Upsets, comebacks, and the Jets not winning. Did we finally have a normal week? A lot of close and exciting games highlighted the week, and a wild Seahawks loss in overtime capped off Sunday. For the sake of any Bears fans, let’s pretend Monday didn’t happen. Last week offered few exciting options on the waiver wire, but if you were lucky enough to survive it, congratulations! By now you should know if your team has a chance for the playoffs, but there’s always a chance that you can pull off a miracle. Unless you have some incentive to tank, you might as well work the wire and let the rest play out. How did we do last week, and who do you need to add or fade this week?
Good Adds: Boston Scott (18.2), D’Andre Swift (14.8)
Good Fades: James Washington (0.0), JaMycal Hasty (8.3)
Misses: Add Jerrick McKinnon (-0.1), Fade Carson Wentz (27.8)
Carlos Hyde, RB Seattle Seahawks, DeeJay Dallas, RB Seattle Seahawks
It’s everyone’s favorite game: which RB do I add? We’ve been in this situation before after injuries to players like Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkley. With Chris Carson possibly missing multiple weeks, which back do you trust? Carlos Hyde ran for 1,000 yards last season and proved he can still get a workload at his age. He isn’t guaranteed to play this week with an injury of his own. While it would be nice to know by Tuesday night, I doubt we know until we start looking at practice reports. Based on their very limited usage in this ‘Hawks backfield, I assume the rookie Dallas will handle receiving work with Hyde as the three-down back. If Hyde doesn’t play, Dallas should get a lot of the running game as well. With no indication of a long term injury…
Verdict: Add Dallas if you need an RB only this week, add Hyde if you need someone for multiple weeks
Chase Edmonds, RB Arizona Cardinals
Like Chris Carson, Kenyan Drake is set to miss some time. The difference is, we have a much clearer picture of who will lead the backfield. Although rookie Eno Benjamin could begin to carve out a role for himself, Edmonds has already proved he has value. More importantly, he has already proved he has fantasy value. Even with Drake on the field, Edmonds was getting significant snaps and carries. You should monitor how the Cardinals use Benjamin and other backs, but until then I think Edmonds is one of the easy adds this week. Just remember, the Cardinals are on bye. If you need someone right away, perhaps look for other options.
Verdict: Add in all formats
Rashard Higgins, WR Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield torched a bad Bengals defense to the tune of five touchdowns and now the offense gets to face a Raiders team that allows the 4th most points to QBs and the 10th most points to WRs. Higgins also gets to take advantage of an unfortunate situation in star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. tearing his ACL. Higgins caught six passes for 110 yards, showing his performance was not reliant on those touchdowns. With a week to rest after and a fairly pedestrian schedule following, Higgins has every opportunity to become a WR2/3 you can count on.
Verdict: Add in all formats
Richard Rodgers, TE Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert was my top TE waiver add last week, but clearly was not activated off the injured reserve. If he’s still available in your league, he remains a top stash. Until then, Rodgers is getting enough volume on an Eagles offense that is trending upwards. Don’t let his previous games fool you, there were some tough matchups even when the offense started to roll. Rodgers is one of the few tight ends left who aren’t TD reliant. Just remember to keep track of Ertz’s return.
Verdict: Add in 12+ team leagues until Ertz returns
Others to consider: QB Teddy Bridgewater, QB Baker Mayfield, RB La’Mical Perine, WR Denzel Mims, TE Irv Smith Jr., TE Harrison Bryant (if Austin Hooper is out)
Others to fade: QB Matthew Stafford, RB Justin Jackson, WR Nelson Agholor, WR Marquez Callaway, TE Jared Cook
Why are they still on the waiver wire?: QB Joe Burrow, RB Leonard Fournette, WR Corey Davis, TE Hayden Hurst
