More so than any other week this season, fantasy football managers may find themselves scouring the waiver wire on Sunday morning for some last-minute help. Whether it’s Bye-mageddon or surprise 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 players available in more than 50% of Yahoo leagues who can help you this week.
Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets (at CIN)
Rostered: 49%
We are all aware of how incredibly wrong this can go. I get it if you cannot stomach the idea of starting Justin Fields. For what it’s worth, I am spot starting Joe Flacco in a league. I considered Fields. I couldn’t do it. But if there ever were a week, it’s this one.
Fields may be operating with what is literally the worst group of wide receivers to take the field in NFL history. He has no Garrett Wilson. His owner pretty much called him a non-NFL-caliber starting quarterback earlier this week. The vibes are very bad.
With that said, the Cincinnati Bengals allow the fourth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. As abysmal as Fields’ last two outings were, there is absolutely no in-game benching risk this week with Tyrod Taylor injured, and Fields did post there games of 25+ fantasy points in his first four starts.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Washington Commanders (at KC)
Rostered: 11%
Surprisingly, Marcus Mariota isn’t more heavily rostered. He’s already made two starts filling in for an injured Jayden Daniels and recorded 20.3 and 17.2 fantasy points. Last week, Mariota was only called upon for 21 snaps. Yet, he still managed 34 rushing yards.
The matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs is tough, but Mariota brings rushing upside. The negative game script should force him to drop back a ton. He gets both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. back. Mariota is a borderline top-12 option.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons (vs. MIA)
Rostered: 8%
Are we sure Kirk Cousins is cooked? I think he just wasn’t healthy last season. Another year removed from the Achilles tear, Cousins should be able to drive the ball better and move around in the pocket more.
We know Cousins wants to be a starter and still believes he can be one. With reports that if this were a playoff game, Michael Penix Jr. would probably be out there, it stands to reason the sophomore quarterback will only miss one game. This might be Cousins’ only chance to audition for a job in 2026.
The Atlanta Falcons will undoubtedly run the ball as much as they can. It’s going to work. But they can’t only call run plays. Cousins will have his chances against a Miami Dolphins defense that allows the sixth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Cousins is a top-15 option in Week 8.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons (vs. MIA)
Rostered: 43%
Tyler Allgeier is one of those players who might end up as a last-minute scratch requiring a replacement. But if he does play, the Falcons’ backup running back is in a great spot.
The Dolphins allow the fifth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to running backs. Given how last week’s game went, Atlanta is going to want to run the ball as much as possible.
In games the Falcons have experienced positive game script, Allgeier has scored and hit double-digit fantasy points in all of them. He’s been the closer in the fourth quarter with the Falcons in the lead. That should be this week.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
Rostered: 30%
Tyjae Spears has only posted 9.0 and 7.0 fantasy points in each of his past two games. But what he has done is close the gap on Tony Pollard as the clear lead back.
The Tennessee Titans are heavy underdogs in Indianapolis. If they see a negative game script, that typically means more Spears and less Pollard. We know Spears is a talented player. If he can get 8-10 opportunities, that could be enough to be a worthwhile desperation start for fantasy managers.
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Rostered: 15%
The one player Lamar Jackson’s absence might benefit is Justice Hill. At full strength, the Ravens would be expected to see a positive game script in this one. That means more Derrick Henry and less passing.
With Tyler Huntley starting, it would not shock anyone if the Ravens found themselves chasing on the scoreboard as they have in every game without Jackson. That means more Hill, who posted 28.7 fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 4.
Even if Hill only has a repeat of Week 6, when he gave fantasy managers 9.4 fantasy points, many of us would sign for that right now.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons (vs. MIA)
Rostered: 39%
We are spot starting a whole lot of Falcons this week. Darnell Mooney has been a major disappointment this year. Between the injuries and the underperformance, fantasy managers have had enough.
If Drake London doesn’t play, then Mooney is a smash start. But even if London does go, Mooney had a strong rapport with Cousins last season. The Dolphins can’t stop anyone. You can certainly do worse than a good player serving as his team’s top target.
Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos (vs. DAL)
Rostered: 35%
After his apparent breakout in Week 2, I was skeptical that Troy Franklin was worth the FAAB. So far, it looks like I was correct. But that doesn’t mean Franklin can’t be useful in the right situation.
The Cowboys allow the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Trevon Diggs is out. Courtland Sutton is going to do his thing, but Bo Nix may be able to throw to anyone and everyone. Franklin saw 10 targets last week and scored. That’s good enough to warrant a spot start this week.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans (at IND)
Rostered: 26%
Elic Ayomanor has had multiple opportunities to break out in a wide receiver room without competition. Calvin Ridley is hurt. Tyler Lockett has been released. In theory, Cam Ward should hone in on his rookie. It just hasn’t happened.
Nevertheless, it’s another great spot for Ayomanor. He’s the only competent wide receiver on the roster at the moment, and the Colts are a massive pass funnel defense, allowing the third-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Jaylin Noel, WR, Houston Texans (vs. SF)
Rostered: 7%
If you’re chasing a Houston Texans wide receiver, my money is on Jaylin Noel. He out-targeted Jayden Higgins last week and was involved in the offense before his fellow rookie and college teammate.
Noel caught four of seven targets for 77 yards last week. Fantasy managers would be perfectly fine with a repeat.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans (vs. SF)
Rostered: 37%
The Texans are out of pass catchers. Nico Collins is concussed. Christian Kirk can’t shake his hamstring strain. The team seems unwilling to fully commit to unleashing Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Xavier Hutchinson is an unserious X receiver.
Last week, Dalton Schultz caught nine of 10 targets for 98 yards. The matchup isn’t ideal, but the veteran tight end is C.J. Stroud’s most trusted option. He will be featured heavily.
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets (at CIN)
Rostered: 29%
Three weeks ago, Mason Taylor PPR scammed his way to 17.7 fantasy points, catching nine of 12 targets for 67 yards. He hasn’t even gotten to half those numbers in the two games since.
The rookie tight end would be more appealing if Tyrod Taylor were starting. But as much as the Jets don’t want to call pass plays, they may not have a choice as touchdown underdogs against a good Bengals offense.
Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds are out, leaving Fields with Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson, and Arian Smith as his top three receivers. As I mentioned above, you have never seen a WR trio with less talent. Taylor is easily the best pass catcher on the team, and the Bengals allow the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears (at BAL)
Rostered: 22%
This one was much more enticing when we thought Jackson was going to be back. The prospect of the Chicago Bears in a negative game script raised Colston Loveland’s volume floor.
Somehow, the Bears are still slight underdogs in this game, though. The Baltimore Ravens are bottom five against both the pass and the run. The Bears can move the ball however they choose.
When they do throw, the rookie tight end will be in line for an increased role with Cole Kmet out. At the very least, he will be on the field and running routes in a favorable matchup.
