Every Tuesday during the season, theScore’s David P. Woods runs down his recommended waiver wire pickups.
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor, Bills
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. SF | 62% | $3 |
Taylor isn’t producing at last year’s QB1 level, but he’s putting up stats despite a near-total lack of receiving talent around him. He gets the porous 49ers defense in Week 6 and will be a nice bye week fill-in or injury replacement.
Marcus Mariota, Titans
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. CLE | 47% | $3 |
Mariota finally produced a stat line to like in Week 5, finishing with three passing touchdowns and another on the ground. While there are still concerns with the Titans’ offense and its total lack of a vertical element, Mariota has a tremendously favorable upcoming schedule (vs. CLE, vs. IND, vs. JAX, at SD) and is worth a pickup.
Running Back
Devontae Booker, Broncos
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| at SD | 9% | $11 |
The rookie’s snap count has risen every week of his career and is now approaching a 50-50 split with starter C.J. Anderson, who hasn’t been particularly impressive in recent weeks. Booker should be owned in all leagues and would immediately be an every-week starter if Anderson were to get hurt.
James White, Patriots
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. CIN | 46% | $6 |
With Tom Brady back, look for the Patriots to move away from power running, toward the dink-and-dunk system in which he excels. That likely means more snaps for receiving back White, which was apparent in his Week 5 line: 26 yards rushing and 63 more receiving. Dion Lewis should return eventually and may steal White’s job, but he’s worth an add for now.
Jacquizz Rodgers, Buccaneers
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| BYE | 20% | $4 |
With Doug Martin still out and Charles Sims on IR, Rodgers was a workhorse for the Buccaneers in Week 5, carrying the ball 30 times for 101 yards and adding five catches for 28 yards. Martin should return after the Buccaneers’ bye, but Rodgers should retain some PPR value.
Jay Ajayi, Dolphins
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. PIT | 32% | $4 |
Arian Foster is expected back as early as next week, but it seems inevitable the veteran will pick up a new injury at some point. If and when he does, Ajayi is now established as the runner who would handle most of the Dolphins’ carries.
Bilal Powell, Jets
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| at ARI | 35% | $3 |
Powell isn’t doing much as a runner, but has a clear role in the Jets’ passing game. He’s worth adding as a handcuff to Matt Forte and as a FLEX option in deep PPR leagues.
Jalen Richard, Raiders
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. KC | 21% | $2 |
With Latavius Murray sidelined on Sunday, the Raiders split work evenly between rookie DeAndre Washington and Richard. It was the latter who finished with more total yards.
James Starks, Packers
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. DAL | 9% | $2 |
Eddie Lacy looked like his thundering old self in the Packers’ Week 5 win, but left the game in the second half with an ankle injury. If he can’t play Week 6, James Starks will likely handle most of the work. He’s worth adding as a spot starter, but carries minimal long-term value.
Wide Receiver
Sammie Coates, Steelers
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| at MIA | 37% | $20 |
Coates exploded for 139 yards and two touchdowns in Week 5, but his day should have been so much more impressive. Coates dropped four passes, three of which would have been touchdowns. The sophomore should be owned in all leagues, and owners should expect more boom-or-bust weeks ahead.
Cameron Meredith, Bears
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. JAX | 4% | $11 |
Meredith snagged nine of 12 targets in Week 5, the Bears’ first game with Kevin White on IR, and turned them into 130 yards and a touchdown. Don’t expect numbers that lofty moving forward, but Meredith could be a nice consolation prize for owners who miss on Coates.
Jeremy Kerley, 49ers
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| at BUF | 9% | $7 |
Don’t forget about Kerley just because he played on Thursday. He has touchdowns in back-to-back games after settling into the high-volume slot role in Chip Kelly’s offense.
Chris Hogan, Patriots
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. CIN | 25% | $4 |
Hogan’s first game with Tom Brady under center was productive. The receiver, who’s been quiet since a Week 1 touchdown, caught four passes for 114 yards. Hogan is merely a depth stash for now, but his value would rise sharply if Julian Edelman was ever injured.
Davante Adams, Packers
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. DAL | 9% | $2 |
Don’t look now, but Adams has a touchdown in three of four games he’s played this season. Left for dead by many fantasy owners, Adam’s recent production is probably more mirage than anything else, but he’s worth a look in deep leagues.
Tight End
Dwayne Allen, Colts
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| at HOU | 65% | $6 |
Just when you think Allen can be safely dropped in all formats, he goes and catches six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Don’t spend much to acquire him, but Allen is back to being a player worth owning.
Hunter Henry, Chargers
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| vs. DEN | 28% | $5 |
The impressive rookie put up 74 yards and a touchdown in Week 5 despite the return of Antonio Gates. The pair will likely eat into each other’s fantasy value moving forward, but Henry could catch enough passes to maintain relevance.
Jesse James, Steelers
| Next Up | Ownership | FAAB bid |
|---|---|---|
| at MIA | 23% | $3 |
James continues to get high-value targets in the Steelers’ exceptional passing attack. Ride the train while you can, as Ladarius Green could return in the coming weeks.