Welcome to our in-season coverage of waiver wire considerations for this week.
We won’t be forcing waiver wire advice or suggestions. Instead, expect to see a wide-ranging number of players each week, based solely on increasing snaps, injury or any combination of events that suggest a player’s status could change in the future. You can expect we will be providing a bit of justification for the addition as well as just how deep the particular player is. We are only highlighting those players that we believe deserve some level of attention, not merely players who happen to see targets or log a carry. As is always the case in fantasy, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Whether you are a multiple-year winner or in a constant state of rebuilding, the waiver wire is, arguably, your largest source of talent from which you will build your future dynasty. Being first to act and last to react, year over year, will play a huge role in the building and shaping of your team(s). It takes a lot of commitment to stay that engaged, but it’s an activity that will pay dividends every year.
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Tyrell Williams, WR SD
Nothing more than a waiver wire check here as Williams should certainly be rostered in all but the shallowest of leagues. He’s a frustrating receiver to own due to being wildly inconsistent but a couple times a year he puts up numbers like he did in week six (3/118/2) on only four targets. In fact, he’s posted three receptions in all but one game thus far in 2018 though these were his first touchdowns on the year. He’s a type of player you have to do a cursory check for and then breath a sigh of relief when you find he’s not available.
Damion Ratley, WR CLE
Next man up. The Browns are desperate for receiving talent and can’t seem to keep a healthy stable. Ratley is about all that’s left and defenses know it and are simply bracketing Jarvis Landry, daring rookie slinger Baker Mayfield to find other options. Ratley, a sixth round rookie, has the size at 6’2/200 lbs. to be interesting and this experience will be valuable, but he’s hardly more than a dynasty lottery ticket. Add Ratley only if you have an open roster spot and don’t have to burn priority or significant dollars to land him.
Terrelle Pryor, WR NYJ
Much like Tyrell Williams (above), Pryor has always intrigued with athletic upside but hasn’t yet shown consistency. His 5/57/1 production Sunday, on six targets, offered yet another glimmer of hope and his touchdown was the second in two games. If you’re desperate for receiver help with bye weeks continuing, consider an addition of Pryor here but keep expectations extremely low. He’s no more than an upside WR5 currently. To expect otherwise will likely result in a revisitation with disappointment.
David Moore, WR SEA
Another waiver wire check is in order to ensure Moore hasn’t slipped through the cracks. Moore scored his third touchdown on the year though only garnered three targets in London vs. a hapless Raiders team. We’ve already mentioned him multiple times over the last few weeks so he’s likely already rostered but perform a quick check to be sure. Moore’s upside may be limited but he’s developed some level of chemistry with Russell Wilson and he’s played north of 50% of the snaps each of the remaining three weeks.
Chad Kelly, QB DEN
The fateful phrase was heard today: “Case is our quarterback”. Mix in other such words as “faith” and “confidence” and the writing is on the wall. Keenum is near the bottom of the NFL in areas such as passer rating and total quarterback rating and he’s now currently tied for the league-lead in interceptions as well. The Broncos have fallen to 2-4 and if things don’t turn around quickly, you can expect to see Chad Kelly under center within the next four weeks. An addition of Kelly is nothing more than a dart throw as the Broncos are certain to be in the hunt for a new name during the NFL Draft and may kick the tires on a veteran (Tyrod Taylor?) or two before the trade deadline has passed. If you’re into darts and have a need for a developmental signal caller, Kelly is worth a shot.
Kyle Lauletta, QB NYG
The fourth round rookie may be in play in coming weeks if things don’t improve quickly for the G-men of New York. The 1-5 Giants have all sorts of problems and one of them is named Eli Manning. It’s not all Manning’s fault, of course, but with the season nearly lost here in week six, the 1-5 Giants may be forced to look to next year. Manning is 37 years old and isn’t a free agent until 2020, but it’s not out of the question he could be moved ahead of the trade deadline. That may be more easily played than benching, again, the younger Manning though this time the fans, and even the players, may be behind the move. Whoever is under center for the Giants will be in a fight for his life behind a particularly porous offensive line. The Giants don’t have a quarterback on the roster anywhere near ready to start and Lauletta is third behind career back-up Alex Tanney. But at some point, the plug will need to be pulled. Kyle Lauletta is a deep-roster dart-throw for coaches with a lot of patience and an open roster spot.
See you next week!
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You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff
Is it time to drop Keelan Cole in favor of Williams, Moore or Chester Rogers?
Raheem Mostert? Monday night game was probably too late to mention in the article, but what is your take on him?
I’m curious about Mostert, too. I just dumped a fair amount of FAAB on him (waiver wire is absolutely picked clean). He seems to profile as a smaller back like Breida, but he looked really quick and powerful when on the field and I’m betting Breida’s chances of finishing the year without missing time are pretty low. He seems to suffer an injury every week. If Morris is the odd man out and Breida goes down, seems like Mostart is in line for some great opportunities. Though based on his physical profile and measurables I’m guessing he won’t be valuable beyond 2018.
