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
Landry Jones, PIT - Jones is the new Steelers quarterback with Ben Roethlisberger out this week and maybe longer. Working in Pittsburgh's favor is that it has a bye in Week 8, so the most optimistic reports have Roethlisberger returning Week 9. Jones' boxscores from last season are nothing special, but he will head up one of the more talented offenses in the league with plenty of weapons. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Jay Ajayi, MIA - Ajayi will be the hot pickup this week after a huge day Sunday, rushing for 204 yards and two scores against the Steelers. This was especially unexpected with Arian Foster active for the first time since Week 2. This is something of a tough call since Ajayi averaged 3.8 yards per carry entering game, matching his average from last season. Logic would dictate the Dolphins didn't envision him as their main ballcarrier, bringing Foster into the fold in the offseason to fill that role. However, after his big game Sunday it's hard to imagine Miami not using him as its main back with Foster spelling him and being used on third downs. Ajayi is only owned in 31 percent of all Yahoo leagues. FAAB: $15-$25
Hail Mary
Mike Davis, SF - Lost in the blowout loss to the Bills is that Carlos Hyde suffered a shoulder injury and could miss some time. This would likely make Davis the starter for San Francisco even though Shaun Draughn had this role in the second half last season. The problem with Draughn is his efficiency stats; he's averaged only 3.1 yards per carry in a 49ers uniform. Davis was used more after Hyde left Sunday's game, suggesting he would stand to have a bigger role if Hyde is out. That hasn't been determined yet for this week, and no matter who starts they draw a tough task against a Tampa Bay defense yielding only 3.7 yards per carry (seventh in the NFL). FAAB: $1-$2
WIDE RECEIVER
Primary Targets
Kenny Britt, LAR - Britt exploded Sunday with a 7-136-2 line in what was supposed to be a tough matchup against Darius Slay. Until this game Britt had some good games with 94, 82 and 75 yards but wasn't on the fantasy radar due to the lack of touchdowns. The Rams might look to use him more in the red zone as his second touchdown was a quick screen on which he used his physicality to get into the end zone. FAAB: $6-$10
Secondary Targets
Ty Montgomery, GB - Montgomery is one of the more intriguing adds for the week. With both Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson struggling, Aaron Rodgers targeted Montgomery 12 times, which he turned into 10 catches for 98 yards. Adding to his value, Montgomery filled in as the backup running back to the banged-up Eddie Lacy with three carries. Lacy missed practice Monday, suggesting Montgomery could build on those three carries with the short week (Green Bay plays on Thursday). If there's a red flag it's that Montgomery fumbled twice, losing one. FAAB: $4-$8
Corey Coleman, CLE - He hasn't been cleared to practice yet, but it shouldn't be too much longer before Coleman is back on the field. It's important to remember he broke his hand, so there shouldn't be any issue with his conditioning. Terrelle Pryor is nursing a bad hamstring, which could allow Coleman to step back into the No.1 wide receiver role when he returns. Get him now while he's cheap; his cost will skyrocket next week. FAAB: $3-$6
Hail Mary
Torrey Smith, SF - The change to Colin Kaepernick at quarterback may have resurrected Smith's fantasy value. He was targeted seven times Sunday and scored his first touchdown since Week 2. Jeremy Kerley, who had been Blaine Gabbert's favorite target, was targeted seven times also but only caught two. Kaepernick's ability to throw the deep ball plays in Smith's favor, though it remains to be seen if he can show some consistency. FAAB: $1-$2
TIGHT END
Secondary Targets
Jack Doyle, IND - Dwayne Allen left Sunday night's game with ankle injury, leaving his status in the air. Neither Allen nor Doyle has shown much consistency, but combined they have 396 receiving yards and five touchdowns. While the Colts would utilize third-stringer Erik Swoope, it is conceivable that he would be used more in a blocking capacity and Doyle would run more receiving routes. FAAB: $3-$6
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TEX - After getting targeted only four times through the first three games, Fiedorowicz has had an expanded role with 20 targets over his last three. He's parlayed those targets into 14 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Griffin has had his moments, but at this point Fiedorowicz is clearly the player to own in fantasy. FAAB: $2-$4
