Week eight is almost in the books, but here's an early preview of how you can crush your wavier wire adds. I will say that it’s a struggle to find quality guys on the waiver wire right now, but here are some names I’m targeting if they’re available. Let's go and have a strong 2nd half to our fantasy seasons!
Quarterback Targets
Bo Nix (37%)
This is probably the last chance you’ll get to grab Nix if you still can. I know the Panthers have the ability to make a lot of guys look good, but the reality is that Nix is QB9 on the season, outpacing many big-name quarterbacks. His weapons don’t look all that impressive, but he’s been able to get it done on the ground as well as through the air, which is propping up his fantasy scoring. He’s not a Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson-level rushing threat, but he is doing enough to make himself relevant in fantasy football.
Matthew Stafford (19%)
Stafford has not been great this year up until this week. I asked myself if I was overreacting by adding him to the list just based on one game, but I’m choosing to buy in not because of the one game but because of what I believe the Rams can be if Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are both healthy. Between those two receivers and Kyren Williams, this team has the firepower to score much more than they have most of the season.
Running Back Targets
Isaac Guerendo (4%)
Honestly, Guerendo is only relevant if Jordan Mason is out and Christian McCaffrey remains out as well. However, if that’s the case, he becomes very relevant because the 49ers always feed their top running back. If Guerendo gets the starting role, it may only be for a short time, but with the waiver wire this bare, any solid weeks are worth picking up.
Braelon Allen (29%)
With the head coaching change for the Jets, it looked like Breece Hall would be a true bellcow, with Braelon Allen being relegated to strictly backup duties. This past week, however, Allen was given 12 carries and, more importantly, got the goal-line carry for a touchdown. I don’t think anyone knows what is happening with the Jets offense, but Allen is as good of an option as you’ll likely be able to find on your waiver wire, and becomes a must-start player if Breece Hall were to get injured at any point.
Wide Receiver Targets
Josh Downs (48%)
With Anthony Richardson at quarterback, every Colts receiver is going to be boom or bust. Downs, however, has made it work with both Richardson and Flacco at the helm. His down weeks have been rough, but he’s scored 15 or more PPR points in 4 of the six games he has played. If you happen to play in one of the few leagues that gives individual players points for kick and punt return yards, he’s an even better play.
Ricky Pearsall (22%)
I included Pearsall last week, though I debated if it should be Jauan Jennings instead. Pearsall posted a respectable 11.7 PPR points this week and may have a road to even more targets with Deebo Samuel hurt. The 49ers haven’t been able to catch a break with injuries, especially on offense, but they’ve managed to maintain a decent offense and support whichever receivers are healthy.
Tight End Targets
Tyler Conklin (28%)
I’ve had Conklin on this list a few times this year, and that will continue to as long as his ownership remains low. He was a fringe TE1 last year without catching any touchdowns. As a Breece Hall owner, I’m painfully aware of how often Aaron Rodgers is targeting Conklin in the end zone from 3 yards or less.
Will Dissly (1%)
Ladd McConkey grabbed the headlines, but it was quietly Will Dissly and J.K. Dobbins who received the most targets this week for the Chargers. Also notable is the fact that the chargers threw the ball more times than they rushed it, even in a game when they didn’t trail the entire second half. I don’t have any doubt they’ll continue to rely heavily on their run game, but if they throw it even a moderate amount, Justin Herbert has proven that he can support fantasy relevant receivers.