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 five of Waivers of the Future! Whether you are a contender or rebuilder, this article will seek to help you put yourself in the best position to have success in your dynasty league by helping you to make preemptive pickups.
More quarterback injuries punctuated this past week. Both Josh Allen and Mitchell Trubisky were knocked out of their respective games. While quarterback was a deep position across leagues this year, attrition is making it more difficult as the season wears on. It’s a good time to make sure that you have viable backups in your stable should your starter also get hurt and miss time.
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.
- Malcolm Brown
- Frank Gore
- Giovani Bernard
- Matt Breida
- Raheem Mostert
- Damien Williams
- Darell Williams
- Sterling Shepard
- Demarcus Robinson
- Darren Waller
- Jason Witten
RIDE THE WAVE
(These are plug-and-play options who might patch a hole on your team in the short-term.)
QUARTERBACK
5-10%| Joe Flacco, DEN- Flacco is the bridge option to Drew Lock, but Lock won’t see the field this year due to being on injured reserve. The Broncos play a Chargers defense that just doesn’t seem the same without Derwin James.
5-10%| Gardner Minshew, JAX- Nick Foles is out until at least week eleven, so Minshew will have an extended runway to show what he can do. Minshew has played well so far and left some asking questions about whether or not Foles will be the starter upon return. They’ll take on the Panthers, a defense that has been stingy to date.
1-5%| Kyle Allen, CAR- We found out last week that Newton’s foot injury was more severe than originally reported and will hold him out longer than expected. This will mean Allen is the starter for the foreseeable future. The Panthers square off against a tough Jaguars defense in week five.
1-5%| Mason Rudolph, PIT- Roethlisberger will miss the rest of the season and Rudolph has taken his place. He has not had any stiff competition yet but has played relatively well considering. The Steelers will have a tough divisional tilt with the Ravens in week five.
1-5%| Chase Daniel, CHI- Mitchell Trubisky injured his non-throwing shoulder in week four’s contest. While probably not season-ending, Daniel could be starting for a few weeks. The drop-off between Daniel and Trubisky isn’t sizeable and Daniel may even make better decisions with the football. The Raiders matchup isn’t one to be afraid of if you need to play Daniel.
1-5%| Matt Barkley, BUF- Monitor Josh Allen’s status for the upcoming week. He suffered a concussion against New England. If he can’t go, Matt Barkley and company will play against a Titans defense that has some problems at the corner position.
1-5%| Colt McCoy, WAS- McCoy may be taking over for Case Keenum, who has been mistake-prone for the last two games. The matchup against New England would not be an ideal time to start McCoy, but know that he is much more responsible with the football than Keenum, though the upside is not as high.
1-5%| Luke Falk, NYJ- Falk has been pressed into duty because of Trevor Siemian’s season-ending ankle injury and Sam Darnold’s recovery from mononucleosis. Falk is very unrefined and should be used only as an emergency option for your team. The Jets play a banged-up Eagles secondary this week.
1%| Taysom Hill, NO- Hill was already getting his own package of snaps when Brees was healthy and Sean Peyton has indicated that will continue. He’s a last-resort option only, but one that has a high upside to score on any given week. The Buccaneers are an exploitable defense, so this might be a week when Hill finds the end zone.
RUNNING BACK
(This position is razor thin on the waiver wires the writer has looked over…)
50+%| Wayne Gallman, NYG- If Gallman went unclaimed last week, this is probably your last chance to snag him. Gallman landed behind Saquon Barkley and though he is not a special athlete, he is going to get the bulk of the carries while Barkley is out, albeit in a poor offense. This week, the Giants have a tougher contest with the Vikings.
15-25%| Jordan Wilkins, IND- Wilkins gets bumped up from the watch list because Marlon Mack may have suffered a high ankle sprain and Nyheim Hines is more of a pass-catching option. Wilkins has been developing nicely and was getting some increased opportunities anyway. Monitor this situation as the Colts get ready to take on the Chiefs.
1-5%| CJ Procise, SEA- Rashaad Penny may be back soon, but Procise has value if either Penny or Carson can’t stay healthy. On a run-heavy offensive team, a cheap addition could pay off big for fantasy general managers willing to stick him on the back end of their roster. The Seahawks have a divisional tilt with the Rams in the upcoming week.
WIDE RECEIVER
5-10%| Dontrell Inman, LAC- Inman is back on our radar because Mike Williams and Hunter Henry are both missing time with injuries and he’s a competent pass catcher when he gets his chances. He should get a few shots against the Broncos defense in the upcoming contest.
5-10%| Phillip Dorsett, NE- Dorsett has a better chance of being relevant with Antonio Brown’s dismissal from the team. The Patriots have a favorable matchup against Washington this week.
5-10%| Ted Ginn Jr Jr Jr., NO- Ginn has been solid, if not spectacular, coming up with a few catches and usually a long gain each week. The Saints will face the Buccaneers this upcoming week.
5-10%| Chris Conley, JAX- Conley seems to be a favorite target of Gardener Minshew and the offense has been competent when playing inferior teams. However, the Jaguars take on the Panthers this week, so this might not be a good week to play Conley if you roster him.
TIGHT END
25-40%| Will Dissly, SEA- Dissly was hot early last year before getting hurt but appears to be back to form. This is likely your last chance to snag him if he’s still on your waiver wire. The trade of Nick Vannett to the Steelers was a signal that the team is comfortable rolling with Dissly as the primary pass-catching tight end. The Seahawks draw the Rams this week.
5-10%| Vernon Davis, WAS- As Jordan Reed continues to be held out with concussion symptoms, Davis has proven to be a viable stand-in for an offense that uses its tight end position often. Washington gets a rough matchup when they play the Patriots in the upcoming week.
5-10%| Jordan Akins, HOU- The Texans are not a team that utilizes their tight ends, but Akins is truly the only pass-catching tight end on the roster right now due to injuries. He’ll net a couple of catches a game if you desperately need help at the position. The Texans will play the hapless Falcons defense this next week, so he’ll be a good desperation play for those needing help.
THE SPLASH
(Might be available in 30 or fewer roster spot leagues.)
QUARTERBACK
20-50%+| Teddy Bridgewater, NO- Bridgewater becomes a must-add after Brees suffered a throwing thumb sprain that may keep him out for the next 4-6 weeks. Bridgewater is also on track to be a starter for this or another team at some point in the future, so he has appeal beyond just this year.
RUNNING BACK
1-5%| Chase Edmonds, ARI- David Johnson’s wrist injury early in the game in week two proved to be nothing to keep him out, but it is a good reminder for us that Edmonds is the next man up. Known for his receiving ability, Edmonds might be more valuable in PPR formats than some anticipate.
WIDE RECEIVER
1-5%| Justin Watson, TB- Watson isn’t making an impact on the stat sheet yet, but may get more work due to an injury that sent Breshad Perriman out of the game against the Rams. Jameis Winston prefers short-to-intermediate throws, meaning Watson could get more work than we anticipate as the season wears on.
TIGHT END
10-20%| Adam Shaheen, CHI- Trey Burton continuing to struggle on and off with health issues may open the door for Shaheen. He has had his own troubles staying healthy but has flashed when he has been on the field, especially in red-zone work. He’s been kicked to the curb in many dynasty leagues. However, now that Shaheen is entering his third year, this could be the time we see him come into his own. It’s interesting to note that with Chase Daniel as the starter, the Bears have opened the playbook and are running more sets with two tight ends. This could unlock some of Shaheen’s value.
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.
1-5%| Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones, CLE- It appears that Harris and Seals-Jones are splitting the work while David Njoku’s broken wrist keeps him sidelined. It keeps both from having a lot of value, but either of the two could catch a touchdown on a given week. One or both of them have scored every week since Njoku’s exit.
THE DEEP
QUARTERBACK
Watch List| Jared 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 was moved to the practice squad recently, which does not bode well for him getting a shot this year. Still, the talent is such that we should keep him on our radar.
RUNNING BACK
None this week, as the position is depleted. See other sections for pickup recommendations.
WIDE RECEIVER
Watch List| Richie James, SF- James is buried on the depth chart but remains one of the author’s favorite deep stashes. He has the skills to eventually play from any receiver position in this offense. His trademark skills are being very shifty and great on contested catches, despite his smaller size.
Watch List| Deon Cain, IND- Cain got his chance with Devin Funchess’ injury and has so far made good on his elevation to the active roster. With T.Y. Hilton’s quad injury, we’ll see if his role continues to build in the coming weeks.
Watch List| Juwann Winfree, DEN- With 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. While he went back to being inactive this week, he’s 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| Auden Tate, CIN- Tate has not been able to make his mark yet. However, in his second season and with an often banged-up A.J. Green ahead of him, Tate is likely to get to show off his prowess as a big-bodied red-zone threat.
Watch List| Robert Foster, BUF- He is currently in a reserve role, but the writer trusts that the team will see that Foster is a better fit for the offense than the unreliable Zay Jones.
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 may be more opportunity for him with Kevin White gone and if injuries should strike. He had a nice play on Sunday against the Vikings that may be a catalyst for more work going forward.
Watch List| Byron Pringle, KC- With Tyreek Hill sidelined for weeks with a collarbone injury, Pringle could get an increased opportunity. He was moved up to the active roster two weeks ago and made a critical catch to set up a go-ahead touchdown this week against the Lions. He is a very good route runner and the coaching staff was complimentary of his improvement and professionalism towards improving his game this offseason.
TIGHT END
Watch List| Jeremy Sprinkle, WAS- Jordan Reed cannot stay healthy, Vernon Davis is aging, and Sprinkle is 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.
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.
Watch List| Foster Moreau, OAK- Moreau should at least be on our radar. 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. He has scored a couple of touchdowns so far this year, which is encouraging, including one on Sunday in the Raiders’ victory over the Colts.
Watch List| Alizé Mack, NO- Mack is now on the practice squad but impressed over the summer as a receiving tight end. With Jared Cook in the later stages of his career, things could time out right for Mack to take his place when Mack is more developed.
LOST AT SEA
(Players who recently appeared in this column, but have had their value decrease to the point they hold no value in all but the very deepest of dynasty leagues.)
Case Keenum, WAS- Keenum’s career continues to be on the same trajectory-- moments of good play, followed by a string of mistake-filled games. He was benched in the Giants game and is likely giving way to either Colt McCoy or Dwayne Haskins.