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Fantasy football leagues are 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 Drake Maye, New England (bid 10-20%)
Maye's stats are getting a boost from a lot of garbage time, but the Patriots defense isn't going to keep that from happening often, so we can reasonably count on good (read: losing big) game scripts for Maye. He came through in Week 7 despite missing Demario Douglas for most of the game due to an illness. In Week 8 Maye faces the Jets defense that just let Russell Wilson rise from the dead.
QB Bo Nix, Denver (bid 10-20%)
Nix didn't have a big game in Week 7, but he didn't need to as the Broncos blew out the Saints. His downfield accuracy hasn't been good, but he could still have a breakout game of sorts against the Panthers, who just made Marcus Mariota look good off of the bench.
QB Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh (bid 7-15%)
Wilson started slow, but took over in the second half and unlocked the downfield passing game in a way that Justin Fields has not been able to. Wilson even ran in a score to put up a huge fantasy game. He definitely has value in 2QB/Superflex leagues and could be worth a spot start in 1QB leagues when matchups and byes dictate.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Ray Davis, Buffalo (bid 15-30%)
Davis was behind James Cook in snaps and only had one more snap than Ty Johnson, but he outperformed Cook and could force a committee sooner rather than later. The Bills offense could also be on the rise with the addition of Amari Cooper. Davis is one of the most essential backup running backs to carry on your bench.
RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh (bid 10-20%)
Warren is healthy again and getting half of the snaps in an offense that finally looks like it will have balance going forward. He's only a what-the-heck flex or maybe matchup RB2 against the Giants, but if Najee Harris gets hurt or Warren gets hot, there could be more there in the second half of the season.
RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago (bid 7-15%)
Johnson didn't play in Week 7 because of his bye, but he's still a priority pickup with the Bears settling into a defense/running game blueprint. As we get into the second half of the season, your bench should be stocked with high-quality backup running backs in good situations. Johnson certainly belongs on that list.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay (bid 25-50%)
McMillan is going to be thrust into a huge role - maybe the Cooper Kupp role that Chris Godwin was in - with Godwin down for the years and Mike Evans likely out for multiple weeks.
WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay (bid 20-40%)
Doubs was Jordan Love's main target in the win over Houston, which should resoundingly put to rest any worries about Doubs' one-week team suspension in Week 5. Consider Doubs a high-floor WR3/Flex in a good matchup against Jacksonville.
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore (bid 15-30%)
Bateman had the longest play of the day for the Ravens pass offense, and he also scored and went over 100 yards. Zay Flowers was playing through an injury and might not be available in Week 8, so Bateman looks like a strong WR3/Flex play against Cleveland with momentum to keep that status even when Flowers is healthy.
WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland (bid 7-15%)
Tillman overshadowed Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore in the Browns' first game following the Amari Cooper trade. He's only looking like a short-range possession target, but that could have value in PPR leagues. This offense is limited, so Tillman's strong at the catch point could keep targets coming his way.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Cade Otton, Tampa Bay (bid 12-25%)
Otton was the king of garbage time in Week 7, and he could continue to draw a lot of targets with the Bucs losing their top two receivers against Baltimore, and one for the season.
TE Hunter Henry, New England (bid 10-20%)
Two good games in two weeks is enough to see a trend developing in the Drake Maye era for Hunter Henry's fantasy value. Demario Douglas missed a lot of the game because of illness, but the Steelers tight ends did well against the Jets, which is who Henry will face in Week 8.
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