Team Check-In

Second Waiver Wire Run Add-ons

Last week I reviewed my tiers for high stakes leagues, gave some FAAB suggestions and reviewed players I bid on and won for myself and the other Ship Chasing teams for the Wednesday waiver run. I was able to land a few more players on the Saturday and Sunday waiver run ahead of the Sunday and Monday games too.

Durham Smythe $38

Calvin Austin $38

Dawson Knox $28

Josh Down $23

Allen Robinson $22

Trayveon Williams $1 (2 shares)

Salvon Ahemd $1

Elijah Dotson $1

Emanuel Wilson $1

Week 2 Standings

Here is how our teams are performing so far, as you can see some are much better than others. There is still a lot of football, and many of the teams are built to become stronger as the season comes on (ie zero RB and rookies).

NFFC Primetime

Buckeye Boomers (1-1) 7th Place 264.90 pts

Ship Taeking (1-1) 5th Place 274.35 pts

Ship Chasing (1-1) 9th Place 261.20 pts

Waiver Chasing (1-1) 6th Place 235.60 pts

NFFC Silver Bullet

Ship Chasing Single Bullet (1-1) 6th Place 284.20 pts

FFPC Main Event

Chasin’ Go Bills (2-0) 1st Place 303.10 pts

SC -Mini Episodes (2-0) 2nd Place 276.55 pts

Stat Chasing (1-1) 5th Place 263.45 pts

April (Cranking Purple) (2-0) 1st Place 327.95 pts

Slo Bros (2-0) 1st Place 301.05 pts

StephWuGee (1-1) 6th Place 255 pts

FFFPC FantasyPros Championship

Ball Knower (0-2) 12th Place 198.30 pts

SuperShorty (0-2) 12th Place 210.05 pts

Week 3 Waiver Priorities

Below are all the players I like for Week 3 for FFPC and NFFC leagues. The inclusion criteria for players on this list is < 60% rostership on FFPC. I break down all players into tiers with FAAB suggestions, followed by analysis, and a list of players to consider dropping. This list can be used for deeper leagues as well as a good guide for players worth targeting on waivers. If you play in home leagues most top tier players are still good bets, but it is unnecessary to dig deep into lower tiers as there are better players at the position likely available on your waivers. All stats and data for this article are pulled from Fantasy Life, PFF, and Ben Gretch of Stealing Signals.

Tier 1

Justice Hill, Matt Breida

Suggested FAAB 20-40%

Justice Hill makes his way back for a return appearance. I told you Hill was my preferred RB in this backfield and after Week 2 that still holds true. Hill led in snaps (59% to 49%), routes (58% to 25%), HVT (5 to 1), and green zone touches (2 to 1), however Gus got into the end zone on his 1 touch giving his the higher box score. Without a big score from Hill, I think you can land him cheaper this time around if your league has left him on the wire.

Matt Breida was another player I wrote up last week as a priority stash, in the event Saquon Barkley got injured. Unfortunately, Barkley did get injured, but got lucky that the sprain is said to not be the dreaded high ankle variety. The Giants play Thursday night on a short week, so I expect a minimum one game absence (even tho no official word). During week 1 the Giant backups got some run and the split favored Breida slightly ahead of Brightwell on early downs and third downs. I am hesitant to spend too much FAAB here unless you are in desperate need of a spot start. The matchup is not a favorable one against the 49ers, and there is still a lot of unknown for how this backfield will playout without Barkley, and Barkley could potentially only miss one game.

Tier 2

Tutu Atwell, Pierre Strong, Craig Reynolds, Devante Parker

Suggested FAAB 5-20%

Tutu Atwell is quietly having a strong performance of his own even if there is only one Puca Nacua. Atwell continues to operate as a deep threat with a 12.7 aDOT over 2 weeks and should continue to have a roll when Kupp returns as the WR3. Atwell has seen an increase in routes Week 2 which coincides with a decrease in routes for Van Jefferson. During week 2 Tutu ran 98% of routes, had 18% target share, and 15% TPPR; Van Jefferson ran 89% of routes, and only had an 8% target and TPPR share.

Pierre Strong is now the RB2 in the Browns offense after Nick Chubb suffered a gruesome and devastating injury to the same knee he tore multiple ligaments in while at Georgia. Two weeks into the season and two of the most talented RBs have their season (most likely) and possibly careers ruined, again my heart goes out to Chubb and Dobbins. Jerome Ford operated as the lead back, but Strong had more use in short yardarge situations, however this could be noisy as it also came after Ford broke away for 67yd run. I am now hearing updates that Kareem Hunt is visiting the Browns, tread carefully.

Craig Reynolds saw 4 touches after David Montgomery left the game with a thigh injury during week 2. Jahmyr Gibbs saw an increase in usage Week 2, but it was mostly in relation to an increase in pass roll before the injury. If Montgomery misses time it is likely Reynolds takes over the majority of the Montgomery role.

Devante Parker returned Week 2 and it was immediately clear that he was the WR1 in the Patriot offense, running 100% route share, with a 20% target share and 17 TPRR.

Tier 3

Durham Smythe, Latavius Murray

Suggested FAAB 3-8%

Durham Smythe is another one of my favorite targets from last week. He has the highest TE route utilization at 97% routes for week 2, if he is still on your wire go get him.

Latavius Murray out snapped Harris 24% to 18%, and ran more routes 23% to 3% and was the only back behind Cook to see targets for week 2. Both Harris and Murray are seeing some goal line touches, over 2 weeks both backs have 4 carries apiece inside 20 and 10, while Harris has 2 touches inside the 5 and Murray has 1.

Tier 4

Josh Reynolds, Calvin Austin, Kylen Granson, Tony Jones

Suggested FAAB 1-5%

Josh Reynolds is running hot on TD and caught 2 on designed plays but still getting 45% WOPR, second on team behind ARSB. Reynolds remains a viable play another few weeks while Jameson remains out.

Calvin Austin replaced Dionte Johnson, but did not get usage we want to see. He is a difficult player to start, but I still want to hold for now and see what happens.

Kylen Granson saw a 71% route participation, decent uage for a TE and caught a TD week 2. In TEP leagues like FFPC he is a decent pickup if weak at the position.

Tony Jones functioned as lead back after Jamaal Williams left game with hamstring injury. If you need a spot start could have some viability in favorable matchup against Green Bay next week, but Kendre Miller could also return and Kamara only has one more game before he returns.

Tier 5

Gary Brightwell, Eric Gray, Ronnie Rivers, Zach Evans, Trayveon Williams, Nelson Agholor, Chase Claypool

Suggested FAAB <1%

Gary Brightwell I don’t mind picking up as sneak a peek ahead of the Thursday game. Brightwell saw 11 snaps to Breida 16 during week 1 loss when Barkley exited early. Gray is a popular pickup, but only was active on special teams and has not received any touches.

Eric Gray is the Giants rookie RB and could very well see touches, despite not thus far. I like taking a peek on both backs behind Breida for Thursday.

Ronnie Rivers is currently the number 2 RB behind Kyren Williams, I want to stash all the RBs that could have role especially after Akers appears dead to the team without chance of reconciliation.

Zach Evans could see work despite Kyren Williams is bell cow usage. I always am interested in any back that could get run in a McVay offense, pick him up and stash. 

Trayveon Williams is on my list again and operated as the number 2 back behind Mixon with Chris Evans out as he had 2 targets and 2 catches. Overall the Bengals offense struggled and with talk that Burrow hurt calf again they could have some difficulty continue.

Nelson Agholor looked to play ahead of Rashod Bateman after Odell Beckham left early with injury. The Ravens spread ball around capping ceiling of most pass catchers, but Agholor could be used as a desperation play if OBJ misses time or is limited.

Chase Claypool had 78% route share week 2, matched DJM with 24% targets and had higher TPPR (21 to 18%) with a TD. However, Claypool is still drawing a lot of criticism over lack of effort and the Bears look bad, I am not looking to heavily invest in this offense.

Tier 6

Elijah Dotson, Wan’Dale Robinson, Rico Dowdle, Emari Demercado

Suggested FAAB <1%

Elijah Dotson is interesting as the RB2 behind Kelley for as long as Ekeler remains out. Dotson Played on 14% of snaps with 19% rush attempts and ran 9% routes and had a higher target share than Kelley (5% to 3%).

Wan’Dale Robinson is a player I like stashing for some late season upside possibility in a Giants receiver room that is open for the taking if someone steps up.

Rico Dowdle remains an elite handcuff in a top rushing offense I want to stash if room.

Emari Demercado is an interesting under the radar stash in case of Conner injury or unsustainable workload. Demercado had a 7% target share and 89% of LDD snaps in week 2.

Drop List

Rashaad Penny, Gerald Everrette, Deon Jackson, D’Onte Foreman, Evan Hull, Nick Chubb, JK Dobbins, Alec Pierce