Dynasty Waiver Wire: Week 12
This article is getting harder and harder to write each week it seems. Not because I’ve hit the in-season wall or have writer’s block, but rather finding players who are actually not rostered in more than a handful of leagues, players who are actually relevant to the average dynasty player’s waiver wire.
Every Sunday I grab rostership data from over 400 SafeLeagues, ACTUAL dynasty leagues with competitive managers, and that makes it tough to identify players flying somewhat under the radar. But that is a compliment to you guys and gals! The community is getting smarter, sharper, and more diligent in managing your rosters in-season.
Being active on the waiver wire is a true dynasty skill, in my opinion, and one that can lead to greater chances of winning your league over the course of 16 weeks. Sorry, I am preaching and probably to the choir as well. But you’re not even reading this anyway!
In case you are reading this, there is one bit of information to know before you start reading names. New to this year’s series and the DLF site is player rostership percentages, courtesy of dynasty rosters from SafeLeagues and the great Scott Fish. Using that data, I developed an app to view rostership data from over 400 SafeLeagues dynasty leagues, all using the same format and scoring (2 PPR tight end premium). While this may not be entirely accurate for every individual league, it is very reflective of how managers view who is worthy or not of a roster spot. Now that that is covered, let’s dive into the waiver wire after week 11!
Players to double-check availability and immediately add:
- Kalen Ballage, RB LAC
- Salvon Ahmed, RB MIA
- Tim Patrick, WR DEN
Ryan Finley, QB CIN
Joe Burr-Oh no… Early reports and speculations appear to suggest a torn ACL for rookie QB Joe Burrow, after a fantastic rookie season that was rivaling Andrew Luck’s in 2012, and the QB13-14 (depending on your scoring) coming into this week. Next man up is Finley who… was not good. He threw for a 30% completion rate and one pick in his short time in the game, though did have a nice 19-yard rush. This is strictly a superflex pickup, and quite frankly, might not even be worth that. He has solid weaponry around him and a good QB schedule with opponents like the Giants, Cowboys, and Texans over his next five games. At this point in the season though, it might not be worth it.
Samaje Perine, RB CIN
I meant to tweet out something about Perine after Joe Mixon was placed on IR because Perine slides right into the RB2 role for the Bengals behind Giovani Bernard, and honestly, is probably a better rusher than Gio. With at least two more weeks without Mixon, if anything happens to Bernard, this is entirely Perine’s backfield. Like most other waiver options, he’s an easy cut when (if?) Mixon returns or at the end of the season.
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB CHI
I was unable to include Patterson in last week’s waiver article because of the Monday night game, but I was bailed out this week by their bye week, which I think contributed to his still low rostership percentage. In David Montgomery’s absence, Patterson started at running back for the Bears and totaled 49 yards on 14 opportunities and scored on a kickoff return, so it was a decent fantasy day. I do not know if Monty is back this week or not, but Patterson could be worth an add if Montgomery continues to miss time.
Dez Bryant, WR BAL
This has been said a gazillion times, but 2020 is a weird, crazy year, but I am here for the Dez Bryant return! Dez actually was third on the Ravens in targets this week, even more than Marquise Brown. He hauled in four of his five targets, though didn’t do much in terms of yards with only 28. Still, this Ravens offense needs a spark in the passing game and it could be Bryant.
Russell Gage, WR ATL
In a HORRENDOUS game for Matt Ryan, somehow Gage had himself a day with seven receptions for 58 yards, leading the Falcons in targets with 12. Julio Jones was in and out of the game with injuries, which probably helped Gage’s target share, but Julio has been known to have nagging injuries. He’s worth an add if you are in a league that doesn’t already have him rostered.
Damiere Byrd, WR NE
Listen, I really do not understand this Patriots offense. Their wide receivers all seem the same and the past few weeks have been the Jakobi Meyers show until yesterday. Now, it’s Byrd who went 6-132-1 on seven targets, connecting with Cam Newton on a 41-yard touchdown. I don’t think I would ever feel comfortable actually playing Byrd, especially as we come into the fantasy playoffs, but he’s worth a mention here.
Jordan Akins, TE HOU
I know Akins is widely rostered in the majority of leagues, but this is a reminder to everyone to double-check for him on your waivers. Though he has been pretty inconsistent on a weekly basis, that could change if receiver Randall Cobb misses time with a foot injury, as he did for most of the game this week. Cobb’s absence led Akins to posting a career-high 83 receiving yards on five receptions, finishing second on the team in targets.
Cobb’s injury could also be a benefit to another wide receiver, Keke Coutee, as listed below, but I believe Akins is the more direct beneficiary in target share increase. Deshaun Watson has been on a tear since Bill O’Brien’s firing and has been more than capable of supporting multiple pass-catching options for fantasy.
Jacob Hollister, TE SEA and Will Dissly, TE SEA
A couple more tight end options from the Thursday Night game, both Jacob Hollister and Will Dissly are in for increased opportunities after Greg Olsen’s potential career-ending foot injury. Hollister is the more widely available option, which makes sense as Dissly has received a higher percentage of snaps in nearly every game to date. With that said, both players are worth an add to see where this new opportunity for both ends up for the rest of the season.
Other players to keep an eye on:
- Lamar Miller, RB CHI
- Willie Snead, WR BAL
- Keke Coutee, WR HOU
Deep stashes:
- D’Onta Foreman, RB TEN
- JJ Taylor, RB NE
- Marvin Hall, WR DET
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