Records were broken and the Cardinals won a game this past week in the NFL. The Saints are on their bye week, so lots of players are going to hit the waiver wire this upcoming week. Let’s get right to the start ‘em, sit ‘ems, and waiver wire pickups for this week, so you can jump on some newly emerged “free agents”. Point totals are done in normal ESPN PPR scoring format.

Must Start:

Calvin Ridley- Wide Receiver- Atlanta Falcons- Really this week you can not go wrong with any Falcons wideout. They play a Buccaneer secondary that is just woeful, and has allowed the 4th most passing yards in the NFL. Not only that, but the Bucs have allowed the most passing yards per attempt (so go ahead give the green light for Matt Ryan) in the NFL, and are tied for allowing the most passing TDs so far this season with 13. Ridley, I think, will be the top option due to his TD potential, but Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu are also great plays this week.

Dalvin Cook or Latavius Murray- Running Back- Minnesota Vikings- There is not a lot of faith in the Vikings backfield at the moment with Cook constantly week-to-week, and Murray not taking advantage of his carry number. This week I believe it will be different. Cook is projected to finally be back this week which means Murray will need to be benched in your fantasy leagues. If Cook is held out for another week then Murray is a must start. Just keep checking in on these two RBs throughout the week to figure it out. The Vikings play the Cardinals this week which means rushing TDs! The Cardinals have allowed the most rushing TDs in the NFL with eight and have had the most rushing attempts against them with 174 (32 more than the next closest). Cook or Murray will end up with lots of volume, because the Vikings should be up early and that will result in high volume for one of these two RBs.

Josh Gordon- Wide Receiver- New England Patriots- Obviously Tom Brady is a must start this week against the Chiefs defense. Blake Bortles put up 430 passing yards against them last week, and racked up 20 points in a game where he had five turnovers. Yes, five. Brady is obviously an elite play, but now which of his weapons will go off this week as well? My pick is Josh Gordon. Julian Edelman is their WR1, but Gordon has so much more big play potential. The Chiefs have allowed the most passing yards in the NFL by nearly 230, and they lead the league in passing attempts against. The Chiefs have allowed big plays all year to opposing teams, so give me Josh Gordon this week. He could easily get a big play or two along with increased volume, because teams have to pass to stay on pace with the Chiefs offense.

Do not start:

Corey Davis- Wide Receiver- Tennessee Titans- You cannot start Davis confidently with Mariota passing against the Raven pass defense. The Ravens have allowed the lowest average QBR to QBs all year, and have allowed the fewest yards per passing attempt. Mariota is obviously a sit this week (I do not know why you would have him at all), but Davis is a super risky play. Pickup another WR this week or start one from your bench.

Kenyan Drake- Running Back- Miami Dolphins- I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t want any part of this Bear defense. They are the top ranked run defense, and the second ranked pass defense. They have not allowed a rushing TD (only team in the league), and have allowed the lowest amount of rushing yards. Teams are also afraid to run against them, and have the lowest number of rushing attempts against them. Drake simply will not get nearly enough volume, and the volume he will get will not be productive.

LeSean McCoy- Running Back- Buffalo Bills- McCoy finally showed out this past week in the Bills win, and put up 12 points with 24 carries and 2 receptions. Unfortunately he will most likely have a very hard time against this Texan rush defense. Josh Allen is still struggling with the “passing” part of being a QB, so I am still scared of starting McCoy. The Texan rush defense is tied for the second lowest yards per carry allowed in the league, and has only surrendered one rush TD all season. The Texans did a great job holding Zeke to only 2.7 YPC last week. The Bills O-line is nothing near the caliber of the Cowboys, so I do not have a lot of confidence in the Bills run game this week.   

Waiver wire Pickups

Nyheim Hines- Running Back- Indianapolis Colts- Hines is probably one of my favorite waiver wire finds this week in PPR formats. Not only his he getting volume on the ground, but he also has over five receptions in his last three games (5-9-7). He is averaging 22 points in his last two games, and has emerged as a work horse back. Hines has RB2 and low RB1 value at the moment, and seems to be getting more involved each week. Hines is only owned in 45% of ESPN leagues and needs to be added right away.

Keke Coutee- Wide Receiver- Houston Texans- Ignoring the fact he has a fun name to say, Coutee is an elite waiver wire pickup. I watched this kid play Sunday night and he is special. In his first two starts he has has put up 22 and 17 points. He gets tons of targets and even gets rushing attempts, because of of his freaky speed. Coutee has been on the field for 88% of the team’s offensive snaps, and is on his way to take the WR2 role from Will Fuller in the near future. He is only owned in 20% of fantasy leagues, and I have picked him up in all leagues where he is available.

Alfred Morris- Running Back- San Francisco 49ers- Matt Breida may be out for a week or two with an ankle injury which means workhorse volume for Morris. Last week he put up 12 points in a game where he saw 18 carries and 3 receptions. He should keep getting high work loads, and is a solid RB2 or high flex play. He is currently owned in only 45% of leagues, and is a great pick up if Kamara or someone else is on bye for you this week.