NFL Waiver Wire: Players Under the Radar

The season is almost here, and if your league hasn't run waivers yet, it likely will before Week 1. If you haven't drafted, continue to use these as suggestions for late-round lottery tickets. Also, make sure to read the previous Waiver Wire columns, as they highlighted players such as Chris Carson, Jordan Wilkins, Eli Manning, James Washington and Ryan Grant.

If you have questions about players mentioned or in general, 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

Hail Mary

Josh Allen, BUF - An injury to his collarbone/shoulder likely omits AJ McCarron from starting for the Bills in Week 1, but the team might have been leaning toward Allen anyway. Allen looked good in his two preseason games and now only has to edge out Nathan Peterman to win the starting gig. Allen was already named the starter for Sunday's preseason affair with the Bengals, an indication that the Bills might start him Wee 1. That Week 1 matchup in Baltimore isn't ideal, but in two-quarterback leagues any starting quarterback has value. It's also worth noting that Vegas had Allen as the rookie quarterback with the highest over/under for games started this season at 9.5. Every couple of years a rookie quarterback makes an immediate fantasy impact; Allen could end up being a serviceable option in deeper leagues. FAAB: $1-$2, go higher in two-QB leagues

RUNNING BACK

Secondary Targets

Samaje Perine, Adrian Peterson, Rob Kelley, WAS - The injury to Derrius Guice was the first significant injury for fantasy owners, as he had moved into the third round in most drafts. The Redskins signed Peterson to a one-year deal Monday. While Peterson's name carries a lot of weight, he's not close to being the running back he was during his peak years. AP averaged 3.4 yards per carry in 10 games last season and is now 33. Kelley only averaged 3.1 yards per carry in limited work, but a suspect offensive line was likely to blame after he averaged 4.2 yards per carry his rookie season. Chris Thompson, coming off a broken leg, is still expected to handle third-down duties and should be in line for a few more carries as well. Meanwhile, Perine is dealing with an ankle injury that should only keep him out for about the next week but is likely the best fantasy option for the Redskins. While his 3.4 yards per carry last season isn't anything spectacular, he showed a better receiving ability than expected (22 catches, 182 yards, one touchdown) and again the offensive line wasn't much help. While it's unknown exactly how the carries will be divided up, it'll likely be some timeshare with Perine/Peterson/Kelley with Perine leading the way provided he's healthy. FAAB: Perine: $3-$6, Peterson $2-$4, Kelley $1-$2

Hail Mary
Jonathan Williams, NO - Someone is going to get a four-game bump to start the season with Mark Ingram suspended. Williams has looked good this preseason, not only running the ball but, just as important, pass blocking, drawing the praise of Drew Brees. "Once the pads come on, he is an impressive guy," Brees said. "He has run the ball extremely well, but I think more so than that he has stuck his nose in there in pass protection better than anybody I have seen in a while." Williams, who played in the same backfield as Alex Collins at Arkansas, has looked good in preseason action with 12 carries for 63 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown. There have been reports that the Saints don't want to significantly increase Alvin Kamara's workload while Ingram is out, potentially putting Williams in a great spot. There's no guarantee either that Williams is completely cut out of the picture if he performs well in Ingram's absence. Boston Scott and Shane Vereen are in the mix for touches, but Williams is the most attractive back to own after Kamara. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVER

Hail Mary

Tre'Quan Smith, NO - Smith is a little buried behind Michael Thomas, Tedd Ginn and Cameron Meredith, but the talent is there along with a few paths to playing time. Ginn is up there in age (33) and an injury to Thomas or Meredith would elevate Smith on the depth chart. Smith averaged 19.8 yards per catch his senior year at Central Florida while hauling in 13 touchdowns. While the Saints are more of a run-heavy offense, Drew Brees is still a lock for 4,300-plus passing yards and has shown faith in rookie receivers. Thomas had 1,137 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie and Marques Colston finished his first campaign with 1,038 receiving yards and eight scores. FAAB: FCFS or $1

TIGHT END

Hail Mary

Ian Thomas, CAR - Thomas is more of a name to remember if anything happens to veteran Greg Olsen this season. Until last year, Olsen was an ironman, playing 16 games in nine consecutive seasons. The position is so physically demanding and last season's injury could be an indication that Olsen is breaking down as he gets up there in years. A fourth-round pick out of Indiana, Thomas is seen as a project with upside who had mediocre numbers his senior season (25-376-5). His potential was on display Friday as he took a short Cam Newton pass and turned it into a 27-yard touchdown in the Panthers' preseason game against the Dolphins. It'll take another injury to Olsen for Thomas to become relevant in most fantasy leagues, so for now make sure he's on the fantasy radar. FAAB: FCFS

KICKER

Hail Mary

Daniel Carlson, MIN - It's always a wise move to pass on drafting a kicker if possible (outside of the elite ones) and draft another position player who's a lottery ticket. Carlson beat out Kai Forbath for the Vikings' starting kicker role and has an offense that should move the ball up and down the field. A fifth-round pick out of Auburn, Carlson is the SEC's all-time leading scorer and never missed a PAT in college. FAAB: FCFS or $1