This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
Fantasy football can be absolutely frustrating. You spend the week assessing your team, making moves on the waiver wire, mulling any potential trade offers and figuring out who to put in your starting lineup. What we don't take into account is that no matter what (unless there's a tie), 50 percent of all fantasy teams will lose their matchups. If you find that you were in the "loser" category this week, there could be several potential reasons why. Maybe you were a victim of Kenny Golladay's hip injury, maybe you were a victim of the "bad weather" games or maybe you weren't able to accurately predict the touch distribution in a number of backfields. Realize that some of these factors are out of your control; the only thing you can do is get back to the grind and hope for better success this week. Let's get started.
This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.
Quarterback
PRIMARY TARGETS
Drew Lock, DEN - This is a bit of a desperate week at quarterback with four legitimate starting options on bye as well as the injuries suffered by a few teams. Lock is firmly in place this week, specifically with a matchup against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, and Lock is only on
Fantasy football can be absolutely frustrating. You spend the week assessing your team, making moves on the waiver wire, mulling any potential trade offers and figuring out who to put in your starting lineup. What we don't take into account is that no matter what (unless there's a tie), 50 percent of all fantasy teams will lose their matchups. If you find that you were in the "loser" category this week, there could be several potential reasons why. Maybe you were a victim of Kenny Golladay's hip injury, maybe you were a victim of the "bad weather" games or maybe you weren't able to accurately predict the touch distribution in a number of backfields. Realize that some of these factors are out of your control; the only thing you can do is get back to the grind and hope for better success this week. Let's get started.
This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.
Quarterback
PRIMARY TARGETS
Drew Lock, DEN - This is a bit of a desperate week at quarterback with four legitimate starting options on bye as well as the injuries suffered by a few teams. Lock is firmly in place this week, specifically with a matchup against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, and Lock is only on 10 percent of Yahoo rosters. Keep in mind this probably a one-week rental. FAAB: $5-$10
SECONDARY TARGETS
Nick Mullens, SF - It's tough to rank these backups this week and the advantage Mullens has is that Jimmy Garoppolo is out for an extended period, and possibly the season if the 49ers fall out of playoff contention. Mullens looked good in garbage time Sunday, but that was also against a bad pass-defense playing softer coverage protecting a big fourth-quarter lead. Mullens won't have the services of George Kittle or Deebo Samuel and San Francisco remains a run-first team. FAAB: $3-$6; bump up bid in super-flex/2-QB leagues
Jake Luton, JAC - Luton is in line to start this week with Gardner Minshew dealing with a thumb injury. It's unknown how long Minshew will be out and it makes sense to see what Luton can do over Mike Glennon. The Jaguars have a bunch of good-but-not-great targets for Luton to throw to, and keep in mind this season's strong track record of rookie quarterbacks. FAAB: $3-$6, bump up bid in super-flex/2-QB leagues
Running Back
PRIMARY TARGETS
Jordan Wilkins, Nyheim Hines, IND - While watching the Colts' game this week, I couldn't help but think "Oh great, I'll be writing about the Colts' backfield tomorrow." I still think Jonathan Taylor is the back to own, though he's dealing with an ankle injury and hasn't lived up to expectations. If Taylor misses time, Wilkins is the preferred waiver add over Hines. If all three are active this week, it'll be tough to prognosticate how the touches will be divideD, though the torch may have been passed to Wilkins. Check on Taylor's status in the next few days and bump up FAAB bids if it's looking bleak for him this week. Also remember that going from the Lions to the Ravens is a complete 180 as far as matchups go. FAAB: Wilkins $8-$16; Hines $4-$8
Damien Harris, NE - I'd feel much better about this add if Sony Michel wasn't set to come back this week. Harris easily looks like the most talented running back the Patriots have had in a while and should be the main ball carrier the rest of the season. However, the return of Michel and unnecessary carries for Rex Burkhead still exist. New England also doesn't utilize Harris in the passing game, somewhat limiting his overall upside. Harris has a roster spot in 47 percent of Yahoo leagues. FAAB: $10-$15
SECONDARY TARGETS
JaMycal Hasty, SF - The San Francisco backfield has been a nightmare this season when it comes to figuring out who'll get touches. Jerick McKinnon appears to be on double-secret probation and Tevin Coleman, fresh off IR, is hurt again. The last man standing is Hasty, who while inefficient Sunday, is in line to get the most touches this week for the 49ers. FAAB:$4-$8
Gus Edwards, BAL - The Ravens have a tough matchup this week at the Colts and there's a chance that Mark Ingram returns from his ankle injury. That's the downside for Edwards, but he has scored 8.6 and 14.7 fantasy points the last two weeks. The Ravens also have turned to him lately at the goal line. Expect about 15 carries this week if Ingram is sidelined again. FAAB: $4-$8
Troymaine Pope, LAC - The Chargers are another tough team to read when it comes to their backfield. Pope totaled 15 touches for 95 yards Sunday, though a lot of that was in the second half when the Chargers unsuccessfully couldn't hold onto another lead. The schedule for Chargers running backs is gravy; they face teams who have given up the 18th-most fantasy points or more in their next five games. Pope could get another 10-plus touches this week or receive less three, as either is likely. FAAB: $3-$6
HAIL MARY
Cam Akers, LAR - It's tough to recommend Akers considering he hasn't lived up to preseason expectations at all. He got touches Sunday only because Darrell Henderson injured his thigh. It's unknown if Henderson will miss time, and there's probably a good chance he's back for Week 10, which is why I'm pumping the brakes on Akers. Still, Akers isn't a bad speculative add. FAAB: $2-$4
Wide Receiver
PRIMARY TARGETS
Jalen Reagor, PHI - I've written the last few weeks about Reagor when he could have been acquired cheaply. The bad news is he'll cost more FAAB this week; the good news is he's only rostered in 24 percent of Yahoo leagues. While Travis Fulgham has staked his claim, Reagor has enough upside to be the best fantasy receiver for the Eagles the rest of the season. The only hesitation is that Reagor is on bye, so he won't be able to help this week. FAAB: $6-$12
SECONDARY TARGETS
Marvin Hall, DET - Hall had a 7-4-113 line Sunday and saw more snaps after Kenny Golladay left in the third quarter. Golladay will miss at least this week (possibly more) and Hall stands to benefit. This week has a decent matchup against the Vikings, a team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Quintez Cephus is worth a buck or two in deeper leagues. If Marvin Jones is available in your league, think about a $8-$16. FAAB: $3-$6
Jakobi Meyers, NE - Myers, who had a team-high 10 targets Sunday against the Bills, has a decent matchup this week on MNF against the Jets. That said, the Patriots might have the worst passing attack in football. With so many quarterback changes and four teams on bye, Myers could be useful in some formats this week. FAAB: $3-$6
Allen Lazard, GB - He could have been taken off IR before this week, but his presence at practice suggests he could be back as soon as this week (Thursday). The Packers need a deep threat opposite Davante Adams, and that threat will almost always get single coverage.
FAAB: $3-$6
Tight End
SECONDARY TARGET
Jordan Reed, Ross Dwelley, SF - Coach Kyle Shanahan seems like he thinks that Reed could be back Thursday, but we should know by now how long that might last. Reed has more upside while healthy, but Dwelley is the better bet to finish out the season. In the short term go Reed, long term go Dwelley. If Reed remains for multiple weeks, consider it a blessing. The good news is no matter who is quarterback they should lean on the tight end position given the ways of San Francisco offense. FAAB: Reed $4-$8; Dwelley $2-$4
