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
Primary Targets
Tyrod Taylor, BUF - Missing multiple games and then having a bye Week 8 made Taylor droppable to many, and he's only owned in about a third of leagues. The Bills have a good schedule upcoming, and coach Rex Ryan said Taylor is 100 percent healthy and ready to go. It seems as if Taylor could have played against the Jaguars, but the Bills were being cautious with their quarterback. Taylor's fantasy appeal is his legs; he averages more than 37 rushing yards per game and has two rushing touchdowns in the five games he's played. FAAB: $8-12
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
DeAngelo Williams, PIT - Williams is roughly owned in a quarter of fantasy leagues. He played fantastic the first two weeks of the season when Le'Veon Bell was out and should continue to have similar success now with Bell lost to a season-ending injury. One of the keys, though, is that he'll be used more of a receiver, something he seldom did in Carolina. Break the bank for Williams. FAAB: Maximum
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
Primary Targets
Tyrod Taylor, BUF - Missing multiple games and then having a bye Week 8 made Taylor droppable to many, and he's only owned in about a third of leagues. The Bills have a good schedule upcoming, and coach Rex Ryan said Taylor is 100 percent healthy and ready to go. It seems as if Taylor could have played against the Jaguars, but the Bills were being cautious with their quarterback. Taylor's fantasy appeal is his legs; he averages more than 37 rushing yards per game and has two rushing touchdowns in the five games he's played. FAAB: $8-12
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
DeAngelo Williams, PIT - Williams is roughly owned in a quarter of fantasy leagues. He played fantastic the first two weeks of the season when Le'Veon Bell was out and should continue to have similar success now with Bell lost to a season-ending injury. One of the keys, though, is that he'll be used more of a receiver, something he seldom did in Carolina. Break the bank for Williams. FAAB: Maximum
Jeremy Langford, CHI - It's unclear how long Matt Forte will be out, and his injury likely killed any chance of him getting dealt before the trade deadline. The Bears don't believe Forte's knee injury will require surgery, but he'll likely miss at least this week and maybe longer. Langford finished with 12 carries Sunday and dropped his only target on a critical third-down play. If Forte is ruled out, Langford is arguably a top-15 option at the position this week given the great matchup against a porous Chargers defense. FAAB: $20-25
Secondary Targets
David Cobb, TEN - Cobb will finally come off injured reserve this week, though it's unclear what his role will be Week 9. Tennessee's running backs have been less than impressive this season, so it could be Cobb's job for the taking. He reportedly showed up a few pounds heavier than expected for a weigh-in last week, which isn't a good sign, but the team should use the second half of the season to see if he's the future at running back. FAAB: $8-12
Hail Mary
Kendall Gaskins, Jarryd Hayne, SF - It's not a good time to be a running back for the 49ers as Carlos Hyde has a fractured foot, Mike Davis has a fractured hand and Reggie Bush might have a torn ACL. In an odd twist, Hayne was placed on waivers this weekend to promote Kendall Gaskins from the practice squad. Hayne cleared waivers Monday and should be back with the team Tuesday. Hayne looks like the player with the most upside, though San Francisco may give Gaskins a long look. Shaun Draughn was also signed to add depth. FAAB: Hayne - $4-8; Gaskins - $2-4
WIDE RECEIVER
Primary Targets
Malcom Floyd, SD - Floyd will be the big waiver add at wide receiver this week with Keenan Allen, who suffered a kidney injury, out indefinitely. Steve Johnson is banged up as well, and Floyd took advantage of the opportunity to score twice for the Chargers on Sunday. Floyd is on the wrong side of 33 but showed the speed to outrun defenders on his second touchdown catch. Teammate Dontrelle Inman has shown flashes of potential this season and is a player to target in deeper leagues. FAAB: $20-30
Secondary Targets
Kamar Aiken, BAL - The injury to Steve Smith will promote Aiken to the top of the wide receiver depth chart for Baltimore, giving him increased targets. Aiken was targeted nine times when Smith missed Week 5 with a back injury, finishing with four catches for 78 yards. It's doubtful Aiken has the upside of 8-120-1 but about five catches and 60 yards with a 25 percent chance to score seems reasonable. Teammate Chris Givens, the deep threat of the receivers, is another to target in deeper formats. Just remember that neither will help this week with the Ravens on bye. FAAB: $4-8
TIGHT END
Primary Targets
Vernon Davis, DEN - It's a wonder what a trade can do for someone's fantasy value, and Davis landed in one of the better spots. Peyton Manning has long made household names out of tight ends, and Davis should have plenty of room to work over the middle considering the wide receiving corps of the Broncos. It might take a week or two for Davis to get caught up on the offense, but on the snaps he plays, he'll be running routes. FAAB: $10-15
