability: 77%
FAAB: $1-2

Tight ends

Priority Free Agent

Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers

San Fran returns from its bye week with Reed available in slightly less than half of the leagues polled. The upcoming schedule offers hope for a strong stretch run as we near the fantasy postseason. Upcoming games at the Los Angeles Rams, vs. the Buffalo Bills and vs. the Washington Football Team present differing chances for success against units that have struggled to contain the position at varying points of 2020. The Niners have been decimated by injuries and, ironically, their most injury-plagued weapon needs to step up more than ever. Reed should be fully healthy as San Fran returns from its bye.

Availability: 56%
FAAB: $4-5

1-Week Plug & Play

Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers

Smith previously appeared in this space but ended up missing that game due to a groin injury. He has returned to the field and now faces one of the top matchups the week has to offer. Carolina has conceded seven different performances of at least 10 PPR points to the position in the last six games, and all five TDs allowed have come over the last eight games. There is considerable risk in playing Smith, but we saw signs of his game heating up prior to the injury. Hopefully a tremendous matchup can get him back on track.

Availability: 44%
FAAB: $1-2

Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Dan Bailey, Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers

This one digs about as deep as one can at the position, and it’s purely matchup-driven in nature. The Vikings have afforded Bailey exactly two field goals over the last five games combined, and both of which came in Week 10. He has attempted just eight total three-pointers on the year otherwise, making all but two. Carolina, though, has yielded 17 kicks in the last six games and 20 in the past seven. The position has banged through all but two on this side of the equation as well. Seven kickers have racked up at least nine fantasy points against this unit.

Availability: 81%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/specials teams

1-week plug & play/Grab & Stash

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

Focusing on Week 12, the Chicago offense has to make even the Green Bay defense a viable fantasy candidate. The Packers have been presented several other fine matchups in 2020 and have rarely delivered the goods, which has me skeptical to recommend them. The Bears provided opposing defenses 14 sacks, eight turnovers and a defensive TD in the five games prior to going on bye in Week 11. Keep your expectations of the Packers to “serviceable.” If this one works out, consider keeping this unit around for matchups with Philadelphia and Detroit in the next few weeks.

Availability: 65%
FAAB: $1-2

1-week plug & play

New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals

Fresh off their bye, the Giants get to face a Cincinnati offense that is still recovering from a gut punch after losing their No. 1 overall pick and face of the franchise, Joe Burrow. The offense more or less ground to a halt after he blew out his knee Sunday, and even a modest expectation for New York should see this group being a high-quality fantasy starter. The G-Men produced top-five fantasy returns in the five games leading into the Week 11 vacation.

Availability: 81%
FAAB: $1-2