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.
Quarterback
Among the quarterbacks, there are two types of waiver options: those moving up this week and veteran backups.
Moving Up This Week
Derek Carr was injured on Sunday, landing in the concussion protocol, the second time he has landed in the concussion protocol in the past month. This could be an extended absence giving Jameis Winston the potential to be a league-winning player at the quarterback position. Carr has disappointed in his first season in New Orleans, with the team underperforming their talent this season. With Chris Olave, Rashiid Shaheed, Alvin Kamara, Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill, and company, Winston is one of the better blends of resume and supporting cast of any backup quarterback in the league. If Carr’s absence is extended, Winston could be a dynasty league-changing performer for teams who have lost quarterbacks in recent weeks. For teams with a need at quarterback, Winston warrants a maximum bid in FAAB.
Kenny Pickett suffered an ankle injury and underwent surgery on Monday. The indication is that he will miss multiple weeks, but there is a potential he could return late this season if the Steelers can make a playoff run. However, in the upcoming weeks, Mitch Trubisky will get an opportunity to start. Trubisky has struggled in replacement duties for Pickett, but he has the right blend to be an emergency fantasy starter. Trubisky has been a starter in the past, with a high draft pedigree, and is entering a lineup with a quality set of supporting cast members. Trubisky falls below Winston but is a consolation prize for those looking for a spot starter to replace an injured recent starter.
Tyrod Taylor is returning from injured reserve with his 21-day practice window opened up this week. With Tommy Devito starting at quarterback for the Giants, Taylor should be an upgrade for the Giants if they are seeking to contend for the rest of the season. Taylor is more of an emergency depth option than a dependable lineup option with a Giants offense short on talent and a supporting cast. Taylor warrants a small waiver bid in formats where he is available.
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
Tight Ends
Tight ends to monitor on your waiver wires include:
Tyler Higbee suffered a concussion in week 13, so his status is uncertain for week 14. Hunter Long has jumped Brycen Hopkins on the depth chart and would figure to be a spot starter if Higbee misses time. Long was a productive tight end at Boston College but has struggled to carve out a role in the NFL. Notably, Long was included as compensation in the Jalen Ramsey trade, so the Rams specifically picked him in the deal and could get the opportunity to showcase him for a bigger role in 2024. You can stay away in shallow leagues, but he warrants a small bid in deeper or premium formats.
With Amari Cooper forced out of the lineup, Harrison Bryant stepped up in week 13 and caught all five targets for 49 yards and one touchdown. Bryant played behind David Njoku, but the offense could see a schematic shift if Cooper misses more time. Like Long, Bryant is a deeper league option that can be disregarded in shallower formats.
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Running Back
One of the keys to dynasty fantasy football is continuously optimizing your backup running back situation. The last five to ten 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 over 50% of MFL leagues.
- New England RBs
Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain that will likely force him to miss several weeks. Ezekiel Elliott is the immediate beneficiary and should be a starter for the coming weeks. Elliott is likely rostered in your dynasty league, but the absence of Stevenson opens the potential for other running backs. JaMycal Hasty was added off waivers when he was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars and has a history of production in San Francisco that could be in line for a spot start if he emerges as the backup behind Elliott. The backfield also has Ty Montgomery and Kevin Harris, who could be options. Fortunately, New England plays on Thursday Night Football, so the active roster should shed light on who they are leaning on behind Elliott in the backfield.
Ken Walker III missed week 13 with an abdominal injury, and Zach Charbonnet is suffering from a bruised knee that could potentially force him to miss week 14. DeeJay Dallas projects to be a spot starter if Walker and Charbonnet are out. He is more of a receiving-centric back than Walker and Charbonnet but can moonlight as a starter in a short sample size. Dallas warrants a small waiver add, and he could find himself in an injury-away role if Walker or Charbonnet do not return at the same time.
Other backups or free agents with high availability include:
- Trayveon Williams (83% available)
- Ke'Shawn Vaughn (88% available)
Wide Receiver
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 strategy for the wide receiver position should be to find immediate lineup help or a flip candidate.
Tank Dell suffered a season-ending league injury in week 13, which opens up the opportunity for the wide receiver corps. Noah Brown has been good when healthy and should step into the number two role behind Nico Collins. Robert Woods should also find himself in a 60-70% snap share role in the Houston offense with Dell out. Brown warrants an aggressive bid if available, while Woods is a lower-level waiver bid.