Every week, I help you address lineup concerns after waivers have run for the week in your fantasy football league. The rundown here includes players who may have been left to float in free agency after the initial waiver push and can still be picked up and started in some tight situations.
Players are listed in order of preference of additions/starts, and the analysis is based on PPR scoring formats. I also finish with one player who is widely available and should be added immediately. You’ll know why after you finish reading this article.
Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (59 percent): The Panthers traded away two WRs recently, clearing a path for Legette to operate as the team’s new No. 1 WR. The Giants rank 24th in fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to WRs. Bryce Young is starting to show some signs of improvement, and Legette will post at least adequate fantasy totals with a healthy amount of targets. He has caught TD passes in three of his past four games.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, NYG (58 percent): Robinson’s production has fallen off over the past three games, but he is in a bounce-back spot for fantasy purposes this week. The Giants face the NFL’s worst defense, and Darius Slayton (concussion) will also be out against Carolina. The first two entries in this week’s article are from the worst game of Week 10, but it could give you actual reasons to watch the early Sunday game in Munich.
Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN (49 percent): Although he played through a foot issue last week, Tony Pollard was reportedly downgraded from a limited practice on Wednesday to being out of practice on Thursday. Spears returned from a hamstring injury and was able to practice in full on Thursday. He is a potentially exciting and versatile performer who may flash some upside if he takes on an expanded workload.
The Chargers allow the fewest FPPG to RBs, but if you need an RB plug-in, the possible volume pinpoints Spears as a viable pickup. When you are looking for a late-week streamer, and the pickings are slimmer, the players to add certainly are not going to be ideal options, so you will have to opt for the possible volume and take the risk on the matchup here.
If Pollard can play, Spears may still produce some decent totals with a split workload.
Rakim Jarrett, WR, TB (1 percent): The Tampa Bay WR corps has been fully decimated by injuries, and Jarrett might have to play a significant role on offense for the Buccaneers in Week 10. He played on 84 percent of the snaps last week, and he caught three passes for 58 yards in his season debut in the previous game after recovering from offseason knee surgery.
Continue to monitor the Buccaneers WR situation heading into game day against San Francisco. Jarrett and Trey Palmer may be candidates to function as top WRs for Baker Mayfield. The depth chart can change depending on the availability of the other Tampa Bay WRs, most notably Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard, who had not practiced as of Thursday.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, ATL (77 percent): Usually I do not include players who have such a high rostered percentage attached to them in this article, yet I have seen Allgeier on the free agent list in some leagues. The Saints have allowed 10 rushing TDs to RBs, tied for second-most in the NFL, and the Falcons might drop a big hammer on them this week. Both Bijan Robinson and Allgeier may find the end zone against New Orleans.
Roschon Johnson, RB, CHI (55 percent): In a matchup with New England, Johnson might get a few chances to convert TD opportunities in goal-line packages. Before last week, he rushed for four TDs in a four-game span. The Patriots are another team that is tied for 31st in the NFL with 10 rushing TDs allowed to RBs. They have allowed five in the past four weeks.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, TEN (16 percent): The Chargers’ pass defense does present a formidable matchup. Westbrook-Ikhine, however, has caught TD passes in four consecutive games. That sort of streak will certainly fizzle at some point, but Calvin Ridley will command a heck of a lot of defensive attention and NWI can benefit.
Jalen Coker, WR, CAR (10 percent): Another first-year Carolina WR to consider, Coker was quiet last week after showing some promise with 78 receiving yards in Week 9. The Giants are not an intimidating opponent for the Panthers, as long as Young can hang in against their pass rush. Coker will be worthy of consideration for those digging deeper for a lineup plugger.
Audric Estime, RB, DEN (12 percent): The Broncos need to make a change at RB, as Javonte Williams is averaging 3.8 yards per carry and Bo Nix leads the team with four rushing TDs. There has been much local buzz in Denver that it is time to give this rookie a chance to add life to a sagging ground game.
Estime was drafted in the fifth round by the Broncos this year, yet he has been described as a power back with some speed who can help balance the offense. Usually I feature plug-and-play types in this space, but I want to get readers ahead of the pack if Estime is still available in their leagues.
Pick up the 5-foot-11, 227-pounder now, and watch to see if his role expands as soon as this week. The Chiefs present an obviously tough matchup, and this entry is more about taking advantage of others overlooking Estime on the initial waiver run.
(Top photo of Xavier Legette: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
