I finally have all of the kinks worked out in my process, so every week, I will give out a few players to target on your fantasy football waiver wire by Tuesday. Obviously, most leagues have already processed waiver claims this week, but if any of these players are still available, consider picking them up.
In general, these players will be injury replacements and those I think have a chance to breakout. Remember that it is unlikely that someone here will be this year’s James Robinson, but they should be low-end RB2s or WR3s and bye week starters, with upside potential.
Any players listed will be less than 50 percent owned according to fantasypros.com consensus roster percentage.
Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos
With Jerry Jeudy having to miss four to six weeks with a high-ankle sprain (those can linger), take a look at Tim Patrick. He’s only rostered in 20.4 percent of leagues. Last season he averaged 10.7 PPR points per game. He is currently the second-most targeted wide receiver in Denver and is averaging 13.3 PPR points per game, so he can be a serviceable WR3.
In the next few weeks, Denver plays the Jets and Raiders, both of whom have defenses that can be exploited.
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Many people consider Tony Pollard as solely a handcuff for Ezekiel Elliott. I disagree.
Through two games, Tony Pollard only has 11 fewer carries than Zeke but has 19 more yards and three more targets. According to playerprofiler.com, Pollard only plays on 27.7 percent of the snaps; however, he has 42.6 percent of the opportunity share. This means that he gets a little under half of the carries and targets by the team’s running backs.
I am not saying that Pollard will replace Elliott as the lead back in Dallas, but it does look like Pollard will get enough opportunity to be a viable RB3 or bye-week RB2 and, if Elliott does get hurt, that floor skyrockets.
Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals
This one is fairly obvious coming off a seven reception, 114-yard performance against the Minnesota Vikings. Moore leads the Cardinals in targets, receptions, and yards.
Of course, DeAndre Hopkins is the go-to guy, and will eventually lead in all of those categories, but Rondale Moore is quickly emerging as the second option in Arizona and is only owned in 26.6 percent of leagues. Through two games, Moore only plays 42.1 percent of the snaps, compared to 55.6 percent for Christian Kirk, but Kirk gets targeted on 20 percent of his routes, compared to 37.1 percent for Moore.
This, combined with Kirk’s distinct lack of emergence over the last couple of seasons, will make Rondale Moore a high-end WR3, with WR2 potential.
Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington Football Team
Ryan Fitzpatrick is out at least eight weeks and after Buffalo this week, Washington faces Atlanta, New Orleans, Kansas City, and Green Bay. With the exception of New Orleans, all of these teams are in the bottom ten in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Pick Heinicke up in your Superflex and 2QB leagues, you won’t regret it.
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
I’m breaking my 50 percent rule on this one, as Justin Fields is owned in 53.5 percent of leagues, but I had to. @TrueNorthFFB just tweeted that Justin Fields is the starter this week with Andy Dalton’s bone bruise.
This is not a drill!
Justin Fields will start at QB for the Chicago Bears this week! Andy Dalton will be out at least this week with a bone bruise!@MyFantasyLeague pic.twitter.com/0LIUIjaG4n
— True N🍁rth Fantasy Football (@TrueNorthFFB) September 22, 2021
It’s a coin-flip as to whether he’s available in your league, but if he is, grab him. Especially in two-QB or SuperFlex leagues. I don’t know that he should be started in his first game against Chicago, maybe @connorten will have something in his Start/Sit article, “Click Click Bait,” for you tomorrow on truenorthffb.com, but he was my QB2 in this year’s rookie class and has enormous potential.
May your waiver spot be high enough to get whomever you want to fill up your roster!
