Doing your weekly waivers in fantasy football can be more stressful than performing life-saving surgery on a loved one without any professional tools or medical knowledge. While that might be a slight exaggeration, deciding which players to add off the waiver wire each week can be stressful.
Finding and adding the right guys in shallow leagues is simple, as there are plenty of appealing options, and the waiver wire is full of talent. Unfortunately, making your waiver wire claims in deeper leagues can be a massive pain in the neck.
Doing your weekly waivers in fantasy football can be more stressful than performing life-saving surgery on a loved one without any professional tools or medical knowledge. While that might be a slight exaggeration, deciding which players to add off the waiver wire each week can be stressful.
Finding and adding the right guys in shallow leagues is simple, as there are plenty of appealing options, and the waiver wire is full of talent. Unfortunately, making your waiver wire claims in deeper leagues can be a massive pain in the neck.
While Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix have been the most talked about rookie quarterbacks by the media, Maye has played well as a starter. The former North Carolina star has averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game in the three starts he finished, totaling 15.7 or more in every contest. He struggled to protect the ball in Week 9, throwing two interceptions that kept him from scoring over 19 fantasy points for the third time as the starter.
However, the rookie had his best performance on the ground, totaling eight attempts for 95 rushing yards, both career highs. Maye has averaged two passing touchdowns per game as the starter (minus the Week 8 matchup where he left the game early with a concussion) despite a limited receiving core and an awful offensive line. Unfortunately, he has some unfriendly fantasy matchups over the next few weeks. Yet, Maye has played well against talented defenses as the team’s starting quarterback.
James Conner has played well this season, averaging 4.5 yards per rushing attempt and 13.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, the Cardinals have used more of Benson and Emari Demercado over the past few weeks. All three Arizona running backs scored double-digit fantasy points in the Week 9 win over the Chicago Bears. More importantly, Conner has never played a full season in his career, including missing four games in back-to-back years.
Fantasy players should never root for injuries. However, they should plan for them to happen. Conner will likely miss time at some point in the second half this season, giving Benson a chance to start. The rookie running back scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday against the Bears. More importantly, he has averaged four yards per rushing attempt this year, including a 5.4 average since Week 4. Beat your league mates and roster Benson before Conner gets hurt.
I had Robinson in my Week 9 last-minute waiver wire and injury replacement article. The veteran wide receiver had six receptions on nine targets for 94 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 24.4 half-point PPR fantasy points in the overtime win against the Seattle Seahawks. Furthermore, he had the game-winning 39-yard touchdown. While Robinson saw an uptick in targets with Puka Nacua getting ejected from the contest, he has scored two touchdowns in back-to-back games.
The veteran has produced when the Rams’ wide receiver core was at full strength. Robinson scored 16.5 fantasy points in Week 8, totaling double-digits in three of the past four contests. Furthermore, Matthew Stafford can support three wide receivers in this offense. Last year, Cooper Kupp (WR7), Nacua (WR5), and Robinson (WR9) were top-10 wide receivers from Week 13 through Week 16. Don’t be surprised if the passing attack takes off over the next few weeks.
Los Angeles has been one of the more run-heavy offenses in the NFL this season. However, they have opened up the passing game over the past few weeks. Justin Herbert has averaged 33 pass attempts per game since the bye week, totaling 32 or more in three of four contests. By comparison, the superstar quarterback averaged 22.8 pass attempts per game before the bye week. The increase in pass attempts is excellent for Palmer and the receiving core.
Palmer has averaged 2.7 receptions on 4.3 targets for 66 receiving yards and 9.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling 8.2 or more in every contest. The veteran wide receiver has been productive despite seeing four targets in back-to-back games. He has been the go-to downfield threat for Herbert, totaling 135 receiving yards on four receptions over the past two weeks. Palmer’s fantasy production should continue to grow with the Chargers increasing their pass volume.
Reportedly, the Commanders have explored the trade market for a wide receiver ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. However, Brown has stepped up opposite Terry McLaurin over the past few weeks. The veteran wide receiver caught the famous Hail Mary touchdown in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. More importantly, Brown has seen a consistent target share lately. He has averaged 5.3 targets per game over the past four weeks, totaling six or more in all but one contest.
The veteran had a quiet performance in the blowout Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers. However, Brown has averaged four receptions on 6.7 targets for 63.7 receiving yards and 10.4 fantasy points per game in the other three games over the past month, scoring 7.8 or more in every contest. If the Commanders don’t add a wide receiver before the trade deadline, expect Brown’s role on offense to expand in the second half of the season.
Gesicki had five receptions on six targets for 100 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 24.5 fantasy points, all season-highs. More importantly, his splits with and without Higgins are massive. The veteran has averaged 2.2 fantasy points per game in the five contests with the star receiver. By comparison, Gesicki has averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game in the four contests without Higgins. He is a top-five tight end in Week 10 if Higgins misses his third connective game.
Mike Fanelli is a featured contributor for FantasyPros. He is also a featured contributor for BettingPros, RotoBaller, Pro Football Network, and the Faceoff Sports Network. Mike is also the former Editor in Chief and fantasy football expert for Prime Time Sports Talk. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_NFL2 and reach out anytime for fantasy football help.
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