NFL Waiver Wire: Don't Forget About RG3

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.

One of the goals of this column is to be ahead of the curve as much as possible. So usually you won't find any repeat offenders (though that's not a rule written in stone) mentioned consecutive weeks. So after Chris Johnson was mentioned last week as a "Hail Mary" option, he won't' be this week. That will be par for the course with the obvious reason that it's better to pay a cheaper price earlier for a waiver claim than after that player gains a bigger role. In Johnson's case, as mentioned last week, he's likely an insurance policy for Andre Ellington as David Johnson has been hurt and less than impressive.

QUARTERBACK

Hail Mary

Robert Griffin, WAS - Griffin has been plagued by injuries each of the last two seasons, and it's easy to forget how good a fantasy quarterback he was his rookie season. He was the sixth highest-scoring quarterback that season and still has the ability to gain additional fantasy points using his legs. DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are a capable receiving tandem, and Jordan Reed can work over the middle. At the very least, Griffin could turn into a possible option as a bye-week replacement. FAAB: $1-2

RUNNING BACKS

Hail Mary

Javorius Allen, BAL - Unlike some other rookies who might be guaranteed touches as the backup (like Matt Jones), Allen is fighting for the backup spot and may be only used to occasionally spell Justin Forsett. A rookie out of USC, "Buck" put up some monster stats in college last season. Should Allen win the backup job he should get five-plus touches per game initially as he could vulture the short-yardage/goal-line work considering his size advantage over Forsett. Still, Allen is a longshot to be a significant producer early, but he could pay off over the second half if anything happens to Forsett or if Allen's talent earns him more touches. FAAB: FCFS or $1

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Steve Johnson, SD - Johnson is a classic case of recency bias -- remembering only last season and not what the player did previously. From 2010-12 Johnson had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Buffalo. He also has never played with a quarterback with the talent of Philip Rivers. He will get plenty of targets working out of the slot, and Rivers said he is "interchangeable" with the other wide receivers. At 29, he's not close to being Over-the-Hill, and both Malcom Floyd and Keenan Allen have had their share of injuries. Look for Johnson to be in line for a nice bounce-back season after a poor showing a year ago in San Francisco. FAAB: $2-4

Hail Mary

Tyler Lockett, SEA - Here's what you need to know about Lockett: he's not big at 5-foot-10, 182, but the kid can return kicks. The Seahawks moved up 26 spots in the draft to take him in the third round. Last season at Kansas State he led the nation in punt return average and finished his career with 6,586 all-purpose yards. He scored six times on kick returns in his college career and ran a 4.40 40 at the Combine. The key for his fantasy use is he'll provide great value in leagues that count return yards. It doesn't appear he'll have a huge role in the offense initially, though the Seahawks could use him to stretch the field. He's an exciting player to watch and will boost the value of the Seattle D/ST with his big-play ability on special teams. FAAB: FCFS or $1

TIGHT END

Primary Target

Jordan Reed, WAS - Reed is owned in about 50 percent of most standard leagues, so he might be available in your league. His potential for a big season got a boost this week even though he's coming back from a minor knee procedure. Both Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen are out, clearly establishing Reed as the "go-to" tight end who will play all the snaps he can handle. While Reed has had his own injury history, he's healthy now, and he's produced when on the field. He's just in his third season and his skillset makes him more of a receiver than a blocking tight end. Track how he does returning from the knee procedure. FAAB: $3-6

Hail Mary

Marcedes Lewis, JAC - The hand injury to newcomer Julius Thomas will keep him on the Jaguars' sideline the rest of the preseason, though he's expected to be ready for Week 1. However, should he miss the first game against Carolina Panthers, Lewis would stand to benefit the most of the remaining tight ends. He's a behemoth of a player given his size and makes for a great red-zone target, especially off play-action. He's not viable in most standard formats but worth considering if you play in a two-tight end league, provided Thomas is confirmed tout. FAAB: FCFS or $1