As we hit the double-digit NFL weeks, the fantasy football waiver wire starts to thin. Rest easy, I still have options ready to help during the byes or to overcome injury luck. Plus, I’m including a section to look ahead for keeper leagues, stashing potential impact names for 2022 and beyond. Oh, and yes, Patrick Mahomes deserves some worry ducks.
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo.
- Listedin order of preference
- Yes, I purposefully don’t include FAB amounts or percentages… WHY?
- It’s always relative, as if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive
- Aggressiveness also varies by league, and additionally, if I said 60% or $40, that’s relative too because the percent might be way off depending on how much FAB budget you have left, and the dollars might be too much of your budget to leave enough wiggle room the rest of the way.
- Streaming QB and TE aregrouped together— their ranking might change slightly once projections/ranks run.
WORRY REPORT
More DUCKS(1-5) = More Concern (woo-hoo!)
Egg = 1/2… or about to birth a new concern duck
QUARTERBACK
- Patrick Mahomes, KC 🦆🦆🥚 — Okay, fine, I admit it’s time to worry. In the past three weeks, only Sam Darnold and Trevor Lawrence had a lower YD/ATT than Mahomes’ 5.4 mark, and he’s just middle of the pack at 7.6 Air/ATT. Mahomes also has the fifth-lowest Comp% (57.5). He’s not connecting often, and when he does, Mahomes is a check-down champion. While we can blame the offensive line some, it appears the NFL has figured out to keep everything in front of them by playing heavy Cover-2, as Mahomes doesn’t trust anyone but Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill (rightfully so, given the play of the rest). It’s turned Mahomes into a mediocre dink-and-dunk quarterback, as his forced throws to Kelce/Hill are failing.
- Josh Allen, BUF 🦆🥚 — The Jaguars game had flashes of Allen’s first two games when he looked a bit like 2019 Allen. I’m far from full-on panic mode, but the schedule has a few rough spots upcoming. It’s fair to wonder if Allen isn’t a Top 3 quarterback in tougher matchups.
RUNNING BACK
- Zack Moss, BUF 🦆🦆🦆 — Another week of unpredictability for the Bills backfield. And, sure, everyone expected Moss to be a safe bet because the Bills should have run over the Jaguars, but even then, Moss hasn’t been a guarantee.
- Aaron Jones, GB 🦆🦆 — Rinse and repeat what I said a few weeks ago. A.J. Dillon has 34.4% of the snaps, including 54.5% on passing downs. Jones is one of the lowest-volume RB1s, and has a high reliance on touchdowns.
- Darrell Henderson, LAR 🦆 — Another game that didn’t go as expected, and Henderson got dinged up in it, so the Rams played it smart and didn’t force the issue.
WIDE RECEIVER
- Mike Williams, LAC 🦆🦆 — Looked near 100% healthy, and Williams still led the team with three red-zone targets, one being an end zone target, and Stephen Anderson had the only other one.
- D.J. Moore, CAR 🦆🦆 — Yes, Sam Darnold is killing the offense, but volume is volume, and Christian McCaffrey’s return will help Moore hit a few more big plays, especially after teams saw CMC was fully back.
- Ja’Marr Chase, CIN 🦆🥚 — As mentioned previously, the Bengals have one of the toughest passing game schedules remaining, and it started with the Browns. Chase is getting more defensive attention, and while he is immensely talented, he’s a rookie and needs to adjust back. I have faith.
- Courtland Sutton, DEN 🦆🦆🦆🥚 — As mentioned on the pod, Sutton’s three games with Jerry Jeudy have resulted in no better than a WR60 finish. Yes, 60th!
- Jarvis Landry, CLE 🦆🦆 — Landry led the Browns with 19 routes. Read that again. Nineteen! The Browns didn’t need to pass, and while Donovan Peoples-Jones had the big touchdown play, Landry still led with a 26.3 TeamTGT% (just four targets, though).
UNREALIZED AIR YARDS LEADERS: Last 4 Weeks
(Air Yards minus Receiving Yards: not including IR players)
- Tyreek Hill, KC — 263
- D.J. Moore, CAR — 244
- Emmanuel Sanders, BUF — 236
- Marquise Brown, BAL — 223
- Tee Higgins, CIN — 187
- Terry McLaurin, WSH — 186
- Courtland Sutton, DEN — 176
WAIVER WIRE QUARTERBACKS | STREAMING QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
BYES: CHI, CIN, HOU, NYG
Top Streamers
- Teddy Bridgewater, DEN vs PHI
- Matt Ryan, ATL at DAL
- Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs BAL
If You’re Needy
- Baker Mayfield, CLE at NE
- Ben Roethlisberger, PIT vs DET
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, WSH vs TB (?)
- Jimmy Garoppolo, SF vs LAR
No Sir, I Don’t Like It
- Trevor Lawrence, JAX at IND
- Mac Jones, NE vs CLE
- Trevor Siemian, NO at TEN
- Jared Goff, DET at PIT
🚨 New Format HEADS UP! 🚨
As we’re heading into the second half, I’m going to change the running backs and wide receivers into rankings. I’ll have short blurbs where needed, but players that have been discussed for weeks will still get the “Tried to Tell Ya” emoji 😤 by itself. Additionally, there is a new Future Stash 🔮 section for those in keeper leagues who might be out of the race or looking to stash players for 2022 and beyond.
WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS
- D’Ernest Johnson, CLE — Nick Chubb could be out (Covid) and if so, Johnson would be an RB1
- Alex Collins, SEA — Tried to Tell Ya 😤 and only if Chris Carson doesn’t return. If Carson is back, Collins falls down to Sony Michel level.
- Devonta Freeman, BAL — Ugh, I guess we’re doing this. If Latavius Murray returns, Freeman would fall behind Carlos Hyde in a tough-to-predict committee.
- Rhamondre Stevenson, NE — Damien Harris left and didn’t return, though Stevenson got banged up too. This rank is if Harris is out, as Stevenson would be a RB2/3. If Harris plays, Stevenson would slide behind Mark Ingram.
- Carlos Hyde, JAX — This is if James Robinson isn’t ready for Week 10. If Robinson returns, Hyde is no more than a Next Man Up with a lower ceiling than Michel, thereby slotting in behind Alexander Mattison.
- Nyheim Hines, IND — 😤
- Ty Johnson, NYJ — 😤
- J.D. McKissic, WSH — 😤
- Jordan Howard, PHI — Ugh x2. Miles Sanders returns soon, but until then, Howard is an RB2/3 similar to what Peyton Barber was when he was filling in for Josh Jacobs. If you merely need a 1-2 week play, Howard is arguably tops.
- Eno Benjamin, ARI — With Chase Edmonds out indefinitely, Benjamin is going to carry McKissic-like value.
- Brandon Bolden, NE — Only here if Harris and/or Stevenson is out for Week 10. If both play, Bolden isn’t startable and would fall behind Jamaal Williams.
- Mark Ingram, NO — Back with the Saints, back to being relevant as an RB3.
- Le’Veon Bell, BAL — Looked good but is clearly behind Freeman.
- Jamaal Williams, DET — Dropped in several leagues, but could be a desperation RB3 — D’Andre Swift is an injury risk and Williams has provided RB1 value when given a bellcow role.
- Sony Michel, LAR — 😤
- Rashaad Penny, SEA — If Carson remains sidelined, and… Penny actually looks better after the bye… he could move up this list and even push for more of the workload.
- Jaret Patterson, WSH — One of the more important Next Man Up options, as Antonio Gibson being shut down could happen any time.
- Alexander Mattison, MIN — 😤
- Jeff Wilson, SF — Didn’t see a touch, but we know every 49ers running back is one injury away from potential RB2 value.
- D’Onta Foreman, TEN — Adrian Peterson is the lead “power” option and saw the goal-line work. However, Foreman looked to have more burst, and he could step up if Peterson got hurt.
- Alexander Mattison, MIN — 😤 (Next Man Up wise)
Meh 😒
- Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — Clearly third in the RB hierarchy, even with the touchdown vulture role in Week 9, and that’s before Sanders returns.
Dumpsville 🗑
- Damien Williams, CHI — David Montgomery returned and immediately was the clear lead, seeing the vast majority of snaps and touches with Khalil Herbert sprinkled in and the clear No. 2.
- Mike Davis — Had given the green light to dump him already, but a reminder if you need it. Again! Don’t drop Davis just to do it, but if you need starter help, it’s okay, as he’s purely a Next Man Up at this point.
Future Stashes 🔮
- Cam Akers, LAR — While Darrell Henderson is putting up RB1 numbers, Akers and Hendo can be the Rams version of the Browns duo in 2022, with Akers being Nick Chubb.
- J.K. Dobbins, BAL — His start to the season could be like Saquon Barkley’s (not 100% until late September), but the Top 15 potential is real.
- Travis Etienne, JAX — Urban Meyer drafted Etienne and did everything he could to not use Robinson as the workhorse lead option.
- Trey Sermon, SF — While no one understands why the 49ers traded up and spent a third-rounder to never use Sermon, it’s the 49ers, and again, any lead option carries RB2 value… minimum.
- Chris Evans, CIN — Better all-around game than Samaje Perine. And while I don’t expect it, the Bengals can drop Joe Mixon’s final 3-year/$37.4-plus million for an $8.25 dead cap hit. Stranger things have happened.
- Jermar Jefferson, DET — Williams has struggled with some injuries this year, and Jefferson could become the new No. 2 in 2022.
- Larry Rountree, LAC — Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley haven’t proven to be the backup plan for Austin Ekeler, and Rountree hasn’t done much either, but at least he’d only be in Year 2.
- Gary Brightwell, NYG — Devontae Booker is looking great, but what if the Giants blow things up and trade Saquon Barkley, going with Booker and Brightwell? Doubtful, but that’s why he’s last.
WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS
- Odell Beckham, FA — Just here in case OBJ hit waivers in your league, and with the hope that a good team claims him, reviving his WR3 value.
- Sterling Shepard, NYG — Tried to Tell Ya 😤 but also… If healthy out of the bye, he’s still the Giants (well, Daniel Jones’) top target.
- Kenny Golladay, NYG — More boom/bust than Shepard, but these two are like Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker (when Parker is healthy… actually, yeah, they’re a lot alike).
- Darnell Mooney, CHI — 😤
- Rashod Bateman, BAL — 😤
- Brandon Aiyuk, SF — Whether Kyle Shanahan was right about Aiyuk not being back where he needed to be, Aiyuk appears there now, and that means back to WR3/4 value.
- Tim Patrick, DEN — 😤
- T.Y. Hilton/Zach Pascal, IND — Hilton as a WR3/4 if he returns, Pascal as a low-end, touchdown-reliant WR4 if Hilton remains out – Pascal drops behind Michael Gallup if Hilton is back.
- Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE — With OBJ done, DPJ steps in with similar upside but what appears to be a bit more rapport with Baker Mayfield.
- Jamal Agnew, JAX — 😤
- Jamison Crowder, NYJ — 😤
- Bryan Edwards, LV — Not giving up just yet, despite the goose egg, as Jackson’s arrival could help Edwards, pulling defensive attention away (and deeper) similar to Henry Ruggs. I’d wait one more week before dropping Edwards.
- DeSean Jackson, LV — The Rams released Jackson, as Van Jefferson was the better option, but Jackson could rebound with Jefferson-like value in Las Vegas. There is even a chance he’s a top-two option for them if Edwards fails to claim that spot.
- Elijah Moore, NYJ — Still behind Crowder, but moved ahead of Keelan Cole and Denzel Mims in routes and tied Cole for lead in TeamTGT%. Corey Davis’ return would push Moore back to No. 3 and similar inconsistency to Tyler Boyd in Cincinnati.
- Kadarius Toney, NYG — Needs Shepard and/or Golladay to be sidelined to have value, and even then, Danny and The Clapper kill this passing game more often than not.
- Curtis Samuel, WSH — Washington needs a second option — at receiver — and they signed Samuel for the hope he could fill it… if he can get (and stay) on the field.
- Van Jefferson, LAR — More productive than Mecole Hardman and not far behind DeVonta Smith.
- Michael Gallup, DAL — Gallup falls into the Boyd/Van Jefferson group of upside/risky WR4s.
- Nico Collins, HOU — Tyrod Taylor looked awful, but it was his first game back, and Collins had the second-most routes (40) to Brandin Cooks (51). There is some WR4 potential here.
- Mack Hollins, MIA — With DeVante Parker on the IR and Will Fuller still sidelined, Hollins tied for the team lead in routes (40) and was third in TeamTGT%.
Meh 😒
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, GB — Maybe MVS can reclaim the No. 2 role, but as long as he and Lazard share the No. 2 position behind Davante Adams, there is zero reliability here.
- Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe, Russell Gage, ATL — Last week it was Sharpe, who still tied for a team-high in routes (30) in Week 9. Gage had the most targets but Zaccheaus scored twice. Hard pass on trying to figure this out any week.
- Deonte Harris, Kenny Stills, Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, NO — Falcons part deux… with a fourth option.
Dumpsville 🗑 (Order I’d drop them)
- Allen Robinson, CHI
- Laviska Shenault, JAX
- Mecole Hardman, KC
- Jakobi Meyers, NE
Future Stashes 🔮
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT — A reminder to stash him if a team dropped JJSS due to a season-ending injury. He’ll have a new team and opportunity to rebound.
- Rondale Moore, ARI — Remember Weeks 1-2? That’s the upside Moore has if he ascends to the clear No. 2 in Arizona.
- Terrace Marshall, CAR — One of the most gifted talents in the draft, and it’s not only quarterback (poor) performance making Robby Anderson a disappointment.
- Josh Palmer, LAC — Mike Williams is a free agent, and if he maximizes his contract elsewhere, Palmer can be the new No. 2 for Justin Herbert.
- Dee Eskridge, SEA — Seahawks surprised many with the pick of Eskridge, who hasn’t been able to make noise due to injury.
- Jaelon Darden, TB — Chris Godwin is a free agent, and it’s Tom Brady’s offense.
- Gabriel Davis, BUF — Emmanuel Sanders is on a one-year deal, and Cole Beasley will be heading into the last year of his.
- Dyami Brown, WSH — As mentioned, Samuel hasn’t panned out as a free agent, and if injuries continue, Washington could see it as a lost gamble.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET — Who knows who the quarterback will be next year, and the Lions need a true No. 1 receiver, but St. Brown can be a Beasley-type for them next year.
- Anthony Schwartz, CLE — Beckham gone, Schwartz is a dangerous Jarvis Landry type, who heads into his final year owed $16.5 million with a mere $1.5 million dead cap hit if released.
- Amari Rodgers, GB — Rodgers is another main-slot option, and Aaron Rodgers is likely gone, but since Adams could be too, this Rodgers could be the Packers’ No. 2 receiver
- Simi Fehoko, DAL — This is the deepest one, but as Gallup has shown, the No. 3 receiver can have value in Dallas — similar to Cincinnati and Los Angeles — and Fehoko, despite injured, has similar upside to Gallup.
WAIVER WIRE TIGHT ENDS
Top Streamers (just pick up all three of these!)
- Pat Freiermuth, PIT vs DET
- Logan Thomas, WSH vs TB
- Dan Arnold, JAX at IND
If You’re Needy
- Tyler Conklin, MIN at LAC
- Gerald Everett, SEA at GB
- Jonnu Smith, NE vs CLE
DST STREAMING
Week 10
- TEN vs NO
- CLE at NE
- DEN vs PHI
- LAC vs MIN
- PHI at DEN
- LV vs KC
Week 11
- CLE vs DET
- TEN vs HOU
- LAC vs PIT
- CAR vs WSH
- SF at JAX
- LV vs CIN
- MIA at NYJ
- PHI vs NO
- WSH at CAR
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Jake Ciely is rankings: Fantasy Football, Fantasy Baseball, candy, movies, video games, cereal... anything! Truly, Jake is a ranking prodigy. Oh, he's also the senior fantasy writer for The Athletic, an award-winning analyst and loves DuckTales. Make sure you #CheckTheLink and #BanKickers ... woo-oo! Follow Jake on Twitter @allinkid
