Player value in dynasty football reminds me of watching ocean waves. They ebb and flow, always in a state of flux. Competitive dynasty players anticipate these movements before they happen and act by picking up, buying, or selling players as the situation demands. Dynasty general managers have previously been at the mercy of regular waiver segments to assist in dynasty pickups, but these fail to account for the long-term view necessary to dynasty success. This weekly column will focus on identifying assets that will help dynasty teams build for the future, as well as players that may plug a hole at a position of need on an otherwise strong squad.
Welcome to week ten of Waivers of the Future! Whether you are a contender or a rebuilder, this article will seek to help you put yourself in the best position to have success in your dynasty league by assisting you in making preemptive pickups.
The trade deadline is rapidly approaching in most dynasty leagues. Weeks 10-13 are the most common dates for trade deadlines across dynasty leagues that do not allow year-round trading. That means that once the deadline passes, your only way of acquiring players for the remainder of the year is via the waiver wire. This tends to inflate the amount of capital you need to spend to secure a player. That said, do not be afraid to be aggressive with your spending at this point. The wire is razor thin by this time in the year and any player you can secure for your team with waiver dollars is going to be of help. You should never end the year with a waiver budget left over unless it is going to roll over to your next league year.
Budget percentages are to give the reader guidance regarding how the writer would prioritize these players. However, you know your league best. If you think you can get away with bidding less than recommended or nothing at all, go for it!
IN THE SKY
Players on this list have previously appeared in this article as pickups, but have had value spikes at points in the season that make them unlikely to be out there in your league. If they are still available and you need help contending, consider spending 30-50%+ of your budget on them.
IN THE CLOUDS
Players on this list are probably also rostered but are worth less than 30% of your budget.
- Jacoby Brissett
- Gardner Minshew
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Malcolm Brown
- Adrian Peterson
- Frank Gore
- Giovani Bernard
- Matt Breida
- Raheem Mostert
- Damien Williams
- Darrel Williams
- Wayne Gallman
- Chase Edmonds
- Sterling Shepard
- Demarcus Robinson
- Ted Ginn Jr
- Phillip Dorsett
- Auden Tate
- Darren Waller
- Jason Witten
- Jordan Akins
RIDE THE WAVE
(These are plug-and-play options who might patch a hole on your team in the short-term.)
QUARTERBACK
15-20%- Matt Moore, KC- Will Kansas City elect to be cautious with Patrick Mahomes II’ kneecap dislocation or will they risk playing him in an easy matchup against the Tennessee Titans? That remains a question, but if they do elect to be on the more conservative side, Moore will be entrusted with a potent offense for at least another week and will have the benefit of Andy Reid’s creative playcalling.
10-15%| Mason Rudolph, PIT- Rudolph has been unspectacular but solid in relief of Ben Roethlisberger. He will be the quarterback for the Steelers for the remainder of the year barring injury. Rudolph has an easier passing matchup against the Rams this week, so playing him if you need to is justified.
10-15- Ryan Tannehill, TEN- Tannehill has played moderately better than Marcus Mariota and the Titans have gotten two wins with him at the helm. The scheme by Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith still does not seem to fit the strengths of the player personnel, which has been problematic for this offense when they play against quality defenses. The Chiefs have improved from last year, but they still seem to have trouble defending the pass at times. It is ok to start Tannehill in a pinch this week.
5-10%| Brian Hoyer, IND- It appears that Hoyer may start after Brissett suffered a significant left MCL sprain that could hold him out a few weeks. While Hoyer is not a great quarterback, he can be an effective game manager and execute the plays that are drawn up. The Colts also have a great matchup against the Dolphins this week, so Hoyer is worth thinking about if you are in a bind at the position.
5-10%| Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA- You can play Fitzpatrick, but just be aware that he is at a high risk of turning over the football and getting benched. It has happened a couple of times already this year. The Dolphins play the Colts this week, so it is not an ideal time to turn to Fitzpatrick in your fantasy league.
1-5%| Brandon Allen, DEN- With Flacco placed on IR, the team had no choice but to roll out an inexperienced Brandon Allen. Surprisingly, the Broncos got the win behind Allen and they may go back to him again after the bye.
1-5%| Ryan Finley, CIN- The Bengals need to see what they have in Finley in a lost year. We also do not know much about Finley because he has not seen the NFL field, but he does not appear to be able to process the field at a speed that is consistent with what you would hope for from an NFL starter. On the positive side, he does come into an offense with a few weapons at his disposal. They will play the Ravens this week, so start Finley only if you absolutely have no other options.
1%| Taysom Hill, NO- Hill has his own package of snaps in every contest and has a high upside to score on any given week because of the potency of this offense. He is a last-resort option at the position, but for some in very deep or superflex leagues, putting him in is better than taking a zero. The Saints play the generous Atlanta defense in the upcoming week, so there is a better chance he could find the end zone in this one.
RUNNING BACK
10-15%| Trey Edmonds, PIT- Edmunds ran the ball 12 times for 73 yards in week nine despite the presence of Jaylen Samuels. With James Conner out for probably at least one more game, Edmonds might make a decent fill-in option, especially in a week with tons of teams on bye. The Steelers face the Rams in the upcoming tilt.
10-15%|, Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic, DET- TY Johnson got the most carries between the tackles and J.D. McKissic was the most targeted in the passing game. It depends on your league settings as to which is more valuable. Both will have limited value, but at this point, fantasy general managers just may need a player getting some opportunity to fill a starting spot. The Lions have the Bears next, which is not an ideal matchup for either of these runners.
1-5%| Brian Hill, ATL- Hill gets a chance to be the change-of-pace runner with Ito Smith ailing. Despite limited carries against the Seahawks, Hill scored a touchdown. Devonta Freeman is still the lead back, but he has also not been the most durable back during his career. There is a chance Hill could emerge as the starter before the year’s end, albeit on a team that is sputtering. The Falcons will play a tough Saints unit this week, so Hill is best left simmering on the bench.
WIDE RECEIVER
15-25%| Zach Pascal, IND- Pascal will be the main man in the Indianapolis passing attack with T.Y. Hilton out of the lineup for the next few weeks. They also have a dream matchup against the Dolphins this week, so Pascal is that much more attractive if you need a fill-in. This is probably your last week to snag him if you need help.
10-15%| Allen Lazard, GB- Lazard has been filling in to supplement a banged-up receiver group and may have value even with Devante Adams back, as evidenced by a few catches in their most recent contest. The Packers have a difficult tilt against the Panthers on tap, however.
10-15%| Chris Conley, JAX- Conley seems to be a favorite target of Gardener Minshew and the offense has been competent when playing inferior teams. Marquise Lee is on injured reserve yet again, meaning Conley could soak up even more opportunity in his absence. The Jaguars are on a bye this week.
1-10%| Keelan Cole, JAX- Dede Westbrook is battling a shoulder injury and Cole got the start in his stead. He performed well, despite the team getting blown out in London. They are on bye this week, but if Westbrook still is not healthy, we know Cole can be a serviceable option for teams.
1-10%| Deon Cain, IND- With T.Y. Hilton’s recent injury, someone is going to need to step up alongside Zach Pascal. That someone could be Deon Cain. Cain got his first chance with Devin Funchess’ injury and had moments when he shined. He is a promising young receiver on the roster of an organization that is ascending and does not have an established receiver opposite of T.Y. Hilton.
1%| Alex Erickson, CIN- The fourth-year veteran continues to be the beneficiary of Tyler Boyd and Auden Tate drawing the more difficult coverage. It is not a given that will continue or that the Bengals, who are struggling as an offense, will have success through the air from week to week. However, for teams that are hard up at the position, Erickson is worth a speculative add until A.J. Green returns. The Bengals are coming off a bye to play the Ravens, which has become a scarier matchup as of late.
TIGHT END
1-5%| Charles Clay, ARI- The Cardinals have started to utilize Clay more and with the wire so thin at the position, we have to consider even tight ends getting three to five targets a game. Clay and company will play the Buccaneers, one of the more generous pass defenses in the NFL.
(Might be available in 30 or fewer roster spot leagues.)
QUARTERBACK
None this week, as the position is depleted. See other quarterback sections for pickup recommendations.
RUNNING BACK
1-5%| Reggie Bonnafon, CAR- With the waiver wire so thin at this position, fantasy general managers may have to begin thinking about players in productive situations that are also not rostered because they are not thought of as future starters. Bonnafon is such a player. Behind Christian McCaffrey, who rarely misses a snap, Bonnafon finally got an opportunity when McCaffrey was sidelined with cramps in week six and again when the game was out of hand in week nine. Bonnafon shone with the few touches he played. If McCaffrey were to go down, Bonnafon would become a lot more interesting.
1-5%| Gus Edwards, BAL- Edwards also falls into the category of valuable backup who is unlikely to be rostered in dynasty leagues and is not getting many touches now, but he would benefit greatly if the lead back were to go down. Mark Ingram II has been banged up before, so Edwards having fantasy relevance this year is not impossible.
WIDE RECEIVER
1-5%| Justin Watson, TB- Watson is not making an impact on the stat sheet yet, but there are reasons to think he may. Bruce Arians seems to want to stick with Jameis Winston and we know that Winston prefers short-to-intermediate throws. That could mean Watson gets more work than we anticipate as the season wears on.
TIGHT END
15-25%| Foster Moreau, OAK- Moreau came up from the watch list earlier this year because of continued involvement in the game plan, despite the presence of Darren Waller. He is a good pass catcher and a great blocker. Jon Gruden has shown the propensity to target his tight end heavily and there is no one on the roster that is a long-term lock to hold the job. Moreau has scored multiple touchdowns and has been involved in most games so far this year, which is encouraging for his future prospects.
10-15%| Jeremy Sprinkle, WAS- Sprinkle was elevated from the watch list based on the fact that Jordan Reed is now on injured reserve and his career is in jeopardy after sustaining another concussion. Vernon Davis is also dealing with a lingering concussion and is rapidly aging. Sprinkle has proven to be an able blocker and receiver. He is someone we want to monitor for now and pick up if we see him start to get more opportunities now that the season is lost for Washington.
10-15%| Ian Thomas, CAR- Thomas has been tossed back out on some waiver wires. However, when the box score is examined it is clear that he actually acquitted himself well when Greg Olsen was out last year. Thomas will need seasoning, but with Greg Olsen near the end of his career, Thomas is worth holding.
THE DEEP
QUARTERBACK
Watch List| Jarrett Stidham, NE- It is notable that New England cut backup Brian Hoyer and will roll with the rookie. Stidham performed well in preseason and shows promise to be the next in a long line of developmental quarterbacks for the Patriots. He is worth rostering in deep leagues because his perceived value will only grow with time.
Watch List| Chad Kelly, IND- It is a long shot, but if Brissett drops the ball, a talented Kelly waits in the wings. The only downside is that Kelly has had a variety of character issues both in college and the NFL that suggest he might not be mature enough to handle the opportunity, which is why he is not higher on the list. He resides on the practice squad currently but may move up with Brissett’s recent injury. The talent is such that we should keep him on our radar.
RUNNING BACK
None this week, as the position is depleted. See other running back sections for pickup recommendations.
WIDE RECEIVER
Watch List| Byron Pringle, KC- Pringle moves back to the watch list with Sammy Watkins returning to the lineup. He is a very good route runner and the coaching staff was complimentary of his improvement and professionalism towards improving his game this offseason. The quality of the offense also makes Pringle worthy of consideration.
Watch List| Richie James, SF- James is getting more work in the passing game and has the skills to eventually play from any receiver position in this offense. Kyle Shanahan values this kind of multiplicity in his offense. James’ trademark skills are being very shifty and great on contested catches, despite his smaller size.
Watch List| Juwann Winfree, DEN- After a recent injury to Tim Patrick, Winfree had a chance to play a part. He was a camp standout who may have more upside for the team long-term than DeSean Hamilton. Winfree also should be counted on more with Emmanuel Sanders traded away to the 49ers. He is one to keep an eye on for the future.
Watch List| Emmanuel Butler, NO- Like Winfree, Butler made a name for himself in camp practices and has a disappointing role player in Tre’Quan Smith ahead of him on the depth chart. Butler currently resides on the practice squad. If he can stick with this team for another year or two, he has a great chance to step into that role.
Watch List| Javon Wims, CHI- Wims was constantly making plays throughout the preseason last year, so much so that the Bears dared not put him on the practice squad. He was doing the same in camp again this year and there have been some games in which Wims has been on the active roster and has even been targeted. He caught a touchdown in week six.
TIGHT END
Watch List| Anthony Firkser, TEN- Could the Titans have made a significant discovery last year with the undrafted Firkser? It’s a possibility. He has size, reliable hands, and the ability to box out defenders in the middle of the field. Jonnu Smith and Firkser could become quite the duo when Delanie Walker moves on in a few years or if Walker once again fails to complete the year due to injury. Walker suffered an ankle injury in week six and Firkser has become a contributor in the games since. If Walker is out for a significant time, we will be sure to see more of Firkser, as we did last year.
Watch List| Alizé Mack, PIT- Mack recently elected to sign with the Steelers’ practice squad. The Steelers have Vance McDonald, but like Jared Cook, he is often hurt and the Steelers have been looking for help at this position for some time. He is a good prospect who impressed over the summer as a receiving tight end in the Saints’ camp.
LOST AT SEA
- Tra Carson, DET- He was placed on injured reserve late last week, effectively ending any need to roster him.
- Jaron Brown, SEA- With the addition of Josh Gordon, we can forget about Brown.
- Vernon Davis, WAS- He has been out the past five games with a concussion and there is no timetable for his return. If you have been holding on, it is time to give up.
