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
Secondary Targets
Ryan Mallett, BAL - Mallett has all of the physical tools to be an NFL starter but often his decision-making is less than stellar. With below-average receivers he still had a productive fantasy day Sunday, finishing with 274 passing yards and a touchdown. A road matchup against the Bengals is less than attractive, but there probably will be the opportunity for garbage-time production if the Ravens get down big. FAAB: $4-8
RUNNING BACK
Secondary Targets
Donald Brown, SD - While it seems Brown has been around forever he's only 28 and was given 14 carries last week after Melvin Gordon was placed on IR. But 17 yards on those 14 carries isn't much to have faith in, and it will be even tougher sledding against the Broncos this week. The upside is Brown added three catches for 33 yards and found the end zone. He should be in line for another 15 touches this week despite the bad matchup. FAAB: $6-10
Mike Gillislee, BUF - Gillislee was mentioned in this column last
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
Secondary Targets
Ryan Mallett, BAL - Mallett has all of the physical tools to be an NFL starter but often his decision-making is less than stellar. With below-average receivers he still had a productive fantasy day Sunday, finishing with 274 passing yards and a touchdown. A road matchup against the Bengals is less than attractive, but there probably will be the opportunity for garbage-time production if the Ravens get down big. FAAB: $4-8
RUNNING BACK
Secondary Targets
Donald Brown, SD - While it seems Brown has been around forever he's only 28 and was given 14 carries last week after Melvin Gordon was placed on IR. But 17 yards on those 14 carries isn't much to have faith in, and it will be even tougher sledding against the Broncos this week. The upside is Brown added three catches for 33 yards and found the end zone. He should be in line for another 15 touches this week despite the bad matchup. FAAB: $6-10
Mike Gillislee, BUF - Gillislee was mentioned in this column last week as a speculative add at which to throw a dollar. His price will be much higher this week after he scored for the third straight game. He narrowly missed a second touchdown after he was ruled to be down at the one-foot line. The problem with Gillislee is that his value is touchdown-dependent as he won't see more that 10-12 touches as long as Karlos Williams is healthy. Therefore, he will need to keep up his ridiculous 10.4 yards per carry average to be effective. It'll be a task to average more than five yards per carry this week against a tough front seven of the Jets. If you're in a keeper league, take a shot with this guy. FAAB: $6-10
Secondary Targets
Jarryd Hayne, SF - Once Shaun Draughn was ruled out it appeared Kendall Gaskins would be the running back with the bigger workload. However, he only finished with two touches, and Hayne led the way with 14 touches. He only had a modest 47 yards from scrimmage, but his five catches on six targets puts him on the PPR radar this week. Draughn hasn't been ruled out this week, but if he is, the former rugby player should be in line for double-digit touches again. DuJuan Harris (11 touches, 84 yards) should get equal workload and is worth a similar bid. FAAB: $3-6
WIDE RECEIVER
Secondary Targets
Dontrelle Inman, SD - Inman has turned into a top receiving target for Philip Rivers and had 13 targets that he turned into eight catches for 82 yards and a score against the Raiders. He had three catches for 78 yards in the previous game, showing that he's become a top target. Like Donald Brown, this is not a great matchup in Denver, but Rivers could throw 40-plus times if the Chargers are playing from behind. FAAB: $6-10
TIGHT END
Secondary Targets
Vance McDonald, SF - McDonald is another week away from being out with a concussion and returned to being a favorite target of Blaine Gabbert. McDonald finished with five catches for 61 yards Sunday and found the end zone for the third time this season. Throwing out the game he was concussed and his first game back from the concussion, McDonald now has at least 61 receiving yards and a score in his last three games. This week's opponent, the St. Louis Rams, have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, boding well for McDonald's prospects this weekend. FAAB: $4-8
Hail Mary
Tyler Kroft, CIN - Provided Tyler Eifert misses another game due to a concussion, Kroft will pick up another start this week. He scored two games ago for the Bengals and then had four catches for 46 yards Monday night. The Bengals claim they had the rookie ranked at the top of this year's rookie tight-end class, and there's some familiarity between AJ McCarron and Kroft as both were backups most of the season. FAAB: $1-2
DEFENSE
Secondary Targets
Indianapolis Colts - This is merely a case of playing the matchup as the Colts welcome the Titans to town. The Colts are home, which is always a good factor for a defense, and Zach Mettenberger looked awful last week against the Texans. Tennessee has allowed 50 sacks this season and their 32 total turnovers (16 interceptions and 16 fumbles) is the most in the league. FAAB: $4-8
