RADIO
It's Wednesday morning. You dropped a player last night expecting to make some moves on the waiver wire, only to wake up and find out you weren't able to get anyone you put a claim in for. What now?
If you've got an open roster spot, its always a good idea to plan ahead for the future. There are plenty of players in the NFL ripe for a breakout game that will fly up the waiver wire in the following week. This column is here to help you anticipate who that's going to be, and stay a week ahead of your competition.
I'll be giving you a couple players who may be worth grabbing before their stock rises. Here are some players that will help you beat the waiver wire ahead of Week 13, in case they emerge this week.
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Waiver Wire Stashes and Fliers for Week 13
The list is going to be thinning as we move towards the end of the season and roster spots begin to become more and more valuable. Many players today will be more speculative adds then guys who may blow up in Week 12. With three teams having already played, the list is a bit shorter than usual.
Paxton Lynch (QB, DEN) - 3% owned
The Broncos will look like a new team this week with a new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback. Paxton Lynch hasn't proven much in his short career, but I have a feeling the infusion of new blood will give the Broncos offense some much needed life. Lynch has a solid stable of running backs and receivers at his disposal, and a favorable schedule for the rest of the season.
Mike Davis (RB, SEA) - 2% owned
The Seattle backfield has been in this column numerous times this year, so take Mike Davis with a grain of salt. Davis surprisingly got the start last week for the Seahawks, but left his first game of the year with an injury and is not likely to play in Week 12. Davis could get the start in Week 13. I'm not sure if I'm ready to trust a Seattle running back at this point, but Davis will get the volume to break out if he manages to find himself back in the starting lineup this year.
Josh Reynolds (WR, LAR) - 0% owned
The Rams have relied on the trio of Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp in the passing game this season. With Woods going down with an injury, Watkins and Kupp will likely get a higher usage, but I don't think the Rams will stop going with three wide receiver sets. Fourth round draft pick Josh Reynolds has a chance to take over the third spot. At 6'3, Reynolds is a prototype wide receiver who could make an impact in the red zone and has a chance to break out in Sean McVay's high powered offense.
Charles Clay (TE, BUF) - 32% owned
Clay hasn't found much success since returning to the field and many owners cut him loose when Nathan Peterman was announced as the new quarterback. With the disastrous Peterman experiment coming to an end, Clay's value is back on the rise with Tyrod Taylor in the lineup. Clay is really the only player on the offense that Taylor has proven chemistry with besides LeSean McCoy. I'd bet on him becoming a low-end TE1 by playoff time.
Aaron Rodgers (QB, GB) - 57% owned
You can read what I said about Rodgers last week as most of it is still relevant. If you've been streaming quarterbacks and Rodgers is available, he may be the difference maker down the line if he returns in Week 15. His ownership went up 20% since last week and this may be the last time you'll be able to sign him.
Josh Gordon (WR, CLE) - 47% owned
Like Rodgers, this will be the last week you'll have a chance to pick up Gordon if he is still available. The 26 year old receiver is set to play in his first NFL game since Week 15 of the 2014 season. Hue Jackson said Gordon coming back is "like Christmas." I have no doubts the Browns will start Gordon when he walks back onto the field in Week 13. He could be a league winner. If he is still on the wire in your league, I'd say he is a must-own.
Handcuff Lottery
As we saw with Semaje Perine last week, one injury can change the course of a fantasy season. Here are a few top tier handcuff guys that would become the top waiver add should their starter suffer an injury:
James Conner (RB, PIT) - 3% owned
The premiere handcuff. DeAngelo Williams proved that the Steelers running game could be a powerhouse for any running back. The Steelers took Conner in the third round this year, so they have high hopes for him when his number is called upon. He'll be in the RB1 discussion if something happens to Bell.
TJ Yeldon (RB, JAX) - 16% owned
Yeldon has proven that he could be a great fantasy option with Fournette out. Fournette owners should own Yeldon over Chirs Ivory should they need a handcuff.
Lance Dunbar (RB, LAR) - 1% owned
Dunbar could find some standalone value in deep PPR leagues due to his pass catching ability if the Rams use him more. In the event of a Gurley injury, Tavon Austin would find some new life as well.
Matt Breida (RB, SF) - 6% owned
Breida is coming off a performance 55 yards and a touchdown, so he already has standalone value in deeper leagues. He'll be an immediate RB2 if Hyde goes down.
