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The deeper into the season we get, the harder it's going to be to find worthwhile waiver wire pickups. Rarely are the hot-ticket players going to be staring you in the face. This is where we have to use a little more speculation so we can pick them up during the proverbial calm before the storm.
The following players are owned in approximately 10% or fewer of Yahoo leagues, so they won't be the flashiest names on the market. But if you're looking for a good spot start for an injured player or just need some high-upside lottery tickets, these are your guys.
Let's look at some potential waiver wire adds in deep leagues.
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Free Agent Quarterbacks
Dwayne Haskins, Washington Redskins - 3% owned
The rookie quarterback out of Ohio State looked bad this week in relief of Case Keenum. It was clear Haskins was put into a no-win situation, as the team was missing their starting left tackle and right guard. Not to mention Terry McLaurin, inarguably their best offensive weapon, was sidelined with a hamstring injury. There will be better days ahead for Haskins, who could very well be the starter from this point forward. Granted, you definitely don't want to play him this week against New England. But you absolutely want to stash him to play the following week against Miami.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints - 1% owned
It seemed like Teddy Bridgewater had the right weapons to make him a viable fantasy quarterback. But against the Cowboys in Week 4, the sixth-year QB looked thoroughly mediocre. Although he was able to do just enough to eke out a win, Bridgewater finished the game without notching 200 yards or a touchdown. If he's not able to get the offense humming against more explosive offenses, head coach Sean Payton could be forced to utilize Taysom Hill more. The all-purpose QB has been known to vulture touchdowns, but he could become a permanent fixture of the offense sooner than later.
Free Agent Running Backs
Dexter Williams, Green Bay Packers - 0% owned
Jamaal Williams took a brutal shot to the head early in the Packers matchup with the Eagles this past Thursday, which leaves his availability in doubt when Green Bay takes on Dallas this week. If he can't suit up, sixth-round pick Dexter Williams will presumably be the second-in-command behind Aaron Jones in the backfield. The rookie averaged 6.3 yards per carry at Notre Dame thanks in large part to his burst and agility metrics, which rank in the 86th and 77th percentile respectively. If he can add some boom to this lackluster Packers rushing offense, Dexter may not give the No. 2 spot back.
Ryquell Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars - 1% owned
Leonard Fournette is very clearly the workhorse back in Jacksonville, but after piling up 225 rushing yards on 29 attempts Armstead was brought in to give him a breather. In limited work, the rookie looked fantastic. He put up 42 yards on eight carries and added a receiving touchdown on his only target. Armstead won't get that kind of production every week, but considering Fournette's extravagant injury history, he remains one of the better handcuff options out there.
Free Agent Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans - 10% owned
The Titans have a legitimate wide receiver threat, and his name is still not Corey Davis. Rookie second-round pick A.J. Brown has done a whole lot with very little, now putting together two games with at least 94 yards on just three receptions. This week he also found the end zone a couple of times. Brown had two quiet weeks sandwiched between two monster games, making him a volatile starting option for your lineup. Still, he has massive upside as a potential flex play in the coming weeks. It wouldn't be shocking if the Titans decide to get him on the field for a significantly larger share of offensive snaps, either.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers - 6% owned
Last week, I said Johnson was worth an add because we didn't know who the preferred target would be for Mason Rudolph. Well, now we know and it's Diontae Johnson by a country mile. Johnson led all receivers in targets on his way to six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. The TD came on the longest pass of the night by Rudolph, emphasizing the trust the young QB has in his rookie wide receiver. It's safe to say Johnson has claimed the WR2 job. Please don't let him be available on the waiver wire again next week.
Free Agent Tight Ends
Ricky Seals-Jones, Cleveland Browns - 1% owned
Back to the well we go at the tight end position. Seals-Jones got some mojo going against the Ravens last week as he caught all three of his targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore was plastered all over Odell Beckham Jr for the majority of the game, leaving the quick-footed tight end to pick up some of the slack. It will still be tough to trust him on a weekly basis until David Njoku returns, but with Jarvis Landry potentially out this week with a concussion, Seals-Jones should see more looks against the 49ers.
More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice
