RADIO
As an addendum to our famous waiver wire pickups list, and our weekly waiver wire columns by position, in this column we also present 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 auction values are here to provide a baseline to understand roughly how much you should be targeting to spend on a particular player. If you want to go wild and blow a chunk of your budget on a guy you believe in, by all means, carry on. However, these players are not a dime a dozen. Guys get injured and other guys replace them and their production all the time, every year. You only have so much FAAB money, spend it as wisely as possible.
We're seven weeks into the year so make sure you are set for the rest of the season with some FAAB in your pocket. Don't be disappointed if you don't get one of these guys because someone spent significantly more, because it's likely that they overpaid. As the year winds down and the playoff race gets tighter, that's when you're going to want this fake money the most. With that being said, below are our FAAB auction bidding recommendations for Week 8. Good luck, and happy bidding!
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FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks
Mitch Trubisky (QB, CHI) - FAAB Bid: 4-6%
29% owned
Trubisky (fantasy-wise) has been stellar the past four weeks - and with the weapons currently available to him, there's no reason to believe that he can't keep putting up at solid performances. His biggest limitation is himself, but as long as he keeps putting the balls in his playmakers' hands and utilizing his athleticism in the open field, the stats should keep racking up. The offense seems to be clicking as we get closer to the half-way point in the season, and he may be vying for spot starts in plus-matchups.
Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
35% owned
Dak Prescott isn't a great quarterback but his ability to make plays with his legs gives him some fantasy value. With the addition of Amari Cooper, this offense finally might find it's stride in the passing game which may make Prescott worthy of an add in deeper leagues. Three of his past four weeks have been solid. Add him and take a chance on the Cowboys figuring out how a competent offense works.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
Marlon Mack (RB, IND) - FAAB Bid: 20-30%
56% owned
Marlon Mack is the back to own in the Colts' backfield. Mack had a weird rookie year where he was behind NFL legend Frank Gore on the depth chart but now, with no true number one option in the backfield, he looks to take over. Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines have both faltered giving Mack the opportunity to re-capture the role once presumed to be his going into the season. There certainly are injury concerns with Mack and but the gamble is worth it for a potential lead back.
Doug Martin (RB, OAK) - FAAB Bid: 12-15%
25% owned
With Marshawn Lynch officially placed on Injured Reserve, Doug Martin is in line to take over his first and second down role. Martin has been inconsistent throughout the years. He's had two stud years and four duds. Injuries, poor supporting casts, and a suspension have hampered his career but he could revamp his image this year. The Raiders seemingly want to lean on the run and with Martin's play-style, they could be trusting him with a solid workload going forward. He's more viable in standard leagues but should provide value as depth in PPR leagues.
Ito Smith (RB, ATL) - FAAB Bid: 5-10%
54% owned
Ito Smith is now the complementary back to Tevin Coleman while Devonta Freeman is on Injured Reserve. Smith isn't the most talented running back but he plays in an explosive offense behind a solid offensive line. He is often used in goal-line situations and should be valued as a touchdown-dependent Flex despite his involvement in the passing game. The Falcons love to alternate their backfield drive-by-drive, as a result, Smith likely won't see more than 40-50% of the backfield's snaps unless Tevin Coleman gets hurt. He'll be startable in certain matchups if you need a running back spot filled.
Jalen Richard (RB, OAK) - FAAB Bid: 5-10%
24% owned
Richard's role likely doesn't change too much with Marshawn Lynch on Injured Reserve, but he could see an increased snap percentage and touch count. Richard hasn't been used as a runner much this year which indicates how Coach Gruden prefers to utilize him. He is more valuable in PPR leagues and should be ignored in shallower standard leagues.
Raheem Mostert (RB, SF) - FAAB Bid: 4-6%
1% owned
Alfred Morris has been phased out of the offense and Matt Breida can't stay healthy. This leaves Raheem Mostert with the bulk of the work in San Francisco. The 9ers seemingly have given up on this season thanks to the injuries they've accrued, therefore, it's unlikely that Mostert gets replaced via trade. His running style is of that which Coach Shannahan prefers. Give him an add if you need a fill-in RB for the next week or two if Breida sits.
Kenjon Barner (RB, NE) - FAAB Bid: 2-4%
1% owned
With Sony Michel presumably out this week due to a knee injury, Barner looks to take over the early-down work in New England. This could change between today and Sunday if the Patriots decide to bring up practice squad running back Kenneth Farrow but as of now, Barner seems to be the guy. He probably won't be entrusted with too heavy a workload unless they take a significant lead which is entirely possible against a terrible Bills squad. Barner isn't a viable long-term play give that Michel is only considered week-to-week and shouldn't miss more than a month.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers
Tyrell Williams (WR, LAC) - FAAB Bid: 7-10%
15% owned
Tyrell Williams has not received more than five targets in a single game this season. Do not blow your budget on him but feel free to buy in on the booming hype. He will have his duds these next few weeks but it's always worth adding a player with Williams' variance onto your roster just in case you need a big-time FLEX play in a farfetched matchup. He's worth a grab thanks to his production these past two weeks.
Tre'Quan Smith (WR, NO) - FAAB Bid: 4-8%
17% owned
With Ted Ginn on Injured Reserve, Tre'Quan Smith will come in as the WR2 in this high-powered Saints' offense. Smith was incredible against Washington before New Orleans' BYE and was effective and targeted well against a tough Baltimore team on Sunday. He is well worth an add in shallower leagues and especially in PPR. Smith is talented as a deep threat and will be utilized by Brees plenty moving forward. Get him while he's cheap.
Chris Godwin (WR, TB) - FAAB Bid: 3-5%
38% owned
Despite typically playing in just half of the Bucs' offensive snaps since Week 2, Godwin has been productive. Yesterday, he ended up with five catches on nine targets for 59 yards. He is trusted in the red zone and due to his proficiency there, Godwin's value is significantly boosted in standard leagues. He's a solid depth add at WR.
Christian Kirk (WR, ARI) - FAAB Bid: 3-5%
9% owned
Christian Kirk and Josh Rosen have a great connection and they should continue to build on it as the season progresses. Kirk has been productive despite just having one touchdown an no 100-yard games. He's worth buying in PPR formats but can be ignored in standard leagues for now. There are brighter days ahead for this Cardinals offense with the talented youth in place and Mike McCoy officially fired.
Danny Amendola (WR, MIA) - FAAB Bid: 2-3%
10% owned
Amendola has been Brock Osweiler's go-to guy since taking over the offense two weeks ago. The former Patriots' slot receiver has some new-found relevance in Miami and as long as Osweiler is slinging it he should keep eating. 18 targets over the past two weeks are hard to ignore but should not be bought for much. With Albert Wilson out long-term and Kenny Stills hurt, Amendola could find himself fantasy relevant again (mainly in PPR).
Rishard Matthews (WR, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: 0-2%
6% owned
The New York Jets have just signed Rishard Matthews and he will look to take over the slot receiver role while Quincy Enunwa is out. Matthews has been productive the last few years with Tennessee and Miami which means he shouldn't be too rusty. It may take him a week to get up-to-speed with the Jets' playbook so much shouldn't be expected against the Bears this Sunday. Matthews is more viable in deeper PPR formats, as a result, he should not have much spent on him.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends
C.J. Uzomah (TE, CIN) - FAAB Bid: 4-6%
33% owned
With Tyler Eifert and now Tyler Kroft out for the season, Uzomah steps in as the TE1 on Cincinnati. Dalton is big on throwing to his tight end's way and while Uzomah isn't the MOST talented player, he can get the job done. He's had a few performances throughout the year already and should continue to get his fair share of targets as the season goes on. Buy him if you need him.
Chris Herndon IV (TE, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
1% owned
The New York Jets have been struggling at tight end for what seems like over decade now. They drafted Herndon in the fourth-round of this year's draft and after these past two weeks, he may see himself in a larger role going forward. Herndon now has a touchdown in each of the past two games and just saw a season/career high in targets. He's worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense/Special Teams
New England Patriots D/ST - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
52% owned
They play the Bills Sunday.
Washington Redskins D/ST - FAAB Bid: 0-2%
18% owned
The Redskins defense is severely underrated. Outside of a blowout in New Orleans, they have only given up more than 20 points one other time (21 against Andrew Luck). There is plenty of talent in the front seven and they are stymying opposing offenses. Take a chance on them against Eli Manning this coming Sunday.
