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
Hail Mary
Brian Hoyer, CHI - It appears Jay Cutler is going to miss some time after injuring his thumb on his throwing hand Monday night. That would put Hoyer in line to start while Cutler is out and likely lead to another lost season for the Bears. If there is any optimism in fantasy for Hoyer, his 7.1 YPA last season is about league average but his 19:7 TD:INT ratio is somewhat respectable. He has a couple of solid weapons in Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White (if he ever gets things going), so there is some upside depending on how much time Cutler misses. FAAB: $2-$4
Cody Kessler, CLE - The Browns can't keep a quarterback healthy this season, and the offensive line is partially to blame. Kessler is the next man up and could be in line to start multiple weeks depending on the severity of Josh McCown's shoulder injury. Kessler doesn't have a big arm but throughout his career at USC was an accurate passer from the pocket. He likely will be used as a game manager as the Browns rely heavily on the running game. Kessler isn't much of an option in standard formats but in Super Flex leagues any starting quarterback has fantasy value. FAAB: $1-$2
Jacoby Brissett, NE - Brissett's upside is limited with Jimmy Garoppolo possibly returning Week 4 and Tom Brady returning Week 5. However, the Patriots are the Patriots and can seemingly turn any quarterback into a fantasy option. Brissett is big (6-foot-4, 230) and can scramble but primarily stayed in the pocket and used his strong arm last season at Maryland. He draws a tough matchup against the Houston Texans on a short week, and his lack of more than 1-2 starts makes Kessler a more attractive option. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR - Whittaker relieved an injured Jonathan Stewart on Sunday and finished with 131 yards from scrimmage on only 19 touches. It appears Stewart will miss this week and maybe one more game. That sounds like a loose timetable and could easily extend into a few games, considering it's a hamstring issue. It looks as if Whittaker will be the main ball carrier while Stewart is out and that the recently inactive Cameron Artis-Payne should have some type of role as the backup. It's hard to figure out how the carries will be divided, especially since another Whittaker fumble could land him on the bench in favor of CA-P. Whittaker is the preferred target with Artis-Payne being worth a flier, just realize Stewart could be back sooner than later.
Whittaker, FAAB: $6-$10; Cameron Artis-Payne, FAAB: $2-$4
Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon, MIN - It's unclear how long Adrian Peterson will be out with a torn meniscus, making it tougher to judge the fantasy value of either backup. The Minnesota offensive line looks terrible, and Peterson has rushed for just 50 yards on 31 carries (1.6 YPC). That, in addition to a possible quick return for Peterson, is cause for concern and doesn't appear to be a situation on which to blow a ton of FAAB. In PPR, McKinnon is the more favorable target, but in standard formats it's Asiata (who has more touches this season than McKinnon, 11 to 5), who is the better option as he'll get the goal-line work. Note, too, that the FAAB amounts below are what I'd personally spend; odds are it will take more than that to land either player. Jerick McKinnon, FAAB: $4-$8;
Matt Asiata, FAAB: $4-$8
Secondary Options
Kenneth Farrow, SD - The season-ending ACL to Danny Woodhead opens the door for Farrow to back up Melvin Gordon and get some touches in the potent San Diego offense. Farrow won't get as many touches as Woodhead, but should get 5-10 per week and is a capable receiver out of the backfield. The good news for Farrow is the offensive line has done a complete 180 from last season when it battled a slew of injuries, helping Gordon to 4.2 yards per carry with three rushing touchdowns. Farrow is now a Gordon injury away from landing a starting role. FAAB: $3-$6
Hail Mary
Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, MIA - It's not a complete surprise that Arian Foster is already hurt considering his history of injuries. Ajayi took over as the main running back Sunday, though it was Drake who scored the only rushing touchdown. Foster hasn't been ruled out yet this week and is day-to-day. If he's out, either Ajayi or Drake would become an intriguing option this week against the lowly Cleveland Browns at home. Ajayi put the ball on the ground and a second fumble this week could lead to more work for Drake. Still, it appears Ajayi is the better target, provided Foster sits this week.
Jay Ajayi, FAAB: $2-$4; Kenyan Drake, FAAB: $1-$2
Kenneth Dixon, BAL - This is a proactive pick, as Dixon is expected back Week 4 and starting next week the price is only going to rise. This pickup is also dependent on the depth of your bench, as he's won't help any team with a short bench the next two weeks and, therefore, is not worth a pickup. There has been much speculation that Dixon is expected to eventually take over as the starter, and both Terrance West (3.2 YPC) and Justin Forsett (3.3 YPC) have not looked impressive the first two games. In his four years at Louisiana Tech, Dixon totaled more than 5,400 yards from scrimmage and scored 87 touchdowns. Neither of those stats is a misprint. FAAB: $1-$2
WIDE RECEIVER
Secondary Targets
Victor Cruz, NYG - It appears Cruz is back to being his old self after scoring double-digit fantasy points in .5 PPR formats for the second straight week. The presence of teammates Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard helps Cruz draw softer coverage and keep defenses honest. There's always been a strong connection between Eli Manning and Cruz, and Manning has had no problem targeting Cruz (eight Sunday), even in the red zone. FAAB: $3-$6
Kenny Britt, LAR - It's easy to forget that Britt is only 28 (his birthday was Monday). He's the best player to target in the Los Angeles passing attack, if you want to call it that. He had six catches for 94 yards Sunday against a tough Seattle defense and has 16 targets through two games this season. He has the size and speed to continue to be the top receiving option for Case Keenum, and it's apparent Keenum trusts him. Todd Gurley will continue to make opposing defense stack the box, giving Britt a lot of 1-on-1 opportunities. FAAB: $3-$6
TIGHT END
Primary Targets
Jesse James, PIT - This might be a week late, but James is only owned in 25 percent of Yahoo leagues. He scored his first touchdown Sunday against the Bengals and was the only skill player to play every snap on offense aside from Ben Roethlisberger. Ben has always loved to go to his tight end, and James had seven and five targets in the first two games. Ladarius Green won't be back until Week 7 at the earliest. Xavier Grimble will get work in two-TE sets, but James is the better target between the two Pittsburgh tight ends. FAAB: $4-$8
