If you’re like me and have a fantasy team that is currently riddled with injuries and unfortunate bye weeks, then you’ve probably already been shopping the waiver wire desperately looking for help. Our leagues might not be the same in terms of who is available, but I’ve gathered a good list of six players that could give your team a boost if you can pick them up off of waivers.
QUARTERBACKS
- Drew Lock, Broncos
Drew Lock had a great game against the Chargers last week, throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. He’s proven himself able to get the ball out to Melvin Gordon and Jerry Jeudy often, and looks more composed in the pocket compared to last season. Lock also faces a very favorable match-up this week against Atlanta, who have allowed the most points per game to signal callers.
Lock may be a risk when it comes to interceptions, but if you’re dealing with a QB injury or a bye week from your starter, don’t be afraid to pick Lock up and let him start against a bad Falcons secondary.
- Nick Foles, Bears
No one said that waiver picks are always a sure thing. Sometimes you have to reach a little when you’re desperate, and Foles seems like that type of pickup. Foles is a high risk medium reward type of player, but has proven he can go off in the past. Last week he had multiple long throws to Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney along with two touchdowns. Like Lock, Foles must keep the interceptions under control to remain relevant.
Foles will undoubtedly be the Bears’ starter for the foreseeable future, and he has a semi-favorable matchup against a weaker Titans defense. It’s not a bad pickup if you are in deep need of a quarterback.
RUNNINGBACKS
- Mike Davis, Panthers
Before you keep scrolling, hear me out on this one. As soon as the news came out that Christian McCaffrey was returning for week nine, the guy that had McCaffrey dropped Davis. I immediately picked him up, and here’s why.
McCaffrey has not proven himself since his injury, and with an injury as big as McCaffrey’s was, I don’t know if fantasy owners can trust him 100% yet. Davis has boomed three times this season and has been a solid RB2 up to this point, and God forbid McCaffrey becomes re-injured, Davis will be back to starting for Carolina. Carolina could divide up the workload when McCaffrey comes back, but that seems unlikely.
Watch this one carefully. If McCaffrey comes back and is as dominant as he was, part ways with Davis. But for now, keep him as a profitable insurance option.
- Zack Moss, Bills
Last week Moss erupted onto the scene, rushing for 81 yards and two touchdowns against New England. Moss has had a less than ideal start to his season, but has now seemed to find his niche playing behind Devin Singletary. Having watched Moss last week, I was impressed by how hard he worked each play and became intrigued by this pickup.
If Moss is somehow still available in your league, take him. He will be a solid flex option.
PASS CATCHERS
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers
I was surprised to see Valdes-Scantling on the waiver wire this week, due to his good play as of late. Aaron Rodgers has been on a mission, and with Aaron Jones out with injury the Packers are definitely throwing the ball a lot more. Valdes-Scantling silenced all criticism on Thursday night, catching two touchdowns and putting up 53 receiving yards.
It’s clear that any of Rodger’s pass catchers are viable for your fantasy team, and I would pick up Valdes-Scantling as a solid bench option.
- Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
I mentioned Jeudy earlier when talking about Drew Lock, and here’s why he’s a viable pickup. Jeudy had 10 targets last week for 73 yards, and although he had some drops he seems to be one of Locks’ favorite targets. If Jeudy gets his catching problem under control, which I know he can, he is a nice flex option especially against a weak Falcons secondary.
The fantasy season is nearing its end, and this is the time where waiver picks either make or break your team. Be on the lookout for any of the guys on this list.
