Welcome to a brand-new segment called the Waiver Wire. Each week pigskinnut.com will break down players that you should target on the waiver wire. I will give you the guys to target in 12 team leagues, and I will also give you some players to look at in deeper leagues. Some of the players may be obvious, but other players will not be. Some of the players you find could be the diamond in the rough that help you win that championship!
Before I delve into the players, I will give you a little back story. I have been doing fantasy football since 2001, and I genuinely enjoy chatting with people about fantasy football, listening to their bad beats, or their incredible comebacks. I have been in anywhere from 2-7 leagues per season, redraft leagues, keeper leagues, as well as dynasty leagues. This year I am in 7 leagues, and yes, I am a fantasy football addict.
There are all sorts of leagues, smaller leagues (10-12 team leagues) and larger (14-16 team leagues.) The players that are available are going to vary based on the size of your league. There are also leagues that are 2-QB as well as super flex. In both of those type of leagues, you could start multiple QBs.
I will use the structure of a couple leagues that I am in. Do not get me wrong, the point of the column and the video for the Waiver Wire segment is to hear from you, I am just using my leagues as a baseline.
The most prevalent type of league is a 12 team, .5 PPR (point per reception.) Your starting lineup generally consists of 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 W/R/T, 1 TE, K and a D/ST. Overcoming injuries is a big factor in your season’s success, and the waiver wire has a lot to do with it. Most teams have at least 1-2 drop able players. Remember, once the season starts, you must do what is best for your team.
One thing to remember, is know how your league is set up. Know your scoring system, know if there are multiple IR spots. Some leagues allow you to put a player on IR if they are just out for a week. Other leagues make sure that the players are on the IR in real life, before making them eligible for the IR on your fantasy team.
Here are the top 8 players to target in a 10-12 team league, followed by their ownership percent in ESPN fantasy leagues.
- Malcolm Brown, RB, Los Angeles Rams, 7.9 % (ownership)
- Parris Campbell, WR, Indianapolis Colts, 30.8 %
- Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons, 4 %
- Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles, 27.2 %
- Joshua Kelley, RB, Los Angeles Chargers, 12.5 %
- Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts, 36.7 %
- James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, 33.2 %
- Benny Snell Jr., RB, Pittsburgh Steelers, 16.8 %
- Here are the top 8 players to target in 14-16 team leagues, or leagues with 8 or more bench spots.
- Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans, 3.9 %
- Bryan Edwards, WR, Las Vegas Raiders, 10.5 %
- Anthony McFarland, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers, 3.0 %
- Scotty Miller, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5.2 %
- Willie Snead, WR, Baltimore Ravens, 0.8 %
- Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Football Team, 0.6 %
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers, 1.9%
- James Washington, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, 5.8 %
*Edit: After completing our video, Jets RB, Le’Veon Bell was placed on Injured Reserve, and will miss a minimum of 3 weeks. Due to that, feel free to target RBs Frank Gore and Josh Adams.
Here is a bonus play, if you started the Vikings, or you do not like your week 2 D/ST match up, then snatch up the Arizona Cardinals, 1.3 %.
For breakdown and analysis, check out our video blog (insert link) and good luck attacking your waiver wire.
Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PigskinNut. We will be airing our breakdown of why you should be targeting these players in your leagues.
Email me at with any fantasy question. Start/sit questions, trade advice, and keeper questions. If it is fantasy football related ask away.
