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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 Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (bid 20-40%)
Rodgers is playing looser and rekindling the connection with Davante Adams. He had his best fantasy showing of the season in Week 15 and has a good matchup against the Rams this week, assuming the weather is ok. Week 17 at Buffalo has a much more foreboding weather factor.
QB Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars (bid 20-40%)
Jones was scrambling and playing with swagger against the Jets. The offense is set up to feed Brian Thomas Jr., and the matchups against the Raiders and Titans are good. Jones could be a savior if you have to go to the waiver wire for your quarterback.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (bid 50-100%)
Ford looked like the fastest player on the field on his 62-yard touchdown run, and he's going to be the clear lead back after Nick Chubb went down with a broken foot. Empty your waiver wallet for him.
RB Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints (bid 50-100%)
It's not clear if Alvin Kamara will miss time after leaving the Week 15 game with a groin injury, but why should the Saints play him at less than 100% with the season basically over? Miller will be the lead back if Kamara is out, but he is the #2 waiver pickup of the week behind Jerome Ford.
RB Tyjae Spears, Tennesee Titans (bid 25-50%)
Spears scored twice and looked like the exciting, explosive back we thought we were getting as part of a 1-2 punch with Tony Pollard at the beginning of the season. Pollard left briefly with an ankle injury and wasn't very effective. Spears could be a flex play and, if Pollard wears down and misses time, a strong RB2 play in good remaining matchups against the Colts and Jaguars.
RB Kenneth Gainwell (bid 20-40%)
Gainwell looked good against the Steelers, especially on his receptions and is the clear backup to Saquon Barkley. Barkley was getting treatment on the sidelines, so he might not be 100%. The Eagles are still pushing for the #1 seed, but they might want to ease up on Barkley with January and February in mind. Gainwell has become one of the essential backups to carry for the rest of the fantasy playoffs.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (bid 25-50%)
Bateman scored from distance and showed skill on a short touchdown in the back of the end zone to put up a WR1 week for fantasy teams. He's a boom/bust play against the Steelers, but the boom is the most recent result, so consider him a what-the-heck flex.
WR Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers (bid 25-50%)
Coker scored from 83 yards out and also caught three other balls in a game that put him on the national stage. Xavier Legette has a groin injury and will likely miss Week 16, if not longer, so the targets should be there for Coker to be a what-the-heck flex against the Cardinals.
WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (bid 25-50%)
McMillan had another strong week and is heating up as the Bucs try to win the division over the next three weeks. He's at least a flex play and could level off as a must-play WR3 with Baker Mayfield playing well and the Bucs facing the Cowboys and Panthers.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (bid 25-50%)
Strange showed that he can produce Evan Engram numbers in the Evan Engram role, which could lead to him having that role next year. In the short term, he's a viable TE1, especially with Las Vegas and Tennessee up the next two weeks.
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