In a 2020 season riddled with injuries, it is even more vital that we, as fantasy owners, ensure that in the case of an injury we have good depth. Picking up the right guys on the waiver wire can make you win your league. In 2017, picking up Alvin Kamara may have seemed crazy to some and yet he finished as the RB3. The waiver wire is where leagues are won and I am here to give suggestions on intriguing fantasy options. For every player on this list, the ownership is below 50% on ESPN. Depending on how active or knowledgable your league is, these players may or may not be available however I tried to put some guys that will definitely be on the waiver wire in your league. Now let’s dive into this week’s pick ups.
Running backs to target:
Boston Scott: 50% owned
With Miles Sanders being injured, Scott erupted for 18.2 fantasy points this week with an awesome game-winning touchdown catch over Jabrill Peppers. If Sanders remains out, Scott provides RB2 value easily on a game to game basis. I would definitely pick him up and at least have him on your bench ready to go in case Sanders doesn’t suit up this upcoming week.
Malcolm Brown: 27% owned
Brown is not anything amazing but he is the RB36 on the season and can provide flex value week to week. Considering how shallow running back can be on the waivers, he is 100% worth the add to be on your bench. With Henderson slightly banged up yesterday, Brown had a very efficient 57 yards and a touchdown to go along with a few catches.
Lamical Perine: 11% owned
Perine had a breakout game for his standards with 11 rush attempts for 39 yards and a touchdown to go along with two receptions for 16 yards. Perine started the game off really well but in classic Jets fashion, the offense became incredibly stagnant after the first quarter. I would say that Perine is worth the add similar to Brown because running backs can be so shallow and difficult to find. Perine is earning more and more touches and hopefully the offense can start playing a bit better with Darnold back under center.
Wide receivers to target:
Cole Beasley: 36% owned
Beasley has been very underrated this year. He is the WR36 in fantasy thus far and is coming off a spectacular 11 catch game in which he had 112 yards receiving. Allen loves to throw to him to move the chains and Beasley has consistently had six targets in every game but one and even had a touchdown in that one game to make up for the lack of targets. Beasley is the definition of someone who should be a flex play. I really like his upside the rest of the year.
Rashard Higgins: 0% owned
With Odell Beckham Jr. out for the game, (and now for the season), Higgins took over and had six receptions for 110 yards. Maybe this game is a bit of a fluke but he is easily the best outside wide receiver on the roster right now and his great game against the Bengals isn’t going to make Stefanski give him any less snaps. I think Higgins can be a league-winning type guy if given the opportunity in this offense. He is, without a doubt, someone I would pick up this week.
Marquez Callaway: 0% owned
With Emmanuel Sanders and Michael Thomas out, Callaway had a very respectable eight reception game for 75 receiving yards. Callaway was easily the number one target (with ten) on Sunday and is worth the pickup if Thomas and Sanders continue to sit. He can be a very solid bench piece to start on a bye week or due to an injury.
Sterling Shepard: 36% owned
In Shepard’s first game back this season after injury, he had six receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Shepard is a great route runner who plays his slot role very, very well. He can be a safety blanket for Jones to look to if nothing else is open. I think he can be a good value on a weekly basis. Shepard is most certainly worth a roster spot based on this performance.
Darnell Mooney: 2% owned
Mooney has 5+ targets in each of the last five games and has been WIDE OPEN on multiple long passes that Foles and Trubisky have missed consistently. He is due to catch one of these long balls. Mooney absolutely smoked Jalen Ramsey on a route and could have had a 90+ yard touchdown had Foles made even an okay throw.
Nelson Agholor: 2% owned
Agholor is having a career revival in Las Vegas this year. He has touchdowns in each of the last three games and just had his first 100+ yard receiving game for the Raiders. With nine targets this past game against a very respectable Tampa Bay defense, I think Agholor has earned himself a roster spot in fantasy this year with his play believe it or not.
Tight ends to target:
Richard Rodgers: 4% owned
With Goedert and Ertz still sidelined, Rodgers had a really good game for his standards. He had the most receiving yards he’s had in five years with 85 and had six receptions on eight targets. Rodgers can be a solid TE2 without Goedert and Ertz and is worth the pickup if you really need a tight end to start.
Albert Okweugbunam: 0% owned
With Fant struggling with injury, Okweugbunam has capitalized on his opportunity. He has 6+ targets in each of the last two games, (the only games he has actually played this year) and Drew Lock seems to love to pass to the tight end position. I think he can be a tight end fill-in or stream if needed given the lack of depth at the position.