What is up FAm? Glad to be jumping into the NFL content scene for the season doing the Thursday late waiver article! Hope you guys enjoy. If you have questions, can always find me on Twitter @Smitchell17! I am usually also in the live chat daily for both season-long and DFS NFL, so let’s chat there also.

Quarterback

Most of the waiver wire was hit hard in the QB spot for both Danny “Dimes” Jones and Kyle Allen after they both showed small-sample promise last week in their respective starts for the Giants and Panthers, but if you missed out, here are a couple you can still look to add/stash if need be:

1.) Gardner Minshew II  (13% (+5) Yahoo - 12% (+8.4) ESPN): Buzz has been there for Minshew, although the fantasy-production is not the leading component. The Uncle Rico-stunt double has been quite serviceable for the Jags in his first three games since the Foles injury. He is still less than 15% owned in both Yahoo and ESPN leagues, so this tells me that he’s still pretty much available throughout.  Claiming 18 or more fantasy points, and throwing for at least 200 yards, and 1one TD in each of the three, while adding 11 rush attempts eclipsing 90 yards on the ground as well over that span makes Minshew a decent look/add. The road trip to altitude likely will not be the easiest task, however DEN is a beatable DEF, as they rank 23rd in DEF DVOA, 26th in PASS DEF (despite shut-down CB Chris Harris ), and 20th in RUSH DEF over their first three games. Take this as you wish.

2.) Case Keenum (15% (-1) Yahoo – 11.9% (+7) ESPN): We all saw what a dreadful game Keenum had on Monday night --- against the top-three defense of the Chicago Bears. It does hurt me to write him in here, however, with most jumping ship on him and allowing him to be on all my league waivers, I am pretty sure it is likely he is on yours also. Keenum has an elite match-up with the New York Giants defense this week, who rank next to last in DEF EFF, 31st in PASS DEF. Keenum has already shown his ability to throw the ball, did it all through college, has thrown for three, two, two TDs in all three games, and has topped 300 passing yards in two-of-three as well. Gruden has spoken on NOT making any QB changes now, and believes Keenum is still the starting QB for a good minute for the Skins. Besides, they do have an unpolished Dwayne Haskins, and veteran journeyman in Colt McCoy to play besides Keenum. He’s a safe add if you need to play a QB, not to mention the match-up with NYG D. (ATTN: WATCH THE FOOT INJURY ???? HASKINS IS THERE ALSO, GREAT MATCH-UP VS THIS D!!)

Running Back

With the injury to Saquan Barkley, everyone eagerly ran to the wire to put in bids for Wayne Gallman , and for good reason, he seems to be clear-cut replacement and starting RB for the Giants as of now. Other than Gallman, Darrel Williams also received a ton of adds as Damien Williams looks to maybe sit out another game (did not practice WED). So, who might you have overlooked?

1.) Alexander Mattison (22% (+2) Yahoo – 15.1% (+1.9) ESPN: Mattison (who has mostly been owned due to a cuff of Cook) was gifted 12 carries in the blow-out win over the Raiders on Sunday, tallying up 58 yards and a trip to pay-dirt good for 11.80 FPs. Mattison has now seen nine, four and 12 carries in the Vikes first three games spelling stud starting RB Dalvin Cook . The matc- up for this week is not an easy one for the run game, as the Vikes travel to Chicago to take on the stingy Bears D, However, in Week 5 they get to play the 24th ranked Run D of the Giants. Mattison could potentially get another decent amount of carries with potential of another TD in Week 5. So, with that said, in deeper leagues or if you have an extra roster spot, Mattison is worth an add.

2.) Jamaal Williams (15% (+6) Yahoo – 23.4% (+13.4) ESPN): I was lucky enough to swipe up Williams after not being able to nab Wayne Gallman (Barkley owner, pissed about it). Either way, you must respect that fact that Jamaal is not going anywhere, and LaFleur is going to give him work in the split-carry role with Aaron Jones . Williams has seen his carries go up over the first three weeks in quite the nice fashion, logging only five in Week 1, then nine in Week 2, and finally 12 last week. Not to mention his eight targets leading to seven receptions and 55 yards. If you are in a deep league, or if you were like me and couldn’t get your guy, you were likely looking for either a plug, or depth, so Jamaal can be both of those, however, he doesn’t get the best match-up against a Philly D that has ranked fourth against the RUSH so far.

3.) Jay Ajayi (3% (+3) Yahoo): I could have went Gus Edwards here and I believe the outcome could futuristically still be the same for both, however, Ajayi was just cleared for full contact after suffering a knee injury last year, causing him to be a FA. Now, the Giants also worked out Ajayi along with a few other guys for their back-up spot behind Wayne Gallman . This could easily just be a stash spot for now to wait and hold and see if he is signed, that could maybe turn into more. This is ONLY if you are in deeper leagues and have extra roster sports for stashes. Other than that, you have pretty much missed the ship on most of the “decent” available RBs this week.

Wide Receiver

1.) Paul Richardson Jr. (6% (+5) Yahoo – 15.8% (+1.4) ESPN): Richardson Jr. is still on my waiver on Thursday, which means that either many folks don’t need another WR, or they haven’t taken the time to see what he’s done over the first three games of the season. Well, I will do that for you. He has seen 19 targets, leading to 15 receptions for 135 yards and two TDs. I know, not massive numbers per say, however it has resulted in 7.6, 10.6, and 22.30 FPs, and we know as long as the Skins are playing from behind, and now teams should be keying in on newly rising start, Scary Terry McLaurin , this leaves much to be desired for Richardson Jr. here. He is worth a flier if you have the need.

2.) Preston Williams (5% (+2) Yahoo – 4.2% (+1.5) ESPN): This could be the start of a beautiful thing down in Miami for the stud, rookie WR out of Colorado State. With the change of the signal-caller by the Dolphins last week to Josh Rosen , even though this was still widely an event of the Dolphins getting down quite a bit late in the game, this is still very promising for fantasy. Williams saw a major up-tick in targets at 12 this past Sunday, but don’t discount that fact that he now has 23 targets over his first three games, and the first two were with Fitz mostly. Williams has still be very productive as his FP production has accrued to be 11.40 in Week 1, 10.30 in Week 2, and 10.80 in Week 3. The issue lies in that he has not gotten in the box yet, but I wouldn’t be too worried about that as we know Rosen is going to throw it around when Dolphins are trailing (which they should be, a lot).

3.) Dante Pettis (22% (-2) Yahoo – 33.6% (-14.3) ESPN): Pettis was a preseason darling, and many thought once the Niners depth chart came out, with Pettis as the number one WR, he was the guy to have in SF. Obviously, we were all punked when Pettis played 2 snaps in their first game. Followed by a bit more in the second game, and a bit more in the third game, but in that third game against the Steelers, Pettis managed to receive five targets, catching four of those balls for 20 yards and a TD. Of course, the big factor here being the TD. Either way, he got Red Zone looks and in fantasy that is something you have to not overlook. Is it a big sign that Pettis is getting more involved? Maybe. Do I think he is worth a stash? Yes.

Tight End

1.) Jordan Akins (5% (+5) Yahoo – 5.4% (+5.1) ESPN): Seemed that Akins became one of Deshaun Watson ’s favorite targets in their clash with the LAC this past Sunday. It was a result of a big day for the second year TE of UCF. Akins was thrown at five times, catching three of those balls for 73 total yards and two trips to pay-dirt. We all know this type of production will not be sustained, however, HE is the clear TE for this Texans team. If you are hurting at the TE spot and need a quick plug-and-play, although to tilt with the Panthers this week isn’t the best of match ups, Akins is available.

2.) Noah Fant (10% (-1) Yahoo -- 9% (-2.2) ESPN): Fant has not been the productive TE that we would think that Flacco would love to have, and share his football with so far this season, but let’s not count him out just yet. Fant isn’t going to be the TE studs you have already in place, however he is fine for a weekly bye if only available TE, or injury, etc. Fant has still see 11 targets over first three games, however he has a very high catch rate while catching all but two of those targets. The yardage has been decent, and for typical TE is it moderate, as he has 29, 33, and 37, in those three as well. Again, this is not a major play, but he's worth monitoring as he is widely available still in both Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Defense/Special Teams

1.) New York Giants – Yes, I am clearly aware that the Giants D has been a monstrosity up until this point, but if you believe in confidence, then they could absolutely be a plug-and-play this week. What do I mean by confidence? Well, Danny Dimes lead the Giants back from an 18-point deficit last Sunday to beat the TB Bucs. An amazing feat? Not a chance, however when you get a team win like this behind a rookie QB, the moral of the team is bound to go UP. SO, with this said, and the fact that they are playing an even worse team than themselves in the WAS Redskins, if you NEED a D/ST to play this week and haven’t managed to grab one yet, NYG are there.

2.) Atlanta Falcons –The Falcons also welcome in a particularly bad team into their home stadium as well this weekend in the Tenn Titans. The Falcons D/ST has not been that great fantasy-wise for their first three games, however, only one of those three games have been in the Georgia Dome. Guess how many FPs they accrued in that game? 10. Guess how many they accrued in the two others that were road games….ZERO and one FP, for a combined one FP in two road games. Again, you see the difference here when they play at home, and they are playing a very marginal offense led by a very marginal QB in Mariota. They are a fine plug this week if need be.