The Wire - Week 9
By Levi Ellis
The later we get into the season the harder it is to find guys on the waiver wire who can contribute. With that being said, there are always guys to go get. Some may just be sneakier than others. You can also play defense by using the waiver wire to prevent your upcoming opponent from grabbing a player at a position where they may be desperate. For example if your upcoming opponent doesn’t have a QB for your matchup because of injury or bye then you could grab the best available QB on the waiver wire just so he doesn’t land in the hands of the enemy. Regardless of how you plan to use the waiver wire let us here at Dynasty Pros help you find the right guys. Let’s take a look at some of the top names to know after week 8.
Quarterbacks
Drew Lock - 26/41 248 yards, 3 tds, 1 int - Lock showed great poise in this game with his game winning drive and pass as time expired. Lock is super talented and if a few of his playmakers can step up then his ceiling is enormous. He also has a plus matchup next week against the Falcons and let’s face it, everyone scores on the Falcons. 15% of your remaining FAAB.
Nick Mullens - 18/25 238 yards, 2 tds - If you're in a deep league or a two QB league then Mullens may be a guy you have to consider. Look no one is excited to pick up Mullens but if you need him you need him. Minimum bid only.
Running Backs
Zack Moss - 14 carries, 81 yards, 2 tds, 1 target - Moss finally has the game that shows the type of upside he has. I’m a big believer in Moss and loved him coming into the league this year. If the Bills continue to split carries between Moss and Singletary and if Moss continues to get goalline carries then he should be a name to know for the remainder of the season. For now he is a high upside, low floor player but he’s definitely a guy I want to own. 35% of your remaining FAAB.
Jordan Wilkins - 20 carries, 89 yards, 1 td, 1 target, 1 catch, 24 yards - No Jonathan Taylor was not hurt in this game. Wilkins just happened to be the most effective running back in this game and the Colts kept feeding him the ball. I don’t know what is wrong with Taylor but I do know that through the course of Wilkins' career he has performed when given the opportunity, I just don’t know if he gets that opportunity each week. Bid with caution in redraft leagues and for dynasty leagues he’s a stash player. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Nyheim Hines - 5 carries, 8 yards, 5 targets, 3 catches, 54 yards, 2 tds - Hines has tons of talent and if he played for a team like the Saints he would be a fantasy star, but he doesn’t play for the Saints so understand that he’s a boom or bust player each week. I prefer to own Hines in best ball leagues but he can be a spot starter for you if you can figure out which weeks to start him. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Damien Harris - 16 carries, 102 yards, 1 td - I like Harris the player quite a bit but what I don’t like is the Patriots offense. If you own Harris in a redraft league or if you bid on him and win him, trade him away to a running back desperate team and thank me later. He’s a player to stash and watch in dynasty leagues. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Gus Edwards - 16 carries, 87 yards, 1 td, 1 target - If Ingram misses another game then Edwards should be owned. It’s clear that the Ravens coaching staff trust this guy and will feed him the ball. But to be clear, the Colts are up next and I’ve heard their rushing defense is amazing, just ask the Lions. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Malcolm Brown - 10 carries, 40 yards, 2 targets, 2 catches, 17 yards - Darrell Henderson left this game with a thigh injury and it’s not yet known how serious this injury is. If Henderson misses time then Brown is a guy to get as he seems to have the coaching staff’s trust. He’s not a guy that will excite you in your lineup but he does produce when given the opportunity. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Cam Akers - 9 carries, 35 yards, 1 target, 1 catch, 19 yards - I love Akers talent and thought he would be the bellcow in this offense this year but things haven’t gone his way just yet with the injury and Henderson’s emergence. I still think he’s worth rostering though as he could be a league winner if he comes on. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Troymaine Pope - 10 carries, 67 yards, 7 targets, 5 catches, 28 yards - Pope isn’t likely to garner much interest on the waiver wire mostly because most people don’t know who he is. Pope is a guy that has floated around the league the last few years on Practice Squads and he has looked good in the Preseason in the past. I’m not sure he actually gets a meaningful role moving forward but if your desperate then he’s a guy you should be able to grab for a minimum bid. Minimum bid only.
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown - That’s right, AB is back and he’s eligible to play this week. It was reported that AB has been living with Brady and it’s no secret that Brady has long desired to play with AB and the one game they played together last year for New England was a success. Brady gets his wish and if AB can stay out of trouble (BIG IF) then this could be a huge fantasy shift. AB could absolutely be a league winner this year and unfortunately I think Godwin takes a back seat. 50% of your remaining FAAB.
Brandon Aiyuk - 11 targets, 8 catches, 91 yards, 1 td - Deebo is out for the foreseeable future which makes Aiyuk the number one wide receiver in this offense. Noticed I said number one wide receiver because he is not the number one option in the passing game as that role belongs to George Kittle. Wait a minute though, Kittle was injured in this game so if he misses any time at all Aiyuk’s opportunities go up even more. He is a must own. 35% of your remaining FAAB.
Corey Davis - 10 targets, 8 catches, 128 yards, 1 td - I have long thought that Corey Davis was a draft bust (real NFL draft) and he may be considering where he was selected but this year Davis has done quite well in the games he’s played in. He is definitely a guy that should be rostered and with the Titans defense playing so bad it’s likely they will be in a lot of shootouts. 25% of your remaining FAAB.
Kendrick Bourne - 10 targets, 8 catches, 81 yards - Bourne figures to have a large role in the offense moving forward. Pay attention to the quarterback situation and the matchup as he could be a great spot starter until Deebo is back. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Mecole Hardman - 9 targets, 7 catches, 96 yards, 1 td - Hardman’s success in this game is largely due to the fact that Watkins is still out with an injury and they were playing the Jets. Even considering those factors Hardman is a player that should be owned in every league. He’s a threat to score everytime he touches the ball and he is a great handcuff to Tyreek Hill. 10% of your remaining FAAB.
DeMarcus Robinson - 5 targets, 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 td - If Watkins misses another game then Robinson will have a role in the offense and the Panthers are up next. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Auden Tate - 7 targets, 7 catches, 65 yards - Tate’s role in the offense may grow substantially after this week as it is very likely that AJ Green gets moved. If that were to happen then Tate should assume the number three wideout role. Minimum bid only.
Anthony Miller - 11 targets, 8 catches, 73 yards - Miller has always had the talent but unfortunately the Bears coaching staff just hasn’t realized it enough to make him a priority in the offense. If Robinson misses any time or if the Bears have a potential shootout coming up then fire up Miller. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Darnell Mooney - 6 targets, 5 catches, 69 yards, 1 td - Mooney is having a terrific rookie season and his play is often overshadowed by the bigger name rookie wide receivers. In deep leagues Mooney is a guy worth starting and if the Bears ever open up the passing offense then keep an eye on Mooney. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Marvin Jones - 7 targets, 3 catches, 39 yards, 2 tds - Golladay left this game with an injury so if he misses any time at all then Jones automatically assumes the number one wide receiver role and the Vikings are up next. Try to keep your composure and not let your league mates know about this fantastic matchup and with any luck you can snag Jones out from under everyone in your league. 5% of your remaining FAAB.
Jakobi Meyers - 10 targets, 6 catches, 58 yards - If you are truly desperate you could consider Meyers. I don’t recommend it but I had to play him in a deep league last week and was super excited for the 11 points he got me. Minimum bid only.
Marvin Hall - 7 targets, 4 catches, 113 yards - Only if Golladay misses should you consider Hall. Minimum bid only.
Daesean Hamilton - 5 targets, 4 catches, 81 yards, 1 td - I loved Hamilton coming out of college but he has never put it all together. Tim Patrick missed this game with an injury so if he is back next week then Hamilton’s opportunities are likely to be diminished. Minimum bid only.
Colts WRs - Zach Pascal, Marcus Johnson, Michael Pittman - Hilton was injured in this game and hasn’t played well all year. If Hilton misses any games or if his role in the offense changes then I could see any of these guys having more fantasy value. Pascal and Johnson have both already had their moments this year but Pittman is now back from IR and could easily be the number one wide receiver in this offense in the next few weeks. Pascal & Johnson just 5% of your remaining FAAB, Pittman 10%.
Tight Ends
TJ Hockenson - 10 targets, 7 catches, 65 yards - Hockenson should not be available in your leagues but if he is, well what are you waiting for. 10% of your remaining FAAB.
Dalton Schultz - 8 targets, 6 catches, 53 yards - Schultz had another decent game. His production isn’t anything to get excited about but hey it’s production. Minimum bid only.
Eric Ebron - 5 targets, 4 catches, 48 yards, 1 td - It’s possible I was wrong about Ebron in last week's “The Wire” podcast but only time will tell. The Steelers do have the Cowboys up next though so Ebron may look like a Hall of Famer by this time next week. Minimum bid only.
Robert Tonyan - 7 targets, 5 catches, 79 yards - Bobby does it again. He is a guy that I absolutely think finishes as a top ten TE this year so he should be owned in every league. Rodgers has to throw the ball to someone and Tonyan has delivered. 15% of your remaining FAAB.
Colts TEs - Trey Burton, Mo Alie Cox & Jack Doyle - This is a tough puzzle to figure out. Burton and Alie Cox have both performed well but they also both hurt the value of the other. Doyle has mostly blocked to this point but he did score a td this week. If I had to pick one in a redraft league I would go with Burton. If I had to pick one in a dynasty league I go with Alie Cox. If I had to drop one, well you get the point. Burton and Alie Cox 10% of your remaining FAAB, Doyle minimum bid only and please don’t pick him up.
Players to Drop (redraft leagues)
Every week we like to give you a list of players that you can drop. Roster spots are a valuable commodity in fantasy football and players that aren’t performing or who are injured for a period of time (with no IR) should be cut. This weeks list is: Tevin Coleman because he’s always hurt, TY Hilton you should know why, Jimmy Garoppolo have you watched him play, Joshua Kelley continues to disappoint, Tyler Higbee’s picture may soon be on the back of a milk carton as he’s been MIA for most of the season, Preston Williams just look at his stats this season, James Washington is a very talented wide receiver but the Steelers just happen to have an abundance of those guys, Marquez Valdes-Scantling oh please tell me you didn’t own him, Drew Sample again, I’ll say this again, All Jets outside of Crowder, and last but not least, All Patriots (with the exception of Cam, Harris and if you’re really desperate Meyers).
Check me out on 
@justanoguysff
