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
Keon Coleman (BUF): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, @DET, NE
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Coleman was held out again in Week 13 (wrist). I’m hoping he’s back this week for a juicy matchup with the Rams. Coleman has three weekly finishes this season as a WR3 or higher (WR35, WR15, WR16). He has drawn a 13.6% target share with 2.02 yards per route run and a 19.4% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Coleman has four red zone targets in his last three games. If he can make it back this week, he should be a strong flex/WR3 against a Rams pass defense that since Week 6 has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game and the 11th-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers. Coleman should also be a strong play in Week 16 against the Pats, who in the same time frame have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards per game and fantasy points per game to outside receivers.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, CIN, @IND
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Well, I say this every week: “There’s no way Nick Westbrook-Ikhine can keep scoring touchdowns.” And here we are. Against the Commanders on Sunday, he made me look even more foolish by scoring twice, which brought the total to eight touchdowns in his last eight games. Westbrook-Ikhine drew a season-high eight targets (21.6% target share) and had 61 receiving yards. He’s primed to keep the hot streak going this week against a Jaguars secondary that since Week 6 has allowed the sixth-most PPR points per target to outside wide receivers.
Brandin Cooks (DAL): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @CAR, TB
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Cooks returned to the Cowboys’ lineup to earn a 51.4% route share last week with a 19.4% target share (per Fantasy Points Data), 16 receiving yards and a score. While the touchdown saved his day last week, Cooks is an interesting flex play moving forward with a wonderful schedule over the next three weeks. Cincy, Carolina and Tampa Bay have bled out production to receivers all year.
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.