A lot of times in fantasy football, players will bust or get injured and you feel your team is basically done for the year. However, without even making trades you can drastically improve your team by working the waiver wire. For those new to fantasy football, the waiver wire is full of ‘free-agent’ players that you can pick up and add to your team.
Oftentimes, there will be a variety of players worth adding to your roster and depending on your team this article might contain most of them or just a few. Therefore, whenever I put a player on this list he will have a 50% ownership percentage or lower to make it so there should be players for everyone to add and make their teams significantly better.
Additionally, all ownership percentages will be based on the ESPN website data but usually the percentages are relatively uniform across platforms from my experience.
I am going to always divide this article into three sections: Running Backs, Wide Receivers, and Tight Ends. So if you need one of those positions more than anything else feel free to just scroll to that given section.
Running Backs:
Chuba Hubbard (11% owned):
With Christian McCaffery out for at least the next couple of games, Hubbard should get plenty of opportunity. In CMC’s absence against the Texans, Hubbard had 52 yards on just 11 carries (4.7 yards per carry) and three receptions for 27 yards. The other potential running back competition in this backfield, Royce Freeman, had just 17 yards on five carries (3.4 yards per carry). This is Hubbard’s backfield and if he can continue to get these touches with CMC out, Hubbard is a great flex play every single week.
Zach Moss (57% owned):
I know I’m breaking my less than 50% rule but running back is about as shallow as you could possibly imagine. Moss is easily the most talented back available and he is a touchdown machine. Moss has accrued three touchdowns in just two games back from his injury. Moss had 16 touches, three of which being receptions, making him a guy I am not afraid to start at all in fantasy. This Bills offense is exciting and electric so do not be surprised if Moss continues to be putting up lots of touchdowns as the season progresses.
JD McKissic (50% owned):
McKissic, as much as I hate to say it as an Antonio Gibson owner, will continue to be getting touches. McKissic had five total touches which actually is a decent number given that Gibson only had 13 touches. The Football Team simply could not move the ball at all so it should come as no surprise that there weren’t a lot of touches to go around. I like McKissic a ton in PPR formats but if you’re playing standard he is probably not nearly as valuable.
Mark Ingram (37% owned):
You know running back is weak when Ingram has been on this list twice already. It truly is tough to find running back on the waiver wire this year. He is at least getting some touches but he is really only a guy you want to start in an absolute pinch. He will get you some points and is better than putting up a zero spot because you went with some “high upside” backup who you’re relying on for a lucky touchdown.
Wide Receivers:
Emmanuel Sanders (23% owned):
Sanders has been really underrated so far this year. Allen appears to really like him as he has six plus targets in every game so far. Obviously, Sanders had his best game this year with six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns against the Washington Football Team this past Sunday. Sanders is a great PPR play and even has WR2 upside given how much the Bills pass and how involved he can be. Pick him up with confidence.
Christian Kirk (22% owned):
Kirk makes an appearance once again on this list as it appears people did not capitalize on his early season production. Kirk had a breakout game one with over 100 yards and two touchdowns and people really must have thought it was a fluke because his ownership percentage has been pretty stagnant in recent weeks. His production on the field has been anything but stagnant however. Kirk had seven receptions on eight targets for 104 yards. He will have a big role on this offense so get him while you still can.
Marquez Callaway (46% owned):
Callaway has been nothing short of a disappointment this year after an amazing preseason. Was the hype too much given his talent? Probably but I still think he is better than he has been. Callaway had four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown this past week against a very good Patriots defense. I think Callaway has some upside in this offense and I would not be surprised if this is the game that finally gets him going as a player.
Desean Jackson (2% owned):
I am aware of Jackson’s injury history but if you need a guy to put up a massive performance out of nowhere it will be Jackson. Jackson had three receptions for 120 yards but could have had near 180 and another touchdown if Stafford had not under threw a route in which he absolutely toasted the opposing corner. He is a perfect flex play who has really fun upside in a great offense.
Tight Ends:
Tyler Conklin (3% owned):
Conklin has quietly been very solid so far this season. He has 4+ targets in every game as well as 2+ receptions every game which for a position that is very shallow is great off the waiver wire. Not to mention Conklin’s breakout game against the Seahawks on Sunday when he had seven receptions, on eight targets, for 70 yards and a touchdown. Conklin had some good training camp buzz and it’s nice to see itself manifesting on the field.
Dawson Knox (4% owned):
I feel like every year we think Knox will finally break out and be a great fantasy option. Could 2021 be that long-awaited year? Knox has touchdowns in back to back weeks and has 3+ targets in every single game. Additionally, he has 40+ yards receiving in ⅔ games. He will not be the most consistent option but Knox has a ton of potential.
Comments