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 check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
Jerome Ford (CLE): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, MIA, @BAL
- True value: $13
- Desperate Need: $20
- Budget-minded: $8
Analysis: While Nick Chubb‘s return to action this year was a nice story, he hardly returned to vintage form. When Chubb broke his foot on Sunday, we saw just how explosive Ford is. Ford had 102 scrimmage yards on only nine touches and pulled away from the Chiefs’ defense for a 62-yard touchdown run. Ford has been a mainstay in this column as a versatile, underrated playmaker. Now that Chubb is done for the year, we will likely see a return to RB2 territory for Ford.
Kendre Miller (NO): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: @GB, LV, @TB
- True value: $9
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The theory was that New Orleans would be overly cautious with Alvin Kamara in a lost season and give talented sophomore Kendre Miller more run down the stretch. That didn’t happen. Kamara was the alpha dog again in Week 15, but he succumbed to a groin injury in the third quarter. Miller carried the ball nine times thereafter and averaged more than five yards. With a potential Kamara shutdown imminent, it will be interesting to see if Miller finds more of a role as a pass catcher going forward. It isn’t his strong suit, but neither the Packers nor Raiders have been world beaters against the run.
Stone Smartt (LAC): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, @NE, @LV
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Smartt had a solid Week 15 with a 17.6% target share, five receptions, and 50 scoreless receiving yards. If he had spiked a touchdown, we would all be patting ourselves on the back for streaming him against the Bucs. It’s tough in the tight-end streaming streets in Week 16, which also helps Smartt stand out. In this consolidated passing attack, he should post a similar market share in Week 16, and if he gets into the end zone, he’ll be flirting with TE1 production.
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.