This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
QUARTERBACK
Primary Targets
Derek Carr, OAK - Carr looked fantastic Sunday afternoon, completing 30 of 46 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns. He has two solid receiving options in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree while Latavius Murray is a good enough rushing threat to keep defenses honest. Carr has plenty of other receiving options, as well, and he spread the ball around, throwing to 10 receivers. The Oakland defense doesn't look that good, meaning Carr should have to throw a lot to keep his team in the game. FAAB: $8-12
Secondary Targets
Nick Foles, STL - There was enough quarterback carnage Sunday to warrant interest in Foles this week. (The scary part is there will be more injuries at the position.) Foles is still just two seasons removed from a 27:2 TD:INT year and will have to throw if his defense gives up as many points each week as it did to the Redskins on Sunday (24). He has a favorable matchup against Pittsburgh, which allowed big fantasy games to opposing quarterbacks in each of
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
QUARTERBACK
Primary Targets
Derek Carr, OAK - Carr looked fantastic Sunday afternoon, completing 30 of 46 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns. He has two solid receiving options in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree while Latavius Murray is a good enough rushing threat to keep defenses honest. Carr has plenty of other receiving options, as well, and he spread the ball around, throwing to 10 receivers. The Oakland defense doesn't look that good, meaning Carr should have to throw a lot to keep his team in the game. FAAB: $8-12
Secondary Targets
Nick Foles, STL - There was enough quarterback carnage Sunday to warrant interest in Foles this week. (The scary part is there will be more injuries at the position.) Foles is still just two seasons removed from a 27:2 TD:INT year and will have to throw if his defense gives up as many points each week as it did to the Redskins on Sunday (24). He has a favorable matchup against Pittsburgh, which allowed big fantasy games to opposing quarterbacks in each of the first two weeks. FAAB: $4-8
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Matt Jones, WAS - Jones was highlighted in this column during preseason and Sunday showed why. He ran at will over the Rams, finishing with 146 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. It's hard to imagine he's wrestled the starting job from Alfred Morris based on one game; chances are the two split carries. Jones also lost a fumble, a potential problem to keep an eye on. Still, he showed his considerable upside in an outstanding performance and is a weekly consideration as a No. 2 RB or flex option, especially in PPR leagues. FAAB: $20-25
Devonta Freeman, ATL - Tevin Coleman looked like he was taking over as the main ball carrier for the Falcons before a rib injury sidelined him for the game. The severity of the injury is unknown, though most reports estimate at least a couple of missed games. That'll put Freeman in line for a huge workload both as a runner and as a receiver. Freeman had 16 touches in against the Giants after Coleman left and had a touchdown run called back due to penalty. Without Coleman, look for Freeman to get 20-plus touches with Terron Ward spelling him. He's owned in roughly 50 percent of leagues, so he might not be available. FAAB: $15-20
Secondary Targets
James Starks, GB - X-rays on Eddie Lacy's injured ankle were negative, and, according to reports, he suffered a low-ankle sprain, which is usually less serious than a high-ankle sprain. Starks has shown he can handle a full workload and be a three-down running back. He finished Sunday with 106 yards from scrimmage and caught four passes. There's a good chance Lacy suits up for Week 3, or Starks would be much higher on this list. Green Bay has a tough matchup this week against Kansas City, but the schedule gets a lot easier following Monday night. FAAB: $5-10
Hail Mary
Damien Williams, MIA -Lamar Miller has had a disappointing start to the season, averaging only 2.9 yards per carry, and left Sunday's game with an ankle injury. It doesn't sound like the injury is serious, but if he misses time Williams will handle the bulk of the carries. Williams doesn't have a ton of upside but would be a volume guy. Watch for practice reports on Miller to determine his availability for Week 3. FAAB: $1-2
WIDE RECEIVER
Secondary Targets
Michael Crabtree, OAK - Crabtree turned in a monster game and scored a pivotal second half touchdown to lead the Raiders in an upset over the Ravens. He was targeted a whopping 16 times and should continue to benefit from playing opposite of Amari Cooper. It's easy to forget that he has a 1,000-yard receiving season under his belt, and until now has played in a run-heavy offense in San Francisco. It's conceivable that the Raiders have Derek Carr sling the ball as their basic gameplan. It worked Sunday, and this week with Joe Haden likely shadowing Cooper, Crabtree could be in for another double-digit targets game. FAAB: $5-10
Hail Mary
DeVante Parker, MIA - Parker is being brought along slowly after offseason foot surgery and is expected to see his role in the offense grow as the season continues. He only played one snap Week 1 and then played two series Sunday against the Jaguars. He's a big red-zone target for Ryan Tannehill, and the price is next to nothing to get him now as opposed to after he has a big game. FAAB: FCFS
TIGHT ENDS
Secondary Targets
Crockett Gillmore, BAL - Gillmore has emerged as the top TE option for Joe Flacco and had a big game Week 2 with five catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Throughout his career, Flacco has leaned heavily on his tight end, and rookie Maxx Williams looks like he's still getting acclimated to the professional game. Part of Gillmore's success is likely tied to a bad Oakland defense as Cincinnati's Tyler Eifert lit up the Raiders as well in Week 1. Still, there aren't many great wide-receiver options for Flacco, and Gillmore may have established himself as a top red-zone target. FAAB: $4-8
Hail Mary
Richard Rodgers, GB - Rogers had a big game Sunday night, turning one of two red-zone targets into a touchdown. He had four targets total, so he's not on the radar as a No. 1 tight end option ... yet. The good news is Rodgers is playing more than Andrew Quarless, and having the best quarterback in the game throwing to you is never a bad thing. FAAB: $1-2
