The Wire - Week 11
By Levi Ellis
While you can still find some contributors on the waiver wire it certainly gets more and more difficult this time of year. Of course the most talented players are already owned and then there are numerous great players that are out with injuries so you have to dig deep this time of year to find the hidden gems. Today I’m going to take you through the best options that may be available in your league.
All players are listed in priority order based on position.
Bye Weeks - Los Angeles Rams & Denver Broncos
(2 QB Leagues Only)
Taylor Heinicke - 26/32 256 yards, 1td, 3 carries, 15 yards - In two QB leagues and super flex leagues it’s tough to find QBs on the waiver wire but if Heinicke is available he’s a guy that should be owned in all leagues. While the real NFL results have been mixed at times, his fantasy results have been very solid. It’s also worth noting that it sounds like Ryan Fitzpatrick will not be back this season thus paving the way for Heinicke to remain the starter. 20% of your remaining faab budget.
Cam Newton - 3 for 4 passing, 8 yards, 1td, 3 carries, 14 yards, 1td - It sounds like Cam is the starter moving forward in Carolina and his rushing upside alone makes him worth an add. Factor in the Panthers have lots of weapons and this makes Cam intriguing. 20% of your remaining faab budget.
Trevor Siemian - 19/34, 298 yards, 2tds - Siemian has looked the part in his two starts this year but can he continue as the Saints head to Philadelphia this week? He has weapons and a great offensive minded head coach but it would help if Kamara returned soon. 10% of your remaining faab budget.
AJ Dillon - 21 caries, 66 yards, 2tds, 2 targets, 2 catches, 62 yards - Dillon is having a really good year but now that Aaron Jones is hurt and likely to miss one to two weeks it moves Dillon to waiver wire priority #1 if he’s still available. He’s likely owned in most leagues but due to circumstances he has to be listed. 50% of your remaining faab budget.
Darrell Williams - 11 carries, 43 yards, 9 targets, 9 catches, 101 yards, 1td - Williams is likely owned in most leagues at this point but I think some teams will drop him with CEH due back at any point. If that happens snatch this guy up because I think even when CEH does come back Williams is going to have value. He has shown that he’s a good player and can step up when given the opportunity. 25% of your remaining faab budget.
D’Ernest Johnson - 19 carries, 99 yards, 8 targets, 7 catches, 58 yards - At some point both Chubb and Hunt will be back this season but Johnson has been so good that he still makes this list. Pick this guy up and hope that both Chubb and Hunt miss at least one more week because the Lions are up next. 25% of your remaining faab budget.
Rhamondre Stevenson - 20 carries, 100 yards, 2tds, 5 targets, 4 catches, 14 yards - Stevenson was very impressive last week but keep a close eye on Damien Harris' status as the week progresses. If Harris is back Stevenson will likely move back to the #2 role but he’s a guy that should still be owned in all leagues because the upside is just too great. 25% of your remaining faab budget.
Mark Ingram - 14 carries, 47 yards, 1td, 7 targets, 4 catches, 61 yards - Ingram is likely to have value for the remainder of the season but with Kamara hurt and the extent unknown, it greatly increases his value for the time being. 20% of your remaining faab budget.
D’Onta Foreman - 11 carries, 30 yards, 2 targets, 2 catches, 48 yards - Foreman has looked like the better of the available RBs for the Titans and now the Texans are coming to town. If you can ever start Foreman it will be this week. 10% of your remaining faab budget.
Adrian Peterson - 8 carries, 21 yards, 1 target, 1 catch, -1 yard - I suspect that Peterson will remain the goal line back and again, the Texans are coming to town so I expect the Titans to be playing with a lead and running the ball a lot on Sunday. 10% of your remaining faab budget.
Jordan Howad - 12 carries, 83 yards - Howard has had three great weeks in a row but the reason he is so far down this list is because Miles Sanders is due back anytime and New Orleans and their great defense is coming to town. He’s worth owning but temper your expectations this week. 10% of your remaining faab budget.
Boston Scott - 11 carries, 81 yards, 2 targets, 2 catches, 24 yards - Scott has looked good since Sanders has been out but just like Howard keep in mind that Sanders is due back soon and New Orleans is coming to town. 1% of your remaining faab budget.
Elijah Moore - 6 targets, 3 catches, 44 yards, 1td - If Moore is available in your league you either didn’t read this article last week or you didn’t listen. Either way, don’t let it happen again haha. Moore is a stud in the making and I don’t care how bad the Jets season is going he is going to produce down the stretch and you would much rather have him on your team than not. 25% of your remaining faab budget.
Rashod Bateman - 8 targets, 6 catches, 80 yards - Bateman has done well since returning from injury but I think the best is yet to come. Grab this guy while you can because soon it will be too late. 30% of your remaining faab budget.
Hunter Renfrow - 9 targets, 7 catches, 46 yards, 1td - Renfrow has been a ppr beast the last several weeks and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. He’s this year's Cole Beasley. 30% of your remaining faab budget.
Jamal Agnew - 5 targets, 0 catches, 3 carries, 79 yards, 1td - Agnew is not a star but when the ball is in his hands he finds ways to score whether it’s in the passing game, rushing game or return game. Agnew is exactly the type of player that I will be trying to roster for the playoff stretch as a sneaky starter. 20% of your remaining faab budget.
Kendrick Bourne - 4 targets, 4 catches, 98 yards, 1td, 3 carries, 43 yards - Bourne is a glue guy who can be a reliable spot starter. He’s not a stud in the making like the first two guys on this list but fantasy championships are won with guys like Bourne and he seems to be finding his footing in this offense. 15% of your remaining faab budget.
Deandre Carter - 6 targets, 3 catches, 56 yards, 1td, 1 carry, 4 yards - Carter again showed up this last week with another relevant game. He should be owned in all leagues until proven otherwise, the trick is when to start him. 15% of your remaining faab budget.
Tre’Quan Smith - 7 targets, 4 catches, 44 yards, 1td - Since returning from injury Smith has been very involved in the offense and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. 15% of your remaining faab budget.
Deonte Harris - 4 targets, 3 catches, 84 yards, 1 carry, 6 yards - Harris has very quietly put together a nice season especially if your league scores points for special teams. I love Harris as a sneaky start each week. 10% of your remaining faab budget.
Marquez Callaway - 4 targets, 2 catches, 37 yards, 1td - I would like to see more targets but Siemian did throw to him with the game on the line and Callaway came away with a TD so that has to count for something. 10% of your remaining faab budget.
Bryan Edwards - 4 targets, 3 catches, 88 yards, 1td - Edwards is a player that I’ve been banging the table for the last two years in my dynasty leagues but the Raiders have failed to involve him into the offense. Hopefully last week is a sign that things are changing. I would still temper expectations because he only had four targets in a game that was a blowout but the talent is there so he’s worth owning. 10% of your remaining faab budget.
Marcus Johnson - 6 targets, 5 catches, 100 yards - Julio is out for three weeks and Johnson didn’t waste any time proving that he can make an impact. Throughout Johnson’s career he has proven to be a guy that can step up when given the opportunity. I’m not sure if he can replicate this success week in and week out but with Julio out for at least two more weeks he’s someone you should consider. 1% of your remaining faab budget.
Ray-Ray McCloud - 12 targets, 9 catches, 63 yards - This one is as risky as they come but if Claypool misses more time it’s possible that McCloud will step up but also keep in mind that things will likely be different when Big Ben gets back compared to Mason Rudolph. 1% of your remaining faab budget.
Pat Friermuth - 9 targets, 5 catches, 31 yards, 1FL - I know he fumbled at the worst possible time last week but this guy is still going to be one of the best TEs in the league and that time appears to be sooner rather than later. He should be starting every week. 50% of your remaining faab budget.
Tyler Conklin - 5 targets, 3 catches, 11 yards, 2tds - He has been the definition of a solid contributor this year and has been as solid as they come. He’s not a star but he’s dependable. 20% of your remaining faab budget.
Dan Arnold - 7 targets, 5 catches, 67 yards - Arnold has continued to see a lot of targets and in fantasy football opportunities is everything. He’s not scoring but in ppr leagues he has been dependable. 15% of your remaining faab budget.
Adam Trautman - 6 targets, 5 catches, 32 yards - Trautman has been involved in the passing game these last few weeks. He should only be owned in deep leagues but he has the talent to improve if his role continues to grow. 5% of your remaining faab budget.
Gerald Everett - 8 targets, 8 catches, 63 yards - I feel like this was a one week breakout but I put him on this list just in case you really and I mean really need a TE. 1% of your remaining faab budget.
Dead to Me (redraft leagues only)
Baker Mayfield - I just don’t trust him
Jared Goff - He’s been dead to me for years
Myles Gaskins - His inefficiency is so bad it’s impressive
Carlos Hyde - With Robinson back he is the forgotten man
Kenneth Gainwell - If you thought he was the #2 RB a few weeks ago join the club, but he’s not
Browns WRs & TEs - I just don’t trust this passing offense and it’s more about Baker
On Life Support
Trevor Lawrence - The passing offense just hasn’t clicked like we would all hope
Carson Wentz - The inconsistency kills his value
Nyheim Hines - His role just isn’t consistent
Colts WRs not named Pittman - This passing offense lacks consistency
Marvin Jones - The early season magic for Jones is gone
Laviska Shenault - I love that he had 8 targets last week but only 15 yards
DJ Moore - The Panthers passing game has been a mess the last several weeks
Mike Williams - Yep, he’s back to the same old Mike Williams
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