Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week.
Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try and help.
Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played.
All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues at time of writing.
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Davis Mills (QB – HOU) vs. Washington Commanders (2.7% Rostered)
With four talented quarterbacks on a bye this week, fantasy players don’t have many last-minute options to consider. Mills is a solid dart-throw option however. The Texans quarterback is averaging 11.8 fantasy points per game this season, making him the QB23 for the year. The second-year pro has played well lately though.
Over the past four weeks, Mills has totaled six passing touchdowns while averaging 13.4 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he put up a season-high 319 passing yards against a talented Giants defense last week.
This week, Mills takes on a Commanders unit that has struggled to slow down opposing quarterbacks this season. The have surrendered 17.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks – the 12th-most in the NFL. Furthermore, they have given up at least two passing touchdowns in 60 percent of their games to this point, including three of their past four contests. Mills isn’t likely to have a top-five finish this week, but the second-year quarterback could sneak into the low-end QB1 range.
Latavius Murray (RB – DEN) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (30.8% Rostered)
After losing Javonte Williams to a season-ending knee injury, the Broncos have turned to the duo of Melvin Gordon and Murray. While Gordon is the starter, Murray has produced well for fantasy players since joining the team.
Murray is averaging 8.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game since joining the Broncos, scoring at least 6.2 fantasy points in every contest. In addition, he has been given at least 10 touches in every game. More importantly, the veteran running back has an appealing matchup this week.
The Raiders have been awful this year. Their run defense has been a fantasy goldmine for opposing running backs. They have surrendered 23.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to running backs this season – the sixth-most in the NFL.
The Raiders have given up 99 or more rushing yards in 55.6 percent of their games this season, including in three of their past four contests. On top of that, they have surrendered 142 rushing yards, 1.5 rushing touchdowns and 26.4 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past two weeks. Murray is a decent flex option this week thanks to his matchup.
Jerick McKinnon (RB – KC) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (24.4% Rostered)
Earlier in the year, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the star of the Kansas City backfield. However, his role on offense has recently become almost nonexistent. Instead, the veteran McKinnon has taken on a larger role.
McKinnon is averaging 6.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past five contests, scoring at least 7.4 fantasy points three times. More importantly, the he has become the pass-catching back for the Chiefs. McKinnon has 12 receptions on 14 targets for 96 receiving yards over the past two weeks. While he has a limited role in the ground game, the matchup this week makes McKinnon an appealing flex option, especially in PPR leagues.
The Chargers have been an excellent matchup for running backs. They have surrendered 27.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to the position this season – the third-most in the NFL. They have given up 25 or more fantasy points to running backs in six of their past seven matchups.
The Chargers have struggled to slow down pass-catching running backs this year. They have given up three receiving touchdowns and 7.4 fantasy points per game in the passing game to running backs this season. Sunday night’s AFC West showdown should be a high-scoring contest that benefits McKinnon.
Darius Slayton (WR – NYG) vs. Detroit Lions (15.7% Rostered)
While the Giants’ passing attack lacks a superstar wide receiver, Slayton has played well lately as the de facto No. 1 pass catcher. The veteran receiver has seen at least four targets in four of his past five contest, averaging 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during that span while scoring 10.9 or more points three times.
Slayton is coming off his best performance this season, totaling 95 receiving yards and 17 fantasy points last week against the Texans. His matchup this week is very appealing and could lead to even more.
The Lions have surrendered 29.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season – the seventh-most in the NFL. They have given up two or more receiving touchdowns to the position in a third of their games this season and over 46 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers twice. While Slayton won’t have a top-10 performance this week, he should be a solid flex option.
Nico Collins (WR – HOU) vs. Washington Commanders (9.5% Rostered)
Despite the Texans’ awful record, one of the few bright spots has been Collins. The young receiver is averaging 7.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he has dealt with a groin injury, Collins has scored 8.5 or more fantasy points in three of the past four contests.
Collins had a season-high 13.4 fantasy points as well as his first touchdown of the year last week against the Giants. More importantly, the former Michigan star’s matchup this week is fantasy-friendly.
The Commanders have surrendered 29.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season – the ninth-most in the NFL. They have given up at least one receiving touchdown to wide receivers in 60 percent of their games, including their last two. They have struggled to slow down wide receivers on the road. Wide receivers have averaged 31.1 fantasy points per game at home when facing the Commanders.
Collins has played well lately and has outplayed veteran teammate Brandin Cooks. While he lacks top-10 upside this week, Collins is an excellent bye-week replacement for a WR such as Tyreek Hill or Mike Evans.
Juwan Johnson (TE – NO) vs. Los Angeles Rams (15.6% Rostered)
While the Saints have dealt with quarterback issues this season, their offense has been productive for fantasy players. Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara are the big-name players, but Johnson has been a solid streaming tight end.
Over the past four weeks, Johnson has averaged 3.5 receptions on 4.5 targets for 33 receiving yards and 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He has four touchdowns during the span, scoring 11 or more fantasy points three times. His matchup this week is excellent for fantasy players.
The Rams have held tight ends to only 6.3 fantasy points per game this season – the third-fewest in the NFL. However, they have struggled to slow down tight ends since their bye week. Over the past three weeks, tight ends have averaged 4.3 receptions, 64.7 receiving yards and 12.6 fantasy points per game against them.
Tight ends have two receiving touchdowns over the past three weeks versus the Rams, scoring 16 or more fantasy points twice during that span. Johnson has scored a touchdown in back-to-back games. He should make it three in a row on Sunday.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
