One of, if not the most essential aspect of winning a fantasy football championship, working the weekly waiver wire within your league to scoop up players to help sustain you through the cold injury/bye weeks that lurk ahead.
There were more unfortunate injuries, specifically to wide-outs this week with many important guys missing the week which we saw affecting some QB plays as well. Michael Pittman Jr., Chris Godwin, Jerry Jeudy left early, and Gabe Davis just to name a few.
In addition, we saw a rookie receiver Garrett Wilson have a big-time standout day on Sunday for the NY Jets who completed a rather improbable comeback.
So, with that let’s take a look at who you may want to consider adding to your roster this week and as always we won’t even consider anyone who’s rostered in 50% or more of ESPN Leagues (unless I choose to pick someone over 50% then it’s totally okay)
Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF at DEN (1% Rostered)
We know what Jimmy G is and he’s not going to be the overwhelming reason why you win your fantasy match-up but he also shouldn’t absolutely crush your hopes of winning as he averaged 16 fantasy points last season and now with Trey Lance down and out for the season he’ll resume his duties as the starter for the 49ers. He’ll face a difficult Denver defense this coming weekend but again he should be okay, nothing special but shouldn’t hurt you too much.
Joe Flacco, NYJ vs. CIN (1% Rostered)
I’m just as shocked writing this as you are reading it. Yes, I’m actually suggesting that if you need QB help consider Joe Flacco as he’s proven to be a solid option as he mans the controls for the New York Jets to begin the season. Thus far he’s averaging about 20 fantasy points per game and his team is home to Cincinnati who has struggled this season sitting at 0-2.
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams, DET at MIN (44% Rostered)
I’m surprised more than half of you can still find Jamaal Williams on the waiver wire, after this week he SHOULD be rostered in more than 50% of leagues because he’s a solid depth piece, he’s not someone who’s going to blow you away with his usage unless Swift goes down. Even with Swift on the field, he’s garnered 23 carries and two catches over the first two weeks of the season.
J.D. Mckissic, WSH vs. PHI (42% Rostered)
Yet another option that isn’t a sexy pick but McKissic has been a solid flex/depth option over the last couple of seasons in PPR leagues as he continues to, catch, the eye of Carson Wentz (see what I did there). He’s hauled in 10 catches over the first two weeks compared to just six carries and has yet to find the end zone. So far this season he’s averaged just over 10 fantasy points per game.
Wide Receivers
Sterling Shepard, NYG vs. DAL (10% Rostered)
The New York Giants’ wide receivers have been difficult to figure out. Kenny Golladay was brought in to be their No. 1 receiver but he’s been disappointing, Kadarious Toney was highly drafted last year and we want him to be dynamic but he hasn’t been, and then there’s Sterling Shepard who continues to fly under the radar and just be solid. Last week, he saw 10 targets and was second in snaps between all the Giants WRs. This week it’ll be a tough task going up against a solid Dallas Cowboys defense so I’d temper your expectations but there could be some value to adding and stashing for the upcoming bye weeks.
Michael Gallup, DAL at NYG (44% Rostered)
Now, I don’t love Cooper Rush at quarterback but somehow over the last two seasons when he’s gotten an opportunity to start he’s found a way to be the Minnesota Vikings last year and the Bengals this season and he’ll get Michael Gallup back this week which should help the Cowboys offense. Tight end Dalton Schultz is dealing with a knee injury so he could see plenty of targets right off the bat this weekend against the Giants.
Tight End
Logan Thomas, WSH vs. PHI (20% Rostered)
Logan Thomas saw an increase in snaps played as well as routes run from week one to week two as he adjusts to life in a Carson Wentz-led offense. His production wasn’t overwhelming on Sunday (3 catches on 5 targets for 37 yards) but he did find the end zone and that always helps. Wentz has always fancied bigger body tight ends as a bit of a security blanket so Thomas should always be in the mix for targets week in and week out.