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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 25-50%)
All of Wilson's remaining games could potentially be affected by weather, and he won't get the Bengals again until Week 18 when almost all fantasy seasons are over. But you still have to be excited about the possibilities after he put on an air show in Week 13. Cleveland's pass defense is their Achilles heel, so Wilson has streamer/bye coverage value in Week 14.
QB Bryce Young, Carolina (bid 25-50%)
Bryce Young is playing the best of any of the 2023 draft quarterbacks right now, and it's translating to fantasy results. Week 14 brings a tough matchup at Philadelphia, but in the fantasy playoffs, Young will draw Dallas, Arizona, and a rematch with Tampa Bay. He has potential streamer value and is at least a very good bench-depth quarterback to carry into the playoffs.
QB Drake Maye, New England (bid 10-20%)
Maye played better than his stats indicate against the Colts. He had one touchdown wiped off the board by penalty, and Hunter Henry had a ball go off of him for an interception at the goal line. Maye goes into his bye as a true dual-threat quarterback with a high enough weekly ceiling to consider as a streamer in the fantasy playoffs.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco (bid 50-100%)
With McCaffrey and Mason both going on IR, Guerendo is the next back up for the 49ers. While San Francisco has struggled to get wins this year, the ground game has been quite productive.
RB Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas (bid 25-50%)
It's hard to know if the Raiders will do the right thing in their backfield, but it's easy to see that the 2022 UDFA is the best running back on their roster. Antonio Pierce fed a fresh Zamir White with big results last December; McCormick could be next.
RB Ray Davis, Buffalo (bid 20-40%)
Davis looked like a back fitted with snow tires in the blowout win over the 49ers. He has James Cook injury upside, but against the Patriots and Jets in Weeks 16-17, he could reprise his Week 13 role and be a viable what-the-heck flex even if Cook is still leading the backfield.
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina (bid 10-20%)
Don't expect Brooks to take over for Chuba Hubbard—he played only 15 snaps—but he looked good in the passing game and could see his role grow in a quickly improving offense. Brooks is at least an injury-upside backup, and he could grow into more down the stretch.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR Adam Thielen, Carolina (bid 25-50%)
Thielen could have been even better in Week 13 if a controversial no-touchdown call had gone the other way. He was a WR1 in PPR anyway, and the veteran is Bryce Young's favorite target. He has WR3/Flex value, especially in PPR leagues.
WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville (bid 10-20%)
Maybe he's a one-week wonder, but Washington clicked with Mac Jones, who should start in Week 14 against a Titans pass defense that phoned it in against Washington in Week 13. Washington has what-the-heck flex value with a chance to become more.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans (bid 10-20%)
Johnson caught five balls and could be in line for more going forward after Taysom Hill was lost for the season. Derek Carr had him study Julian Edelman's tape, so there could be a lot of targets for Johnson in an offense that is very thin at wide receiver.
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