This week is an excellent one for deep league waiver wire adds. We have multiple players who can immediately contribute to your fantasy lineup and one solid stash candidate.
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Will Levis (QB – TEN) | 5% Rostered on Yahoo, 1% Rostered on ESPN
Will Levis doesn’t officially have a starting job within the Titans’ offense. We must remember that Ryan Tannehill was never benched. He’s injured. So it’s possible Tannehill could return to his starting role. But, with Tennessee playing on Thursday, Levis is the likely Week 9 starter. If Levis puts together another strong performance, there’s a strong possibility that he will move forward as the starter. This makes it difficult to make a strong FAAB commitment to Levis.
Still, with multiple quarterbacks unlikely to play due to injuries and four quarterbacks on a bye week, Levis is a viable streaming option this week. Levis had 19 completions on 29 attempts for 238 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in Week 8. It wasn’t a high-volume game by any means, but Levis looked impressive and has some pass-friendly matchups ahead – Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville – if he retains the starting role.
Demario Douglas (WR – NE) | 3% Rostered on Yahoo, 1% Rostered on ESPN
Kendrick Bourne‘s season is over after suffering a torn ACL, and Demario Douglas should step into the WR1 role for the Patriots. Week 8 was a low-volume game, with Mac Jones passing for just 161 yards, but Douglas was the target leader with five receptions on seven targets for 25 yards. JuJu Smith-Schuster had a touchdown this week, but don’t let that fool you; it’s very clear Douglas is the most explosive and capable receiver in this offense. Smith-Schuster’s touchdown was his only catch of the day, and DeVante Parker had just one catch as well. In deep leagues, Douglas is an immediate potential flex option, and the Patriots have one of the most pass-friendly upcoming schedules.
Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF) | 1% Rostered on Yahoo, 0% Rostered on ESPN
Before Week 8, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox shared tight end responsibilities, but Kincaid also saw significant usage in the slot. With Dawson Knox out, Kincaid took on Knox’s workload as the primary tight end, and by default, touches within the slot were up for grabs. Khalil Shakir took the bulk of those touches, catching all six of his targets for 92 yards. That production is significant because Shakir didn’t benefit from poor performances from other receivers. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis both caught nine of 12 targets individually. It’s an excellent sign of the type of usage Shakir can have, even in a game where all other pass catchers are highly productive. Shakir’s usage will stick as long as Knox is out.
Leonard Fournette (RB – BUF)| 4% Rostered on Yahoo, 1% Rostered on ESPN
Do I want to add Leonard Fournette? No. But what I want is very different from Sean McDermott’s vision. Fournette could have immediate deep-league value with the Bills. Latavius Murray is the Bills’ short-yardage and goal-line back, but Murray simply doesn’t look good. Murray has had nine attempts inside the five this season. Those carries have resulted in two touchdowns. For comparison, Christian McCaffrey and Raheem Mostert have the same number of carries but have six and seven touchdowns, respectively.
We’ll unlikely see James Cook get increased touches at the goal line because McDermott prefers to segment backs’ roles. Fournette has a chance to earn goal-line touches, and within the Bills’ offense, goal-line opportunities are plentiful. Fournette likely doesn’t have immediate value, but he’s an interesting stash in deep leagues.
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