RADIO
Week 8 may not have brought a bevy of injuries but there are still actionable moves to be made. The margins are going to be tight this week with six teams going on bye. If you need a QB then be sure to poke around and see who else will be seeking a fill-in as well. Let's hop into the waiver madness!
Joining our famous waiver wire pickups list, our weekly fantasy football waiver wire columns by position, and our free new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver Wire comparison tool, this column focuses on suggested waiver wire bidding percentages for fantasy football owners in leagues using a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB).
As a caveat, these prices do not by any means indicate how much these free-agent players will go for. Each league values players differently and will continue to do so. These values are here to provide a baseline or priority order to understand roughly how much you should be looking to spend on a particular player. Specific needs are always reasonable causes for a manual override. Here are my median FAAB bid ranges and adds going into Week 9.
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FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks
Justin Fields (QB, CHI) - FAAB Bid: 3-5%
41% rostered
I presume many readers here are in leagues where Fields has been scooped but I have to nudge a quick note in at 41% rostered. Fields has at least 45 rushing yards in six straight games and gets a trio of plus matchups on the horizon with Miami, Detroit, and Atlanta. Giddy-up.
This defense is being stripped down for parts at the moment, which is a wise move, but it means plenty of negative game scripts for Fields. It's crazy what can happen when a team with a mobile QB starts scheming to his strengths!
Definitely much more encouraging the last few weeks and Chicago tapping into his running ability has made that offense much better https://t.co/QiQ5vJZAX4
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) October 31, 2022
Andy Dalton (QB, NO) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
14% rostered
Dalton followed up his four-touchdown Week 7 with a solid Week 8. The Saints shut down the Raiders, meaning Dalton only had to throw early on. Still, he completed 22-of-30 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns.
No complaints out of me or anyone else in Streamerville. I wager a Monday night affair against Baltimore’s offense will demand more from the Red Rifle. Monitor injury reports and hope he gets Michael Thomas and/or Jarvis Landry back too.
P.J. Walker (QB, CAR) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
6% rostered
Walker hit the gas pedal in Week 8 and churned 317 yards and a big score on a 62-yard Hail Mary to DJ Moore. He’ll draw a tougher test at Cincinnati next week but then a rematch with Atlanta’s generous D awaits.
Be prepared for Carolina to lean on its run game if possible, assuming they get Chuba Hubbard back next to hat-trick D’Onta Foreman. I realize Cincy just looked awful on MNF but I expect them to be able to push Carolina’s defense for points and force some throwing here.
Taylor Heinicke (QB, WAS) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
7% rostered
Heinicke got into a groove in Washington’s 17-16 victory over Indianapolis, throwing for 279 yards and contributing 6-29-1 on the ground. I was concerned after only two rushes for four yards in Week 7’s tilt against Green Bay but now we’re talking. A home game against Minnesota’s potent offense awaits and we could see forced action with Washington’s subpar run game.
Sam Ehlinger (QB, IND) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
12% rostered
Ehlinger wasn’t going to magically fix Indy’s poor offensive line and it showed. Still, his first start showed flashes of greatness, such as a 47-yard connection with Alec Pierce. Maybe the Colts just need to gain confidence in his attacking deep versus the status quo Matt Ryan’s short passes established.
Once again, Ehlinger went 24-of-29 for 289 yards and four TDs in the preseason, going for 71 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He only gained 15 rushing yards on six totes and travels to Foxborough next week. I’m avoiding the NE start, but then he faces the Raiders in Week 10 and I’ll be sending it.
Malik Willis (QB, TEN) - FAAB Bid: 0-2%
7% rostered
Willis wasn’t asked to do much and still disappointed, even falling a yard shy of the pylon on a scramble. Derrick Henry did it all against Houston, as is tradition, leaving Willis with only 10 pass attempts and five rushes. It burns, I know.
But if Ryan Tannehill cannot go in Week 9 against Kansas City then the Titans won’t be able to turtle up around Henry. It could be ugly at Arrowhead, but Willis would surely be forced to make plays. The rushing ceiling makes him worth a stream whenever starting, just acknowledge the low floor.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs
Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC) - FAAB Bid: 8-10%
34% rostered
You’ll recall Pacheco drew the “start” last week prior to KC’s bye, only to play on 19-of-64 snaps with eight carries. You’ll take the 43 yards and ~5.4 YPC, but it was Jerick McKinnon who played nearly 50% of the snaps at RB instead.
The question facing us is does Pacheco’s starting gig gain momentum out of the bye or is “starter” just a meaningless title for KC’s backfield in 2022? The upside is worth a roster spot to see if we snowball into a weekly 15-18 touches. If not, it's still a portion of the Patrick Mahomes-led offense!
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid on starting RB Isiah Pacheco in Week 7: "Sat down with EB and we asked, 'How can we get him more than 10 reps in a game and feel good about it?'"
He added that he felt it was good for all three RBs to do things the way they did.
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) October 31, 2022
Kenyan Drake (RB, BAL) - FAAB Bid: 8-10%
31% rostered
The Ravens were swarmed by injuries on Thursday night as Gus Edwards suffered a minor hamstring tweak that could affect his Week 9 availability. He’d tallied 65 yards on 11 carries before going down.
Meanwhile, Drake had 67 total yards and a TD on seven carries and four catches. Baltimore’s willingness to lean on Drake for both rushing and receiving would help boost his projections ahead of Week 9’s date with a tough Saints front.
Deon Jackson (RB, IND) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
8% rostered
Jackson's strong performance in Weeks 5 and 6 appears to have made Indianapolis comfortable with trading Nyheim Hines. The rumor mill is buzzing about a Hines deal ahead of Tuesday's deadline so I have to include Jackson here. **Update: Hines was dealt, making Jackson a solid add!**
Things will hinge on whether or not a deal does occur but Jackson has proven himself a strong runner and capable receiver. He's caught all 14 targets seen thus far. Oh, and Jonathan Taylor did twist his ankle on Sunday and the Colts are evaluating. Stay tuned!
Ronnie Rivers (RB, LAR) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
1% rostered
Rivers had an uninspiring 36 total yards on eight carries and four catches, outworking Darrell Henderson Jr. (30 yards on six touches). Kyren Williams is 45% rostered already and remains a strong stash for a presumed activation in Week 9.
If he can’t go then the Rams may turn back to Rivers, needing more receiving prowess if Cooper Kupp’s minor ankle injury limits the superstar.
D'Ernest Johnson (RB, CLE) - FAAB Bid: 1-3%
3% rostered
Johnson is a name of interest in case Cleveland trades Kareem Hunt by the trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Nick Chubb is the man but Johnson has proven effective when given a chance. He had 100 rushes for 534 yards last season! If no trade materializes then forget about it.
**Update: Sigh, no dealt was struck so Johnson can stay on the waiver wire pending any injuries to Chubb/Hunt.
**No other trade deadline fallout yielded a strong waiver add at RB. Jeff Wilson Jr. likely garners close to a 50/50 split with Raheem Mostert in Miami. Chase Edmonds becomes Denver's third-down back. Nyheim Hines absorbs some passing work from Devin Singletary and pushes James Cook a bit further down.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers
Rondale Moore (WR, ARI) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
35% rostered
Moore only came off of the field for one snap as a clear starter across from DeAndre Hopkins. He only ran one fewer route than Hopkins while A.J. Green and Greg Dortch split No. 3 duties. This should continue until Marquise Brown returns. Regardless, Moore should still be a primary player in the slot.
Last week, Rondale Moore had only one catch while playing just 13% of his snaps from the slot. Today, Moore had 8 targets, 7 receptions, 92 yards and a score while playing 52% of his snaps from the slot. (Hopkins saw his slot snap rate drop from 46% to 19% week over week.)
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) October 30, 2022
Joshua Palmer (WR, LAC) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
DeAndre Carter (WR, LAC) - FAAB Bid: 2-4%
26% & 5% rostered, respectively
Palmer missed Week 7 with a concussion and was back doing individual drills at practice on Monday. He will be asked to step up with Mike Williams (ankle) out and Keenan Allen potentially still not 100%.
We’ve yet to see a true spike week from Palmer but the opportunity may come knocking against Atlanta’s beleaguered secondary in Week 9. Carter is an option in three-wide sets that is worth stashing in case Palmer isn’t ready by Sunday, or if you don’t believe in Allen’s health.
Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR, CAR) - FAAB Bid: 4-6%
1% rostered
Marshall was a clear starter and earned nine targets on 36 routes run (DJ Moore had 11 targets on 37 routes) to the tune of 87 yards. We’re not expecting massive TD equity from Carolina’s passing game but the snaps demand PPR attention.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR, CLE) - FAAB Bid: 3-5%
24% rostered
Cleveland and DPJ enter their bye week hot with a 32-13 victory over Cincinnati where Peoples-Jones had a season-high 81 yards. That’s his fifth straight game with 50 or more yards, with four of those housing 70-plus. He has yet to score a touchdown because of Nick Chubb but DPJ could be dynamite down the stretch when Deshaun Watson steps onto the field.
Treylon Burks (WR, TEN) - FAAB Bid: 2-3%
17% rostered
Just another reminder that if Burks’ injury has him languishing on your wire then see if you can find some room. He was just starting to generate momentum and it's clear that no one else on the Titans is putting their foot down as a true No. 1, or even No. 2, receiving option.
N'Keal Harry (WR, CHI) - FAAB Bid: 2-3%
0% rostered
Harry ascended to the No. 2 WR role, playing in 49-of-79 snaps and turning his only two targets into two catches for 24 yards and a TD. His routes run were right next to Dante Pettis, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Cole Kmet but it’s increasing momentum we’re noting.
He played roughly 75% of second-half snaps per PFF and Chicago’s selling off a defense that should yield plenty of garbage time if nothing else. Deep-leaguers stand up.
**Update: Chicago trading for Chase Claypool, while great for Fields and fun for Claypool, renders Harry as a desperation add only. He's probably still ahead of Pettis and ESB but Chicago is run-heavy as it is, leaving the volume without intrigue until further notice.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) - FAAB Bid: 6-10%
5% rostered
Likely justified the preseason hype by catching 6-of-7 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. Mark Andrews left early with a shoulder injury that is speculated to be an AC joint sprain, which may yield a 2-3 week absence.
The Ravens face the Saints next Monday night and then have a bye, so keep that in mind. Rashod Bateman will also miss time so Likely could easily earn a WR2-type role in this offense and graduate from being a secondary read even when Andrews is back.
Isaiah Likely should be running a whole lot more routes regardless of Mark Andrews’ status https://t.co/jRGwqYBTGI
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) October 31, 2022
Greg Dulcich (TE, DEN) - FAAB Bid: 3-6%
42% rostered
Dulcich may get dropped on the bye but is Denver’s clear starter, playing 50-of-61 snaps and running 32 routes in Week 8. That’s right there with Courtland Sutton’s 35 routes and Jerry Jeudy’s 34. He’s a weekly top-12 TE in any format and needs to be rostered in all 12-teamers.
Greg Dulcich was on IR first five weeks. Since then:
Week 6: 79% route participation, 11% target share
Week 7: 77% route participation, 20% target share
Week 8: 91% route participation, 17% target share— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) October 31, 2022
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense/Special Teams
Kansas City Chiefs Defense (vs TEN) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
30% rostered
I’m not sure how much of the early betting line hangs on Tennessee’s QB situation but KC has already moved from 10.5-point favorites to 12.5. The O/U is steady at 46.5 thus far, which yields a 30-17 implication.
Derrick Henry isn’t as much of a factor when a multiple-score gap is in play, and the Titans don’t have the receivers to threaten through the air. If either Ryan Tannehill or Malik Willis is forced to take risks then KC could hawk a TD or two.
Minnesota Vikings Defense (at WAS) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
20% rostered
Vegas is currently pegging this game as a 23-20 affair, with Minny favored by three around a 43.5 O/U. The total opened at 44.5 and has come down a full point at most books. I prefer snagging a home team but pickings are slim with six squads on bye.
Las Vegas Raiders Defense (at JAX) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
17% rostered
There simply are not many options for us this week so if desperate I’m throwing myself against Jacksonville with their recent slide. Everyone blamed Urban Meyer for 2021 and they started hot, but Trevor Lawrence has failed to surpass 175 pass yards in three of his last five games.
You’ll have to stomach Travis Etienne Jr. being great but Jacksonville has lost five straight games. The Raiders should be able to jump ahead through Josh Jacobs and clock control. Until Lawrence shows he can lead the charge and protect the ball then I won’t be (too) afraid. Vegas didn’t generate much in Week 8 but had seven sacks in their previous three games.
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