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 upon both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column is posted every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedule. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
This week marked the beginning of the fantasy playoffs in many leagues and was also marked by some huge fantasy performances. Le'Veon Bell racked up more than 50 fantasy points in full point PPR formats while Julio Jones was uncoverable Monday night before leaving with a hip injury. Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady put up their typical 300-yard games while the duo of Peyton Manning and Demaryius Thomas was a huge disappointment. This week the waiver wire is pretty thin once again with few good options. Still, read below to see if any of these players interests you.
QUARTERBACK
Secondary Targets
Kyle Orton, BUF - Orton doesn't have a ton of upside compared to the other quarterbacks, but he's established a pretty nice floor. Orton has 22 fantasy points in two of his last three games and is coming off 355 passing yards against the Broncos. This week should be a similar scenario playing the Packers; the Bills likely will fall behind quickly and be forced to air it out playing catch-up. Look for Orton to have another productive game and take advantage of garbage time. FAAB: $3-6
Hail Mary
Jake Locker, TEN - While it's uncertain how much time Zach Mettenberger will miss, it appears Locker is all but assured to be under center for the Titans this week. His weapons are limited with Justin Hunter out for the season, but he'll likely throw a lot the way the Titans' defense has played. This week he gets a great matchup against the Jets, who were just torched by Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Latavius Murray, OAK - Truth be told, Murray is owned in approximately 60 percent of all fantasy formats, so there's a good chance he's not available in your league. However, it's worth profiling him again given the workload he received this week against the 49ers. After the Raiders said he wouldn't be a workhorse, Murray got 23 carries (76 yards) and caught two balls out of the backfield for nine yards. While the rushing average wasn't great, the 49ers have a top-10 defense against the run. This week, Murray gets an excellent matchup with the Chiefs, who have the worst run defense in the league, giving up more than 4.9 yards per carry. FAAB: $30-40
Secondary Targets
Kerwynn Williams, ARI - Williams surprised everyone Sunday, leading the Cardinals with 19 carries and finishing with 100 rushing yards. Most expected the workload to fall on starter Stepfan Taylor or Marion Grice's shoulders. Bruce Arians remained non-committal to any running back Monday and stated that Taylor would once again start this week on Thursday against the Rams. Williams should still get double-digit touches this week given his production Sunday and appears to be the Arizona back worth owning. FAAB: $5-10
Wide Receivers
Secondary Targets
Kamar Aiken, BAL -Torrey Smith was slowed by a bum ankle this week, and Aiken was the receiver who benefited from some extra targets. He finished the game with six catches for 65 and found the end zone for his second touchdown of the season. It appears he's leapfrogged Marlon Brown on the depth chart and could be in line for similar targets should Smith's ankle heal slowly. FAAB: $3-6
Hail Mary
Cole Beasley, DAL - It seems like a while ago but Beasley had a big fantasy game this week scoring two touchdowns against the Bears. It's worth noting that makes three touchdowns in the last two weeks for Beasley, who has been much more valuable than Terrance Williams lately. Beasley is always in a good spot with opposing teams focused on shutting down DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
Chris Hogan, BUF - Very quietly Hogan has scored in consecutive games for the Bills, and there's a certain comfort level between him and Kyle Orton. Hogan has displayed sure hands this season, and the Bills have run plays specifically targeting him on short screens. He's carved out a role in the Bills offense and should see plenty of targets this week. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
Tight Ends
Secondary Targets
Jared Cook, STL - Cook found the end zone twice Sunday and is one of the more frustrating players in fantasy. He has an incredible amount of athleticism for a guy of his stature and has shown big playmaking ability (think about his 80-yard touchdown against the Browns a few seasons ago). This week he has a plus matchup against the Cardinals, a team that struggles defending tight ends and that Cook has had success against. FAAB: $4-8
