Week nine was a wild one, with a lot of new blood at quarterback. However, only one widely available rookie passer looks like an add. Instead, a few veterans make the list-including one who should be returning from injury and one who finds himself on a new team.
At the running back position, only one player is a priority add, and even if he is added, managers should have their eyes wide open about his situation. Now is a good time to stash handcuffs- especially young ones who may have fresh legs as we move into the second half of the season and the fantasy playoffs.
There are a few tight ends to consider if you need to replace Dallas Goedert, and there are also a couple of rookie wide receivers that I am prioritizing this week.
The Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, and Eagles are all on bye this week, so you’ll most likely be missing some of your biggest playmakers. Don’t forget to put your FAAB bids in on time.
Here it is, folks. Your top waiver claim of the week. Mitchell is the player you will have to prioritize. The undrafted rookie impressed with 138 yards and a touchdown on nine attempts Sunday, and he could be in line to replace Justice Hill. Gus Edwards scored two touchdowns in Week 9, bringing his total to five across the past two games- and he won’t be going anywhere, but it’s possible he was limited later in the game due to a toe injury that held him out of practice early in the week. This now appears to be a three-man committee with Edwards and Justice Hill, and Lamar Jackson is still a rushing threat to vulture touchdowns, but no player on the waiver wire has a higher possible outcome at the position.
FAAB up to 16%
Murray is expected to return this week, and there is no quarterback on the wire with more considerable potential to deliver you Top 10 production for the rest of the season. The range of outcomes is wide as besides returning from injury, we have yet to see Murray with this coaching staff, but Murray finished as the fantasy QB3 in 2020, QB10 in 2021, QB9 in 2022 on a per-game basis before tearing his ACL. Sure, some of his rushing numbers may be affected, but he could also get a boost in this non-Kliff Kingsbury offensive scheme.
FAAB up to 11%
As long as Robert Woods is out, Brown is a potential flex-start. The Houston receiver now has 11 targets for nine catches, 210 yards, and a touchdown across the past two games, and he is the WR3 for the week. We can’t expect Stroud to have a history-making game every Sunday, but the matchup with Cincinnati is favorable enough to consider Brown in deeper leagues.
FAAB 6%
Hill has finished as a Top 6 tight end for four consecutive weeks. Whether he is punching in a touchdown, operating as a receiver or as a passer, the Saints Swiss Army Knife is helping them win, and there’s no reason to expect that to change.
FAAB 9%
If Douglas wasn’t picked up last week, this could be your last chance. With Kendrick Bourne out for the season, Douglas is the new WR1 for the Patriots. He's seen 14 targets for 80 yards across the past two games played, leading all New England receivers. He has a 71.4% catch rate across those two games, and his 140 yards after the catch leads all active Patriots receivers.
FAAB 11%
I have written about Michael Wilson many times in this article, but he makes another appearance today as I only expect his stock to go up with the return of Kyler Murray. Wilson is the WR2 opposite Hollywood Brown in Arizona, and we’ve seen him put up a couple of big games already this season. He’s tallied 50+ receiving yards in five of his last seven games, and his 15.2-yard average depth of target is the third-highest among receivers with at least 25 targets. Don’t forget that Murray was a Top 8 quarterback in deep passing yards from 2019-2021. Wilson missed last week due to a shoulder injury, and there’s a high probability he was dropped in your league due to bye week needs. Now is your chance.
FAAB 10%
Arizona traded Dobbs to the Vikings last week, and he immediately made an impression. Dobbs led Minnesota to an improbable comeback vs. the Falcons in relief of the injured Jaren Hall, despite having yet to take a snap with the first-team offense in practice. Dobbs entered finished the week as QB 5 and he now has four Top-10 finishes this season. Dobbs’s 258 rushing yards are tied for third at the position, and he also has three rushing touchdowns. He now gets an upgraded system and weapons in Minnesota, including perhaps the best wideout in the NFL, Justin Jefferson, who is eligible to return as soon as this week. Next week’s matchup with the Saints isn’t the best, but the following two weeks are very favorable as the Vikings matchup with the Broncos and the Bears.
FAAB 6%
Joshua Palmer is on the IR, and this is the rookie's chance to take over WR2 duties.
FAAB 7%
Despite Mike Vrabel not committing to starting Levis once Tannehill returns, it’s hard to see the Titans not using the talented rookie after he showed plenty of poise again vs. a tough Steelers pass rush on Thursday. It didn’t translate to a lot of fantasy points as Levis threw for 262 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Still, just two weeks ago, Levis finished as the QB6 after tossing four touchdown passes, and this week he gets the Tampa Bay defense that just allowed 470 yards and five touchdown passes to fellow rookie CJ Stroud.
FAAB 5%
Carr has finished as a Top15 QB in each of the last five weeks, and with the state of the QB position, that makes him worthy of an add. The matchup with the Vikings this week is favorable. In fact, the Saints only face two more teams this season that have a winning record thus far. He has the third-easiest remaining schedule for quarterbacks, according to PFF.
FAAB 5%
Charbonnet played 100% of Seattle’s third downs and two-minute drill plays Sunday. Game script won’t always be favorable for Charbonnet, but he’s also the handcuff for Walker and he should not be left on the wire.
FAAB 6%
He’s a boom threat in any given week, and his matchup with the Vikings this week is favorable.
FAAB 6%
Otton had a career-best day on Sunday, logging 70 yards and two touchdowns, and he has seen 22 targets over the last two games, averaging 47 yards during that span, but we aren’t just chasing the points here. Otton played 100% of the snaps on Sunday, and he played at least 96% in every other game but one. Additionally, Otton’s 192 routes-run rank tenth among NFL tight ends. Finally, he has a top-five remaining schedule for tight ends, according to Pro Football Focus.
FAAB 5%
Singletary took over early down work vs. Tampa Bay Sunday while Pierce was out with an injury. The Bucs defense was tough, and it didn’t translate into a good fantasy day, but next week’s matchup with Cincinnati could be more rewarding if Pierce misses another week.
FAAB 3%
Cam Akers is done for the season with an achilles injury, and Chandler looks to be the next man in line behind Alexander Mattison for Minnesota.
FAAB 2%
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield
Running back: Tyjae Spears, Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Leonard Fournette
Wide receiver: Odell Backham, Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster
Tight ends: Luke Musgrave, Jonnu Smith, Juwan Johnson
