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
Justin Herbert suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand in week 14 that could keep him out for the remainder of the season. He will be replaced by career backup Easton Stick. Stick was a fifth-round draft pick in 2019 and had a career total of one passing attempt before coming in to replace Herbert on Sunday. Stick managed 13 completions on 24 attempts for 179 yards in relief of Herbert, and his expected start in week 15 will be his first career start. Stick will be tough to trust but will be a desperation option for GMs who lost Herbert in premium formats. Stick is worth a bid for those teams in need. For non-Herbert GMs, Stick warrants a minimal price-enforcing bid for keep-away purposes.
Joshua Dobbs was benched for the second time on Sunday when he was replaced by journeyman Nick Mullens. Mullens has averaged 7.7 yards per attempt on 668 career attempts, so he has a resume of moving the ball but has a total of 68 attempts since 2019, so his current form is tough to predict. The offense has better talent than the Chargers if Justin Jefferson is able to play. For teams missing Herbert, Mullens is likely a better bet for production, but his starting status may not be known before the waiver wire deadline in your league.
Offseason Stashes
For teams falling out of contention, consider stashing the following options for 2024:
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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 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
Josh Jacobs suffered a knee injury in week 14, and that is likely to keep him out of this week and maybe more. The backup running back situation is entirely unclear. Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah were both used on Sunday, with Abdullah having the higher snap share and focus in the receiving game, while White is more of a priority in the running game. The team was stifled on Sunday and shut out by the Vikings and will be tough to trust from a game script perspective. Both deserve a waiver addition, with the potential they will be more reliable starters in week 16 or 17 if Jacobs misses more time and their roles become clarified.
Ty Chandler is likely rostered in your dynasty leagues but warrants a mention here. Alexander Mattison suffered an ankle sprain expected to keep him out for multiple weeks. This opens up an opportunity for Chandler to be a spot starter in the playoffs. Chandler will fit into the RB2 range of the position. Additionally, backup running back Kene Nwangwu warrants a stash on the backend of the roster as an injury-away running back with Mattison out of the lineup.
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.
Tutu Atwell suffered a concussion in week 14, which could potentially keep him out of the lineup in week 15. Demarcus Robinson stepped in and was targeted 10 times in an overtime loss to Baltimore, cashing the opportunity in for three receptions, 46 receiving yards, and a touchdown. With Atwell out of the lineup, Robinson could be a high route participant in week 15, in a strong offense.
Chark had dropped in route participation since running routes on 95% of the team’s dropbacks. This fell to 40% in week 13 before spiking to a team-high 93% in week 14. The team’s offense has struggled, but if you are looking for a route runner on the waiver wire to fill a desperation lineup spot this week, check for Chark on the cheap.
For teams falling out of contention, consider stashing the following options for 2024:
Tight Ends
Tight ends to monitor on your waiver wires include:
Brevin Jordan stepped in for Dalton Schultz, who is suffering from a hamstring injury. Jordan went on to lead Houston in receptions (3) and receiving yards (35) in a bad offensive performance from the Texans in week 14. If he is available, he warrants a waiver addition for the stretch run if Schultz’s injury lingers.
Tyler Higbee suffered a concussion that kept him out of week 14. His replacement was Hunter Long, who himself was forced out of the game in week 14. Fifth-round rookie tight end Davis Allen stepped into the lineup and had four targets for 50 yards and a receiving touchdown. Allen’s potential as a streaming option is notable, but also a potential option for the Rams as a developmental option heading into 2024.
Stash options for the 2024 season include: