Dynasty Waivers of the Future: Week 4

My colleague Jeff Blaylock and I gaze into our crystal footballs each week to find players who may become popular waiver targets in the future so that you can pick them up now for next to nothing. We'll start with our priorities, then gaze deeper for lightly rostered gems who have been largely overlooked by dynasty managers so far. We'll indicate the percentage of Sleeper dynasty leagues rostering each player we discuss

Sooner or later, this whole waivers of the future thing was going to play into my penchant to stash running backs. Week 3 in the NFL saw a small wave of injuries to running backs that many fantasy owners have been counting on, and I am predictably overreacting. While I try to calm myself down a bit, maybe Jeff can start us out with a little sanity at another position.

Priority Pickups

WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (33% Rostered)

JEFF: Dyami Brown injured his shoulder during this week's game, and cornerback Jarrian Jones logged just two snaps, which led to Travis Hunter playing more snaps on defense (43) than offense (37) for the first time this season. These conditions led to Washington being on the field for three-quarters of the team's snaps, and he led the team with 10 targets, one for every three routes he ran. He wasn't able to do a whole lot with those targets, but his quarterback was erratic and completed only half of his passes on the day.

Brown has primarily lined up wide, while Hunter has been more of a slot receiver. Washington plays in either spot. If Brown were to miss more time, then Washington could maintain enough playing time to merit flex consideration. Likewise, if Hunter either missed time or shifted more to the defensive side of the ball due to injuries among the full-time cornerbacks, Washington would play a fantasy-relevant role that week. More importantly, he is solidifying the trust of his quarterback and the coaching staff and figures to be a plug-and-play starter in case any combination of wide receivers and cornerbacks were to miss time. Dynasty managers should also note that only Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr, and Washington are under contract after this season. Thus, Washington could remain in flex consideration for at least the next season and potentially beyond. Stash him in deeper leagues, and potentially start him this week if Brown or cornerback Jarrian Jones remain sidelined.

RB Devin Singletary, New York Giants (42% Rostered)
RB Eric Gray, New York Giants (6% Rostered) 

JOSH: I am going to cheat and go with two players as my priority pickups. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is expected to miss time with a separated shoulder, so Cam Skattebo seems poised to take over lead back duties in Gotham. The problem is Skattebo runs like a spiked wrecking ball covered in nails and the broken dreams of woebegotten tacklers, so someone else will have to pick up some slack, or this guy might rumble a hole straight into the space-time continuum and disappear forever.

Singletary would seem to be first in line for increased touches, but he is the higher-rostered player of the two. If he isn't rostered and you hold Tracy and/or Skattebo, you should be checking in on him. However, while people are chasing Singletary, you can probably get Gray for free. He was placed on PUP with a knee injury during the first week of training camp and eventually made his way to injured reserve, meaning he has to sit out at least the first four weeks. He would be a more long-term play, for sure, and his 2.5 yards per attempt in 30 games over two seasons isn't the kind of number you write home about, but if he can get healthy, he is a young running back in a room where he could get an opportunity to prove he should be the third guy behind Tracy and Skattebo. We're playing dynasty here, so picking an injured player up as a stash isn't as weird as it seems at first glance. Gray is a young player with some juice, and if he gets a chance, he could score some points for dynasty managers down the road.

Jeff, please save me from talking about another running back. What have you got this week for a dart throw?

Deep Darts

JEFF: One of my deep darts this week is a backup tight end with a stat line that would make Arthur Smith salivate: Jackson Hawes.

JOSH: Stop it. That's not a tight end. That's a chic resort town in Wyoming.

JEFF: Not quite, but there is a Wyoming connection: he's caught a touchdown pass from Josh Allen.

TE Jackson Hawes, Buffalo Bills (4% Rostered)