Fantasy Football: Week 3 Waiver Wire Report
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Running backs
James Starks-GB
With Lacy going down to injury, Starks is in a situation to make an impact. Of course not knowing the extent of Eddie Lacy‘s injury makes it hard to put a value on James Starks.
What we do know is that the early diagnoses looks like it isn’t a high ankle sprain and is not likely to keep him out long term. If It looks like Lacy won’t be ready to go next week, then Starks is the number 1 claim for the week.
Even if Lacy is ready to go, if you own him and don’t also own Starks, then, Starks should be your number 1 waiver claim. I don’t want to see you here, panicking again, the next time Lacy takes a bad bump, trying to figure out how to beat your league mates to Starks. Get it done! The key to success in Fantasy Football, is to have the answers to the test before the test is given.
Knowing Lacy may be back sooner rather than later, if you are not a Lacy owner, we should be concerned about what kind of fantasy value he brings to your team in he short term. With Starks time in the limelight potentially shorter than first expected, only those looking for a short term fix should be looking into Starks.
Matt Jones-WSH
Matt Jones is going to be one of the top waiver claims of the week. He should be, he is coming off a monster game, that saw him make his claim for a bigger share in the Washington offense. I fully expect, as the season goes on, the work in this backfield will tilt towards Jones.
We have to be realistic though, Alfred Morris and Matt Jones, combined for 37 carries, this will not be he norm. We must keep in mind that the Redskins had the lead for most of the game. Also not the norm in Wahington. The Redskins are not s power house and will be trailing more than they will be leading. However, that does not mean he isn’t a solid add this week. There is still work for him to be had in this backfield, I would expect him to come in somewhere in the area of 12-15 carries per week.
He is an explosive runner and the Rams rush defense isn’t formidable. That being said, the numbers he posted on them this week, will be seen again, he is legit and on the verge of becoming a full time NFL Player. The Redskins should slowly realize that they can better set up the running attack by using Matt Jones, the sky is the limit here. He is the best claim for the GM that’s looking for staying power.
Dion Lewis-NE
This week we saw Dion Lewis dominate the snap count for the Patriots. He was on the field for 70 of the Patriots 84 snaps. This is likely because they played the Bills, who have the best front four in the league, as a matter of sound strategy you will see the pass catching back on the field more.
Dion Lewis has staying power for the entire season, especially with James White‘s deactivation, there isn’t a guy in that backfield who can catch nearly as many balls as Dion Lewis.
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One of the reasons I’m not sitting here telling you this guy has the most staying power of any RB on this list is, because, he plays for Bill Belichick. What does Belichick hate? That’s right, your fantasy team. If Belichick is up to his old tricks, as he normally is, you could be in for a headache.
David Johnson, is another guy that becomes a better pick, the deeper into the season we get. He isn’t the guy you want to own if your looking for production now, but, if you want a good depth stash, this is the guy in this backfield that you want.
He has been getting in the endzone and he has scored on just under half of his touches. A really nice stat, but, it isn’t sustainable, so temper your expectations.
If you need production next week, this is the guy you want to own in this backfield. He is in line for the bigger workload until Andre Ellington gets back. However, his value comes with an expiration date. I wouldn’t want to own him, once Andre Elligton gets back in a few weeks.
He likely isn’t going to steal more than 7-10 carries a game from Justin Forsett, but, he will be a headache for Justin Forsett owners, as he is in line to vulture touchdowns at the goal line.
Luckily for Forsett owners, he isn’t going to get too involved in the passing game, on most days, so Forsett’s PPR points should stay intact. As such he is mostly a handcuff type and would need an injury to become a consistent Fantasy contributor.
Karlos Williams-BUF
Williams is another guy that is here to steal touchdowns. He is going to give LeSean McCoy owners a headache anytime the Bills get down into the redzone this season. If you’re in a situation where your RB supply is dry and you just need a RB that’s going to score you a touchdown, this is a good place to look, he is also benefitting from McCoy‘s balky Hamstring and seeing a bump in usage right now.
Wide receivers
Stevie is the WR to own off the wire. He has a great QB in Philip rivers and his staying power will last all season long. Two weeks into the NFL season and he is averaging 6 targets a touchdown.
If you are in a league and he is on the wire he is well worth the claim. Other names on this list might look sexier, but, none will out produce this man.
While on the surface he appears to be just as good a waiver claim as Stevie Johnson, he isn’t, Johnson has more opportunity to put in work and an easier path to targets. Each game Roddy White Scores Pts, it will mean Hankerson owners will see a drop in production.
Banking on Hankerson getting more targets than Roddy White on a weekly bases is a losing strategy, more weeks than not. I would much rather bet on Stevie Johnson out scoring Malcom Floyd.
Rishard Matthews-MIA
This is another guy who has to battle to stand out amongst many targets. No guy on this list has to beat out more guys on a day to day basis than Rishard Matthews.
With that said, he has done a great job to open the season and the possibility that he can distinguish himself as the WR2 of the Dolphins climbs every day.
Due to the fact, that any of these other Miami Receiving options can step up and dominate the workload, he is a best used as a spot starter. In deeper leagues, he is worthy of flex consideration on a week to week basis.
Travis Benjamin-CLE
I’m having a hard time buying into Benjamin being a fantasy asset this season. I wouldn’t give up a high waiver claim, nor, would I invest a large portion of my FAAB budget to roster this guy.
At any point he can disappear for weeks at a time. The Browns aren’t an efficient offense and I can guarentee you that, there will be weeks, you regret the decision to give up, too much, for this guy.
I will admit, it appears that Johnny Football enjoys throwing him the ball. He isn’t a polished route runner, he can only run deep bombs. That just so happens to be the easiest play, to take away, from an offense. Take my advice, grab one of the other guys on this list, that have bigger roles and far more staying power.
Cecil Shorts lll-HOU
Since the Texans have spent most of the first two weeks playing from behind, he has been getting many targets, twenty to be exact. That shouldn’t change, as the Texans have a bad offense and should be behind most weeks. He makes a much better PPR option, than a standard option.
Nate Washington-HOU
He will be the better option of the Texans receivers in standard leagues(not including DHOP of course). In my opinion, he is also the least enticing option on this list.
Tight end
Eric Ebron-DET
I spent most of the offseason telling you to draft him late, as your TE, did you listen? Of course not. So here we are, looking at him on the waiver wire.
If you need a TE, this is the guy you want to own, he is clearly the best option available at this point. It would be Jordan Reed, if his durability wasn’t a glaring issue.
Jordan Reed-WSH
No TE on this list has been scoring points at the rate that Reed has. Every week he plays he is going to make an impact. Unfortunately, his durability is a problem he hasn’t ever been able to escape. We even saw him get banged up in practice last week.
The chances of him giving you a complete season are considerably low. However, nobody will make an argument, that he isn’t an impact player, each and every time he steps on the field.
He has been an impact player in the absence of Antonio Gates. He brings an athletic ability not many tight ends have, but, there is one question on all of our minds, when it comes to Green.
When Antonio Gates comes back, just how much work will Green get. Usually I would tell you gates is very old and Green is a younger better version of him, but, the reality of the situation is, Gates, has spent quite some time building a rapport with Philip Rivers and Rivers isn’t about to forget his name come game time.
Quarter backs
Blake Bortles-JAX
Bortles leads the way on the waiver wire for QBs. If for no other reason than the fact that he has an emerging superstar to throw the ball to in Allen Robinson. In reality, it will be almost impossible to plug him in every week as your starter, but, with this motley crew of QBs, streaming seems to be the best option, no matter who you pick up.
Mallet is one of those waiver wire options that comes with an expiration date. But, until Foster can get back in the line up, he is the best week to week options for GMs that don’t want to have to make the right call streaming a QB each week.
In week 2, he threw 58 passes, scoring 17 fantasy points off pure volume alone. With that said, his pass attempts should fall back down to earth, once Foster returns. At that point, he won’t even be a streaming option anymore.
The Viking offense looked down right scary in week one. Teddy seemed to look better in week 2, he even produced a TD with his legs. He has the ability to be an every week starter which is a rare commodity on this list of QBs.
Tyrod Taylor-BUF
Tyrod Taylor brings the most staying power of any QB on this list. I like Bridgewater, more from a talent standpoint, but, the NFL is all about opportunity. The Bills don’t appear to be hiding him from opposing defenses.
They send him out week in and week out and tell him to make plays. If I’m looking for a QB this week, Tyrod Taylor is the guy I’m claiming, if he is available.
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