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 pickups for the week.
- More Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI): 22% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, NYG, @MIN
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Colston Loveland assumed an every-down role for Chicago in Week 8 with Cole Kmet sidelined with a back injury. After Kmet missed the entire week of practice last week, I will be shocked if he is back for Week 9, so it looks like we’ll get another nice streamable week for Loveland and a wonderful matchup incoming. Loveland played 80.9% of the snaps with a 78% route share and 11.7% target share, per Pro Football Focus (PFF) in Week 8. He turned that into only three receptions and 38 receiving yards, but I think he could boost those numbers this week. Cincinnati has allowed the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, per Fantasy Points Data. Stream Loveland this week.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG): 48% Rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, @CHI, GB
- True Value: $35
- Desperate Need: $45
- Budget-Minded: $25
Analysis: We need to pour one out for Cam Skattebo. He came into our lives as a shining star who runs like a bulldozer and brought joy to many fantasy managers. After suffering a dislocated ankle, Skattebo’s rookie season has come to a sudden end. After he was injured, Tyrone Tracy Jr. handled the lead role for the Giants, carrying the ball 10 times while Devin Singletary had two carries. Tracy had only 39 rushing yards, but he also caught two out of three targets for 14 yards. Tracy is locked into the lead role for the rest of the season. The Giants still have a mediocre offense, but Tracy’s pass-catching chops and explosive playmaking provide weekly upside. With only Singletary behind him, Tracy should be a low-end RB2 for the rest of the season.
Tank Bigsby (RB – PHI): 17% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @GB, DET
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Here’s a blast from the past — and by “past,” I am referring to August. Originally hyped as the potential lead back in Jacksonville, Tank Bigsby is now the clear backup to Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia, nearly two months after a trade sent him to the Eagles. Barkley finally had a huge game in Week 8, and Bigbsy managed to run for 104 yards against the Giants on only nine carries. Will Shipley, who was the presumed backup to Barkley, had only three carries for two yards. Bigsby is nearly impossible to trust as a fantasy starter, but he would be the next man up if Barkley were to miss time.
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.
