NFL Waiver Wire: Beast Mode II

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.

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Thomas Rawls, SEA - It's uncertain how much more time, if any, Marshawn Lynch will miss for the Seahawks. But Rawls' 200-yard day Sunday should make Seattle use a more cautious approach with Lynch and lean on the rookie from Central Michigan. An undrafted rookie, Rawls doesn't have a great pedigree but appears to be an all-around back who can play all three downs. Rawls has the potential to be a difference maker the rest of the way, and any budget that remains should be used on him. FAAB: max bid

Javorius Allen, BAL - No team has been bitten by the injury worse than the Ravens with Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett being the latest to go down. "Buck" Allen will step into the starting role for the Ravens and should be good for 15-plus touches per game. He may find it tough sledding with opposing defenses likely not to be concerned with Matt Schaub and the passing attack, but the volume should be there on a weekly basis. Terrance West and Raheem Mostert will be in line for carries as well. FAAB: $20-25

Spencer Ware, KC - Charcandrick West disappointed owners by leaving a good matchup against the Chargers with a hamstring injury that's has him day-to-day. It's unclear if West will miss time, but with Knile Davis as a healthy scratch, the ex-Seahawk Ware rumbled for 96 yards and two scores Sunday. The Andy Reid system has always been a good source of fantasy points for running backs, and West was thriving in that role before getting hurt. FAAB: $10-15

Tevin Coleman, ATL - Coleman was given a big workload Sunday after Devonta Freeman suffered a concussion but was only able to muster 48 yards on 17 carries. Coach Dan Quinn said Freeman is off to a good start in the concussion protocol, so he might miss little or no time. While the offense has sputtered lately, the upside is high for Coleman if he slides into the starter's role. Watch for reports on Freeman this week while he navigates the concussion protocol. FAAB: $8-12

Secondary Targets

Bilal Powell, NYJ - Powell returned from injury Sunday and received plenty of work in the passing game with the Jets playing from behind most of the game. Powell is utilized as more of a pass-catcher than Chris Ivory and had nine touches for 89 yards. Ivory is not losing his starting job, but Powell has gotten 10-plus touches in the games where he stayed healthy. Ryan Fitzpatrick's tendency to check down helps Powell's fantasy value. FAAB: $4-8

Robert Turbin, DAL - The "when will Darren McFadden get hurt" narrative has been a bit overdone this season, but like any running back, he could go down at any time. Turbin, who got eight touches for 38 yards Sunday against the Dolphins, would be the next man up. Dallas still boasts one of the league's better offensive lines, and if Turbin, yet another ex-Seahawks running back, got the chance he'd be a high-end No. 2 running back. FAAB: $4-8

Ahmad Bradshaw, IND - Bradshaw scored twice in Sunday's game against the Falcons and now has three touchdowns in his last two games. Frank Gore is firmly entrenched as the starter, and it's tough to predict Bradshaw's value with it solely tied to finding the end zone. Still, if Matt Hasselbeck continues to target him out of the backfield, Bradshaw will hold some modest value in PPR formats. FAAB: $3-6

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Devin Funchess, CAR - Funchess was mentioned in this column two weeks back, and if you snagged him then you did so at a discount compared to what he'll go for this week. He had a season-high eight targets Sunday and has seen his role grow the last few weeks with two touchdowns in his last three games. With Cam Newton a dual-threat quarterback and Jonathan Stewart running ball effectively, Funchess will mainly get one-on-one coverage. Considering his size and speed, Funchess should have no problem getting open. FAAB: $8-12

Secondary Targets

J.J. Nelson, ARI - Nelson probably wasn't on most people's radar before Sunday, but the rookie from UAB made quite the splash with a 4-142-1 line. Nelson ran the fastest time at the Combine with a 4.28 40, and that speed was on display during his 64-yard touchdown. His value is directly tied to the health of Michael Floyd, though it's worth noting Nelson has likely passed Jaron Brown on the depth chart. Both John Brown and now Floyd have missed time the last few weeks, so the opportunity for Nelson to be productive should still be there. FAAB: $4-8

Marquess Wilson, CHI - It's unlikely Eddie Royal and Alshon Jeffery recover enough before Thursday to make it back onto the field, leaving Wilson once again to be one of Jay Cutler's main targets. Wilson received seven targets Sunday that he turned into four catches for 102 yards. This should be a game that Cutler has to air it out to keep pace with the Packers, especially with Eddie Lacy looking much better in the run game. FAAB: $4-8

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

Crockett Gillmore, BAL - For the third straight game, Gillmore made a fantasy impact and has scored two touchdowns over that span. Unfortunately for Gillmore, Joe Flacco's season is over after suffering a torn ACL. Flacco, dating to Dennis Pitta, has always leaned on his tight end. The downgrade to Matt Schaub doesn't help his fantasy prospects, but the big tight end should continue to see 4-8 targets per game. FAAB: $8-12