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 wide receivers available in more than 50% of Yahoo leagues who can help you this week.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers (vs. CAR)
Rostered: 28%
It’s surprising to see Christian Watson still available in so many leagues. Fantasy managers are typically more reactionary than that.
Watson returned from a lengthy ACL recovery to post 12.5 fantasy points in his first game back. Given his past history of being a fantasy factor, combined with his higher-than-expected usage in his first game back, Watson sure looked like the exact type of add fantasy managers would make. Apparently not.
That means Watson is probably available for you in a desperation scenario.
This is not exactly the game script we want in a streamer. The Packers are heavy home favorites against the Panthers. This game is unlikely to be close, limiting the need for Jordan Love to throw.
The hope in streaming Watson is that he catches a long one. He did it last week with four receptions for 85 yards. Perhaps his volume increases a bit this week, and he can find the end zone.
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts (at PIT)
Rostered: 26%
If you want the perfect example of a guy who “won’t get you zero,” it’s Alec Pierce. Other than Week 1, when he still caught his lone pass for 36 yards, Pierce has at least 6.8 fantasy points in every other game. When scraping the bottom of the barrel for fantasy points, that plays.
The Steelers are not a defense to be feared. They allow the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Pittsburgh especially struggles at defending the deep ball, as we saw Love exploit multiple times last Sunday night.
Pierce is a deep-ball merchant. All he has to do is break free once, and Daniel Jones has been accurate enough to hit him.
Chimere Dike, WR, Tennessee Titans (vs. LAC)
Rostered: 20%
This has nothing to do with the matchup or even streaming. Why is this kid still available in 80% of leagues?
Chimere Dike is the Titans’ WR1 now. He’s overtaken Elic Ayomanor as Cam Ward’s preferred option. Calvin Ridley remains out.
Dike has posted 16.9 and 16.4 fantasy points in each of his last two games. The team has asked him to do more, and he’s answered the call. There’s no reason to expect anything to change.
The Chargers do present a difficult matchup, but there will be a negative game script and plenty of passing volume. What more can you ask for?