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
Colin Kaepernick, SF - It's not a good sign when your starting quarterback gets booed off the field at home and the crowd starts to chant for the backup. It looks as if the 49ers might switch to Kaep this week, though it'll be tough sledding going into Buffalo playing one of the best defenses over the last three weeks. The fantasy attraction here is that Kaepernick can score points with his arm as well as his legs each week. He has 11 career rushing touchdowns and has eclipsed 500 rushing yards in a season twice. FAAB: $1-$2
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Chris Ivory, JAC - I might be in the minority, but I like Ivory a lot. The Jaguars did not sign him to a $32 million deal to have him sit on the sideline. They knew what they had in T.J. Yeldon, so the signing means something. It would be nice to know exactly what hospitalized him the first two weeks, but the issue with his touches has been due to conditioning. He's roughly half-owned in most leagues, a number that should be much higher for a running back who can handle three downs. Given Jacksonville's offensive woes, Ivory could be in for a lot of work sooner than later. FAAB: $6-$10
Secondary Options
Devontae Booker, DEN - Booker is starting to eat into C.J. Anderson's touches and it might be a matter of time before he takes over as the main running back. He finished with 10 touches for 56 yards, the second time he's had double-digit touches this season. Part of his production might have been a result of Paxton Lynch dumping the ball to him given his season-high six targets. Trevor Siemian is expected back this week, so there might not be as many targets in the passing game for him. FAAB: $4-$8
Hail Mary
Jalen Richard, OAK - I fell hard for DeAndre Washington, but, true to their word, the Raiders split the work pretty evenly between Washington and Richard on Sunday against the Chargers. Richard showed a nice skill set out of the backfield finishing with six catches for 66 yards. In addition he had 31 yards on the ground for a day with 97 yards from scrimmage (needed the calculator for that one). It's hard to know the severity of Latavius Murray's turf toe injury, but for time being Richard has carved out a role in this offense. FAAB: $2-$4
WIDE RECEIVER
Primary Targets
Sammie Coates, PIT - From a fantasy perspective, Coates had an outstanding week, finishing with six catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. From a real-life perspective he could have been even better dropping a sure-fire touchdown and another ball that would have gone for a big gain. He's emerged as the second receiving option in one of the league's best offenses and will benefit from drawing softer coverage playing with Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Coates has 19 targets the last two games, putting him in contention for at least a flex spot on most fantasy teams. FAAB: $8-$12
Cameron Meredith, CHI - Meredith exploded Sunday, hauling in nine catches for 130 yards and finding the end zone, as well. He fumbled a ball late in the game, something worth monitoring. That said, he appears to have cemented his role as the No. 2 wide receiver for Chicago now that Kevin White is on injured reserved. Brian Hoyer has played much better than Jay Cutler and has had to throw the ball a ton with the Bears having one of the shakier defenses in the league. Coates is the preferred option because the No. 2 guy in Pittsburgh's passing attack trumps the No. 2 guy in the Bears'. FAAB: $6-$10
Secondary Targets
Adam Thielen, MIN - Thielen was named the starter late Sunday morning after it was revealed that Stefon Diggs would miss the game due to a groin injury. The alum of the Minnesota State Mavericks has deceptive speed, running a 4.45 40 at a regional combine prior to the 2013 draft. He got behind the defense early in the game Sunday for a long touchdown, finishing with seven catches for 121 yards. If there's any red flag it's that Diggs could be back sooner than later, and it's hard to imagine Thielen showing consistency every week once that happens. Still, if this injury lingers rostering him could pay off nicely. It also helps that Sam Bradford has been fantastic throwing the ball this season, sporting a 7.9 YPA with six touchdowns and no interceptions. FAAB: $4-$8
TIGHT END
Secondary Targets
Ladarius Green, PIT - There hasn't been much of an update on Green, but the one quote I could find had him aiming to return to the field Week 7. While he won't help you this week he is going to come extremely cheap if he's cleared for Week 7. Sans the Philadelphia game, the Steelers' passing attack has been full of fantasy goodness with backups Jesse James and Xavier Grimble both relevant at times. Green's upside is much greater than either one of those players, so he's a good stash depending on the size of your bench. FAAB: $3-$6
