The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy football 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 fantasy football waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out our full fantasy football waiver wire advice for the week.
- More Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
Demarcus Robinson (LAR): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: GB, BYE, LV
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Robinson won’t be heavily sought after on waivers this week after his three targets, two receptions and 37 receiving yards against Chicago, but he offers the most consistent role in this Rams’ passing attack for the rest of the season. The Bears’ love of two-high coverage can be blamed for Robinson’s sleepy Week 5. His next two matchups are against the Packers and Raiders, who feature single-high at top-12 rates in the NFL (56.7-57.1%, per Fantasy Points Data). Against single-high, Robinson has a decent 16% target per route run rate and 1.64 yards per route run. While these aren’t eye-popping stats, he will remain a flex fixture for the rest of the season, as at least the WR3 for the Rams.
Tutu Atwell (LAR): 8% rostered
- Next Opponents: GB, BYE, LV
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Atwell popped off in Week 4 with a team-leading 82 receiving yards while drawing a 20.6% target share. While I would love to tell you that this will continue, it was partially thanks to the Bears’ love of two-high coverage. Atwell’s next two matchups are against the Packers and Raiders, who feature single-high at top-12 rates in the NFL (56.7-57.1%, per Fantasy Points Data). Atwell is only relevant as a fantasy producer until Cooper Kupp comes back, and then he will likely be sent packing to the bench. Atwell could be a low-end flex against Green Bay and Las Vegas, but don’t bid on him unless you’re searching in desperation to fill a flex spot in a 14-team league.
Justin Fields (PIT): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, @LV, NYJ
- True value: $9
- Desperate Need: $14
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The good news is that a lot of you added Fields last week (or earlier) and enjoyed his first massive fantasy performance (33.98 points). There is still some concern that, with Pittsburgh suffering its first loss of the season Sunday against the Colts, Fields’ grasp on the starting job over an “injured” Russell Wilson might not be stable. When active, Fields is a weekly QB1. The next two games are also against suspect defenses, Dallas and Las Vegas. Scared money doesn’t make money, so I’m at the well with my ladle again.
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.