We have reached the end game, folks. At this point of the year, you know where your fantasy football team stands. Whether you are a contender trying to lock up a bye, a borderline playoff team fighting for a playoff spot, or a team playing the spoiler role; the players available can make a difference in your starting lineups.
In some leagues, the trade deadline has already passed. This leaves the waiver wire as the only option to improve one of those precious roster spots. We play this game to win, and cowardness holds no weight in a fantasy football champion’s heart. So be aggressive; go all-in on the players you like, and set your team up in the best position to win.
(All Players are rostered in less than 50% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues)
Running Back
Isiah Pacheco – Rostered in 43.7% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (25% FAAB)
Isiah Pacheco has been the best running back on Kansas City’s roster. Pacheco is not giving up the job now that CEH is out with a high ankle sprain. The door has swung wide open. With the positive game scripts abound for Kansas City, Pacheco will see plenty of work down the stretch. If available, Pacheco is a must-add in leagues.
Latavius Murray – Rostered in 34.2% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (20% FAAB)
The exodus in Denver continues. After shipping out defenders via trades, Denver has waived the white flag and released Melvin Gordon. With no other running back currently on the active roster besides Marlon Mack, it’s wheels up for Murray down the stretch. Muray will see all the work he can handle in the backfield. Murray may end up being one of the bigger surprise hits this season.
James Cook – Rostered in 20.8% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)
We thought James Cook was cooked after Buffalo brought in Nyheim Hines. But a funny thing happened; the second-round rookie has begun to figure it out. Hines has four touches in his three games with Buffalo and is a complete afterthought in the Bills’ offense. Meanwhile, Cook has started ramping up his work inside the offense and has been a more productive player than Singletary on the field. It’s a lower bid because Cook still has a way to go, but he is worth a pickup if the progression continues.
Wide Receiver
Treylon Burks – Rostered in 22.7% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (15% FAAB)
Stop me if you have heard this one before. A rookie wide receiver is breaking out in the second half of the season. A foot injury that kept Burks out of action in Weeks 5-9 only delayed the breakout. In the last two weeks, Burks leads Tennessee in receptions and targets while playing limited snaps. It’s happening, folks. Hopefully, you are seizing a ticket while you can.
Donovan Peoples-Jones – Rostered in 38.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (10% FAAB)
This recommendation coincides with Deshaun Watson returning in Week 13. Peoples-Jones has been a big beneficiary of David Njoku missing time. DPJ has a 20% Target Share on the season, and in all but one game, has at least four receptions and 50 yards. Now you are adding in a quarterback who can take advantage of Jones’ downfield ability. It’s only going to improve with Watson; meaning there will be room for Cooper, Njoku, and DPJ to produce every week. Do not shy away from DPJ this week on waivers.
Darius Slayton – Rostered in 21.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (3% FAAB)
Another Giants injury and a throwback name pop up on the waiver wire list. Slayton has been a productive WR in the past and is being gift-wrapped the WR1 job in New York. While he will not be a league-winning pickup, he will provide production to those who need a wide receiver. Slayton is coming off a season-high ten targets and has double digits fantasy points in his last four games.
Tight End
Foster Moreau – Rostered in 24.8% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)
Foster Moreau faces a Seahawks defense that allows 16.5 fantasy points per game to tight ends, 31st in the NFL. Specific teams are worth playing the matchups, and the Seahawks and Cardinals fall under that umbrella. The Seahawks are also 24th in EPA/dropback. The Seahawks’ pass defense is a weakness allowing Carr and company to take advantage.
Logan Thomas – Rostered in 6.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)
We have a veteran player who has shown the ability to be a difference-making tight end in the past and running most of the routes. With matchups against Atlanta and the Giants in the next three weeks, Logan Thomas has a chance to be an impact streaming option repeatedly.
Trey McBride – Rostered in 7.4% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (1% FAAB)
Not much went well for McBride and the Cardinals in his first career start on Monday night. The 49ers dominated the entire game, as it got out of hand quickly for Arizona. Thankfully for the McBride, Kyler Murray is expected to return this week. The week 12 opponent, the Chargers, are bottom five in points allowed to opposing tight ends. I’ll give McBride another go as long as Murray is the quarterback.
Quarterback
DeShaun Watson – Rostered in 36.0% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (10% FAAB)
We are one week away from Watson’s return. Get out in front of the mad dash next week and pick up Watson on waivers. He is an elite fantasy football quarterback and will be the rising tide that lifts all boats in Cleveland. Be bold, and get a difference-making quarterback for the playoff push before your league mates catch on.
Matt Ryan – Rostered in 8.0% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (3% FAAB)
I know what you are thinking, and let me stop you before you say it. Matt Ryan has been a disappointment; but the Pittsburgh defense cannot stop a nosebleed and is the perfect core for subpar quarterback play. They have been torched all season by opposing quarterbacks (20.7 PPG), and Matt Ryan should continue that trend.
Jimmy Garoppolo – Rostered in 44.9% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)
We saw the full display of the 49ers might for a national audience on Monday night. The weapons at Garoppolo’s disposal are absurd. No matter where you look; McCaffrey, Deebo, Aiyuk, and Kittle will be open each play. You have the mad scientist Kyle Shanahan dialing up the plays, and Jimmy needs to be the John Stockton of this offense and let his playmakers make plays. The 49ers will go as far as Jimmy G takes them.
Jesse Moeller
Jesse Moeller is a fascinating character. By day, he's a restaurant manager, but during his free time, he transforms into a fantasy football analyst. He's been playing fantasy football since 1999, which means he's been around the block a few times. But his passion for the game has never waned. Jesse is a devoted husband to his wife Andrea, whom he's been married to for five years. They have a lovely daughter Cecilia, who is now four years old. Jesse's journey into content creation began with The League Winners in 2021, and he hasn't looked back since. Dynasty is his passion, and his love for the game is infectious. Jesse is a true degenerate who loves the fantasy football and the community that supports it.