We turn to the waiver wire for patches or upgrades at every position, but let’s face it: Running backs put the sizzle in the waiver process.
Puka Nacua notwithstanding, it’s rare for a wide receiver to command huge FAAB bids. We almost never see good receivers go unselected in fantasy drafts and emerge as impact players. The same goes for tight ends. And we rarely shell out big waiver buck for quarterbacks because of the fungibility of the position in 1QB leagues.
But promising running backs quicken our pulses and loosen our wallets. Fantasy value at the RB position is often more about opportunity than talent. Injuries and attrition create opportunities for lightly regarded running backs to step into prominent roles and become valuable fantasy assets.
Except that sort of thing hadn’t been happening very often this season. We’ve been seeing far more injuries to wide receivers than to running backs. The running backs we’ve been bidding on have mostly been speculative plays rather than guys we can plug into our lineups right away.
But that might be changing. For the first time this season, our weekly waiver article covers several truly compelling RB options. This week, we’ll see some of the zestiest FAAB spending we’ve seen all season.
Let’s examine the players we’ll be chasing.
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Week 6 Waiver Grade: B
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Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Tank Bigsby (JAX): 22% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, NE, GB
- True value: $22
- Desperate Need: $36
- Budget-minded: $14
Analysis: There is no coincidence. Jacksonville achieved its first win of the season on Sunday after essentially featuring Tank Bigsby as the lead back over Travis Etienne. The former Auburn standout looked incredibly explosive and versatile, with over 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He also hauled in one pass and broke free for a 28-yard gain, bringing 27.9 points to those who started him in PPR formats. Bigsby was drafted by the current regime in Jacksonville, whereas Etienne was a surprising first-round pick under disgraced former head coach Urban Meyer. I still believe in Etienne, but Bigsby is the guy RB-needy fantasy managers absolutely need to acquire.
Roschon Johnson (CHI): 20% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, BYE, @WAS
- True value: $13
- Desperate Need: $21
- Budget-minded: $7
Analysis: The Chicago Bears took care of business in Week 5. Carolina isn’t the most robust opponent on the schedule, but the excitement around this Bears offense has reached fever pitch. D’Andre Swift was incredible for the second week in a row, with Roschon Johnson filling in as the short yardage thumper and main substitute. Johnson plowed into the end zone twice on Sunday. The touchdown equity is inherent, especially with Swift’s peculiar penchant for going down at the 1-yard line. Johnson also has a skill set versatile enough to take on a greater role in the future.
Tyrone Tracy (NYG): 23% rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, PHI, @PIT
- True value: $10
- Desperate Need: $17
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: It was surprising how effective Devin Singletary was before sustaining a groin injury in Week 4. I suppose more attention should have been paid to Tyrone Tracy and Eric Gray stepping up in his stead. Tracy, a rookie from Purdue, looked very capable in New York’s upset road win over Seattle. He racked up 129 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown, while Gray lost a fumble while reaching for the goal line that was returned 102 yards for a defensive score. There are two concerns with adding Tracy on waivers. The first is Singletary’s return, which could immediately relegate the rookie back to swing duties. The other is Tracy’s lack of receiving upside. He has pass-catching ability as a former college receiver who switched to running back after transferring from Iowa to Purdue, but Brian Daboll’s system does not target the RB position often. I’ll still take a shot and bid on him given the current state of RBs in fantasy football.
Ty Chandler (MIN): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, DET, @LAR
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Just in case Aaron Jones‘ hip injury costs him multiple weeks, this is an opportunity to add a big-play merchant who already had an established role. Chandler’s Week 5 production was modest vs. the stout Jets defense in London, but he had two chunk plays called back by penalties. Many fantasy managers will be reluctant to add Chandler during Minnesota’s bye week, but the two games after it are great opportunities to make a splash. You might be able to get a slight discount on Chandler with the Vikings on bye in Week 6.
Braelon Allen (NYJ): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @PIT, @NE
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Through sheer smooth-brained coaching, Braelon Allen has been upgraded from premium stash to must-add. Breece Hall is a megastar running back but was only given 12 touches in London against the Vikings. Allen was on the field for most of the goal-line plays in a baffling display from Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Neither back was effective on Sunday, but the splits were consistent. If Allen continues to get this much run, he needs to be rostered everywhere.
Justice Hill (BAL): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: WAS, @TB, @CLE
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: We’re still jiggling for Justice (shoutout, Homer Simpson) Hill these days. Derrick Henry is the NFL’s leading rusher and alien liaison to the human race, but Hill is consistently earning passing-down opportunities. Baltimore’s offense is on a tear. There aren’t too many pieces who can be ignored with how often the Ravens are in scoring position. Hill’s usage took a dip in a back-and-forth battle with the Bengals in Week 5, but his snap share did not. He is, at worst, a reliable change of pace for Henry who can be freely rostered in PPR leagues as a deep flex starter.
Tyler Goodson (IND): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, MIA, @HOU
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Colts really missed Jonathan Taylor on Sunday. Trey Sermon plodded along with a 3.8 yard-per-carry average and fell into the end zone, but Goodson racked up 26 yards on his five carries and 31 yards on three receptions. Sermon added six receptions himself, but they mostly came in Indy’s desperate comeback frenzy late in the game. He looked incredibly sluggish in the open field. Goodson can be stashed on deeper benches, with hopes that Shane Steichen noticed what I did on tape. When Taylor returns from his ankle injury, Goodson should be the change-of-pace back going forward.
Stash Candidates:
The Falcons have let their backfield split from the Arthur Smith era adhere to 2024. It’s not necessarily a bad thing — unless you spent a first-round fantasy pick on Bijan Robinson. Tyler Allgeier has looked strong this season, although both Robinson and Allgeier were silenced by DT Vita Vea and the Buccaneers on Thursday night. As mind-numbing as it is to imagine why a coach would ever take Bijan off the football field, Allgeier is a quality player.
The Clyde Edwards-Helaire saga is as harrowing as they come. The former first-round pick from LSU has been cleared to return to play after suffering through post-traumatic stress. While Kareem Hunt appears to be the lead back in Kansas City, CEH will certainly have a chance to supplant Samaje Perine on the depth chart as the Chiefs navigate life without Isiah Pacheco.
With a Week 6 bye on the horizon, Sean McVay and the Rams activated talented rookie Blake Corum so they could kick the tires on their draft pick. Kyren Williams is still the lead back, but Corum is likely headed for a ramp-up following the bye. If you’re familiar with his work at Michigan, you know he has potential to produce if Williams misses game action.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Darnell Mooney (ATL): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, SEA, @TB
- True value: $9
- Desperate Need: $14
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Mooney has been nothing short of amazing this season. I’m honestly surprised that he remains under 50% rostered right now. The Bears’ stink has to have worn off by now, right? That is the only reason I can think of to explain why he isn’t at least 70% rostered in fantasy football land. Mooney has commanded a 21.9% target share with 1.94 yards per route run and a strong 28.2% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). He has averaged 15 PPR points per game. He has solid matchups in two of the next three weeks against Carolina (second-most PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers) and a rematch with the Bucs, whom he just torched.
Juju Smith-Schuster (KC): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @SF, @LV
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $13
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: With Rashee Rice no longer available to the Chiefs, Smith-Schuster’s usage exploded in Week 5. In Week 4, he had zero targets and a 44% route share (per Fantasy Points Data). Monday night against the Saints, the Chiefs leaned on JuJu and Travis Kelce. Smith-Schuster had a 20.5% target share with seven grabs and a team-leading 130 receiving yards. We’ll see if he can continue this type of production for the rest of the season, but there’s a clear path for Smith-Schuster to step up as the WR2 in this offense as Xavier Worthy remains a rookie work in progress. It’s possible Smith-Schuster will be used in something vaguely similar to Rice’s role, though it would probably be a stretch to think that JuJu could provide more than 60%-70% of Rice’s production.
Josh Downs (IND): 40% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, MIA, @HOU
- True value: $6
- Desperate Need: $9
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: What are we doing here, people? How is Downs still below 50% rostered? Did his performance in Week 4 not convince you? Well, now he has posted another juicy stat line in Week 5, and I expect his roster percentage to climb this week. Over the last two weeks, Downs has been wonderful. He’s had a 28% target share while averaging 8.5 receptions and 75.5 receiving yards. That’s WR2 production that you are likely getting from your WR3 or flex lineup spot. He has beautiful matchups in Week 7 and Week 8 to keep the good times rolling. Miami and Houston have allowed the fifth-most and 12th-most PPR points per target to slot receivers this season (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jalen Tolbert (DAL): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, BYE, SF
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Of course, the receiver who caught the game-winning touchdown for the Cowboys in Week 5 made it into our good graces and earned a spot in the WR section of this article. Tolbert stepped up admirably as the Cowboys’ WR2 against the Steelers with a 23.8% target share, seven grabs and 87 receiving yards. He did appear to sustain a groin injury on the final drive, so his status and practice reports need monitoring this week. Assuming he is a full go for Week 6, Tolbert will be a solid flex against a Detroit secondary that has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Allen Lazard (NYJ): 36% rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @PIT, @NE
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: All Lazard does is catch touchdowns, baby! He has been Aaron Rodgers‘ best friend this season. OK, fine. That title likely belongs to Garrett Wilson after Week 5, but Lazard is at least on speed dial in Rodgers’ contacts. Lazard has at least eight targets in three of five games and has scored four touchdowns so far this season. I won’t go crazy with FAAB spending for Lazard because of the tough matchups over the next two weeks and the likelihood that another former Rodgers teammate in Green Bay, Davante Adams, could be added to this roster soon.
Rashod Bateman (BAL): 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, @TB, @CLE
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Bateman could build upon a solid Week 5 and become a solid flex over the next two weeks. Against the Bengals, he had a 19% target share (second on the team behind only Zay Flowers) with 58 receiving yards and a score. Bateman has had at least 40 receiving yards in three of five games this season. He is a strong bye week flex option against a still-suspect Commanders’ secondary and against the Bucs, who just looked like they forgot how to play football against Kirk Cousins and the Falcons.
DeMario Douglas (NE): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @JAX, NYJ
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Douglas is slowly cementing himself as the go-to receiver in this Patriots’ passing attack. Against Miami, he had a 26.4% target share (nine targets) and 59 receiving yards. That production alone, without a score, will put him in the WR3 neighborhood weekly if it continues. This isn’t the first time in the season that he has garnered this type of volume. Against the Jets, Douglas had a 34.6% target share (nine targets) and finished with 69 scoreless receiving yards. This could become the norm over the next three weeks. Houston and Jacksonville have respectively allowed the fifth-highest and ninth-highest PPR points per target to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data). After those games, Douglas gets a return engagement with the Jets.
Stash Candidates:
Now rostered in only 46% of Yahoo leagues, Christian Watson is worth stashing at the end of your bench if someone dropped him in your league. The talent is real for Green Bay’s blazing third-year wide receiver. We just need health and for him to get some games under his belt with Jordan Love back. Watson disappeared in the run-heavy offense that catered to Malik Willis in Weeks 2-3, but if the rangy WR returns in Week 7, it will be just in time to enjoy some juicy matchups against Houston, Jacksonville and Detroit. Each of these defenses is currently nestled inside the top eight for most fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Daniel Jones (NYG): 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, PHI, @PIT
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: In a Shyamalan-level plot twist, Daniel Jones put up his best performance of the season without his star rookie receiver, Malik Nabers. Jones racked up 257 passing yards and two touchdowns while setting a season high with 11 rushing attempts for 38 yards. The mobility and confidence in his knee is building each week. Seattle’s defense is no slouch, either. Jones has a sparkling matchup in Week 6 against the Bengals, which will be even juicier with Nabers presumably back on the field.
Bo Nix (DEN): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @NO, CAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: For the second time this season, rookie first-round pick Bo Nix has put together a really nice fantasy performance. Denver has reeled off three straight wins after starting the season 0-2. Sean Payton says Nix “has a little bit of Ferris Bueller in him.” He meant it as a backhanded compliment on the Oregon rookie’s moxie and occasional immaturity. I believe Nix has just the right amount of mischief to take shots at big plays when Payton would rather keep the offense more conservative. It is apparent on the field that Nix’s confidence is rising. The Chargers are all sorts of banged up on defense, so I’ll take a shot streaming Nix to follow the trending pattern.
Stash Candidates:
We are rooting for Tua Tagovailoa‘s healthy return to the field. It’s not usually wise to stash a QB and take up a valuable bench spot, but Miami’s offense is completely unrecognizable without Tua. When he gets back, it will be as easy as activating him off your fantasy IR if you have the foresight to grab him now. Tagovailoa is eligible to return in Week 8, which squares him up with the Cardinals and Rams. Those are two favorable matchups to get back in the groove.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Zach Ertz (WAS): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, CAR, CHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Ertz will be a strong matchup-based streamer over the next two weeks. He’s fresh off seeing a 32% from Jayden Daniels in Week 5. He only turned that volume into 10 receiving yards, but volume is king, and Ertz is seeing it. That should continue against the TE-friendly defenses of Baltimore and Carolina, which have allowed the fifth-most and third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Cade Otton (TB): 37% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, BAL, ATL
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Otton has seen an elevated role over the last three weeks, and he’s making the most of the increased opportunities. Since Week 3, he’s had a 19.2% target share and averaged 1.81 yards per route run and 47.7 receiving yards per game. This is TE1 production. Otton should continue the hot streak in Week 5 against the Saints, who have allowed the most yards per reception and the seventh-most receiving yards to tight ends.
Colby Parkinson (LAR): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, LV, MIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Rams’ bye week could allow you to sneak Parkinson through waivers with a zero-dollar bid. If you need a bye-week fill-in for Week 7 or Week 8, Parkinson could be your guy. He’s had at least four receptions and 33 receiving yards in three of his five games. Toss a touchdown on top of any of those games, and Parkinson is a TE1 for the week. Las Vegas and Minnesota have allowed the 12th-most and sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Tyler Conklin (NYJ): 30% rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @PIT, @NE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Conklin has been generating consistent volume that could make him a fringe TE1 in any given week if it continues. Over the last three weeks, Conklin has had a 17.5% target share while averaging five receptions and 55 receiving yards. His upcoming matchups aren’t pretty, and the likelihood of Davante Adams arriving in New York is substantial, so I wouldn’t break the bank for Conklin. He is a serviceable streaming option, though, if you are hit with bye-week blues soon.
Juwan Johnson (NO): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: TB, DEN, @LAC
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The results haven’t been great this season for Johson, but he is a low-end streaming option this week. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has had a 52.3% route share and 4.9% target share, but that could be elevated against Tampa Bay. Johnson has one end-zone target and one red-zone target this season. The Bucs have allowed the 12th-most yards per reception to tight ends. Zach Ertz and Cade Otton are the streamers to target this week, but if you miss out on them Johnson isn’t an awful consolation prize, and you can sneak him through waivers with a zero-dollar bid.
Stash Candidates: none
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Philadelphia Eagles: 33% rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, @NYG, @CIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Philly defense is averaging 3.5 fantasy points per game and has been an inconsistent unit overall. However, the Eagles get good matchups the next two weeks against the Browns and Giants. The Cleveland offense generated only 13 points and 212 yards Sunday against a Washington defense that has been among the worst in the league this season. Deshaun Watson has already been sacked 26 times and is averaging an anemic 4.9 yards per pass attempt. In Week 7, the Eagles get a solid matchup against the turnover-prone Daniel Jones and the Giants.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, BAL, ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: You might not feel good about putting in a claim on the Buccaneers if you watched them get fire-bombed by Kirk Cousins and the Falcons last Thursday night, but this is all about matchup. The Bucs have a Week 6 date with the Saints, and New Orleans QB Derek Carr sustained an oblique injury Monday night against the Chiefs. With the inexperienced Jake Haener likely to be starting in place of Carr, the Buccaneers should be able to collect some sacks and turnovers.
Houston Texans: 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NE, @GB, IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Houston defense held a potent Buffalo offense to 276 yards on Sunday. The Texans haven’t been a good fantasy defense to this point, failing to force a turnover in any of their last three games. But that could change this week against the Patriots. New England is averaging 12.4 points per game and had given up the fourth-most fantasy points to team defenses heading into Week 5.
Los Angeles Chargers: 12% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DEN, @ARI, NO
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game, the Chargers ranked sixth in defensive fantasy scoring going into their Week 5 bye. Now fresh and well rested, the Chargers get a Week 6 date against a mediocre Broncos offense. Denver’s rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, has thrown four interceptions this season.
Atlanta Falcons: 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, SEA, @TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: After getting a few extra days of rest following their thrilling Thursday-night win over the Buccaneers, the Falcons draw a Week 6 matchup against the Panthers, whose offense stumbled against the Bears in Week 5. Carolina committed three turnovers and took four sacks Sunday in Chicago.
Cincinnati Bengals: 14% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, @CLE, PHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Bengals are giving up 29.0 points per game and ranked 28th in defensive fantasy scoring entering Week 5, so this isn’t about the quality of the Cincinnati D. This is about a Week 6 matchup against a Giants offense that has committed seven turnovers. The Giants had given up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses through the first four weeks of the season — then gave up a 101-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Seattle on Sunday.
Stash Candidates: none
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Austin Seibert (WAS): 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, CAR, CHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Climb aboard the Washington bandwagon. The Commanders’ offense is simultaneously fun and dangerous. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels and friends dropped 34 points and 434 yards on a good Browns defense Sunday. Seibert kicked two field goals and four extra points Sunday. In four games with the Commanders, Seibert is 12-of-12 on FGs and 13-of-13 on PATs. There’s no need to fear a Week 6 matchup against the Ravens, who just gave up 38 points to the Bengals.
Jake Elliott (PHI): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, @NYG, @CIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: After averaging 9.2 fantasy points per game in 2023 and finishing sixth in kicker scoring, the Eagles’ Jake Elliott is averaging 5.0 fantasy points per game this season. But the Eagle’ offense has been hamstrung in recent weeks (no pun intended) by injuries to WRs A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion). Brown and Smith should be good to go for a Week 6 home date against the Browns, so Elliott should have scoring opportunities.
Chris Boswell (PIT): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, NYJ, NYG
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Boswell ranked No. 2 among kickers in fantasy scoring going into his Sunday-night game against the Cowboys. He’s banged home 11-of-12 field goals, including five from 50+ yards. Boswell gets a favorable Week 6 matchup against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
Cairo Santos (CHI): 27% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, BYE, @WSH
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Bears had their best offensive performance of the season Sunday in Chicago, putting up 36 points against the Panthers. Now, Chicago gets a favorable home matchup against a Jacksonville defense that can be torched through the air. Through the first four weeks of the season, the Jaguars had given up the sixth-most fantasy points to kickers.
Stash Candidates: none
FOOL’S GOLD
Bills rookie Keon Coleman had a 49-yard touchdown catch in Week 5 and has found the end zone in two of his last three games. But Coleman has commanded only 16 targets in his first five games. Even with Bills receiving leader Khalil Shakir out of action Sunday, Coleman drew only five targets. It’s possible Coleman will become a usable fantasy asset at some point this season, but he isn’t there yet.
Alec Pierce has become quite the deep-ball artist. Pierce had three catches for 134 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Jaguars, scoring on a 65-yard catch-and-run late in the fourth quarter. For the season, Pierce is averaging 28.3 yards per catch and 21.6 yards per target. But Pierce has drawn only 17 targets in five games. If Joe Flacco were going to quarterback the Colts all season, Pierce would be worth a roster spot. But with second-year QB Anthony Richardson due back from a hip injury soon, Pierce isn’t going to be a trustworthy lineup option. He and Richardson will connect for the occasional big play, but the passing volume will drop when the Colts send Flacco back to the bench and reinsert Richardson, and you can’t play a wide receiver who’ll only be good for two or three targets most weeks.
Darius Slayton played an enhanced role for the Giants in Week 5 with rookie stud Malik Nabers sidelined with a concussion. Slayton was terrific in the Giants’ upset of the Seahawks, with eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. Don’t chase last week’s fantasy points. Nabers is likely to be back this week, which will make Slayton the No. 3 receiver behind target hogs Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. Don’t waste a waiver claim on Slayton.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
Curtis Samuel got a snap increase for the Bills in Week 5 with WR Khalil Shakir sidelined by an ankle injury and had one catch for zero yards and a carry that lost a yard. Samuel hasn’t drawn more than four targets or accumulated more than 22 scrimmage yards in a game this season. Drop him.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the Browns’ unsightly 34-13 loss to the Commanders that he would not be making a QB change. But how much longer can Stefanski stick with the ineffective Watson, who’s averaging a paltry 4.9 yards per pass attempt and taking far too many sacks? Watson has favorable matchups against the Eagles and Bengals the next two weeks, but he also had a favorable matchup against the Commanders in Week 5 and could only generate 125 passing yards. Watson should no longer be rostered in 1QB leagues.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
Wherefore art thou, Romeo Doubs? The Packers’ receiver was suspended for Green Bay’s Week 5 game in Los Angeles after a pair of unexcused absences from practice. Reports suggest Doubs is unhappy with his role in the offense — which is strange considering that he’s had no fewer than seven targets in either of the two games he’s played with QB Jordan Love this season. It’s possible Doubs and the Packers will reconcile this week. Still, Jayden Reed has become the main attraction among the Green Bay pass catchers, leaving Doubs as a supporting cast member. With all the target competition in Green Bay, it’s probably safe to throw Doubs overboard.
Taysom Hill is a useful if streaky tight end, but he missed Week 5 with fractured ribs and will probably miss at least a couple more games. With bye weeks putting stress on fantasy rosters, you might have no choice but to drop Hill in order to plug holes at other positions.
There just aren’t enough targets for Jauan Jennings when Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle are all healthy. Jennings drew four targets against the Cardinals in Week 5 and had one reception for 14 yards. Hang onto Jennings if your league has deep rosters. If benches are short, however, Jennings is a luxury you probably can’t afford.
Don’t drop yet:
Travis Etienne investors have to be concerned with the emergence of Tank Bigsby, who’s been the more productive of the two Jacksonville running backs this year. Bigsby had 13 carries for 101 yards and two TDs Sunday vs. the Colts, scoring from inside the 5-yard line and then housing a 65-yarder later in the game. Etienne, meanwhile, had six carries for 17 yards. Etienne’s pass-catching ability should help stave off a complete value collapse. He had 6-43-0 receiving Sunday on seven targets. But obviously, Etienne is no longer a must-start.
Jerry Jeudy piqued our interest with 18-197-1 on 30 targets over his first four games. But that interest dissipated after Jeudy failed to capitalize on a great Week 5 matchup against the Commanders. Jeudy had just one catch for 16 yards against Washington and had an egregious drop of what should have been a short TD catch. The only reason we’re not recommending that you drop Jeudy unconditionally is that a QB change from Deshaun Watson to ultra-aggressive downfield thrower Jameis Winston could invigorate the fantasy value of Browns receivers.
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