NFL Waiver Wire: CJ2K to the Cards?

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. During the season, 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.

Now that the preseason games are under way we're getting a little better idea of who the backups will be for their respective teams in case something should happen to a starter. There continues to be the daily injury or two and hamstring issues seem to continuously pop up. Continue to monitor team situations everyday and be vigilant about grabbing free agents, if possible, before this column comes out.

QUARTERBACK

Hail Mary

Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ - The locker room fight between Geno Smith and Ikemefuna Enemkpali will keep Smith sidelined 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw. He entered this season with a modicum of upside with a receiving corps that's the best he's ever had. Said receiving corps will still be in place for Fitzpatrick, who is expected to be the Week 1 start. Fitzpatrick has limited upside with his arm but has shown the ability to make good decisions. He had a nice 8.0 YPA last season in Houston as well as a 17:8 TD:INT rate, giving him some promise. This isn't a recommendation even as a backup in standard 12-team, one-QB leagues but in two-QBs league he should be on everyone's radar. FAAB: $1-$2

RUNNING BACKS

Secondary Targets

Antone Smith, ATL - The starting running-back spot for the Falcons has been hamstrung to start the season with both Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman battling injuries. In their absence both Antone Smith and Jerome Smith have received first-team reps. Both Coleman and Freeman are expected to miss at least two weeks, and there's no certainty that either will be 100 percent healthy to start the season. That means Smith could play a significant role in the running attack Week 1 against the Eagles. Smith is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball and on only 23 carries and 13 receptions managed to score five touchdowns last season. The longer that Coleman and Freeman are sidelined, the more Smith's stock will rise. Terron Ward is a long shot who could get some work in the Falcon's backfield, as well. FAAB: $3-$6

Jonathan Grimes, Chris Polk, HOU - There seems to be a more definitive timetable for Arian Foster's return (for the final 8-10 games), but there are a few red flags when it comes to backup Alfred Blue. Blue only averaged 3.1 YPC last season, and a RBBC could be in the works to start the season. Grimes is a change-of-pace back who handled thir-down duties last season but will see work in early down situations to start the Texans' 2015 campaign. Polk and Grimes will have plenty of opportunity to stake claims to the 20-25 touches per game Foster leaves behind. Throw in that either could dethrone Blue and take the starter's role and there's upside for both players. FAAB: $3-$6

Hail Mary

Chris Johnson, FA - Word is that Bruce Arians hasn't been impressed with his running backs and is looking for options outside the organization. Enter Johnson, who the Cardinals are reportedly interested in signing. It's hard to imagine Johnson has much left in the tank given his free-agent status, and over the last two seasons he's lacked the explosiveness we saw earlier in his career. If Johnson is signed this is likely a move to just push Ellington as David Johnson is dealing with hamstring injury. At this point, CJ2K is likely an insurance policy, but the opportunity for him to see some touches early in the season is a possibility. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Donte Moncrief, IND - The Colts' offense should easily be a top-5 unit this season, provided Andrew Luck stays healthy, and Moncrief appears to be a forgotten piece. It would be a nice story to see Andre Johnson resurrect his career and finally eclipse 10 touchdowns, but he's on the wrong side of 34 and has plenty of mileage. Moncrief is only in his second season and showed some upside with two 100-yard games last season. He knows the offense and has some familiarity with Luck, both areas rookie Phillip Dorsett is likely behind on. This is a case of Moncrief having enough talent to produce without needing an injury to T.Y. Hilton or Johnson to carve out a nice role in the offense. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

Chris Conley, KC - Conley is finally past an early knee strain and started practicing with the first unit Monday opposite Jeremy Maclin. While a lot has been made of the lack of receiving touchdowns by wide receivers last season, it'll be a different story with Maclin and Conley. Conley is a burner with good size (6-foot-3, 205) and will see single coverage all season with Jamaal Charles in the backfield and Maclin being the main passing target. FAAB: $1-$2

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Tyler Eifert, CIN - Usually reports from beat writers out of camp that blow up local players are mostly nothing but noise. However, there have been multiple reports on how well Eifert has played in camp. Keep in mind that Jermaine Gresham is no longer on the roster, and Eifert should have plenty of room to work over the middle with A.J. Green playing on the outside. Gresham leaves behind 79 targets and had as many as 94 and 92 in two of his years as a Bengal. Eifert, now healthy, would have no problem absorbing that kind of work and is a nice sleeper at the position considering the lack of upside after the top options at the position. FAAB: $3-$6

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Secondary Targets

New York Jets - If you're playing the streaming game with defenses, the Jets should be one of the first teams you consider on your waiver wire. They're owned in roughly less than 20 percent of all fantasy leagues and arguably have the best Week 1 matchup at home against the Cleveland Browns. There is little upside with the Browns, and it's likely the Jets do everything possible to make them throw. It's hard to imagine the Browns putting up a ton of points and the possibility for multiple turnovers is pretty good, especially if the Jets' offense can put some point on the board. FAAB: $1-$2