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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 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 Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh (bid 10-20%)
Wilson played very well in the snow against the Browns, so much so that you wonder why the Steelers didn't pass more despite the conditions. The weather should be cold in Cincinnati this week, but the Bengals and Joe Burrow will force the Steelers to be less conservative on offense, so Wilson is streamable.
QB Drake Maye, New England (bid 10-20%)
Maye's output against the Dolphins was very modest despite a game script that included a lot of garbage time. He still has a high weekly ceiling because of his running ability and the poor Patriots defense that spots opponents' big leads. He should be rostered as bye/injury/emergency depth. You could do worse than starting Maye against the Colts in Week 13.
QB Jameis Winston, Cleveland (bid 7-15%)
Winston was held in check by the Steelers defense, while Nick Chubb scored two of the three offensive touchdowns, so it wasn't a great Week 12 fantasy performance. He'll face a tough Broncos defense on Monday night, but the Raiders were able to throw for almost 300 yards against them, so Winston isn't a mere desperation play. He's worth carrying in 1QB leagues as depth if the waiver wire is thin.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta (bid 10-20%)
Allgeier is a top-tier injury-upside backup because he's an accomplished back who can also hit as a desperation play in his short-yardage/finisher role. He might have been dropped with six teams on bye.
RB Trey Benson, Arizona (bid 10-20%)
The Cardinals offense was thoroughly frustrated by the Seahawks in Week 12, but Benson is still a top-tier injury-upside backup because of his quality play going into the bye and James Conner's lengthy injury history.
RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago (bid 10-20%)
Johnson is a top-tier injury-upside backup, and the Bears offense is coming back to life. He also has desperation play value even while D'Andre Swift is healthy because he's the dedicated goal-line back.
RB Jaylen Wright, Miami (bid 10-20%)
Wright is a top-tier injury-upside backup because of the quality of the Dolphins' running game and De'Von Achane's injury history. Raheem Mostert would still have a role, but recent usage suggests that Wright would be the lead back if Achane goes down.
RB Ray Davis, Buffalo (10-20%)
Davis is a top-tier injury-upside backup because of how well he performed when James Cook missed a game earlier this season. Davis was on the field less than Ty Johnson in Week 11, but he would be the backup to have if Cook goes down. Davis might have been dropped during his bye.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh (bid 10-20%)
Austin caught a touchdown and also reeled in a deep ball from Russell Wilson, which could have been another score with a little more air under it. He's the best deep threat in the offense and has a high ceiling heading into a good matchup with the beleaguered Bengals secondary.
WR DeMario Douglas, New England (bid 10-20%)
Douglas has been a steady 9-11 point play in PPR leagues over the last four games. He has also led Patriots wide receivers in three of those games. He's good PPR bench depth, and if Drake Maye starts to develop, Douglas will be more than depth down the stretch.
WR Devaughn Vele, Denver (bid 10-20%)
Vele has separated himself from a diverse group of receivers behind Courtland Sutton to become Bo Nix's clear #2 target. As the Broncos offense goes away from the run and relies more on Nix's arm, Vele has some appeal as a flex play, including against a vulnerable Browns secondary on Monday night this week.
WR Noah Brown, Washington (bid 7-15%)
Brown is settling in as the #2 receiver for Jayden Daniels, and the team is going to need to pass a lot in Week 13 with their top two backs likely out against a good run defense. Brown is worth a pickup and what-the-heck flex play against the Titans this week.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Zach Ertz, Washington (bid 10-20%)
Ertz has been a solid play for six of the last seven weeks. His operation in the short zone is meshing with what a struggling pass offense can do competently, even if it doesn't give Ertz a high weekly ceiling. He's a solid high-floor TE1 play against the Titans.
TE Cole Kmet, Chicago (bid 5-10%)
Kmet was a frequent target for Caleb Williams in the fourth-quarter comeback and should have some lasting fantasy value in the post-Shane Waldron offense. He'll be a viable streamer on Thanksgiving against the Lions with the Bears having to open up their offense to keep pace.
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