NFL Waiver Wire: Players Under the Radar

During preseason this piece will run every other week. This can also be used as a guide for end-game picks – most leagues haven't drafted yet anyway. Hit up the comments section with questions about the players listed or general questions, too.

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. 

QUARTERBACK

Hail Mary

Lamar Jackson, BAL – Jackson, who would have been a higher draft pick in most years, has been overshadowed by his fellow quarterbacks in this year's talented rookie class. He likely won't supplant Joe Flacco in the near future but should at some point this season. Jackson is a dual-threat quarterback, and as we've seen with Cam Newton, Robert Griffin and Deshaun Watson, rookie quarterbacks can make an elite fantasy impact. FAAB: FCFS or $1

RUNNING BACK

Secondary Targets

Matt Breida, SF – If you don't think Jerick McKinnon can handle a full workload, it would be wise to use an end-game pick or a buck or two of FAAB to roster Breida. In a part time role last season, Breida averaged 4.4 yards per carry while catching 21 passes for 8.6 yards per reception. It's notable that in the 49ers' final five games last season with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback, Breida averaged more than 10 carries per game as a complement to Carlos Hyde. The offense has a lot of upside, and McKinnon's durability over a full season isn't a sure thing. FAAB: $1-$2

Chase Edmonds, ARI – A great draft strategy is to draft the backup to an elite running back you don't own, as opposed to handcuffing the starting running back on your roster with his backup. This increases the ceiling of your team as you could end up with two starting running backs. Edmonds racked up 74 touchdowns playing in four seasons at Fordham and averaged more than 153 yards from scrimmage per game. Arizona plans on using a run-heavy offense, which should give Edmonds the opportunity for a few touches per game even with a healthy David Johnson. FAAB: $1-$2

Hail Mary

Justin Jackson, LAC – Jackson should lock down the No. 3 running back spot for the Chargers given his pedigree. The third all-time leading rusher in the Big Ten, Jackson is bigger than Austin Ekeler, meaning he'd likely get the bulk of the carries if Melvin Gordon went down. In that scenario Ekeler would probably remain the change-of-pace back and be utilized on third downs as a receiving option. The Chargers should be one of the league's better offenses this season, so it's worth grabbing Jackson as a lottery ticket. FAAB: FCFS or $1

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Ryan Grant, IND – If the chip fall the right way and Andrew Luck is 100 percent healthy running Frank Reich's offense (possibly no-huddle), the Colts could be in store for a big season. Grant appears to have the inside track to be the second wide receiver after T.Y. Hilton, which could be a fortuitous spot. There should be fewer receiving options in Indianapolis than Washington, Grant's former team, leading to an increase in targets from a better quarterback. FAAB: $1-$2

Hail Mary

Courtland Sutton, DEN – The Broncos drafted Sutton with the 40th overall pick this year to occupy the third wide receiver role. Now that Denver has a capable quarterback, the passing game should bounce back nicely. Sutton isn't the fastest receiver (4.54 40), but his 6-foot-3 frame makes him a big target in the red zone. Sutton will need an injury to Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders, but new quarterback Case Keenum had no problem spreading the ball around last season in Minnesota. FAAB: FCFS or $1

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Hayden Hurst, BAL – It's not great that Hurst is hurt already, but his injury is believed to be one of the minor, soft tissue variety. The Ravens drafted Hurst with the 25th overall pick this year, suggesting they expect him to produce immediately. He's the best receiving option they have on the roster with the departure of Ben Watson, who had a respectable 61-522-4 line last season. Provided he picks up the offense quickly enough, Hurst should replicate, or even surpass, Watson's production from last season. FAAB: $1-$2

Hail Mary

Antonio Gates, LAC – Hunter Henry went down in OTAs with a season-ending injury, but, oddly enough, the Chargers haven't made a move at tight end. It's a longshot they have accepted that Virgil Green will be their pass-catching tight end this season, so it seems a matter of time before Gates is signed to a one-year deal to fill that role. While he's no longer a spring chicken, Gates should provide enough value to fill in as a weak No. 2 tight end. FAAB: FCFS or $1