It’s playoff time! This week’s deep league waiver wire adds prioritize stashing handcuffs and low-rostered pass catchers that offer sneaky upside.
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Rico Dowdle (RB – DAL) | 10% rostered in Yahoo, 8% rostered in ESPN
In Week 14, Rico Dowdle had 12 carries for 46 yards and one touchdown. Since Week 10, Dowdle has carved out a role that offers potential standalone value in deep leagues. In the past five games, Dowdle has had three games with more than nine fantasy points in PPR and three total touchdowns. Even if you don’t need Dowdle as a streaming option, Dowdle is a clear handcuff with high upside. This is the exact type of running back you want to roster heading into the playoffs. He’s the perfect bench stash to hold and give league-winning upside if something were to happen to Tony Pollard. Dowdle has three-down back capabilities and would have top-5 upside.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN) | 7% rostered in Yahoo, 1% rostered in ESPN
Over the past two games since returning from injured reserve, Brown has a total of 17 carries for 86 yards. In Week 14, he had three receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. We’re not trusting Brown as a spot-starter yet because without the one big reception, his production would’ve been below 10 fantasy points. But, his usage confirms Brown is the direct handcuff to Joe Mixon and could see a three-down back workload if Mixon were to suffer an injury. The Bengals’ upcoming schedule is difficult but, much like Mixon, pure volume and receiving upside would make him a strong RB2 with RB1 upside in the event of an injury.
Zamir White (RB – LV) | 2% rostered in Yahoo, 1% rostered in ESPN
With Josh Jacobs injured, White could step into an increased role in Week 15. Unlike other waiver adds at handcuff like Dowdle and Brown, White hasn’t shown the ability to be a high-upside handcuff. If Jacobs is out, White would likely split work with Ameer Abdullah – and Abdullah would have the receiving work. The matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers isn’t ideal, either. The Chargers have typically been stout against the run. But, with both teams starting backup quarterbacks, this game should be close and feature a focus on the ground.
Davis Allen (TE – LAR) | 0% rostered in Yahoo, 0% rostered in ESPN
As a Clemson grad, I’m truly ashamed I didn’t recommend Davis Allen as a deep league streaming option last week. Allen has a good receiving profile, but in an offense with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, I didn’t think he’d warrant enough volume for streaming purposes. Allen had four receptions on five targets for 40 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Higbee was deemed unlikely to play fairly early in the week, so it’s possible he misses Week 15 as well. If Higbee is out, Davis is a streaming option with an excellent matchup against Washington. Matthew Stafford is on a hot streak and the entire offense in thriving. Any pass catcher in the Rams offense is an option next week in deep leagues.
Michael Wilson (WR – ARI) | 6% rostered in Yahoo, 4% rostered in ESPN
With Arizona on a bye in Wee 14, the hope is that Wilson got the rest he needed and can return in Week 15. A matchup with the San Francisco 49ers isn’t typically ideal but for Wilson, this is the ideal matchup. Wilson’s best performance of the season came in Week 4 against San Fransisco when Wilson caught all seven of his targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. While other receivers have stepped up with Wilson out, Wilson is still the WR2 in this offense when healthy. At first glance, Arizona’s playoff schedule is ugly – San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. But, we’ve already seen Wilson thrive against San Francisco. Philadelphia is an excellent matchup for receivers. These are shoot out games against defenses you absolutely do not want to attack on the ground. Wilson could thrive.
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