NFL Waiver Wire: The Other Johnson

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

Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ - It's possible that this season's MVP for the Jets is IK Enempkali. Without him, the Jets could be struggling under Geno Smith and Fitzpatrick would have never gotten a chance to be the starter. It helps to have a good ground game with Chris Ivory, and the tandem of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker is among the best in the league. While he's yet to eclipse 300 yards passing, Fitzpatrick has at least two touchdown passes in eight of his 10 games that he's started and finished. This week he gets the Giants and should be a nice fill-in replacement if your quarterback has a tough matchup. The GMen are giving up the fifth-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season (18.5 per game) and were just lit up by Kirk Cousins for 302 yards. FAAB: $5-10

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

David Johnson, ARI - Both Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson were slated to have an MRI on Monday, leaving David as the last man standing in the Cardinals' backfield. Johnson's news was on the terrible end of the spectrum as he was diagnosed with a broken tibia and will be out multiple weeks. David Johnson is healthiest running back of the group and likely will see a huge increase in touches the next few weeks. He's big enough to handle the goal-line work but agile enough to catch passes out of the backfield as well. Quietly, he has seven touchdowns this season and gets to work in one of the league's better offenses. FAAB: max bid

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

DeVante Parker, MIA - The rookie finally got an opportunity to step up a more prominent role Sunday once Rishard Matthews left with a rib injury. Parker had four catches for 80 yards and a score, but the more telling stat was his 10 targets. The severity of the injury to Matthews is unknown, though he's reportedly dealing with cracked ribs. If that report is accurate, Parker could be in for a bigger role. The Dolphins would be wise to see what they have in their first-round pick. Parker projects as a legit No. 1 target, and with an increased opportunity he should make a fantasy impact down the stretch. FAAB: $10-15

Doug Baldwin, SEA - Baldwin's big game Sunday will have many scrambling to the waiver wire, but they probably will be disappointed if they expect immediate production. He has a tough matchup against Minnesota on the road this week (see Julio Jones), but he gets the Browns and Ravens the next two weeks. Baldwin has strung together three decent games, getting 10, eight and six targets while totaling 341 receiving yards over that span. The loss of Jimmy Graham should be a boost for his value, and every game is critical for Seattle's playoffs hopes. FAAB: $10-15

Secondary Targets

Seth Roberts, OAK - Roberts is in a great spot as an afterthought for opposing defenses with the focus on Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Roberts was an interesting longshot earlier this season after scoring in Weeks 2 and 3. However, until Sunday he did little in the way of fantasy value and is a risky play on a weekly basis. It would take an injury to Crabtree or Cooper for Roberts to even be in the flex conversation in most standard leagues, but the way this season has gone it wouldn't be a surprise if that situation arose. FAAB: $3-6

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

Scott Chandler, NE - The Patriots look like they dodged a bullet Sunday as the injury to Rob Gronkowski isn't expected to be serious. It sounds as if Gronkowski should miss at least this week's game and possibly more. Chandler led the Patriots in targets Sunday with 11 and finished with five grabs for 58 yards and a score. Without Gronk in the lineup there's a good chance Chandler runs more routes, with arguably the league's best quarterback throwing to him. FAAB: $8-12

Vance McDonald, SF - For the second week in a row McDonald found the end zone and has developed a lot of chemistry with Blaine Gabbert. McDonald has 10 catches for 136 yards over his last two games, while Gabbert has looked like better than a league-average quarterback. McDonald's value will take a hit when Garrett Celek returns, but there is no timetable for that. FAAB: $5-10

Hail Mary

Luke Willson, SEA - The loss of Jimmy Graham for the season is obviously a big blow, and the Seahawks likely will lean on Willson a little more. Russell Wilson typically spreads the ball around to his receivers, but Willson may get a few more looks in the red zone considering his 6-foot-5 size. He's only a low-end TE2 option. FAAB: $1-2