SportsGuyRy’s Waiver Wire Pick-Ups:
Week 3
This week on my waiver wire pick-ups, I’m going to examine a few different guys in which should be relatively obvious to some but maybe not to others. I have a couple of other guys that might surprise you on this article but logically, it makes sense.
Quarterbacks:
Ryan Fitzpatrick – Quarterback – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Only owned in 31.7% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 36.15 points per game
“FitzMagic”, if still available in your league, which it looks like he’s available in about 32% of leagues on ESPN, should be owned immediately. I’m not saying he’s going to save your fantasy season if you had an underperforming QB but as long as he’s hot right now, it’s tough to not grab him.
He’s averaging 36.15 points per game right now, which is otherworldly and not sustainable but if he can continue to put up even half of that, he’s going to be a very solid QB for you going forward.
He’s walking into a match up that let Tyrod Taylor put up 25.6 points against them in week 1 and Patrick Mahomes put up 43.1 points against them. Even if it’s a spot start for the week, he’s worth owning at this point in time. It will be interesting to see where the Buccaneers will choose to go once Jameis Winston is back from suspension after this week.
Andy Dalton – Quarterback – Cincinnati Bengals
Only owned in 4.3% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 21.55 points per game
I saw Field Yates post this tweet on Sunday. “Andy Dalton has now played 16 games – a full season – under OC Bill Lazor. His numbers: 3434 passing yards, 31TD, 9INT. Efficient and effective.”
That’s pretty remarkable for Dalton. I always viewed him as a middle of the road, okayish at best QB but those numbers, although not astronomical, very efficient and solid in fantasy. Over the season, that’s roughly 245 points which is good for 18th best last year. That’s nothing to brag about but it’s efficient. So far, he’s averaging 21.55 points per game which would be good for 344.8. This offense is humming and after facing a tough Ravens D, he had his best game. Pick him up as a backup at worst, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to start him in favorable matchups.
Blake Bortles – Quarterback – Jacksonville Jaguars
Only owned in 10.2% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 22.9 points per game
Blake Bortles, yes, Blake Bortles, just put up a 39.4 point game vs one of the best teams in football. He had the offense rolling with 377 passing yards and 4 touchdowns to 1 interception. He was efficient and effective getting the ball to his playmakers Cole, Moncrief, Westbrook and Sefarian-Jenkins.
Dating back to mid to late season last year, he was effective as a fantasy QB. I’m not saying he’s going to be leading you to any championships but you could do worse at QB on your bye week as those start approaching in week 4. He’s doing great right now and has some plus matchups coming soon.
Running Backs:
Austin Ekeler – Running Back – Los Angeles Chargers
Only owned in 43% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 18.2 points per game.
I’m pretty surprised that Austin Ekeler is having the success he’s having. He came into this season as the clear #2 in a relatively loaded offense featuring Phillip Rivers, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Melvin Gordon. What he’s done is been able to be a great change of pace back that is effective with his touches (both on the ground and through the air) and has been a great PPR asset.
In week 1, he took 5 carries for 39 yards (8 yards per carry) and added 5 receptions for 87 yards and a TD. Week 2 he took 11 carries for 77 yards (7 yards per carry) and added 3 receptions for 21 yards. That’s great efficiency with the ball in his hands averaging 9.33 yards per touch. If he’s out there, he must be owned. With Gordon’s shaky injury history mixed with the touches he’s receiving with a healthy (and effective) Gordon, he can provide great value on your team.
Phillip Lindsay – Running Back – Denver Broncos
Only owned in 61.7% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 15.15 points per game.
I can’t imagine Lindsay is still out there in your league but it showed he’s still out there in almost 38% of leagues. What Lindsay has been able to do in his first two games is remarkable considering the significant investment the Broncos made in Royce Freeman and their incumbent Devontae Booker.
All he’s done since arriving as an undrafted free agent is win the third RB spot, receive an opportunity in this first game and run with it. He’s taken 29 carries for 178 yards (6.14 yards per carry) and added 35 yards on 3 catches plus a touchdown. His 15.15 point average in fantasy has lasted two games and I don’t see it going anywhere. He’s decisive, explosive and dynamic in his runs and I’m really excited to see where he goes with this. He’s of course still in a timeshare with the other two, but he’s looked the most impressive so far.
Javorius “Buck” Allen – Running Back – Baltimore Ravens
Only owned in 18.8% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 14.8 points per game.
Buck Allen has been a pleasant surprise this year for those who have him in dynasty leagues (like myself) or in deeper format leagues. In years past, he’s been serviceable as a backup for the Ravens and never established himself as a great contributor with guys like Alex Collins taking over.
All he’s done this year is get the job done. Not receiving much work in the run game, he’s taken 10 carries for 25 yards (2.5 yards per carry is nothing special) but for 2 touchdowns. He’s added 5 receptions in each game for a total of 51 yards. So again, nothing special but he has taken the goal line work away from Alex Collins, which is a pretty big deal. Again, in a shallow RB market, there’s not a ton of talent likely out there, so he might be a guy worth stashing in the event you’re in a TD dependent league or in the event Alex Collins goes down.
Wide Receivers:
Kenny Golladay – Wide Receiver – Detroit Lions
Only owned in 69.1% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 19.65 points per game
The fact that Golladay is still available for 30% of fantasy leagues right now is baffling to me. He had a great week one where you could notice Stafford was clearly looking for him. He showed flashes of being great last year and now with a full season under his belt, he’s showing what he can do. In two games, he’s scored 39.3 points which is good for top 10 numbers thus far.
He’s in an offense that doesn’t run the ball often, and their defense has regressed, meaning they’ll likely be throwing in a lot of games. And he seems to be the top target down field, taking those away from my pre-season boy, Marvin Jones. Hauling in 13 receptions for 203 yards and a TD is quite the start to a season and he should be owned in all formats moving forward.
Quincy Enunwa – Wide Receiver – New York Jets
Only owned in 56.9% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 17.25 points per game
Coming back from a serious injury, Quincy Enunwa picked up where he left off in terms of being very productive as a big body receiver for the Jets. With him out last year, they relied heavily on Robby Anderson but this year, Enunwa has taken in 13 receptions on 21 targets for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s become the security blanket for rookie Sam Darnold and he’s making the most of it.
He isn’t going to be the flashiest player and put up a Tyreek Hill type week 1 but the steady and consistent production will be nice to have in your bye week fillers and in your flex position. If he’s still out there, he needs to be owned.
John Brown – Wide Receiver – Baltimore Ravens
Only owned in 24.1% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 16.35 points per game
I wasn’t big on John Brown coming into the season and it seems as most weren’t given he’s still only owned in 24% of ESPN leagues but what he’s been able to do in these first two weeks has been impressive. He’s shown this potential early in his career with the Cardinals and he’s making the most of it right now with big armed Joe Flacco, who trusts him. He’s taken in 7 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns this year.
He likely will have boom or bust type games given the nature of his skill set, but initial returns are solid right now and he should be owned in leagues going forward.
Antonio Callaway – Wide Receiver – Cleveland Browns
Only owned in 3.8% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 8.9 points per game
I’m adding a 4th option here at receiver given the situation that just came up yesterday. With Josh Gordon being traded to the Patriots, it opens up a big hole in the Browns offense for a WR2. Jarvis Landry should eat up a lion’s share of targets but the leftovers will need to go somewhere and I see Callaway being the answer here.
In his first game with WR2 duties, he took 3 receptions of 4 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. He also carried the ball on some end arounds for 7 yards. Half of those yards came on a 47 yard bomb for a touchdown and that’s the big play ability Callaway brings. He can take a deep pass for a touchdown or a quick slant for a big play, which makes him an intriguing addition. He’s not owned much, available in 96% of ESPN leagues. I’d be adding him and hoping he can continue that production going forward.
Tight Ends:
Will Dissly – Tight End – Seattle Seahawks
Only owned in 24.4% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 16.35 points per game
I wasn’t a big believer in the Dissly hype last week. He had a huge game of course, but was it a fluke? Who is this guy?
Monday night showed it wasn’t a fluke. He’s taken in 3 receptions each game for 147 total yards and a touchdown each week. That’s great production from an unknown guy. He’s tied for the top TE scorer after a monster game from Jesse James last week and looked involved in a depleted Seahawks passing game. IF available, I’d add him with a shallow TE market.
OJ Howard – Tight End – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Only owned in 21.6% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 13 points per game
I’m somewhat baffled that OJ Howard is not owned more. I know he was expected to share duties with Cameron Brate, but to be only owned in 21.6% of leagues is nuts to me. He has all the tools to be super effective and played pretty well his rookie year.
This year he’s taken the next step in his production with “FitzMagic” at the helm. Although the receptions aren’t plentiful, Howard just needs a few of them to make the most of it. He took 2 receptions week 1 for 54 yards and this week he took 3 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. He’s going to have some off games but as far as the TE position goes, he’s doing great and I’d definitely get him on your roster if you’re struggling at that position.
Eric Ebron – Tight End – Indianapolis Colts
Only owned in 35.6% of ESPN leagues. Averaging 13.35 points per game
I also can’t believe Eric Ebron is contributing. He continually disappointed in his four years in Detroit and never could really break out. So far this year with Andrew Luck as QB, he’s the TE to own in Indianapolis right now. His 7 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown each week, he’s finally providing some dependability.
I’d roll with him going forward if you’re in need of a TE with this shallow TE market.
That wraps up Week 3’s waiver wire pick-ups. Reach out to me on Twitter @sportsguyry with any questions, feedback or concerns.
Remember, on Sunday mornings, always feel free to reach out and ask the tough lineup questions as well. Always willing to help out!
