There are several players to consider during your weekly waiver wire run in fantasy football based on at least 60% availability. I also include adds for those in deeper league formats. If you have any questions or need any fantasy football waiver wire advice, feel free to hit me on Twitter @101chalk. You can also check out my Waiver Wire Rankings.
Running Back
Rashaad Penny – Seattle Seahawks
90% availability on ESPN
66% availability on Yahoo
With Chris Carson on IR and Alex Collins banged up, Rashaad Penny is back in the fantasy football spotlight. The former first-rounder has his own injury concerns but any starting running back in Seattle is worth an add. It’s hard to get excited about Penny given his history of letting us down over the past couple of seasons. We don’t know what Chris Carson’s outlook is for the rest of the season and a neck injury is not something to take lightly.
Marlon Mack – Indianapolis Colts
94% availability on ESPN
83% availability on Yahoo
The Nov. 2 trade deadline looms, Mack still wants to be traded, and the Colts are reportedly willing to facilitate a move that will give Mack a chance at meaningful touches. There’s a handful of contenders that could use the running back firepower and Mack has shown he still can play.
I wouldn’t use priority fantasy football FAB to add Mack, but he’s worth a stash if you can fit him. On Sunday, Mack only touched the ball 3 times for a measly 4 yards in a game where Jonathan Taylor was fed the ball for 18 carries. Nyheim Hines has the pass-catching role, leaving Mack as a depth piece fighting for scraps. Mack would instantly boost a fantasy roster if he lands in a prime situation.
Boston Scott – Philadelphia Eagles
100% availability on ESPN
98% availability on Yahoo
Kenneth Gainwell was getting attention even before Miles Sanders went down with an injury on Sunday, but he’s made an appearance on this column before. That said, Gainwell will be the one garnering the most attention, but Scott is the sneaky pivot. Like the rookie, Scott is a dual-threat running back with fantasy football PPR upside. After Sanders left Sunday’s game, Scott actually carried the ball one more time than Gainwell. I would expect a near-even split between Gainwell and Scott.
Brandon Bolden – New England Patriots
94% availability on ESPN
94% availability on Yahoo
Stevenson was primed to be the Patriots’ pass-catching running back but was a surprise game-time inactive, putting Bolden back on the PPR map. Bolden caught six passes on seven targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. Mac Jones is getting into a groove and Bolden is a great safety blanket for the rookie.
The James White role looks to firmly be Bolden’s from here on out. That makes him a very good fantasy football PPR option at running back. Looking ahead, there’s a potential shootout with the Chargers in Week 8 followed by more high-scoring affairs with the Falcons (11), Titans (12), and Bills (13). The Patriots don’t have a bye until Week 14 so Bolden may hold PPR value through the rest of the regular season.
Wide Receiver
Michael Gallup – Dallas Cowboys
50% availability on ESPN
60% availability on Yahoo
Gallup barely qualifies but with 60% of teams on Yahoo (which is usually sharper than ESPN) sleeping on him right now, it’s time to add this playmaker tied to an explosive offense.
Russell Gage – Atlanta Falcons
90% availability on ESPN
90% availability on Yahoo
Russell Gage was a popular fantasy football breakout pick after the Falcons shipped off Julio Jones this offseason. After a slow start, Gage injured his ankle in Week 2 after seeing seven targets. Even with Kyle Pitts’ meteoric rise to stardom, there’s room for Gage to become fantasy relevant on a weekly basis.
On the team’s first drive, Gage scored a 49-yard touchdown en route to a four catch, 67 yard performance in his return to action. Most of his production was on that first catch, but the Atlanta offense is starting to come around. Ridley and Pitts will see tough cornerback matchups over the next few weeks, making Gage a pivot play. With more bye weeks headed our way, Gage is in the flex conversation.
Darius Slayton – New York Giants
89% availability on ESPN
85% availability on Yahoo
Slayton returned from a hamstring injury and posted five receptions on nine targets for 63 yards as the Giants’ top receiver. Slayton’s value is dependent on the health of Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay as the Giants have been ravaged by injury. As long as either (or both) of them are out, Slayton is a fantasy football WR3/4.
Slayton has demonstrated chemistry with Daniel Jones from seasons past. Slayton saw at least six targets in each of the first two games of the season before he went down. For those in deeper PPR leagues, Dante Pettis is a sneaky pivot if the injury woes continue for Big Blue.
Tight End
C.J. Uzomah – Cincinatti Bengals
90% availability on ESPN
81% availability on Yahoo
The Bengals dismantled the Ravens and Uzomah was there for three receptions, 92 yards, and two touchdowns. He’s currently the TE11 in fantasy football PPR but Uzomah is boom-or-bust and a volatile weekly play, averaging under three targets/game while scoring three in his last four games. With the continued development of Joe Burrow in the Zac Taylor offense, Uzomah stands to benefit as a key safety valve. Uzomah is streamable in Week 8 against the Jets.
For more fantasy football advice, make sure to check out The Undroppables.
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