Waivers of the future will focus on making decisions that improve our odds of our dynasty championship. The back of your dynasty roster should be flexible, with preferences made for players you can use in your lineup during the season.
Quarterbacks
Among the quarterbacks, there are two types of waiver options: those moving up this week and veteran backups.
Moving Up This Week
Aidan O'Connell has played in two games this season, including starts in weeks 6 and 9, as well as in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo in week 9. With the firing of Josh McDaniels, the Raiders have moved on from Garoppolo and will plan to start O'Connell in the coming weeks. This should be an extended trial period for O'Connell, and he could play a bigger role if the team continues to win. The early results have been mixed, with only 174.0 yards per game and one total touchdown in his three appearances, but O'Connell has a quality supporting cast and could be an option during the coming bye gauntlet.
Veteran Backups
As a general rule, you should have a limited amount of backup quarterbacks on your monitor list. With roster spots tight, optimized dynasty rosters under 25 spots in Superflex or quarterback premium. If you are in 25- to 35-man rosters and have a roster spot, these quarterbacks are the premium backups:
- Mike White, MIA
- Tyler Huntley, BAL
- Cooper Rush, DAL
- Jacoby Brissett, WAS
- Teddy Bridgewater, DET
Running Backs
One of the keys to dynasty fantasy football is continuously optimizing your backup running back situation. The last five to ten roster spots on your roster should be very fluid, with little allegiance if the player does not offer the capacity to help your lineup. A constant churn on the back end of your roster is critical.
Moving Up this Week
The following running backs have improved this week and are available in more than 50% of MFL leagues.
Keaton Mitchell had a breakout performance in week 9, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries. However, Mitchell's production was also on low participation, with his production coming on only 17% of the team's offensive snaps and 24% of the team's carries. On the week, it was Justice Hill who had a season-high in snap share (64%) and route participation (71%). The backfield has been a quagmire this entire season, and the headlines from week nine cover up the continued confusing nature of the usage patterns. Mitchell warrants a bid in the 5-10% range, but those who are big spenders this week are likely to be let down.
Cam Akers tore his Achilles tendon in week 9, which will end his season. Akers had a growing role in the Minnesota backfield but was one of the worst running back performers on the season. Without Akers, Minnesota's backfield should turn back toward an Alexander Mattison-heavy approach, but the loss of Akers creates a hole in the injury-away role. Ty Chandler should elevate to this role and warrants a 1-2% bid as a pre-emptive injury away stash.
Other Backups
Other backups or free agents with high availability include:
- Trayveon Williams (83% available)
- Jordan Mason (59% available)
- Matt Breida (65% available)
Wide Receivers
The odds wide receivers from the waiver wire will become big difference-makers on your dynasty roster are very small. For every Tyreek Hill, there are 100 Travis Fulghams. Your strategies on the wide receiver position should be to find immediate lineup help or a flip candidate.
The Cleveland Browns traded Donovan Peoples-Jones at the trade deadline, and it was Cedric Tillman who was the clear beneficiary in the Cleveland Browns receiving corps. Before the trade, Tillman was inactive since week 4 but jumped up to 74% route participation in week 9 behind Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore. Tillman did not do much, catching his only target for 3 yards, but his increased opportunity is notable. He warrants a small waiver add for teams in 25+ man rosters.
The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiving corps has been twisted through nine weeks of the season, but there is some emerging clarity. Rashee Rice has stabilized into the 60% route participation window, while it was a 71% route participation from Justin Watson, his highest of the season, that lead the team in week 9. Watson also cashed in the opportunity for a 19% target share, his highest on the season. The production did not jump off the page as Watson had only 2 catches for 15 receiving yards on his 5 targets, but his production could increase if he has carved out a trusted role in Kansas City's offense. He warrants a minimal bid in 25+ man rosters.
Tight Ends
Tight ends to monitor on your waiver wires include:
Dallas Goedert suffered a broken arm and is expected to be placed on injured reserve. Jack Stoll has been the second tight end in the offense to date, but he has only run a route on 17% of the team's dropbacks and has only been targeted on 5% of the routes he has run. Instead of Goedert, look to add Albert Okwuegbunam. He has been inactive all season up until week nine, when he ran a route on 6% of the team's dropbacks.