We're nearing the middle-point of the season, and the waiver wire is about as bare as it can get. Trade talks are brewing, but not many agreements have been made... yet. Will you be the next one to make a move? Or are you going after the "picked-over" guy on the wire?
QUARTERBACKS
Gardner Minshew Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Anthony Richardson went down with a shoulder injury last week, landing him in IR for the first time in his young career. Someone should tell that guy he's an important part of the Colts offense... because he keeps putting himself in precarious situations that's not going to end well for him. This was the second time he was taken out of the game this season due to injury - the first incident coming in Week 1 on the Colts final drive. Minshew will be a replacement... not good, not bad... but he will hold the fort while Richardson is gone for the next four weeks.
Desmond Ridder Atlanta Falcons vs Washington This is more of a flier pick - if you are desperate for a starting QB this week, Ridder may be your man. There won't be a lot of people firing claims at him, so you could wait until Thursday or Friday to make this decision - but one thing is for certain... Washington got lit up by Chicago last week, and they now need to prove they are a legitimate NFL defense. Ridder has options to get the ball around - Bijan in the backfield, London out wide with Pitts at TE... they also just added the speedy Van Jefferson from LAR. Don't expect much, but it's better than some of the other names on the waiver list!
RUNNINGBACKS
D'Onta Foreman Chicago Bears vs Minnesota This list is about as thin as it gets. We're looking at an RB3 who could get some looks due to the RB2 being out on concussion protocol (Roschon Johnson). By no means should this be a priority target, unless Johnson gets ruled out. Only then will Foreman make an impact this week - he's a flier at best.
Tony Jones Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles (N) Jones started his season in New Orleans, only to fill in for (the injured) Jamaal Williams and (suspended) Alvin Kamara. With Kendre Miller stepping into a more prominent role and Kamara returning, Jones was waived and claimed by Arizona - right after James Conner left the ARZ lineup with an injury. Jones has suited up in four games, but only impacted two... concerns are about utilization more than anything else. UDFA Emari Demercado is slated to rake over RB1 reps for the Cards, but Jones has already proven he's capable of running in an NFL scheme with New Orleans. Don't be surprised if Jones gets some reps if Demercado struggles - but this is Conner's backfield once he returns.
EDIT: According to coaches, Keaontay Ingram is the RB taking reps with 1st Team Offense, NOT Demercado! We'll see how long Ingram is in the conversation - as he is also listed as QUESTIONABLE. Demercado will get worked into the gameplan from there.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Nelson Agholor Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee The Baltimore Ravens WR carousel continues, as Lamar Jackson can't find anyone not named Flowers or Andrews on a regular basis. The biggest surprise out of Baltimore's WR room is Agholor, who seems to be catching everything thrown his way - which is out of character if you ask Eagles fans! Agholor has 14 receptions on 17 targets for 170yds and a TD - the second most production out of the Ravens WR room (second highest targets behind Flowers, who has 40). You could see some FLEX or WR3 value from Agholor the next few weeks.
Josh Downs Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Gardner Minshew is now under center, and Josh Downs has been making a case for himself in the relatively flat Colts Offense. He's had two games of valuable WR Produciton (9.7pts in Week 3 vs Baltimore, 12.7pts in Week 5 vs Tennessee). Quite the small sample size, but he's going to get targets. He's got 23 catches on 33 targets for 255yds. Even with Taylor back in the lineup, the Colts will ease him back to his workload. Flex Downs!
TIGHT ENDS
Jonnu Smith Atlanta Falcons vs Washington This is a stretch - especially since Kyle Pitts is TE1 in Atlanta. But Smith is 12 for 13 in his last two games with 162yds while Pitts has a line of 9 for 15 and 108yds. Ridder seems to have found a rhythm with Smith - and that's good news for Falcons fans - but bad news for Pitts owners. Especially going up against a defensive unit that struggled last week against a bad offense, you can expect them to step-up their game against the big names (Bijan, Pitts, London), which could open the door for another "Day with Jonnu".
Tyler Conklin New York Jets vs Philadelphia I'm a Conklin-stan (FIRE UP CHIPS!), and the Jets have been putting up halfway decent outings despite the loss of Aaron Rodgers. Conklin is currently running on 17 catches on 23 targets for 203yds with no TDs, but that's mostly because the Jets have struggled finding the end zone (outside of the last two weeks). Conklin is TE1 on a slow offense, but that plays to his advantage. Especially with Dalvin Cook as a questionable piece on their offense, you can expect Wilson to throw the ball more. Breece Hall owners don't fret - that's his bread and butter. Conklin has a tough matchup against Philly this week, but he's still making an impact every week.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago WOAH, I missed pretty badly on the Commanders being the hot-commodity for D/ST last week. Justin Fields tore up Washington, who looked like they forgot they were playing an NFL game on Thursday Night last week. Minnesota routinely gives up a LOT of yards (342yds/game as of this writing), and a LOT of points (24.4PA/Game). Chicago is definitely riding a high, but this is an important division game. You'd be remiss to think Minnesota won't come out with a purpose. I'd expect them to hold Chicago to under 10pts and under 300yds.
Seattle Seahawks vs Cincinnati Seattle was a Bye-Week flier for me at the beginning of the season, and now they're turning into a must-stash on your bench. Their 29pts in Week 4 may have been a fluke, but they're traveling to the land of Joe Burrow who has struggled with passing the ball this year. Don't be surprised if Devon Witherspoon makes his presence known again this week - the Seahawks already have 3 INT's and 2 Defensive TD's on the year - not to mention 16 sacks (and the fewest PA among all teams on the wire). Get them before they're gone!
KICKERS
Brett Maher Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Arizona's defense is bad. Los Angeles just got Cooper Kupp back, while Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua continue to make names for themselves. With a health Matt Stafford, the Rams will be scoring LOTS of points this week.
Nick Folk Tennessee Titans vs Baltimore Folk, Boswell, Patterson. That's the entire list of kickers on the waiver wire who have yet to miss a PAT or FG this season. If you include rostered kickers, we can add Tyler Bass, Jake Moody, Harrison Butker, and Greg Joseph. That's not a lot of names... but kickers get value from volume. Folk has been getting chances to kick more FGs than PAT's due to Tennessee's offensive struggles. He's hit double-digits in every game except one so far this year - when he knocked through the only points for the Titans on a 44yd FG against Cleveland. Go get some points, and forget about your Kicker Position (until next week, when he's on a bye).
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