Welcome back to another addition of The Wire.
Both the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a bye in this sixth week of NFL action. Meaning Fantasy owners will likely be in need of replacements for players such as Jameis Winston (QB/TB), Mike Williams (WR/TB), Stefon Diggs (WR/MIN), and Kyle Rudolph (TE/MIN).
If you missed out on Pittsburgh Steelers wide-out Sammie Coates this week (or last week), The Wire has 10 more waiver wonders for hire.
This week’s wire features three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two tight ends, a running back, a defense, and a kicker.
The Wire:
Cameron Meredith (Chicago Bears WR 42 Percent Owned)
Meredith became Fantasy relevant effective this past Sunday at Indianapolis. He torched the Colts secondary for 130 yards on nine catches and a score. The 42 percent owned tag above is modest, as half of you reading this likely missed out on arguably THE top waiver wire add of the week.
However, IF Meredith is still out there staring you in the face stop reading this and pick him up now. The second year Illinois native has 15 receptions for 182 yards and a TD so far this year. With Kevin White on the Bears IR until further notice, Meredith should settle in as the WR2 in Chicago (with Eddie Royal working out of the slot).
Granted, this is one performance against an unimpressive defense. And his Fantasy success hinges on how good Brian Hoyer is from week to week. But Meredith is still a must-add in all formats (especially PPR) and has a WR3 floor with a WR2 ceiling.
Quincy Enunwa (New York Jets WR 47 Percent Owned)
Enunwa is another wide receiver who is benefitting from a regular starters injury. The New York Jets made the decision this week to place Eric Decker on IR as the veteran may need surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
With Decker out Enunwa becomes Ryan Fitzpatrick’s number two target on Sunday’s. Averaging nearly six catches and 60 yards a game, Enunwa is more valuable in PPR leagues (averaging 12 fantasy points per game) than standard leagues (only averaging six FPPG).
His matchup against the Arizona Cardinals defense on Monday Night Football isn’t ideal, but Enunwa needs to be added in all formats. He makes for a reliable flex play in standard formats and has WR2 potential in PPR.
Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens QB 31 Percent Owned)
If you’re looking for a streaming option at QB this weekend, look no further than Flacco. Despite going up against a New York Giants defense that has only allowed an average of 14FPPG to opposing QB’s, Flacco is projected to score 19 fantasy points.
Flacco threw for just his fifth passing touchdown of the season last week (an average of one passing TD per week so far), but should be able to find targets in the red-zone multiple times against a banged up Giants secondary.
The difference maker in this contest will be whether the Ravens O-line can keep the G-Men’s front seven in check. Flacco should be good for 250 yards passing for two TD’s this Sunday (16 fantasy points) and is worth your consideration.
Trevor Siemian (Denver Broncos QB 13 Percent Owned)
It was reported earlier today by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Siemian will start tonight against a shaky San Diego Chargers secondary. Siemian was recovering from a non throwing shoulder injury which occurred against the Buc’s in week four.
You still have a few hours, if he’s still available plug and play him tonight with confidence. Siemian has had 10 days of rest and before being sidelined blew up against the Cincinnati Bengals for 312 passing yards and four TD’s in week 3.
Projected to score 19 fantasy points, Siemian is a solid streaming option that could start your week off in a big way.
Brice Butler (Dallas Cowboys WR 13 Percent Owned)
Butler broke loose against the San Francisco 49ers in week four with five catches for 41 yards and a score, but only had two receptions for 20 yards in week five against the Bengals.
This may look like his week four performance was a fluke, however, when you consider Ezekiel Elliot’s two TD 134 rushing yard performance plus a Dak Prescott rushing TD, the passing game wasn’t a necessity against Cincinnati.
Still the beneficiary of Dez Bryant’s absence due to injury, Butler has a juicy matchup this week against a Green Bay Packers defense that ranks third in most FPPG for opposing WR’s (25FPPG). At 13 percent owned he should be available in most leagues and makes for a high upside flex or streaming option this week.
Devontae Booker (Denver Broncos RB 26 Percent Owned)
With the Broncos playing in just a few hours, Booker isn’t on the add him quickly list like teammate Trevor Siemian. However, Booker has been eating away at current starter C.J. Anderson’s carries and is worth adding in deeper 12-14 team leagues in all formats.
Booker saw six carries for 23 yards and caught four passes for 36 yards totaling 59 yards and only held the rock four times less than Anderson. While 59 yards isn’t anything to write home about, but the fact that Booker is beginning to share the backfield with Anderson makes him Fantasy relevant.
Booker is worth a spot on your roster.
Charles Clay (Buffalo Bills TE 17 Percent Owned)
Admittedly Clay is not an Elite TE1 streaming option this week for Fantasy owners. But the veteran can offer you TE2 numbers this weekend in a favorable matchup against a lack luster 49ers defense.
Clay managed 73 receiving yards on five receptions last week against the Los Angeles Rams while dealing with a knee injury and could find the end-zone for his first TD of the year this Sunday. With Sammy Watkins on IR and only Robert Woods edging him for targets from Tyrod Taylor, Clay could easily turn in a 5-60-1 performance.
In short, you could do worse than Clay at TE if you’re streaming this week.
Ladarius Green (Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eight Percent Owned)
Originally thought to be suffering from potentially career ending concussion like symptoms, Green (also recovering from ankle surgery) could return to action in week seven (per Rotoworld.com).
Adding him now won’t help your team in week six, but should Green comeback in a big way in week seven you can already have him on your bench and in your week eight lineup.
Sometimes Fantasy is like chess, you should be thinking four or five moves ahead of your opponent(s).
Nick Folk (New York Jets K 34 Percent Owned)
There might be a few kickers projected to score a point or two more than Folk available on your waiver wire. But Folk has the best chance to “actually” score 10 or more fantasy points this week. Going up against the Cardinals defense, Folk should see more than a few opportunities on MNF.
If you’re a Blair Walsh or Roberto Aguayo owner, Folk can get the job done.
Tennessee Titans D/ST (Opponent Cleveland Browns/ 50 Percent Owned)
At 50 percent owned the Titans technically don’t meet the typical 49 percent or less mark to qualify for The Wire. But there’s no need to let one percent get in the way of recommending this unit to you the Fantasy owner.
With a dream matchup against a Browns offense whose quarterback situation worsens by the minute, stream the Tennessee defense with full confidence and enjoy the 10 or more points they score.
Honorable Mention: Dion Lewis (RB New England Patriots), Colin Kaepernick (QB San Francisco 49ers), Wendell Smallwood (RB Philadelphia Eagles), Cairo Santos (K Kansas City Chiefs), Chicago Bears D/ST (Opponent Jacksonville Jaguars).
(All player profiles are courtesy of NFL.com)
Final Thoughts:
As we inch closer to the half-way mark of the season, each waiver wire add becomes increasingly important. One right, or wrong, move could be the difference between your team getting that final win to make the post-season, or that final loss to end your Fantasy season.
Keep tuning into The Wire each week for all your replacement and redemption needs. Until next time, happy adding and good luck.