As the year goes on you will notice most fantasy football waiver priority options are due to injury. As unfortunate as it is, it is a part of the game. My job is to tell you how to work around your injury riddled teams. Injuries such as Joe Mixon and David Montgomery will be highlighting today’s fantasy football waiver piece.
Hopefully I can take my own advice; I just traded for Montgomery in one league, and am now dealing with Mixon’s injury on top of CMC in another. Without further ado, let’s get into the waivers. All roster percentages are via ESPN Fantasy Football as of Monday 10/4. As a disclaimer, all players under 65% rostered in ESPN leagues are eligible to be on my waiver list.
Quarterbacks
Trey Lance SF (18.7% Rostered) – Trey Lance essentially played half of a game and scored 20 fantasy points. He did have the 74-yard touchdown to Deebo Samuel, and ended with double the yardage and another score. 41 yards on seven carries is just a glimpse of what his rushing upside could be. With Jimmy G potentially out, Trey Lance is a top-12 quarterback.
Sam Darnold CAR (18.3% Rostered) – How is Sam Darnold rostered less than Trey Lance? This is the third time Darnold has been on my weekly waiver article. PICK HIM UP. His schedule over the next four weeks is one of the easiest, and the Eagles have been exposed. He also leads the entire NFL in rushing touchdowns. Darnold is currently the QB5. I am not sure how much more I need to say to get you to pick him up.
Matt Ryan ATL (29.4% Rostered) – With a “tough” matchup against Washington Football Team, Matt Ryan showed up with 283 yards and four touchdowns. He now plays the Jets at home and should once again be a viable stream for the Quarterback position.
Honorable Mentions
Daniel Jones NYG (32.5% Rostered) – @ Cowboys
- 6th in PPG for quarterbacks. Rival game is a boom/bust for Jones.
Zach Wilson NYJ (7% Rostered) – @ Falcons
- Desperate play against an awful defense.
Running Backs
Damien Williams CHI (10.2% Rostered) – It seems as if the knee injury David Montgomery suffered isn’t season ending, but will keep him out for multiple weeks. Damien Williams should have the same role Montgomery had. Even with the same role, I expect a lesser outcome due to a talent disparity.
Samaje Perine CIN (1.5% Rostered) – Almost a repeat of what I just said for Williams above, Samaje Perine would see the bulk of work if Joe Mixon were to miss any time. His injury is not as severe, being a low-grade ankle sprain. He also has a 10-day recovery period from the Thursday night game. Keep an eye on Mixon’s practice report before grabbing Perine.
Brandon Bolden NE (1.5% Rostered) – Seemingly taking over the James White role, Brandon Bolden saw six targets in his recent outing against the Bucs. With the Patriots offense relying heavily on the running back position I expect Bolden to be a potential flex play if needed.
Latavius Murray BAL (34.2% Rostered) – With Ty’Son WIlliams inactive, Latavius Murray saw 18 touches and found the end zone. Murray can be a depth piece with potential to fill in on your roster if needed.
Honorable Mentions
Jeremy McNichols TEN (2.1% Rostered) – @ Jaguars
- New offense throws to the RB more. McNichols can be a potential flex.
Alex Collins SEA (0.9% Rostered) – vs Rams
- Another backup to a potential injury candidate, Chris Carson.
Kenny Gainwell PHI (24.6% Rostered) – @ Panthers
- Must stash in PPR formats. Reliable flex in negative game scripts.
Wide Receiver
Darnell Mooney CHI (40.8% Rostered) – Justin Fields found his favorite target. Who knows what the situation will be when Andy Dalton returns, but let’s bask in the talent that is Darnell Mooney. Being a consistent target in the offense, it is very possible Mooney takes over as the WR1.
Randall Cobb GB (3.4% Rostered) – With MVS being placed on IR, Randall Cobb is a shining light in Wisconsin once again. I do not expect boom games like in week four, but Cobb should prove to be reliable for Rodgers moving forward.
AJ Green ARI (27.2% Rostered) – I want a part of the Cardinals offense, and AJ Green is your buy-in opportunity. With six targets in each of his first four games, Green is establishing himself as a possible WR3/Flex option. Scoring twice in four games, he has also matched his touchdown total from last year. Look for AJ Green to be a valuable piece in this offense.
Honorable Mentions
Van Jefferson LAR (5.3% Rostered) – @ Seahawks
- I don’t like chasing points, but it’s a great matchup and he has seen six targets in the last two game
Kadarius Toney NYG (3.2% Rostered) – @ Cowboys
- Injuries propelled him up the depth chart and he looks great. Nine targets plus his change of direction and speed is unmatched.
Emmanuel Sanders BUF (45.1% Rostered) – @ Chiefs
- High passing offense. Has seen 6+ targets in each game
Tight Ends
Dawson Knox BUF (20% Rostered) – Dawson Knox is legit. He is averaging five targets per game and scoring four times in the last three games. Knox seems to be one of Josh Allen’s favorite targets near the end zone. You can count on Knox as a weekly fantasy football start until further notice.
Dalton Schultz DAL (21.6% Rostered) – Three out of four weeks Dalton Schultz has seen six or more targets. With Michael Gallup out, Schultz has turned into the third option on this offense and has separated from Blake Jarwin. Schultz is a weekly stream at the position.
Zach Ertz PHI (16.4% Rostered) – Jalen Hurts loves throwing to his tight end. Goedert isn’t on this list because he is over the 65% rostered threshold, but Zach Ertz makes the cut. Ertz has seen seven and eight targets in the last two games. Look for the tight end duo to continue to be solid starters for the foreseeable future.
Honorable Mentions
Jared Cook LAC (53.2% Rostered) – vs Browns
- Found the end zone Monday night. Is a good stream if needed.
Maxx Williams ARI (3.1% Rostered) – vs 49ers
- Another Cardinal. Want to see more consistency before plugging him into my lineup.
D/ST Streamers
New England Patriots (60% Rostered) – @ Texans
- A great defense against an awful team.
Green Bay Packers (20.8% Rostered) – @ Bengals
- Very good against the pass. Joe Mixon might miss the game. Sneaky play for week five.
Las Vegas Raiders (10.9% Rostered) – vs Bears
- Sneaky good defense facing a dysfunctional offense.
Kicker of the Week
Tyler Bass BUF
A team that has two consecutive shutouts means they’re doing something right. I do not expect that to be the case against the Chiefs, but I expect a ton of points. Bass is my kicker of the week for fantasy football.
