Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Sam Howell, Derek Carr, Bryce Young, Desmond Ridder

The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out our full waiver wire article for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Sam Howell (WAS): 34% rostered

• Next Opponents: @ATL, @NYG, PHI
• True value: $9
• Desperate need: $14
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: I tried to tell y’all two weeks ago. Hopefully you listened and picked up Howell for pennies on the dollar and a sterling upcoming schedule. He now has three 20-point fantasy performances in five games and, aside from the beatdown vs. Buffalo, has finished no worse than QB14 in any game this season. He’s QB5 overall right now but still the best streaming option readily available on waivers. Grab him and enjoy this season’s Geno Smith.

Derek Carr (NO): 24% rostered

• Next Opponents: @HOU, JAX, @IND
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: While I would normally let Carr and his touchdown allergies waste away on the wire, he is entering a wild stretch of favorable games that extends all the way to the Saints’ Week 11 bye. New Orleans absolutely destroyed New England in Week 5. Carr looked sharp and showed no ill effects from his shoulder strain. Chris Olave and Michael Thomas have proven to be worthy weapons, while Alvin Kamara’s return to the field has worked wonders in keeping Carr’s jersey clean, letting him check down before taking too many shots.

Bryce Young (CAR): 10% rostered

• Next Opponents: @MIA, BYE, HOU
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $8
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Has the rookie No. 1 pick looked good this season? No. He was still QB9 this week with three touchdown passes on 41 attempts. This is a one-week stream. It would be a two-week stream if you picked him up for his mop-up statistical outburst against Detroit in Week 5 (told ya so!). Miami will, in all likelihood, crush Carolina just like Detroit did. Young is still a remarkable passer and will put up solid fantasy numbers when the Dolphins inevitably soften coverage later in the game.

Desmond Ridder (ATL): 5% rostered

• Next Opponents: WAS, @TB, @TEN
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Do my eyes deceive me, or was Atlanta’s passing game … kinda good in Week 5? Ridder unleashed 37 attempts, including a season-high 11 targets to Kyle Pitts, en route to 329 passing yards and a QB6 performance in a win over Houston. Next up are the Commanders, who have been eviscerated through the air this season. Most recently, they were carved up by Justin Fields and the previously scuffling Bears offense. Give Arthur Smith credit. He adjusted to loaded boxes with a solid game plan that revolved around getting more work to Pitts and Drake London. That same formula should have similar success versus Washington.

Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management

Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:

Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.

Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.

Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.

Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.

Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.

Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.