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 upon both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column is posted every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedule. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
What a week of upsets. The Saints, Broncos and Redskins lost as at least a touchdown favorite while the Packers and Patriots look like the best teams in their respective conferences. Jonas Gray had the surprise fantasy game of the season, and Mike Evans continues to lead the strong class of rookie wide receivers. There's little reason to hold onto your FAAB at this point if you need a win, so don't be afraid to spend it if there's an attractive option on your wire.
QUARTERBACK
Hail Mary
Brian Hoyer, CLE - It's hard to believe Hoyer is on the fantasy radar, but the numbers back it up and he has a lot going for him this week. Hoyer has 300-yard games in two of his last three and his 7.82 yards per attempt mark is better than Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers. Hoyer gets Josh Gordon back this week, which instantly improves his fantasy value and gets an Atlanta team that gives up a league-high 8.2 yards per attempt. Hoyer has other weapons -- Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel -- who are both capable of making a big play downfield. FAAB: $2-4
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Jonas Gray, NE - Rushing for nearly 200 yards while scoring four times is reason enough to mention Gray again in this column. Gray ran effectively against a porous Colts defense and got the tough yards near the goal line to find the end zone. He's going to defer to Shane Vereen in the passing game, which hurts his value in PPR formats, but should continue to get the goal-line work. It's hard to predict how many touches the Patriots intend to give Gray, and Sunday night's explosion may have been the result of a specific game plan to exploit Indianapolis. This week, Gray faces a much more daunting task in the Detroit Lions, who allow a league-low 3.0 yards per carry. The rest of the schedule is also tough with Miami, Buffalo and the New York Jets ranked in the top-10 for yards per carry allowed. His other two matchups against Green Bay and San Diego are much more favorable. FAAB: $15-20
Charles Sims, TB - A few weeks back Sims was talked up in this column, and he finally appears to be the lead back for the Buccaneers. Doug Martin (2.9 yards per carry) is dealing with an ankle injury, and Bobby Rainey saw only five touches to Sims' 16. Sims only gained 44 yards on those 16 touches, but the Redskins are only giving up a respectable 4.0 yards per carry. Outside of Detroit the schedule looks extremely favorable for the rest of the season and provided he continues to get 15-plus touches per week he could work his way into becoming a flex option in your lineup. FAAB: $10-15
Secondary Targets
Dan Herron, IND - The broken fibula Ahmad Bradshaw suffered will put him on the shelf for a while, if not the rest of the season. Trent Richardson has been less than impressive with a 3.4 yards per carry mark, and Herron should get a chance with Bradshaw leaving behind 10-plus touches per game. The Colts have one of the best offenses in the league and Herron should be able to find some running lanes. FAAB: $4-8
WIDE RECEIVERS
Secondary Targets
Cecil Shorts, JAC - It's easy to forget about Shorts coming off a bye and playing on one of the worst teams in the league. However, things are looking up for Shorts' fantasy value. He's coming off a game where he had a season-high 119 receiving yards and has been heavily targeted (at least seven) in each of his last five games. Teammate Allen Robinson is done for the season with an injury, and the opportunity for garbage time production will be a weekly occurrence. FAAB: $5-10
Andre Caldwell, DEN - Emmanuel Sanders took quite a shot against the Rams and may not suit up this week. Wes Welker should see a bump in targets and Caldwell will get the most snaps he's had if Sanders is out. In addition, Julius Thomas is dealing with an ankle sprain and may not play or likely won't be 100 percent. Even if he's missing some of his weapons it's likely Peyton Manning will bounce back this week, and Caldwell could end up as one of his prime targets. Cody Latimer (FAAB: $1 or FCFS) would be an interesting long shot to add as well. FAAB: $4-8
TIGHT END
Prime Targets
Coby Fleener, IND - Fleener had a monster game against the Patriots finishing with seven catches for 144 yards. This comes after a game against the Giants where he went 4-77-1. The biggest appeal here is Dwayne Allen is dealing with an ankle injury. Andrew Luck continues to lead the NFL in passing yards, and with the Colts defense less than league-average Luck will have to throw it often the rest of the season. FAAB: $5-10
Jacob Tamme, DEN - Julius Thomas is day-to-day with an ankle injury and has not been ruled out for this week's game against the Dolphins. Tamme finished with only four catches for 31 yards Sunday, but the stat that jumps out was his 10 targets. Tamme isn't quite as agile or fast as he was back with the Colts, but he had a good rapport with Manning, who loves to target his tight end. If Thomas misses this week, Tamme instantly becomes a top-8 player at the position. FAAB: $5-10
Hail Mary
Jermaine Gresham, CIN - The big tight end got lucky Sunday, recovering his own fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. He was actually stopped short of the goal line before extending the ball and then dove in the end zone to make the recovery. The second score was another red-zone look, and it's possible the return of A.J. Green has opened up the middle for Gresham to work. Outside of Mychal Rivera, there are slim pickings for tight end on the waiver wire, making Gresham an option if you're desperate. FAAB: $1 or FCFS
