QB:
I’m dropping Marcus Mariota (TEN) in leagues if I can pick up players such as… (luckily I only have him in one season long league as my starter)
Andy Dalton (CIN)
Case Keenum (DEN)
Mitchell Trubisky (CHI)
Eli Manning (NYG)
Alex Smith (WAS)
Joe Flacco (BAL)
Jameis Winston (TB) is someone to pick up now, especially in 2QB leagues. I know he’s available in our ESPN league because I drafted him and dropped him last week. Winston should be back in from his suspension in Week 4. He’ll produce right away with this lineup.
Baker Mayfield (CLE) is another QB that you should stash and cash this week. It’s only a matter of time before Tyrod Taylor (Tuh-Rod) goes out with an injury or collapse. Once Taylor goes out, Mayfield’s cost will be expensive in BBID waivers.
RB:
James Conner (PIT) is a must pick up on waivers if you have Le’Veon Bell on your roster. Just be careful how much you bid or trade to get him. No one knows when Bell will be back, but there’s a good chance he’ll come back this week or next. If he’s fighting for a higher dollar contract, he won’t get that by sitting out until Week 11 of the season.
TJ Yeldon (JAX) is another must handcuff if you have Leonard Fournette. As I said in my handcuff article, Yeldon is a must have with Fournette this season. There’s a chance Fournette is back this week (against NE), or the following week. But, I would still bid up and get him as a handcuff if you own Fournette. Yeldon would be a Top 12-15 RB in this offense.
James White (NE) is possibly still available in your league. In most leagues, he’s already been drafted, but just in case he’s available I would pick him up this week. He should see in uptick in plays with Hill gone for the year, and Burkhead having a down game in Houston. While it’s hard to gauge the correct RB in New England every year. Trust me I know, from when I drafted Laurence Maroney at the 1.12 spot in the 2006 WCOFF. But, any RB or WR that sees time on the field in this offense has a chance to produce.
Aaron Jones (GB) should see the field when he comes back from his suspension in Week 3. Jamaal Williams was ineffective in Green Bay Sunday night. (15 Attempts for 47 Yards AVG 3.1/Carry). Plus, he’s a big fantasy football fan, so he understands us!
Phillip Lindsay (DEN) is a must pick up this week. On Sunday he gained 71 yards on the ground in 15 attempts. He also caught 2 balls for 31 yards and 1 TD. He went undrafted in most 15-18 team round drafts this year but, could start to see an uptick in opportunities. I was never high on Royce Freeman going into the year and have zero ownership but, I did draft Phillips in a few deep leagues 18-25 round drafts.
Javorius Allen (BAL) is a good pickup this week. With Kenneth Dixon having another knee injury he’s safe to drop in shallow leagues and pickup Buck Allen. As we saw in the game on Sunday, Alex Collins ran for 13 yards in 7 attempts and 1 TD. Alex Collins fumbles too often and will get replaced…it’s just a matter of time and by whom. Baltimore’s backfield is again a mess going into Week 2 Thursday night but, Allen should see some opportunities with only competing against Collins on Thursday.
Corey Grant (JAX) is another Jacksonville RB that you could roster. I wouldn’t target him if you don’t have Fournette. But, he could see more plays if Fournette misses time this season.
Ito Smith (ATL) is another deep RB to look for on waivers. I would target him if you have Freeman or Coleman. Freeman hurt his knee on Thursday but should be fine for this weekend. However, Smith is a fastback out of Southern Mississippi, going in the 4th Round this year. If Freeman or Coleman would go out with an injury, Smith is a must-have. I would only get him now if you have a deep bench or there’s garbage on the waivers.
WR:
Phillip Dorsett (NE) is a pickup this week if you didn’t draft him. He’s playing on the outside and giving Brady another option to throw to. Even though Corey Coleman was just signed today, I would still favor Dorsett over Coleman. I don’t think Coleman will last in NE, this is his 3rd team in 2018. Back to Dorsett’s numbers from Sunday. He was targeted 7 times, and caught all of them for 66 yards and 1TD averaging 9.43 yards per target.
Geronimo Allison (GB) as you saw on Sunday, is a very good receiver! In leagues that he’s still available, pick him up next week if you need a receiver. He’s still the 3rd receiver in this offense, but could see more targets than Jimmy Graham and can play the red zone.
Tre’Quan Smith (NO) out of UCF is the WR to pick up for the rest of the season for the New Orleans Saints on the cheap right now. While he’s still looking outside of Thomas and Ginn, he will be Bree’s deep threat on the offense. Ginn is currently 33 years of age, and will eventually start to diminish this season. While he could be effective for a week or two, long term I don’t seem him lasting and believe in Tre’Quan. Tre’Quan had a very good showing in preseason and will compete against Cam Meredith and should pass Cam up on the depth chart. As we saw on Sunday, Cam wasn’t even listed on the starting roster for the game against TB. So again, if you’re interested in investing in a good receiver at a great price now, then look here at Tre’Quan Smith because once he has a good game the price will get expensive.
DJ Moore (CAR) is an athletic WR out of Maryland. He fits well in this offense, with his ability to run with Newton. Ron Rivera wasn’t initially rushing Moore to the field, but he may have to in another week or two with less athletic options for Newton to throw to, because of the Olsen injury.
Ryan Grant (IND) should be Luck’s go-to guy every week. I would only pick him up in PPR leagues if he’s still available. He was drafted in most leagues with 18 rounds or more. He should average about 6-8 receptions and 55-68 yards per game.
TE:
Eric Ebron (IND) would be my top choice at TE’s on the waivers this week. While he was drafted in most 15+ round drafts, if he’s somehow still there, take him this week. We’ve all been disappointed by Ebron over the last few seasons while in DET, but looking at a new team and a wife and child to come home to, I think Ebron will show his reliability in 2018. He’s become a favorite of the coaching staff and should become a favorite target of Luck’s as the season progresses.
Jonnu Smith (TEN) played a little last year when Walker went down because of an injury. I think he put up impressive numbers his rookie year going for 18 receptions with 157 yards and 2 TDs, while only used sparingly in 2017 for TEN. With Delaine’s season done, we should see an increase in targets as he’s needed in the offense.
If you did have Greg Olsen or Delaine Walker, here are some other options to look at targeting in waivers this week…
Antonio Gates (LAC) Gates should see targets in the red zone and is still a favorite of Rivers.
Mike Gesicki (MIA) Don’t base his performance on Sunday, because the game was a sloppy 6-hour game. His role should grow as the season progresses, and Tannehill will need to rely on Fesicki even more in the red zone.
Cameron Brate (TB) He may not be available in your league, but he is a favorite target in the red zone, most of Winston’s. However, Winston should be back by Week 4 and will once again be utilized. I don’t see OJ Howard taking over the snaps until late in the season if they’re out of the playoffs. HC Dirk Koetter’s job is on the line this year, and he will take advantage of the better options than sticking with 2nd year TE Howard.