The quirky timing of a trade in my 10-team PPR league opened the door for the free agent acquisition of the season. The Rushin’ Bots traded Tevin Coleman to the Mother Lovers for Julian Edelman on Saturday night. As commissioner I processed the trade Sunday morning, meaning that the Rushin’ Bots needed a flex play as they no longer had Coleman to fill that spot. As a Falcons fan, Rushin’ Bots couldn’t pass up free agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley. To make things worse for their opponent, the Rushin’ Bots paired Ridley with Matt Ryan and the duo combined for nearly 90 fantasy points. The rest, as they say, is history. If Ridley is still available in your league make him a top priority on this week’s waiver wire.
Say Hello
Wide Receiver
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta (44% owned, Yahoo!). If you’re a week late on Ridley there still might be time to snag him. His coming out party was one for the ages as he hauled in three touchdowns while catching 7 of 8 targets for 146 yards. He gave us a sneak peek in Week 2 when he caught his first touchdown and now looks like an integral part of this offense. He’s an awesome compliment to Julio Jones, and it’s not a stretch to think Ridley can mirror what JuJu Smith-Schuster has done alongside Antonio Brown. Not to take anything away from his performance, but it did come against a Saints defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers (58.8) this season. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Ridley hit a top speed of 20.9 mph on his 75-yard touchdown reception and was one of the fastest ball carriers of the week. He’s a burner, as evidenced by his 1.86 yards of target separation per PlayerProfiler.com. Consider Ridley a WR3/flex with serious upside.
Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati (16% owned, Yahoo!). Boyd continued his hot start to the year, finishing in the top five in fantasy at his position with 25-plus PPR points in Week 3. He’s seen 21 targets to 25 for A.J. Green (a 20.3% overall share), and Boyd’s 53 PPR points are only six shy of Green’s total (59). With Green banged up (groin), Boyd will look to build on his big performance (6-132-1) and should continue to see consistent usage as the team’s second option in the pass attack.
Running Back
Javorius Allen, Baltimore (26% owned, Yahoo!). Allen’s name is the last thing Alex Collins owners want to see, but he’s not going anywhere. The Ravens again fed him at the goal line and he scored a rushing and a receiving touchdown against Denver. And he’ll keep getting work despite his putrid yards per carry average (2.0) because Baltimore prefers a committee approach. His receiving chops (13 of 17 for 70 yards) make him a higher priority in PPR formats. Don’t despair Collins owners: Sunday’s game proved both backs can be fantasy relevant as both finished inside the top-15 in fantasy points at their position. It’s like the 1-2 punch of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, just on a much smaller scale.
Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia (1% owned, Yahoo!). We were all so high on Corey Clement we forgot how effective Smallwood can be. With Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles sidelined, it was Smallwood who shined for the Eagles with 91 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown. He added three receptions for 35 yards and rewarded the few who started him with 18 PPR points. His role is volatile going forward with many potential mouths to feed in Philly, but if he can stay healthy he’ll be in line for enough touches to stay fantasy relevant.
Chris Ivory, Buffalo (6% owned, Yahoo!). Ivory didn’t exactly light the world on fire against the Vikings, but he saw plenty of volume while filling in for the injured LeSean McCoy. His 2.8 yards per carry average doesn’t inspire confidence, but the 20 rush attempts are the kind of volume he’ll need to produce. Ivory did more damage through the air with 70 yards on three catches, but he isn’t really known as a pass-catching back. He’s worth a flyer in what might be a rejuvenated Bills offense with Josh Allen under center, especially considering McCoy’s injury history and legal troubles.
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland (12% owned, Yahoo!). Don’t forget about Mayfield’s rescue act during Thursday Night Football. With a terrible Tyrod Taylor sidelined by a concussion, Mayfield delivered a comeback the likes of which Cleveland hasn’t seen in, well, forever. His passes were accurate and had zip, and he displayed plenty of rapport with Jarvis Landry. This is a completely different and better offense with Mayfield under center. All the Browns skill players get an upgrade (hello Carlos Hyde!). Mayfield was named the starter on Monday – so Hue Jackson can keep his job – and immediately enters the conversation as a fantasy starter.
Josh Allen, Buffalo (3% owned, Yahoo!). He proved he could live up to his draft status with an eye-opening performance against Minnesota. Allen threw for 196 yards and a touchdown, and added 10 rushes for 39 yards and two touchdowns. That makes him the current QB4 (27-plus fantasy points) for Week 3. Allen is more of an add in extremely deep or super-flex leagues, but his potential is hard to ignore. Consider that Allen’s breakout came against one of the league’s best defenses and it’s even more impressive. The Bills are still a dumpster fire and there will be growing pains for Allen. But if he keeps producing with his legs he’ll raise his floor to a safer, and perhaps playable, level.
Tight End
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia (2% owned, Yahoo!). The Eagles welcomed back Carson Wentz and Goedert was the biggest beneficiary, hauling in all seven of his targets for 73 yards and a touchdown. He’s TE1 heading into Monday night’s matchup. Take his big day with a grain of salt, as Goedert was benched in Week 2 and only saw three targets the week before. But that was with Nick Foles starting, not Wentz. There is room for two fantasy tight ends in Philly, as evidenced by Zach Ertz’s day (5-73). Both guys finished inside the top 10 in fantasy points at their position. Ertz is still the Eagles tight end to own, but we’ll have to make room for Goedert, too.
Waive Goodbye
Wide Receiver
Robby Anderson, New York Jets. Quincy Enunwa is Sam Darnold’s favorite target and Anderson is disappearing in this offense. He has fumbled and failed to top 30 receiving yards in each of his last two games. I’m no longer willing to bank on his big-play ability on a weekly basis.
Running Back
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis. Mack is hurt (hamstring, foot) and this backfield is the biggest nightmare in fantasy football. He doesn’t have a clear path to dominating playing time even if he gets healthy. Avoid at all costs.
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco. Just when I learned how to spell his name, Jimmy G is gone with the wind. He suffered what looks to be a torn ACL and is most likely done for the season. Backup C.J. Beathard will now get his chance to ruin the fantasy value of Marquise Goodwin, George Kittle, etc.
Tight End
The position is simply not deep enough to drop someone who may end up as a fantasy starter. Evan Engran has a strained MCL but is considered week-to-week and shouldn’t be dropped. If you really need to drop someone I’d consider parting ways with Antonio Gates or Jake Butt.
