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.
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.
Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements
Derek Carr (QB – NO) vs. Tennessee Titans (28.7% Rostered)
The veteran quarterback had high expectations last season after the Las Vegas Raiders traded for Davante Adams. Unfortunately, Carr was only the QB17, averaging 14.6 fantasy points per game, and got benched for the final two contests. Despite the team’s struggles and his benching, the veteran still had the 12th-most passing touchdowns last year (24). However, the former Fresno State star played well in limited preseason action. He completed 75% of his pass attempts for 70 yards and a touchdown in his lone preseason drive.
More importantly, Carr’s Week 1 matchup couldn’t be better for fantasy players. The Titans had the toughest run defenses in the NFL last season. They surrendered the fewest rushing yards (1,307) and the third-fewest rushing touchdowns (nine) in the league. However, the Titans couldn’t stop a nosebleed, let alone a decent passing attack. They surrendered 274.8 passing yards, 1.71 touchdowns, and 20.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season. Carr should have no trouble ripping apart Tennessee’s secondary with Chris Olave and Michael Thomas healthy.
Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC) vs. Indianapolis Colts (28.1% Rostered)
One of the more debated topics this offseason was the Jaguars backfield. Some believe Travis Etienne is the featured guy, while others think Bigsby will have a significant role on offense. Yet, both running backs should have a strong fantasy performance in Week 1. Etienne was the RB17 last season, averaging 11 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he averaged 5.1 yards per rushing attempt for the year and 5.6 yards per attempt in the two matchups against the Colts. Meanwhile, Bigsby was productive during the preseason, averaging 5.7 yards per rushing attempt on 28 attempts.
This week’s matchup could result in both running backs having a strong fantasy performance. Last season, the Colts surrendered 23.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, the seventh-most in the NFL. More importantly, they had no answers for the divisional rivals. The Jaguars’ running backs averaged 175.5 scrimmage yards and 25.6 fantasy points per game in the two matchups against the Colts last season. They scored at least 21.6 fantasy points in both contests while averaging over 4.9 yards per rushing attempt. If this game becomes a blowout, Bigsby could see extra touches as the Jaguars run out the clock.
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (27.2% Rostered)
Achane’s fantasy value has been a roller coaster this offseason. The rookie was a popular sleeper candidate after the NFL Draft. However, rumors of the Dolphins adding Dalvin Cook or Jonathan Taylor threw a wet blanket on the hype. Furthermore, Achane suffered a shoulder injury during the preseason. Thankfully, he has practiced without limitation all week and will play Sunday. More importantly, Miami’s running back situation is perfect for Achane. Jeff Wilson Jr. will start the year on injured reserve, leaving only Raheem Mostert ahead of the rookie on the depth chart.
The former Texas A&M star has home run speed. Achane led all running backs in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine (4.32 seconds) and finished third overall. More importantly, his matchup in Week 1 is outstanding. Last year, the Chargers surrendered 23.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to running backs, the seventh-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Los Angeles gave up the second-most rushing yards to running backs, surrendering 127.3 yards per contest. While Mostert will get the start, don’t be surprised if Achane has the better fantasy performance despite seeing fewer snaps and touches.
Parris Campbell (WR – NYG) vs. Dallas Cowboys (21.3% Rostered)
While Darren Waller was the highlight addition to New York’s offense this offseason, Campbell was an under-the-radar signing. The former Ohio State struggled with injuries in his career, missing 69.4% of the contests over the first three years. However, he was productive last year despite the Colts’ poor passing attack, finishing the season as the WR48, averaging 6.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, the veteran is listed as the starting slot receiver on the team’s website. Daniel Jones has historically loved throwing to his slot receiver.
Campbell should see plenty of snaps in the slot this week with Wan’Dale Robinson out and Waller questionable with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the Cowboys surrendered 30.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers last season, the fifth-most in the NFL. While Stephon Gilmore and Trevon Diggs are an excellent set of cornerbacks, Campbell will avoid them in the slot. Instead, he faces off against DaRon Bland. Last year, Bland spent over 80% of his snaps in the slot, giving up 9.3 yards per reception. Campbell should lead all Giants wide receivers in fantasy points in Week 1.
Jonathan Mingo (WR – CAR) vs. Atlanta Falcons (20.1% Rostered)
After trading away DJ Moore this offseason, the Panthers signed Adam Thielen and DJ Chark to be their starting wide receivers in 2023. However, Chark won’t play in Week 1 with a hamstring injury, while Thielen is questionable because of an ankle injury. Therefore, that could lead to a significant target share for Mingo. The former Ole Miss star moved around the field last season, playing only 51% of the snap outside. Yet, he still averaged 2.26 yards per route run, a career-high.
Meanwhile, Atlanta surrendered 28.5 half-point PPR fantasy points to wide receivers last season, the eighth-most in the NFL. The Falcons also gave up 16 receiving touchdowns to wide receivers, the seventh-most in the league. If Thielen can’t play Sunday, Mingo will likely see an increase in snaps from the slot. That would be ideal for his fantasy value, as he would avoid a matchup with A.J. Terrell. Instead, the rookie would face Dee Alford and his 61.3 PFF coverage grade from last season. If Thielen misses Sunday’s contest, Mingo is a solid last-minute replacement option.
Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL) vs. New York Giants (6.1% Rostered)
The Cowboys underwent multiple changes on offense this offseason. They released Ezekiel Elliott and traded for Brandin Cooks. However, the loss of Dalton Schultz wasn’t talked about enough. Taking his place is Ferguson. While Dallas used a second-round draft pick on Luke Schoonmaker, the former Wisconsin tight end will be the starter this season. Last year, he had some positive moments filling in for Schultz, including four receptions on six targets for 40 receiving yards and a touchdown (12 half-point PPR fantasy points) in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last year, the Giants struggled to slow down opposing tight ends. They surrendered 10.8 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the 10th-most in the NFL. Meanwhile, Schultz had four receptions for 31 receiving yards and two touchdowns (17.1 fantasy points) in his only matchup against the Giants last season. More importantly, Dak Prescott likes throwing to his tight ends. Over the past two years, Schultz averaged 6.14 targets per game in the 29 contests with the star quarterback. While Ferguson won’t see that many targets, he could sneak into the low-end TE1 range this week.
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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.
