This is looking to be a fantastic waiver wire week. Today’s early slate of games provided some much-needed clarity on certain situations, giving us some great waiver options.

As we march towards the end of the fantasy football regular season, our team’s needs should be more clear. Whether you’re looking for a week 11 bandage or a speculative, high-ceiling addition for a playoff push, you should be able to find some in the list below.

Quarterbacks

Kenny Pickett (QB – PIT): 6% rostered

Pickett posted his best fantasy score of the season today. If you’re looking to fill a bye week void or are in a deep/2QB league, Pickett is a player to watch. He likely won’t cost you much FAAB, but he’s showing off a developing rushing baseline and has more-than-worthy receiving weapons to provide an interesting ceiling.

Taylor Heinicke (QB- WAS): 13% rostered

Though he doesn’t play until tomorrow night, Heinicke’s 629 yards and five touchdowns through three games make him worthy of a roster spot if you’re in the market for a waiver-wire QB. He’ll throw his interception per game but has showcased a surprisingly high floor over the past two seasons.

Running Backs

Rachaad White (RB – TB): 24% rostered

If you’re reading this, you’re probably in a league with some sharp players, so it’s unlikely White is available. However, he’s the top waiver claim with a bullet if he is. Leonard Fournette is hurt, and Rachaad White looked spectacular this morning.

Jerick McKinnon (RB – KC): 18% rostered

Does anyone else remember the time, seemingly a lifetime ago, when Jerick McKinnon was an ascending fantasy RB1? He may not be that anymore, but he’s garnering consistent targets in the high-volume Kansas City passing attack. I’d only suggest adding McKinnon if you’re chasing a floor because there are too many mouths to feed in KC for McKinnon to emerge as a true workhorse. However, his target share provides that baked-in floor we often find ourselves chasing amidst bye-week dilemmas.

Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT): 12% rostered

Another early waiver wire column, another mention of Jaylen Warren. He’s been a staple in my weekly waiver admonitions because he’s the clear and obvious RB2 in Pittsburgh. Today, he received a season-high 12 touches. Warren is an immediate plug-and-play if Najee Harris were to miss any time for any reason. If you roster Harris, please give yourself the peace of mind of having Warren on your bench.

Samaje Perine (RB – CIN): 3% rostered

Perine is to Joe Mixon as Jaylen Warren is to Najee Harris. He’s not startable if Mixon is active, but should Mixon ever miss a game for any reason, Perine is well worth a flex play.

Wide Receivers

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR – TEN): 1% rostered

In fellow WR Treylon Burks‘ return from IR, Westbrook-Ikhine posted his best fantasy score of the season by a country mile. Sometimes fantasy football doesn’t make sense. However, 30+ points out of a player available in 99% of leagues is worthy of mention. Will I be playing Westbrook-Ikhine with any confidence? No. However, he popped a few times last year, too, so you could definitely do worse if you’re in a deep league.

Darius Slayton (WR- NYG): 5% rostered

On the much-anticipated (alright, maybe not…) return of Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton made his case to be the Giants’ WR1. Here are Slayton’s last three games: 6/3/58/1, 6/5/66, and 4/3/95/1. The Giants need someone to step up as an elite receiving option, and Slayton has as good an opportunity as anyone. I’ll gladly play him in the flex until he proves me wrong.

Nico Collins (WR – HOU): 7% rostered

The 2021 third-round pick has so far been plagued by a slow-moving offense and injuries. However, he played his first full game since week seven today and caught five of 10 targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. This doesn’t appear to be a fluke, either. Collins averaged six targets and 62 yards per game in weeks two through five. I’ll gladly roll Collins out as a flex in most formats.

Mack Hollins (WR – LV): 13% rostered

As I’m writing this, Hollins’ game just began. However, Las Vegas’ target monsters Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller both landed on IR recently, serving Mack Hollins the role of WR2 on a silver platter. He’s shown exciting flashes this year, and unless he gets injured today, I’m prioritizing him among other available WRs.

Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely (TE – BAL): 24% rostered

In his last two games, the rookie TE has received 12 total targets. If Mark Andrews misses any games, Likely is a TE1 in my weekly rankings. However, if Andrews bounces back without any hiccups, starting Likely becomes a dice roll.

Foster Moreau (TE – LV): 11% rostered

In his last five games, Moreau is averaging more than five targets a game. In this dart throw of a TE landscape, I have no qualms with rolling out Moreau until Darren Waller is active again.

Defense/Special Teams

Cincinnati Bengals (38% rostered)

Finding a defense coming off a bye week isn’t a bad strategy. They’re well-rested and have extra time to prepare. The Bengals are coming off a bye week AND have a favorable matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Bengals are available and you’re streaming, I’m starting them and not looking back.

Miami Dolphins (49% rostered)

Usually, a 49% roster clip isn’t in this column, but the Dolphins are on a bye next week, leading me to think they’ll be dropped in quite a few leagues. See if a fellow league mate drops them; if you have the flexibility, scoop them up. After the week 11 bye, the Dolphins take on the Texans in Miami.

Kickers

Ka’imi Fairbairn (K – HOU): 2% rostered

The Texans are having trouble scoring touchdowns, and Fairbairn is reaping the fantasy benefits. He went 3/3 in field goals today and has only missed two this entire season. He’s also perfect on extra points. The Texans get the Washington Commanders next week, and I’d be surprised if Houston couldn’t muster up at least a few red zone drives.

Wil Lutz (K – NO): 15% rostered

The Saints aren’t exactly prolific touchdown-scorers this season, making Lutz the de facto benefactor. He’s attempted two or more field goals in seven of 10 games.

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