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
Secondary Options
Johnny Manziel, CLE - The Browns have finally come to their senses and will see what they have with Manziel for the rest of the season. Sunday was another good indication of who Manziel is: he can scramble and throw across his body for an interception but can also post a respectable 8.7 YPA on 31 pass attempts. His matchup this week in Seattle isn't as daunting as once thought and going to Kansas City and then Pittsburgh Week 17 are more favorable matchups. Manziel's ability to gain extra fantasy points running helps him compared to quarterbacks like Eli Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady. FAAB: $4-8
Hail Mary
AJ McCarron, CIN - There's no definitive report from the Bengals, but it sounds as if Andy Dalton is out for the regular season with a thumb injury. McCarron had a so-so day in relief of Dalton on Sunday, throwing a bad pick-six, but had an 8.8 YPA mark and threw two touchdowns. He has very good receiving options, especially if Tyler
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
Secondary Options
Johnny Manziel, CLE - The Browns have finally come to their senses and will see what they have with Manziel for the rest of the season. Sunday was another good indication of who Manziel is: he can scramble and throw across his body for an interception but can also post a respectable 8.7 YPA on 31 pass attempts. His matchup this week in Seattle isn't as daunting as once thought and going to Kansas City and then Pittsburgh Week 17 are more favorable matchups. Manziel's ability to gain extra fantasy points running helps him compared to quarterbacks like Eli Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady. FAAB: $4-8
Hail Mary
AJ McCarron, CIN - There's no definitive report from the Bengals, but it sounds as if Andy Dalton is out for the regular season with a thumb injury. McCarron had a so-so day in relief of Dalton on Sunday, throwing a bad pick-six, but had an 8.8 YPA mark and threw two touchdowns. He has very good receiving options, especially if Tyler Eifert isn't out too long, and the Bengals have a favorable schedule down the stretch outside of a Week 16 matchup in Denver. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Tim Hightower, NO - It's hard to tell if it's 2015 or 2011 given the nice fantasy day Hightower had Sunday. He was picked up off the scrap heap and got a career-high 28 carries against the Bucs scoring a rushing touchdown with 85 rushing yards. This is a case where the opportunity overweighs the talent as Hightower will be the main ball carrier. Drew Brees has looked much better lately and there clearly isn't any trust here with using C.J. Spiller heavily. FAAB: $10-15
Brandon Bolden, NE - The severity of the hip injury to LeGarrette Blount is unknown, and the Patriots have never been a team that's forthcoming with the injury report. Bolden took over as the main ball carrier Sunday night and finished with only 51 yards on 16 carries. While the paltry 3.2 yards per carry isn't impressive, the more important stat is the 16 carries. This week's matchup with Tennessee is average as they've given up 4.0 yards per carry but 10 rushing touchdowns. FAAB: $10-15
Denard Robinson, JAC - Robinson filled in nicely for T.J. Yeldon, who has a knee injury, in the Jaguars' blowout Sunday. Robinson was actually the leading rusher for the Jaguars last season and has averaged 4.3 yards per carry in each of the last two seasons. The Jaguars' schedule is not tough, and the Falcons (next week's opponents) have given up a lot of points to opposing running backs. FAAB: $8-12
DuJuan Harris, SEA - Thomas Rawls suffered a season-ending broken ankle Sunday, leaving Harris to compete with Bryce Brown, who was signed Monday, for the starting job. Fred Jackson is expected to remain in his third-down role. While Harris fumbled Sunday, he stands, like Robinson, to be the main ball carrier for the Seahawks. Seattle has hit its stride, as usual, in December, and the schedule sets up favorably for Harris. The 2.3 yards per carry mark he had Sunday is why he's listed third here, so take that into consideration. Brown is worth a speculative add for $1 or $2. FAAB: $8-12
Secondary Targets
Isaiah Crowell, CLE - It's tough to recommend Crowell considering this was the first significant fantasy game he's had all season. With the Browns playing ahead, Crowell had a season-high 20 carries for 145 and two touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. It'll be tough sledding with Seattle on the slate this week, but he'll be the main ball carrier over Duke Johnson. FAAB: $5-10
WIDE RECEIVER
Primary Targets
Tyler Lockett, SEA - The talented rookie out of Kansas State has been overshadowed (and rightly so) by teammate Doug Baldwin's remarkable play. Lockett has seen his role increase since the Seahawks lost Jimmy Graham and has 194 receiving yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. It helps that Russell Wilson is playing out of his mind, and both have a great home matchup this week against the Browns. FAAB: $8-12
TIGHT ENDS
Primary Targets
Will Tye, NYG - Tye is starting to establish himself as Eli Manning's second target after Odell Beckham. Tye has double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats in each of his last three games and is getting steady targets with Larry Donnell landing on injured reserve. The Giants have no viable running attack, so Eli is going to have to throw is they want any chance to make the playoffs. FAAB: $5-10
