This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
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. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
Players listed/discussed last week: Joe Flacco, Tion Green, Mike Gillislee, Keelan Cole, Jaydon Mickens, Randall Cobb, Eric Ebron, Ricky Seals-Jones
QUARTERBACK
Secondary Targets
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF - Garopollo has many fans wondering why the 49ers didn't turn to him sooner when he was backing up C.J. Beathard. Garoppolo was featured here a few weeks ago but deserves mention again considering his recent play. He has 300-yard games in two of his four starts while sporting an elite 8.7 yards per attempt. Garoppolo just threw for two touchdowns against a stout Jaguars defense, and while the Rams aren't an ideal matchup, Garoppolo is still worth considering this week. FAAB: $4-$8
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Giovani Bernard, CIN - Bernard makes his way back into this column after Joe Mixon suffered an ankle injury Sunday. Mixon was back as the lead guy until the injury, but Bernard performed nicely in relief with 168 yards from scrimmage. The sledding will be a little tougher this week against a Ravens team fighting
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. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
Players listed/discussed last week: Joe Flacco, Tion Green, Mike Gillislee, Keelan Cole, Jaydon Mickens, Randall Cobb, Eric Ebron, Ricky Seals-Jones
QUARTERBACK
Secondary Targets
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF - Garopollo has many fans wondering why the 49ers didn't turn to him sooner when he was backing up C.J. Beathard. Garoppolo was featured here a few weeks ago but deserves mention again considering his recent play. He has 300-yard games in two of his four starts while sporting an elite 8.7 yards per attempt. Garoppolo just threw for two touchdowns against a stout Jaguars defense, and while the Rams aren't an ideal matchup, Garoppolo is still worth considering this week. FAAB: $4-$8
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Giovani Bernard, CIN - Bernard makes his way back into this column after Joe Mixon suffered an ankle injury Sunday. Mixon was back as the lead guy until the injury, but Bernard performed nicely in relief with 168 yards from scrimmage. The sledding will be a little tougher this week against a Ravens team fighting for a playoff spot, but Gio could get 20-plus touches if Mixon is out. FAAB: $8-$12
Secondary Targets
Bilal Powell, NYJ - Powell is roughly 60 percent owned in fantasy leagues, meaning he's not likely on the waiver wire. However, if he is, he's worth a look for Week 17 after gaining 145 rushing yards in Week 16. The Patriots have nothing to play for and are vulnerable against the run, allowing 4.8 yards per carry, second most in the league. Matt Forte will get some touches, but it appears Powell has much more of a featured role than anyone else. FAAB: $4-$8
Kapri Bibbs, WAS - The Washington backfield has been a mess from an injury standpoint and now Samaje Perine is dealing with both Achilles' tendon and groin injuries. This is a good matchup for whoever is in the backfield as the Giants appear to have given up on the season and have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs. Bump up Bibbs a few bucks if it looks like Perine will sit this one out. FAAB: $4-$8
Alfred Blue, HOU - Blue had 16 carries Monday to Lamar Miller's 10, suggesting he'll have more carries Week 17 against the Colts. Miller dealt with a nagging knee injury last week, which might again play a role. There's also the possibility he could get shut down for this meaningless game, putting Blue in line to be the bellcow this week. It's worth noting that outside two games this season Blue hasn't rushed for more than 21 yards in a game. FAAB: $3-$6
WIDE RECEIVER
Secondary Targets
Chris Godwin, TB - A third-round pick out of Penn State, Godwin picked up his second start to the season Sunday and finished with a respectable 6-3-98 line. It remains to be seen if DeSean Jackson will return for a meaningless game against the Saints this week, however. While the Buccaneers are unlikely to part ways with DeSean Jackson next season given his contract, Godwin is a guy to track in dynasty leagues. FAAB: $3-$6
Jakeem Grant, MIA - Grant had more than 130 all-purpose yards Sunday, including a career-high 106 receiving yards. The Dolphins are taking a look at him with nothing to play for, and after getting only five targets the first 11 games of the season he has 11 targets in his last three games with two touchdowns. It's hard to trust a fourth wide receiver on any team, but if your league counts return yards Grant could be useful. FAAB: $2-$4
TIGHT END
Primary Targets
Antonio Gates, LAC - With Hunter Henry on IR, Gates will head up the receiving corps from the tight end spot. He proved there's still gas in the tank Sunday, as he finished with six receptions on eight targets for 81 yards and a touchdown, showing he still has the trust of Philip Rivers. They both have a great matchup in a must-win game at home against the Raiders, a team that has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. FAAB: $10-$15
