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Fantasy football leagues and won on the waiver wire. Our waiver wire tools at Footballguys make it easy.
Every week, our Sigmund Bloom writes about every trending player in the NFL, moving players up and down based on what we’ve seen. For players who are mostly available in fantasy football leagues, he’ll provide an estimated amount of FAAB to bid on the waiver wire.
These waiver wire tips are essential in winning your fantasy football league. In this article, we’ll highlight a handful of noteworthy players. But for deeper leagues and more waiver wire additions, check out our full Upgrade and Downgrades feature.
Check out some in-depth explanations on these waiver wire pickups courtesy of Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey on a new episode of The Audible.
Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
QB Justin Fields, Pittsburgh (bid 15-30%)
Fields is probably only available in public leagues, but if he is, that should be rectified, even with the possibility of Russell Wilson starting at some point still a specter over the Steelers offense. Fields is settling down as a passer, and he's probably the Steelers' best option as a runner near the goal line. He was a week winner against the Colts in part because the defense was uncharacteristically soft, but Fields could easily have another big game against a very vulnerable Cowboys defense in Week 5.
QB Andy Dalton, Carolina (bid 7-15%)
If you were worried that Dalton's big Week 3 was only a product of a Raiders team that was making "business decisions," you can dispel that notion after he had a good game against the Bengals in Week 4. The Bears pass defense in Week 5 is tougher than the Bengals or Raiders, but Dalton has shown enough to be rosterable in 1QB leagues in a tumultuous year so far at quarterback.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City (bid 12-25%)
Hunt took over once Carson Steele fumbled, and he looked better than he did at any point last year with the Browns. It was revealed that he was playing through a hernia last year, so there could be some upside in Hunt's outlook with the Chiefs offense losing Rashee Rice for the season.
RB Javonte Williams, Denver (bid 10-20%)
Williams lost his starting job to Tyler Badie, but Badie went down with a back injury and Williams looked like a new man for the rest of the game. The Broncos defense should keep them in games, and Bo Nix isn't ready to carry this offense, so Williams has at least what-the-heck flex value against the Raiders.
RB Trey Sermon, Indianapolis (5-10%)
Sermon could start a game or two with Jonathan Taylor's high ankle sprain diagnosis. The Colts offense is good enough to make Sermon at least a flex play against the Jaguars this week, although he'll share work with Tyler Goodson and has a limited ceiling.
RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville (bid 3-5%)
Bigsby once again flashed with big runs, and the door opened slightly when Travis Etienne Jr. suffered a shoulder injury. The Jaguars offense isn't in the top half of the league and it won't produce great fantasy numbers in a committee. Travis Etienne Jr. returned to the game and was also effective, but the quality of Bigsby's game is undeniable and worth a bench spot if roster size allows.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay (bid 15-30%)
Wicks is going to be a starter for multiple weeks while Christian Watson is recovering from a high ankle sprain. He scored twice in the comeback bid against the Vikings and should be the big play downfield target for Jordan Love for at least the next month.
WR Xavier Legette, Carolina (bid 10-20%)
Legette's Week 4 game was more the result of skills he is sharpening early in his development than the considerable athletic tools that got him drafted in the first round. As long as Adam Thielen is out (which is at least three more games) and Andy Dalton is the quarterback, Legette will be a WR3/Flex consideration.
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis (bid 10-20%)
Downs was a frequent target for Joe Flacco, and he'll be a good WR3/Flex start against the Jaguars if Flacco gets the Week 5 call. Even if Anthony Richardson's hip pointer doesn't keep him out of the Week 5 game, Richardson has shown improvement as a passer, and Downs is also one of his favorite targets, so Downs is rosterable in all but the shortest bench leagues.
WR Jordan Whittington, LA Rams (bid 3-5%)
Whittington got a target share closer to Cooper Kupp's in Kupp's role during the loss to the Bears. That will last for at least two more weeks, so Whittington is a viable PPR what-the-heck flex against the Packers in Week 5.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay (bid 12-25%)
Kraft is basically a full-time player in the Packers offense, and he has the trust of Jordan Love. His ceiling isn't as high as it was in Week 4 with Love throwing 54 passes, but with so little scoring at tight end, Kraft is definitely startable as long as Love is out there, especially against a weak Rams defense in Week 5.
TE Erick All Jr., Cincinnati (bid 5-10%)
All has taken over as the leading tight end in snaps and targets in a potent Bengals pass offense despite being a rookie less than one year removed from ACL surgery. That's enough to make him rosterable, if not startable, in 2024 fantasy football, given the desperate state the position is in for scoring.
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