For the second consecutive week, fantasy football managers may find themselves scouring the waiver wire on Sunday morning for some last-minute help. Whether it’s players on bye or unexpected inactives, plenty of you are starting some seriously fringe guys.
Not sure who to pick up? We’ve got you covered. Here are a handful of QBs and TEs available in more than 50% of Yahoo leagues who can help you this week.
Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks (at WAS)
Rostered: 47%
It’s interesting how one ill-timed bad game can really linger. Sam Darnold has been excellent all season. But he posted a dud in Week 7 against the Houston Texans, throwing for 213 yards and a touchdown while turning the ball over twice. Then, the Seahawks had their bye. That means it’s been three weeks since we saw Darnold actually play well.
Before that disastrous outing against the Texans, Darnold had posted at least 16 fantasy points in five straight contests. He only had one truly elite performance, but he came with a high floor.
Hopefully, the Washington Commanders get Jayden Daniels back after just one game missed due to a minor hamstring strain. That would be great for the overall scoring environment. Even if they don’t, though, Darnold should have plenty of opportunities against a defense allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
The Commanders will have no answer for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As long as Zach Charbonnet doesn’t steal all the touchdowns, Darnold should be in for an excellent outing this week.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. IND)
Rostered: 40%
Perhaps Aaron Rodgers is not done. In fact, he’s so not done that the Steelers have stated they’re hoping he returns next year.
While obviously not prime Rodgers, he’s been better than the past two seasons. Rodgers has at least one touchdown pass in every game this season, including multiple in every game since the team’s Week 5 bye.
The Colts are a pass-funnel defense, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks while stifling opposing rushing attacks. With a potential negative game script, Rodgers could toss it up 35+ times once again.
Mac Jones, QB, San Francisco 49ers (at NYG)
Rostered: 9%
He certainly wasn’t supposed to make this many starts. Yet, here we are.
Mac Jones is not a bad quarterback. This will be his seventh start filling in for an injured Brock Purdy and likely his last. He sure has an incentive to make it a good one. Jones has made a strong case for a starting gig next year, and he very well may get one.
Jones has posted 19+ fantasy points in three of his six starts so far. Now, he gets a Giants defense allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. They are easily his softest matchup thus far, making him a very viable option if you need one.
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints (at LAR)
Rostered: 35%
This is a rough week at tight end. Juwan Johnson had a scorching start to the season. Then, he slowed down, and it looked like his run was over.
Over the past two games, Johnson has rebounded with 5-79 and 5-53 lines. If you can get eight to 10 fantasy points from a desperation streamer, you take it.
The Rams are not exactly a great matchup. But it’s Tyler Shough’s first career start on the road against a very good team. There will be a negative game script. There will be throwing. Johnson could be a PPR scam.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears (at CIN)
Rostered: 23%
Last week, Colston Loveland kind of came through with 6.8 fantasy points. With last-minute desperation spot starters, that is enough. But it wasn’t the breakout performance fantasy managers were hoping for as the Bears laid an egg against a bad Ravens defense.
Well, in addition to the Bengals being the easiest matchup for running backs, they allow the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
The runway isn’t as clear with Cole Kmet returning, but we could still see Loveland in the primary tight end role. Maybe this is the week he scores his first touchdown.