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And just like that, the season of many fantasy owners have ended. For those that remain, you can’t get complacent as you always have to be diligent in churning your roster. Even if you don’t necessarily need help for your lineup, keeping certain players away from your opponent is still important. To help improve your chances, here are some low-rostered players who could make nice additions to your team in this week’s waiver wire suggestions.
QUARTERBACK
Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys (13% owned)
The Cowboys offense slid off the grid once Dak Prescott was lost for the year, and it’s hard to put your faith in the veteran Dalton as he has just as many interceptions this year as he has touchdown passes. That being said, he does have a lot of receiving weapons led by Amari Cooper and rookie CeeDee Lamb. Dalton finished as the no. 13 quarterback in Week 11 against the Vikings, so he has it in him to have a good game. This weekend, he’ll draw a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, so if you’re desperate at quarterback, he does offer a little bit of upside.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (3% owned)
Staying in the NFC East, we have another backup quarterback making the list. Unlike Dalton, where we have some sense of what to expect, the rookie Hurts is a mystery. Starting quarterback Carson Wentz was benched on Sunday, and if the team decides to give the keys to Hurts, it will be curious to see what happens. We certainly don’t recommend plugging him in right away and letting your playoff hopes ride in a tough matchup against the New Orleans Saints, but he might be worth a stash if you have bench space. If he shows promise, he’ll have a much better matchup against Arizona in Week 15 where it would be a battle of former Oklahoma quarterbacks, and those built-in rushing yards can be valuable.
RUNNING BACK
Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions (48% owned)
There is nothing efficient about what what the 35-year-old running back is doing in Detroit, but rest assured, he’s been fantasy relevant for two straight weeks. You can set your watch to it as he’s had almost identical performances in each of the last two games:
- 15 carries, 55 yards, and two touchdowns against the Texans
- 16 carries, 57 yards, and two touchdowns against the Bears
Peterson faces the Green Bay Packers next who allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. If rookie D’Andre Swift continues to miss time, the ageless Peterson makes a favorable running back start.
Ty Johnson, New York Jets (2% owned)
After lead back Frank Gore left Sunday with a concussion, Johnson stepped in and performed well as he rushed for 104 yards on 22 carries, including a touchdown. This weekend, he’ll face the Seahawks defense who are horrible against the pass, but pretty good against the run. The only problem is, the Jets can’t pass the ball, and they’re actually decent running it. Seattle just allowed 135 yards to Wayne Gallman Jr., which is the most rushing yards they’ve allowed to a running back all year. Volume is hard to find at the position, and if Johnson finishes around the 20-touch mark, that has value.
WIDE RECEIVER
Keke Coutee, Houston Texans (27% owned)
The suspension of Texans star receiver Will Fuller is a huge blow for owners as he’s now done for the fantasy season. This should bolster Brandin Cooks’ fantasy value, but also gives relevance to another Houston receiver, Keke Coutee. The third-year receiver hasn’t been much more than a gadget guy in the past and his volume has never warranted ownership, but that all changes now. On Sunday without Fuller in the lineup, Coutee hauled in eight of nine targets for a career-high 141 yards. He did this against a Colts defense that allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and he’ll turn around and see them them again in a couple weeks.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos (21% owned)
The Broncos receiver has had a few solid finishes as he’s hit triple digits in yards three times this season. That included his five-catch, 119-yard performance in Week 11 against a good Dolphins defense. The following week, he was invisible as was every Broncos skill players as they played without a real quarterback, but on Sunday Patrick was back in action. While he didn’t total much yardage, he did find the end zone twice, making him the number seven wide receiver finish for the week.
TIGHT END
Dalton Schulz, Dallas Cowboys (20% owned)
Filling in for the injured Blake Jarwin, Schultz has actually had some solid games this year, finishing inside the top 15 TE’s four times this season. While the Cowboys offense has struggled once Prescott got hurt, Dalton still gets a fair share of targets. He’ll go up against a Bengals defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year.
Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals (1% owned)
Sticking with the same game this weekend, the Bengals tight end Drew Sample could be in line for a solid outing. He’s seen his targets rise in three straight games, and while he hasn’t posted any numbers to write home about yet, that Cowboys defense might offer up his first chance. Dallas struggles in coverage against tight ends, so if you need help at the position, Sample could be a nice spot play.
DEFENSE
San Francisco 49ers (49% owned)
Some gave up on the 49ers defense after they were hit hard with injuries, but they’re gradually getting healthier. Believe it or not, San Francisco has finished inside the top 10 for fantasy defenses five times this season. They will entertain a couple NFC East teams next in Washington (Week 14) and Dallas (Week 15) and both offenses are bottom 10 in scoring.