This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
The first week of playoffs finished in odd fashion with many team using the gems they found on the waiver wire or being let down by the studs who led them to the offseason. This week, a lot of players' injury status is up in the air, making most of the players on the waiver wire speculative adds with a lot of upside. Don't be afraid to use your FAAB to block someone else in your league from getting a player, and at this point of the season there's no reason to hold onto any FAAB, except for maybe a buck or two for next week. Good luck for those still alive this week. We'll run this column through Week 17 for those who play that long.
If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.
QUARTERBACK
Secondary Targets
Derek Carr, OAK - If a one-week streamer is needed at quarterback, Carr is the man this week. He has solid back-to-back performances with 24 and 27.1 fantasy points and has a good matchup this week in Cincinnati. No team has given up more fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, allowing 3,470 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns. FAAB: $4-$8
RUNNING BACK
Primary
The first week of playoffs finished in odd fashion with many team using the gems they found on the waiver wire or being let down by the studs who led them to the offseason. This week, a lot of players' injury status is up in the air, making most of the players on the waiver wire speculative adds with a lot of upside. Don't be afraid to use your FAAB to block someone else in your league from getting a player, and at this point of the season there's no reason to hold onto any FAAB, except for maybe a buck or two for next week. Good luck for those still alive this week. We'll run this column through Week 17 for those who play that long.
If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.
QUARTERBACK
Secondary Targets
Derek Carr, OAK - If a one-week streamer is needed at quarterback, Carr is the man this week. He has solid back-to-back performances with 24 and 27.1 fantasy points and has a good matchup this week in Cincinnati. No team has given up more fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, allowing 3,470 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns. FAAB: $4-$8
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Elijah McGuire, NYJ - A foot injury to Isaiah Crowell led to his early departure Sunday, opening the door for McGuire to finish with 20 touches for 83 yards from scrimmage. He found the end zone of one of those runs leading to a successful fantasy day. It's unknown if or how much time Crowell will miss but it appears McGuire would be in line for a heavy workload if Crowell is out. McGuire is a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield averaging four targets per game this season and might only come off the field when he needs a breather. In deep leagues, throw a buck or two at Trenton Cannon, who will back up McGuire if Crowell misses time. While this week's matchup for the Jets (Houston) isn't great, they get easier teams to run on in Green Bay and New England for their final two games of the season. FAAB: $25-plus
Justin Jackson, LAC - Jackson was listed in this spot last week (as was Austin Ekeler) but makes a repeat appearance after Ekeler left Sunday's game with a neck stinger, which apparently has been a problem for him lately. It further clouds the running back situation for Thursday night's game against the Chiefs. Melvin Gordon reportedly could return Thursday as well, so all three Chargers backs could be active. However, if the Chargers decide to play it safe with Ekeler and Gordon, Jackson could be the main back in what is an elite matchup on paper. On a per-game basis, the Chiefs give up the second-most fantasy points to running backs. Watch reports this week to see how things shape up in the Chargers' backfield. Also note that Jackson is owned in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues. FAAB: $25-plus, blow all of it if he's just a one-week rental with the job to himself
Secondary Targets
Marcus Murphy, BUF - The injury bug hit in the worst way for the Bills' running backs with both LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory leaving Sunday's game with their respective injuries. It's unclear if either or both will miss this week, but if both are out it would leave Murphy as Buffalo's main ball carrier. Murphy is averaging a respectable 5.2 yards per carry this season and the matchup is good as the Lions give up the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs (12th most yards per carry at 4.6). Murphy would be in the conversation as a flex spot on playoff teams should his two backfield teammates be ruled out this week. FAAB: $4-$8
Hail Mary
Kenneth Dixon, BAL - It appears Gus Williams may no longer be useful given he received only 16 of Baltimore's 26 rushes Sunday, finishing with just 67 yards on the ground. He wasn't targeted in the passing game while Dixon and Ty Montgomery got four targets. Dixon finished with nine touches for 80 yards, including a three-yard touchdown run. Truthfully, it's tough to trust any of the Baltimore running backs, though Jim Harbaugh said Monday he expects to see Dixon's role grow. The matchup is good this week at home against Tampa Bay, it's just a difficult backfield to figure out. FAAB: $1-$2
WIDE RECEIVER
Secondary Targets
DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick, DEN - After the season-ending injury to Emmanuel Sanders, most thought Sunday's game against San Francisco would be a monster fantasy day for Courtland Sutton. Instead, Sutton's teammates, Hamilton and Patrick, scored 14.2 and 12 fantasy points, respectively (in .5 PPR formats), while Sutton had only 2.4 fantasy points. The good news for Sutton's owners is he was targeted in one-on-one situation at the goal line and still has the most upside of the trio. However, Hamilton and Patrick will be on the fantasy radar as the next best two receiving options. Trying to pick who will be more valuable week to week will be difficult, but Hamilton gets the slight edge due to a better pedigree and being listed higher on the depth chart. FAAB: Hamilton $3-$6; Patrick $2-$4
Kenny Stills, MIA - Stills is going to be at the top of a lot of wide receiver waivers this week after having arguably his best game of the season Sunday, turning in a 9-8-135-1 line against the Patriots. He has had a good rapport with Ryan Tannehill and is the best wide receiver for the Dolphins. However, looking at the schedule, he could have a hard time making playoff lineups the next two weeks. This week, he faces Minnesota (Xavier Rhodes) and then he takes on the Jaguars (Jalen Ramsey). Still, those corners can be beat and there likely will be situations where they aren't covering Stills. FAAB: $3-$6
TIGHT END
Hail Mary
Vernon Davis, WAS - It's surprising it took until Week 14 to derail Jordan Reed, who now looks to be out a while with a foot injury. Davis should take over primary pass-catching responsibilities at the position for the Redskins, who'll likely have Josh Johnson under center this week. While Johnson isn't an All-Pro quarterback, he threw to short, safe routes Sunday, which is what a tight end typically runs. This is only a relevant pick for those in leagues that start two tight ends. FAAB: $1-$2
