NFL Waiver Wire: Overlooked Players

Welcome back to another season of the waiver wire article on RotoWire. From now until the start of the season I'll hit on players to consider off the waiver wire and then take a weekly look once the season starts. Also, I'll look at strategy to use as your draft approaches and ways to think heading into a draft. Most drafts have not happened so this piece can be used as a tool for late-rounds fliers. Comments are always welcome below.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based on 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

Hail Mary

Tyrod Taylor, CLE - If coming out of a draft the quarterback on your roster doesn't instill a lot of confidence it could be an idea to try the streaming game at the position. With so many rookies likely to see the field at some point this season there should be a decent amount of turnover on a weekly basis in addition to any injuries that occur. Taylor is arguably in the best fantasy spot he's had his career with receivers like Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, Corey Coleman and David Njoku. He'll likely be under center to start the season, and his rushing ability makes him a viable fantasy option if he's starting. FAAB: FCFS-$1

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Chris Carson, SEA - The hype train with Rashaad Penny is going strong, which isn't surprising given the Seahawks used a first-round pick on him. First-round running backs have done well the last few seasons, and Penny could be the workhorse back starting Week 1. However, Carson shouldn't be ignored as he is fully recovered from his Week 4 injury and has been around the team a year. In a short sample, Carson averaged 4.2 yards per carry, and if Penny struggles with pass-protection or understanding the plays, Carson could eat into his workload. Carson is a great late-round pick who could find himself the starter Week 1. FAAB: $6-$6


Jordan Wilkins, IND - With questions surrounding the defense and Andrew Luck, running back has been a little overlooked this offseason. Marlon Mack appears ready to take over as the lead back, but Nyheim Hines and Wilkins should work their way into touches with Robert Turbin suspended. Hines fits the profile of a change of pace/third-down back while Wilkens is more of an in-between the tackles runner capable of handling the goal-line and short-yardage work. Wilkins rushed for more than 1,000 yards (6.5 yards per carry) in the SEC last season while scoring 10 touchdowns, showing his upside. FAAB: $2-$4

Secondary Targets

Kalen Ballage, MIA - Ballage appears set to open the season as Kenyan Drake's backup after being drafted in the fifth round out of Arizona State. He was a backup there as well but was productive when given the chance on the field. His combine numbers were good for a player 6-foot-2, 228, as he ran a 4.6 40 and a 6.9 three-cone drill. As of now, it's Drake's job to lose and Ballage will have to compete with Frank Gore for touches. FAAB: $1-$2

Hail Mary

Chris Ivory, BUF - Ivory is one of the less sexy handcuffs given the Buffalo offense doesn't appear to have much upside this season. The offensive line shouldn't be particularly good, but that means LeSean McCoy should be hit more increasing the likelihood of an injury. Ivory will assume the Mike Tolbert role, which means the 80 touches he vacates should be Ivory's. FAAB: $FCFS or $1

WIDE RECEIVERS

Primary Targets

Jordan Matthews, NE - Given the last couple of injury-plagued seasons, it's easy to forget how good Matthews was in his first two seasons finishing with more than 1,700 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. He signed an incentive-laden contract to join the Patriots offense this offseason, a place that has been fruitful for fantasy purposes. The absence of Julian Edelman the first four games of the season opens a great opportunity for Matthew, who has the upside to be the 1B wide receiver in this offense. Super Bowl LI contributor Malcom Mitchell (6 catches, 70 yards) is worth a look in deeper leagues provided he's healthy. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

James Washington, PIT - Washington appears set to open the season as the Steelers' third wide receiver, a great spot to be in. Teams will be focused on stopping Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Le'Veon Bell, leaving Washington in softer one-on-one coverage. The Pittsburgh offense is a great place for fantasy, and while he'll likely be inconsistent as a rookie in his role he could still make an impact. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Ricky Seals-Jones, ARI - RSJ is a converted wide receiver, which loosely translates into "he's a better pass-catcher than blocker" in football terminology. Seals-Jones didn't do much in his rookie season but did haul in three touchdowns in a two-game span and averaged 16.8 yards per attempt. Whether it's Sam Bradford (likely) or Josh Rosen under center both likely will utilize the safe, short routes a tight end typically runs and the competition for targets from the wide receivers (outside of Larry Fitzgerald) shouldn't be significant. FAAB: $1-$2

DEFENSE

Secondary Targets

Baltimore Ravens - Thinking of streaming already for Week 1? The Ravens are home and get the Bills, a team that likely will struggle mightily on offense. There are questions with an offensive line that lost Richie Incognito and Eric Wood, and outside of LeSean McCoy there aren't any big weapons at the skilled positions. AJ McCarron likely will be the starter, and he doesn't come with some great pedigree. While their defense should be good, the Bills don't have an offense that's built to come from behind, and if they fall into that scenario the turnovers should follow. FAAB: $1-$2