The waiver wire is unbelievably thin at this point in the season, but never take for granted the opportunity to fine tune your roster.
It’s hard to believe, but we have already completed five weeks of the NFL season. BYEs are in full swing with the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting some much-needed rest this week. If one of your key players is on one of those teams, here is who you should be looking to replace them with.
Worthy Of Your First Waiver Claim:
Sammie Coates
There will be a lot of repeats in this week’s column, but that just speaks to the quality that’s left out on the waiver wire. Coates torched the New York Jets secondary last week for a long touchdown and added a few more receptions as the game went on. He did drop quite a few passes, which has been a problem of his, but he is worth the add as a huge upside flex player in a high-octane offense.
James White
Now that Tom Brady is back from serving his suspension, the Patriots offense can return to normalcy. One of the biggest benefactors to this rebirth is James White. White took over for Dion Lewis last year in the receiving back role and thrived. He was right back at it last week, recording four receptions for 63 yards. White only has value in PPR leagues, but if you’re hurting for running backs, you could do worse.
Cameron Artis-Payne
A familiar name for this column, Payne found pay dirt twice in that abysmal Monday Night Football game against the Bucs. As long as Jonathan Stewart is sidelined with an injury, CAP is the man in Carolina. If Stewart returns this week, he’s still worth the add for the oft-hurt Stewart, especially for Stewart owners.
Worthy of Your Second Waiver Claim:
James Starks
Much like backup quarterbacks are the most popular players among fans of struggling teams, backup running backs are the favorites of fantasy football owners. James Starks has not looked impressive so far this season, but with Eddie Lacy banged up a little bit, Starks is the only other true running back on the Packers roster. If Lacy were to miss any time, Starks is a nice RB2.
Bilal Powell
Sensing a theme here? Backup running backs are the lottery tickets of the fantasy football world. I mentioned it in last week’s column, but Powell’s usage has been steadily increasing over the last few weeks. He recorded 10 touches again on Sunday, including 6 receptions. Powell is much more useful in PPR scoring. He should enter into more of a timeshare as the season wears on for his 30-year-old backfield counterpart, Matt Forte.
Not Worthy Of Any Waiver Claim:
Justin Forsett
Forsett signed with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, and while he is the only back in that backfield with a successful track record of running the ball, he is on the wrong side of 30. Throw in the fact that the Lions are about as committed to the run as Angelina Jolie is to Brad Pitt these days, and I would stay far away from Forsett.
Future Add Of The Week:
Jacquizz Rodgers
With Charles Sims going on the IR, only Doug Martin’s hamstring stands in the way of Rodgers continuing to put up productive numbers in the Bucs offense. No word on whether Martin will be ready to go after the Bucs Week 6 BYE, but even if he is, Rodgers should get some work while Martin is worked back into the swing of things.
Getting Defensive:
Tennessee Titans
I really could change this to “Whoever Plays the Cleveland Browns This Week” but the Titans are actually a quality defense. They have at least one turnover in every game this year and have allowed 17 points or less in three out of their last four games. Not to mention the Titans 6 sacks last week and the Browns’ shaky offensive line. Pick up the Titans this week.
