Frank Dyevoich | September 25th, 2018
Week 3 was not kind to us fantasy owners. We lost Jimmy Garoppolo for the season to a torn ACL, Evan Engram went down with a sprained MCL, and A.J. Green went down with what is being called a groin injury. We also had some players come out of the woodwork to place their name in the ring of players worthy of being started on your roster. Every week we try to make our teams better, so let’s get to it. The following waiver wire adds are based on a $100 Free Agent Aquisition Budget (FAAB).
Quarterbacks:
Baker Mayfield (CLE) – This kid is a baller plain and simple. He had 200 yards in what amounts to one half of football, and the whole stadium got hyped when he came into the game. He is accurate and makes good decisions with the ball. If you need a QB, I would bid $12-16 FAAB.
Josh Rosen (ARZ) – Rosen was the most pro-ready QB prospect coming out of this class in my opinion. With Larry Fitzgerald mentoring him and acting as a safety blanket when the play breaks down, David Johnson in the backfield, Christian Kirk on the opposite side of the field and Ricky Seals-Jones running up the seam, there is a lot to like about Rosen’s prospects. However, the offensive line is atrocious so I would pull back on expectations. He is not worth any FAAB.
Running Backs:
Alfred Morris (SF) – With the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo for the season, the entire 49ers offense takes a tremendous hit. They will have to rely heavily on their running game, and Morris is the between the tackles back. Also, this week he got the goal line work again. His ceiling is capped but he provides FLEX appeal in the right matchups. I’d bid $5-8 FAAB.
Chris Ivory (BUF) – Ivory had a good showing in place of LeSean McCoy’s absence, but he is really only a McCoy handcuff. You can’t feel comfortable starting him behind that offensive line, but if you have a FLEX spot to fill and McCoy is injured or suspended, there are worse options. He is not worth any FAAB.
Wendell Smallwood (PHI) – Smallwood was the more impressive RB on Sunday, though Corey Clement got the start, and as long as Darren Sproles and Jay Ajayi are on the shelf you can roll out Smallwood as a bye-week fill in. I’d bid $5-7 if you are an Ajayi owner and don’t have Clement, $2-3 otherwise.
Javorius Allen (BAL) – His efficiency has been putrid, but Allen continues to get into the end zone and remains the preferred RB on passing downs. Alex Collins looked much better this week so the split going forward remains to be seen, but you could have worse options at the end of your bench. I’d bid $5-7 FAAB.
Wide Receivers:
Tyler Boyd (CIN) – Boyd is not an aberration, folks. Two weeks in a row now he has been heavily targeted and extremely productive. A.J. Green is banged up so his role could grow even further. I’d bid $10-15 FAAB depending on your needs at receiver.
Calvin Ridley (ATL) – Ridley is a burner. He can run every route in the tree and is far more explosive than Mohamed Sanu. It will be sooner rather than later that he takes number two receiver snaps. I would bid $10-15 FAAB.
Taylor Gabriel (CHI) – Gabriel was averaging over five yards of separation between him and the defender when he was targeted, and the Bears took notice. He was targeted 10 times this week and with Anthony Miller likely to miss time with a dislocated shoulder, he could be more involved in the near future. I would bid $3-5 FAAB.
Antonio Callaway (CLE) – He was a popular player on last weeks waiver wire adds, but if he is still available, go get him. He finished with 10 targets this week and Mayfield looked his way constantly. The breakout is coming. I’d bid $7-11 FAAB.
Christian Kirk (ARZ) – Kirk had his coming out party with seven catches for 90 yards on eight targets. He has yet to drop a pass, and what is most intriguing is that he seemed to be Rosen’s first read in the limited action that they saw together. If Kirk is Rosen’s favorite target, he is going to have weekly WR3 upside. I’d bid $4-7 FAAB.
Ryan Grant (IND) – The clear number two receiver for the Colts, Grant will be an above-average bye-week fill-in for receiver-needy teams. Indy is among the top of the league in pass attempts, so opportunity should never be an issue. He is not worth any FAAB.
John Brown (BAL) – The fact that Brown is still available, even in shallow leagues, is a crime. He is an elite deep threat receiver and Flacco is one of the best deep ball passers in the NFL. Bid $10-13 FAAB.
Mike Williams (LAC) – Williams is emerging as the TD scorer on this team right now and with his 6’4 frame there is no end in sight. He could easily score 10-13 TDs this season. You are going to have to pay for him, but he is worth it. I’d bid $12-15 FAAB.
Geronimo Allison (GB) – Allison has the confidence of Aaron Rodgers and that is really all it takes to be a weekly fantasy starter. Since he is the outside receiver opposite Davante Adams, he is on the field even when the Packers go two-wide. Bid $7-11 FAAB.
Tight Ends:
Dallas Goedert (PHI) – Until all of the receivers return healthy, Goedert will be used as a red zone and third down receiving option as the Eagles lean a little heavier on two TE sets. I want to see if Wentz really likes him and the targets continue because last week he had 0 catches. If I need a TE with upside, I’d bid $4-7 FAAB.
Vance McDonald (PIT) – This was an eye-opening week for the Steelers’ tight ends. McDonald basically face-slapped a defender out of his way and rumbled for a 75 yard TD. After that play, Ben Roethlisberger only had eyes for Vance McDonald. In fact, Jesse James only had one target this week. McDonald was signed to be the TE1 for this team so now that he is healthy, he needs to be owned. I would spend $2-4 FAAB.
Tyler Eifert (CIN) – Eifert has been a ghost the first two weeks so it was good to see him more involved. If his role continues to grow, he will provide weekly TD upside. Don’t break the bank though because his odds of staying healthy are slim to none. I’d bid $3-5 FAAB.
Ben Watson (NO) – Tight end is in shambles this season so a reliable one is hard to find. Watson’s ceiling is capped, but he is a lock for five targets a week and gives you a safe floor of 8-10 points in PPR. He is not worth any FAAB.
Defense/Special Teams:
Detroit Lions – The Lions just held Tom Brady to under 140 passing yards. They have decent pass rushers and one of the league’s best cornerbacks in Darius Slay. This week they take on the inept Dallas Cowboys. They are not worth any FAAB.
Green Bay Packers – The Packers had a poor showing on Sunday and Clay Matthews was once again flagged for a picture perfect tackle. However, this week they come home to Lambeau Field in a get right game against the Bills. Last week was incredible what they did against the Vikings, but they are still an awful team talent wise, and no one will underestimate them anymore. This game should be all Packers. They are not worth any FAAB.
Cleveland Browns – The Browns actually have a good defense. Myles Garrett is a monster and their secondary has been above average thus far. This week they get the Raiders, who can’t seem to find their identity. In Baker Mayfield‘s first official start, I expect the Browns to be fired up in this one. They are not worth any FAAB.
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