Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. Remember, your roster can always improve, and even if you don’t need a player, you still want to keep another manager from picking them up.
Bye Weeks:
- Week 9: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
- Week 10: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers
In most leagues, these guys aren't available. But if you are fortunate enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints (37.4% rostered on ESPN)
I had Tyson on here a few weeks ago when it seemed like he was close to returning. It was jumping the gun a bit, but Tyson finally returned to practice on Wednesday! It was Tyson's first practice since August 13. The team will no doubt be cautious with Tyson, as you should also be, but if you currently have a great roster and the playoffs look solid, grabbing Tyson to use late in the year could be a great plan.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos (77.2% rostered on ESPN)
Coleman was another rookie who showed promise but was sidelined by the injury bug for four weeks. In his second week back against Kansas City, he out-carried J.K. Dobbins 11 to 7. He might be close to convincing head coach Sean Payton that you can have a favorite. Denver has a bye in Week 10, which might hinder some managers from grabbing Colman, but after that the Broncos have one of the best schedules for running backs in the league.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks
Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals (.4% rostered on ESPN)
We saw how easy it was for the Cardinals to bench (and ultimately trade) Jacoby Brissett for Gardner Minshew II, and we know Arizona needs to find out if they have their Quarterback of the future with Beck at some point. He had a good pre-season and could be used against Washington and Philly in your lineup in Weeks 12 and 13 if given a chance.
J.J. McCarthy, New York Giants (26.3% rostered on ESPN)
This is a consider-with-caution add here. We are not exactly sure what McCarthy is, but we know a few things: the Giants are in the best position currently to win the NFC East, they have an Alpha wide receiver in Malik Nabers, and they have five decent matchups on the horizon after their Week 7 bye week. We are still losing quarterbacks to injury left and right, and a starting one is becoming more important than we ever thought.
Anthony Richardson Sr., Indianapolis Colts (.2% rostered on ESPN)
This is an incredible deep, shot-in-the-dark option. At some point, the team will have to see if there is any hope left in this investment. I personally do not think there is, but I have seen stranger things in my time.