I’m going to level with you, even by dynasty standards, the waiver wire is looking dire this week. Still, we’ll work with what we have, and in the event you need a spot starter or stash, I have you covered. A little.
Waiver Adds
Russell Wilson, QB, New York Giants
Jaxson Dart had to leave the Giants' loss against the Bears with a concussion, and in the event he misses next week’s tilt with the Packers, Russell Wilson is probably the next man up. He’s not at all trustworthy, and only competing teams in need of a spot start should kick the tires on Wilson.
There might be a more interesting option covered later in the “Stashes” section of the article, however.
Jackson Hawes / Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills
Another fantasy-relevant injury this week was Dalton Kincaid’s hamstring injury, which forced him to leave the Bills’ embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins.
While Dawson Knox is the player whose snap share went up last week, and he’s the favorite to become the nominal starter, we already know what Knox is. He’s a touchdown-dependent, unexciting depth option.
On the other hand, rookie Jackson Hawes is more of an unknown, and he could offer more upside variance to anybody who stashes him. Buyer beware, he’s also more of a blocking tight end than a receiving threat.
Overall, I would say competing teams in need of a spot starter or depth should target Dawson Knox. Young teams hoping to stash somebody should target Hawes.
Mack Hollins, WR, New England Patriots
While the NFL’s infatuation with Mack Hollins will forever perplex me, he apparently is next in line for targets when Kayshon Boutte misses time. I don’t particularly believe in the talent, but in the last three games, he’s had 7, 2, and 10 targets. It’s at least enough for him to be on the radar as a spot-starter.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
At this point, it’s looking more and more like Jacory Croskey-Merritt failed to run away with the running back job in Washington. This is officially an ambiguous position group, and the member of this group who is gaining the most momentum is Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Not only is Rodriguez the preferred option around the goal line, which makes him the more interesting weekly spot-start option, but he has also received Dan Quinn’s praise for taking what’s blocked, a not-so-subtle allusion to some struggles on Croskey-Merritt’s part.
Deep League Stashes
Taysom Hill, TE/QB/3-in-1 Men's Shampoo, New Orleans Saints
Slowly but surely, Taysom Hill is beginning to get his usual assortment of gadgety touches. In week 10, he set season highs in snap share, at 37%, and touches, at 8. We’re probably not all that far away from him becoming a boom-or-bust weekly gamble. Only competing teams should take the gamble on him.
Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For as long as Bucky Irving’s recovery timeline remains weirdly fuzzy, Sean Tucker might start to chip away at Rachaad White’s edge as the Bucs’ backup running back. Despite getting handily outsnapped, 72% to 32%, Tucker actually outrushed White with a 9-53 line compared to White’s 10-38. I’d expect Tucker to be preferred around the goal line until Bucky is back as well.
It’s worth noting that White’s advantage in the receiving department is pretty much untouchable for Tucker. Any team hoping for emergency depth could stash Tucker, but rebuilding teams shouldn’t be interested.
Jameis Winston, QB, New York Giants
Jaxson Dart may miss some time with a concussion, and the most likely scenario is that Russell Wilson remains next in line. However, with Brian Daboll fired, and an admission that the Giants are now focusing on next year, it’s quite possible they play things cautiously with Dart’s recovery and also move on from the Russell Wilson experience.
If the Giants were to elevate Winston over Wilson, he would immediately become an exciting option for fantasy. Winston is a national treasure, and his penchant for peppering both his receivers and opposing defensive backs with targets should make for much more exciting yardage totals in New York. At least until whenever Dart comes back.
Winston should be of interest to competing teams looking for some upside variance during a potential postseason run.