Here’s an early look at the fantasy players you’ll be targeting off the waiver wire this week. None of these players are rostered in more than 50% of Yahoo! leagues. The actual Yahoo! ownership percentage is included in parentheses. Players are listed from the most owned to the least owned after Sunday’s games. Be sure to check out Jen Piacenti’s expanded list of waiver-wire players every Tuesday!
Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals (37%)
The Bengals passing game has been dreadful this season (man, that is so strange to write), but Boyd will be worth a roster spot in fantasy leagues if starter Tee Higgins (ribs) is forced to miss time. The talented wideout was injured in a bad loss to the Titans. In that scenario, where Higgins is sidelined, Boyd would become the second option on the wideout depth chart behind Ja’Marr Chase.
Jameson Williams, WR, Lions (32%)
Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network
The NFL announced last week that Williams’ suspension had been decreased from six games to four, so he’s eligible to return to action in Week 5. With the Lions playing lastThursday night, he’s still a free agent in most formats. The talented wideout has yet to make a fantasy impact, but he’ll have that chance sooner than later in an explosive Lions offense. Williams should be owned in all leagues.
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers (24%)
Reed has been listed in this space before, but he’s still a free agent in most Yahoo! leagues. He’s not putting up massive numbers, but the rookie has seen 20 targets in his last three games and has averaged around 10 PPR points per game on the year. With positive matchups against the Raiders, Broncos and Vikings coming up in the next four weeks, Reed could be a useful flex when the bye weeks arrive.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Ravens (17%)
Mitchell is a nice deep league stash for fantasy managers looking to throw a dart at a running back. Mitchell, who has drawn some comparisons to breakout rookie De’Von Achane, is slated to be activated from the injured list and could be back in action in the coming weeks for a Baltimore team that has been playing musical chairs in their backfield. If you have room, give Mitchell a waiver look.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Broncos (1%)
The Broncos lost Javonte Williams to a hip injury this week, leading to a big uptick in touches for McLaughlin. He led the Denver runners in touches, yardage and fantasy points against the Bears, and he could see a bigger role moving forward if Williams were forced to miss time. McLaughlin could lose some work to Samaje Perine, but he's definitely the Broncos running back to own if Williams were sidelined.
Michael Wilson, WR, Cardinals (1%)
Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Network
Wilson had a breakout performance this week, catching all seven of his targets for 76 yards with two touchdowns in a loss to the 49ers. The rookie wideout has slowly started to see more opportunities in the offense, and with the Cardinals playing in a lot of negative game scripts, Wilson could be a useful fantasy option during the bye weeks. He’s well worth a claim if you’re looking for wide receiver help.
Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Steelers (0%)
This is more for fantasy fans in super flex or multi-quarterback leagues, but Trubisky could be the Steelers’ top signal-caller after the team lost Kenny Pickett to an injured knee. In the event that Pickett is forced to miss time, Trubisky would then have some value in multi-quarterback leagues. He’s not about to light the fantasy world ablaze, but Trubisky could be useful in the bye weeks when the matchup works.
Terrace Marshall, WR, Panthers (0%)
Marshall had a bust-out game of sorts, catching nine passes for 56 yards in a loss to the Vikings. He led the Panthers receivers with 10 targets, which is an indication that rookie quarterback Bryce Young has gained faith in him. If this game and his added usage are an indication, Marshall could push for more opportunities moving forward. He’s a worthwhile pickup as a No. 5 wideout in larger fantasy leagues.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Falcons (0%)
This seems absolutely bananas for me to write, but Smith has been the best fantasy tight end in Atlanta over the last two weeks. In that time, he’s been targeted 14 times and scored a combined 24.2 points. By comparison, fantasy dud Kyle Pitts has seen 13 targets and scored a combined 17.6 points. This addition is clearly more for those in deeper leagues, but it’s hard to ignore Smith’s recent fantasy totals.
Deven Thompkins, WR, Buccaneers (0%)
Thompkins could soon be thrust into a bigger role in the Buccaneers passing game, as veteran Mike Evans was injured in a big win over the Saints. If the veteran is forced to miss time, we could see Thompkins’s name emerge as a deep-league add or DFS option. He posted four catches for 45 yards with a touchdown and had 15.9 fantasy points with Evans on the sidelines.
