NFL Waiver Wire: Gates Returns

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

Hail Mary

Brian Hoyer, HOU - Hoyer looked like a better quarterback than Ryan Mallett on Sunday, though it should be noted that Hoyer's damage came in garbage time. Still, there's a chance the Texans make a change under center this week, and it should be known rather quickly with Houston playing the Thursday night game. There are some receiving weapons in Houston and every two-quarterback league owner could use another starter with the bye weeks in full force. FAAB: $1-2, if he's named the starter

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Duke Johnson, CLE - Johnson finally had a breakout game Sunday finishing with 116 yards from scrimmage and scoring his first touchdown of his professional career. Cleveland's offense has made it a point to line Johnson up at wide receiver and create mismatches against linebackers if he motions out of the backfield. On his 34-yard touchdown catch he did just that, blowing past the linebacker for an easy score. Johnson has 17 targets the last two weeks, and while Isaiah Crowell will continue to see touches in a timeshare, Johnson looks like the better fantasy back. FAAB: $10-15

Secondary Targets

Christine Michael, DAL - The injury to Lance Dunbar will end his season, and Joseph Randle (3.9) and Darren McFadden (3.5) have been less than impressive from a yards-per-carry standpoint. Those factors could lead to a bigger role in the offense for Michael, who recorded his first carry in the second half of Sunday night's loss. And Dallas still boasts one of the league's better offensive lines. FAAB: $4-8

Hail Mary

Chris Thompson, WAS - The Washington backfield has become just as difficult to handicap as the New England backfield. Matt Jones has disappeared since Week 2 and Alfred Morris has yet to score despite getting the majority of carries. Thompson is still third on the depth chart but makes this list this week due to the 18 touches he's had the last two games. He's been used primarily as a receiver out of the backfield and is more of a change-of-pace back than Morris or Jones. Thompson should continue to see 8-10 touches per game but needs an injury to one of the other running backs for his role to expand. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Allen Hurns, JAC - Hurns leads the team in receptions this season and has developed into a 1B receiving option behind Allen Robinson. Hurns got a ridiculous 15 targets Sunday that he turned into 11 grabs for 116 yards and a score. This sudden explosion is likely due to Allen Robinson being shadowed by Vontae Davis and Blake Bortles throwing away from that matchup. However, Hurns has at least 60 receiving yards in every game this season, setting a nice floor for the second-year player. FAAB: $4-8

Kamar Aiken, BAL - A week after exploding for a huge game against the Bengals, Steven Smith is now dealing with back problems that will at least keep him out this week. In theory, that means Aiken should be the top receiving option with Breshad Perriman still not healthy to suit up. Aiken had a good game on TNF with 77 receiving yards and a score on seven targets, a number that should at least be matched now. The Ravens' defense hasn't looked the same since losing Terrell Suggs Week 1, and Baltimore should find itself playing from behind and throwing a lot. FAAB: $4-8

Jamison Crowder, WAS - In what's been a big year to draft and use rookies, Crowder has flown a little under the radar. He was a talented player in college but is small at 5-foot-8, 185, and only ran a 4.56 40 at the Combine. He's carved out a significant role in the offense and has 18 targets the last two weeks. His role should be reduced once DeSean Jackson returned, but for now he is the second receiving option in the offense. FAAB: $3-6

Willie Snead, NO - Snead has been the Saints' most consistent receiver this season and has at least 44 receiving yards in each of his four games. Brandin Cooks has struggled mightily early on and Snead could see his role grow despite being fourth on the depth chart. The Saints defense is nothing special, and New Orleans likely will play from behind a lot this season. Snead has a good matchup this week going against Philadelphia and its suspect secondary. FAAB: $3-6

Stefon Diggs, MIN - The rookie out of Maryland got some important run for the Vikings on Sunday with Jarius Wright and Charles Johnson both out. Diggs was targeted a team-high 10 times against the Broncos and finished with six catches for 87 yards. It's unclear how much time the other receivers will miss, but it's not like they were producing much on the field when healthy. Diggs likely won't be inactive again for the rest of the season given this performance and should have a role in the offense after the Vikings come back from their bye this week. FAAB: $2-4

Hail Mary

Seth Roberts, OAK - Lost in the Derek Carr/Amari Cooper success is that Roberts has established himself as a red-zone target. He narrowly missed scoring for a third straight game Sunday. The problem with Roberts' fantasy value is the lack of volume he's received in targets, keeping his floor pretty low outside of a potential score. However, if Michael Crabtree's ankle injury is serious, that volume would increase. FAAB: $1-2

Brian Quick, STL - It was a big step in the right direction that Quick actually suited up this week, though he wasn't targeted at all in the passing game. He has the most upside of any Rams wide receiver, and it's easy to forget he had a four-game stretch to start the season last year with 322 receiving yards and three touchdowns. This is the type of pick to act on now and not after he has a big game and his price skyrockets. FAAB: $1-2

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

Antonio Gates, SD - The big tight end will come off his four-game suspension this week just in time for those losing players to the bye week. Gates is listed as 54-percent owned on Yahoo, so there's a good chance he isn't available in your league. Philip Rivers has looked fantastic, and two of his top receiving targets to this point -- Stevie Johnson and Malcom Floyd -- are both banged up and could miss time. If Gates is available snag him up; it's not often you can pick up a player with top-5 ROS potential at any position. FAAB: $15-20

Secondary Targets

Derek Carrier, WAS - Jordan Reed is not only dealing with a knee injury but also is in the league's concussion protocol. It seems like he'll be a long shot to play this week and could miss multiple games. Carrier is next man up on the depth chart, and while he doesn't have the upside of Reed he should get the targets (8.5 per game) that Reed leaves behind. The pride of Beloit College, Carrier caught both of his targets Sunday and could become a good red-zone target. FAAB: $2-4

DEFENSE

Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST - The Jaguars are unowned in most leagues coming off a game where they should have gotten burned by Andrew Luck. Turning to Week 5 has them in a road matchup with Tampa Bay in what should be a good spot. Jameis Winston has been a turnover machine with seven interceptions and has taken nine sacks. Here is your defense to stream this week. FAAB: FCFS or $1