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
Derek Carr (NO): 25% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, @IND, CHI
- True value: $9
- Desperate need: $15
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: You won’t find a softer four-game stretch for a streaming QB than what Derek Carr faces in Weeks 7-10. Although Carr seems allergic to scoring touchdowns in the red zone, he should break out of his mediocre streak of production during a pivotal stretch of the fantasy season.
Sam Howell (WAS): 38% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, PHI, @NE
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $14
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: What are you waiting for? Howell has now posted consecutive QB1 performances and has two more appealing matchups on the horizon. If you throw away the disaster against Buffalo, Howell is among the most consistently good QBs in fantasy football this season.
Baker Mayfield (TB): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, @BUF, @HOU
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: For the budget-savvy QB streaming manager, Baker Mayfield is a nice one-week plug against Atlanta. Sam Howell just tossed a trio of touchdowns vs. the Falcons, and Mayfield’s season has been better than expected for Tampa Bay. Some other names on the streaming wire face brutal matchups in Week 7 (Desmond Ridder, Gardner Minshew), so I’ll go with my gut and roll with Baker one time.
Joshua Dobbs (ARI): 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SEA, BAL, @CLE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Dobbs entered Week 6 as the QB16 in fantasy scoring, and while he didn’t produce any touchdowns against the Rams on Sunday, he did manage to throw for 235 yards and run for another 47. If you’re in a pinch, Dobbs is a palatable Week 7 option against a Seattle defense that entered Week 6 having given up the 11th-most fantasy points per game to QBs.
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.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.