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.
Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements
All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.
Baker Mayfield (QB – TB) vs. Atlanta Falcons: 26.2% Rostered
Mayfield struggled coming off his bye week, totaling 206 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and only 6.8 fantasy points against the Detroit Lions. However, the veteran was playing well before the bye week. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 16.9 fantasy points per game, scoring 16 or more in all but one matchup. Furthermore, he averaged 1.8 passing touchdowns per game before the bye. While the veteran suffered a hand injury late in Week 6, Mayfield will be ready to play against the division rivals.
The Falcons made several moves in the offseason to improve their defense. Those moves have paid off, as the team has given up the 14th-fewest fantasy points per game this year. However, their pass defense struggled last week, surrendering three passing touchdowns and 18.3 fantasy points on a season-low 23 pass attempts for Sam Howell. More importantly, Atlanta has given up 1.8 passing touchdowns and 17.5 fantasy points per game since facing Bryce Young in Week 1. Mayfield should rebound after a poor performance.
D’Onta Foreman (RB – CHI) vs. Las Vegas Raiders: 30.4% Rostered
Unfortunately, Roschon Johnson will miss his second consecutive with a concussion. That means Foreman will be the starter against the Raiders. Last week, the former Longhorn had a solid performance against the Minnesota Vikings, totaling 15 rushing attempts for 65 yards, one reception for two receiving yards, and 7.2 half-point PPR fantasy points. According to Fantasy Points Data, over 60% of Foreman’s rushing yards come after contact. More importantly, he had seven missed tackles forced, the second-most in Week 6, only behind Kyren Williams.
Meanwhile, the Raiders had an awful run defense in 2022. While it has been better this season, Las Vegas still has one of the more fantasy-friendly defenses for running backs. They have surrendered 100 rushing yards and 20.5 fantasy points per game to running backs, the 13th-most in the NFL. Over the past two weeks, they have surrendered 79 rushing yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 21.8 fantasy points per game to running backs. The Raiders have given up at least 77 rushing yards in every game this year. Hopefully, Foreman takes advantage of the starting role and falls into the end zone at least once on Sunday.
Keaontay Ingram (RB – ARI) vs. Seattle Seahawks: 12.1% Rostered
Hopefully, fantasy players didn’t spend a significant chunk of their FAAB on Emari Demercado last week. Unfortunately, the Cardinals used three running backs, with Ingram earning the most touches (12). The former USC running back led the backfield in rushing attempts (10) and yards (40). Furthermore, he had the team’s only rushing attempt inside the 10-yard line and both attempts inside the 20 from the running back position. More importantly, despite running 13 fewer routes than Demercado, Ingram has more targets and receiving yards in Week 6.
Seattle’s run defense has played well this season, holding running backs to 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. More importantly, they have held running backs to only 17.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over their past three contests. However, according to Fantasy Points Data, the Seahawks have had less success against man/gap run plays than zone concepts. Meanwhile, Ingram averaged seven yards per rushing attempt on man/gap run plays last week. It’s an ugly week for fantasy football. Grab Ingram if you need a desperate running back option, and hope he falls in the end zone.
Michael Wilson (WR – ARI) vs. Seattle Seahawks: 11.7% Rostered
A few weeks ago, everyone rushed to the waiver wire to grab Wilson after he had two touchdowns and 23.1 half-point PPR fantasy points in Week 4. Unfortunately, the rookie has only four receptions on six targets for 80 receiving yards and 10 fantasy points over the past two games. However, he has been a critical part of the passing attack this season, ranking second in routes run (163), air-yard share (22.9%), and receiving yards market share (26.1%), according to Fantasy Points Data.
More importantly, the former Stanford star should rebound performance in Week 7. The Seahawks have surrendered 38 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. Furthermore, wide receivers have averaged 190.5 receiving yards and 1.8 touchdowns per game against Seattle since Week 1. Despite already having their bye week, the Seahawks rank in the top eight in the most receptions, yards, and touchdowns given up to wide receivers this season. The Cardinals will be in negative game script, leading to plenty of opportunities for Wilson to score garbage-time fantasy points.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG) vs. Washington Commanders: 9.9% Rostered
While the Giants’ offense has been a disaster, they were decent after getting Saquon Barkley back last week. More importantly, one of their wide receivers is starting to separate himself from the rest of the unit. Robinson didn’t play the first two weeks recovering from a torn ACL, but he’s been productive since his season debut. According to Fantasy Points Data, the second-year receiver is fourth on the team in routes run (92) but the second in targets (25) since Week 3. Furthermore, Robinson has a higher target per route run rate (27%) than Darren Waller and Barkley this year.
Last week, the former Kentucky star had caught all eight targets for 62 receiving yards and scored 10.2 half-point PPR fantasy points, setting season highs in every category. Meanwhile, the Commanders have been a fantasy goldmine for opposing wide receivers. They have surrendered 35.9 fantasy points per game to the position, the third-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Washington has given up 1.8 touchdowns and 39.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers since Week 1, surrendering at least 45 fantasy points in 60% of those contests. Robinson has top-30 upside this week, regardless of who starts at quarterback.
Luke Musgrave (TE – GB) vs. Denver Broncos: 23.8% Rostered
The last time we saw Green Bay’s offense, fantasy players couldn’t believe what they were watching. Yet, Musgrave has been impressive in his past two healthy games. He left the Week 4 matchup with a concussion. However, the rookie played well in Week 3 and Week 5, totaling 12 receptions on 15 targets for 83 receiving yards and 14.3 half-point PPR fantasy points. More importantly, Musgrave either led the Packers or finished second in targets in both contests. According to Fantasy Points Data, the rookie has the second-most routes run (110) this season despite missing time with the concussion.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have surrendered 13.7 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the most in the NFL. Furthermore, Denver has gotten crushed by teams that use their tight ends. They faced the Las Vegas Raiders and Miami Dolphins this year. Tight ends had two receptions for 35 yards and 4.5 fantasy points in those two contests. In the other four matchups, the Broncos have surrendered 8.8 receptions for 104.8 yards and 19.4 fantasy points per game, giving up at least 18.4 or more three times. Musgrave won’t have 18 fantasy points but will have a career performance.
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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.