Nearing the halfway point of the 2023 season, the fantasy football campaign rages on. Regardless of whether managers are leading in the standings or playing spoiler, the waiver wire continues to be a vital asset as we enter the second half of the season.
With the first bye-pocalypse behind us (Week 13 is the second part of that), there won’t be any teams on a bye in Week 8, and six teams will be returning to the mix after getting the week off.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Priority Free Agents
1. RB Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
It isn’t clear how severe the ankle injury if for Jerome Ford, but Hunt should be added regardless. He found the end zone for the second week in a row and likely would be the starter if Ford misses time. Even if Ford is able to return this week, Hunt is still a solid flex play to keep in the rotation.
Availability: 36%
FAAB: 25%
2. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Though the rookie has been running as the No. 3 wideout in terms of snaps and routes run this season, he’s been one of the most productive players on the Colts offense. Downs led the way with a 5-125-1 receiving line on a team-high six targets and has now reached double-digit fantasy points in each of his last three games.
Availability: 64%
FAAB: 20%
3. WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
With Justin Watson out, the ascending rookie finally saw an uptick in snaps and routes run. He ran the second-most routes and saw the most targets among Chiefs wide receivers in Week 7, posting a 5-60-1 receiving line. Rice has a very favorable schedule coming up, so he’s a flex play with upside if his role continues to grow.
Availability: 55%
FAAB: 20%
4. QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
I wasn’t sure where to put Murray on this list, but he’s available in enough leagues to warrant a mention. Murray should return within the next two weeks after his practice window was opened. Those who have a need at the position and an injured reserve slot can spend a little more. It may take a few games to get back into form, but Murray should be a fringe QB1 when he returns.
Availability: 58%
FAAB: 20%
5. WR Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
He’s probably already rostered, but Palmer is a flex play moving forward. Palmer has posted at least a 15% target share and 60 receiving yards in each of the last four games. He’s clearly a favorite target of Justin Herbert and should be added for those in need of some depth.
Availability: 41%
FAAB: 15%
6. RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
He’s probably already rostered, but Warren found the end zone for the first time this season. His role decreased a bit coming out of the bye week, seeing fewer snaps, routes run, targets and carries than Najee Harris so Warren is still considered the 1b in this backfield.
Availability: 30%
FAAB: 15%
7. WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
There’s a chance Christian Watson misses time due to a knee injury he suffered late in the game against the Denver Broncos, so that will be something to monitor. Even though he’s streaky, we’ve seen Doubs perform as a WR3 with upside when Watson isn’t there.
Availability: 65%
FAAB: 15%
8. RBs Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman, Los Angeles Rams
We’re going to lump both of these backs together because it’s a clear split in the backfield with Kyren Williams on the injured reserve list. Henderson saw slightly more work posting an 18-61-1 rushing line while Freeman was more efficient, recording 66 rushing yards on 12 carries without seeing a target. Both players are RB3/flex options in the right matchup, but we should expect an even split moving forward, which limits each other’s ceilings. Henderson might have more potential to gain ground since he is still ramping up after not playing since last November.
Availability: Henderson (75%), Freeman (72%)
FAAB: 10% each
9. RB Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
We’ve seen this song and dance before when it comes to the Ravens backfield. Edwards looked solid, though, against a stout Detroit Lions defense, and he’s averaged 14.6 opportunities per game over the last five games. He’s a flex option on a high-end offense. Just be prepared for Justice Hill to randomly see more work at an unpredictable time.
Availability: 35%
FAAB: 10%
10. RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
The rookie back will be coming out of the bye week as a fringe flex option for those in need of running back depth. He’s still the 1b to Derrick Henry, and his role truly only expands in negative game scripts. However, Spears has proven to possess some standalone flex value, and his value would skyrocket with an injury to Henry.
Availability: 58%
FAAB: 10%
Grab-n-Stash
RB Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals
Another backfield that has become difficult to predict, Demercado led the way with 13 carries for 58 rushing yards while adding four receptions on five targets in Week 7. He completely dominated the backfield touches one week after seeing just three total opportunities. He should be added, but let’s not go crazy as backfield could change every week.
Availability: 85%
FAAB: 5%
RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Just before the Week 7 bye, Hubbard drew the spot start due to a Miles Sanders injury. That led to an RB7 finish where Hubbard posted a 19-88-1 rushing line. It’s not clear whether Sanders will return this week, but Hubbard should be stashed regardless, considering his upside as a potential fill-in starter.
Availability: 43%
FAAB: 5%
RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
The rookie has missed the last two weeks due to a concussion so we shouldn’t go all-in for him. However, Khalil Herbert is still on the injured reserve list for two more games so if Johnson returns this week, he will have a chance to prove he deserves an expanded role even when the former returns.
Availability: 51%
FAAB: 5%
WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Piggybacking off the Christian Watson news, Reed’s role is directly impacted by the former’s presence. If Watson misses time, Reed becomes a matchup-based flex option.
Availability: 80%
FAAB: 3%
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
It was fun to finally see a breakout performance for the highly touted rookie. His production coincides directly with DK Metcalf being inactive, but he proved he deserves a bigger role.
Availability: 41%
FAAB: 5%
RB Devin Singletary, Houston Texans
Before entering the Week 7 bye, Singletary saw a significant increase in workload. He shouldn’t be started in most leagues just yet, but he’s worthy of a stash in the event he takes over the backfield from the struggling Dameon Pierce.
Availability: 86%
FAAB: 3%
RB Pierre Strong, Cleveland Browns
Strong could be stashed in deeper leagues if Jerome Ford winds up missing time due to an ankle injury. If the injury isn’t serious, Strong can likely be left on the waiver wire.
Availability: 99%
FAAB: 1%
TE Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Kincaid led the Bills with eight receptions for 75 yards on eight targets, which was nice to see. He ran more routes than Dawson Knox so maybe his role is beginning to increase.
Availability: 58%
FAAB: 3%
Streamers of the Week
QB Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts: Though he has just one game with multiple touchdown passes, he’s gone over 300 passing yards in each of the last two games. Indy has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.
Availability: 65%
QB Mac Jones, New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: Trusting Jones is far from the easiest thing to do, but he’s one of the better options in a matchup that could be high-scoring. The Dolphins have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game as well.
Availability: 92%
TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams: Coming out of the bye week, Ferguson takes on a Rams defense allowing the eighth-most PPR points per game to opposing tight ends.
Availability: 54%
TE Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts: We have to acknowledge that Hill has posted a double-digit target share in each of the last two games, and the Colts have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to tight ends this season.
Availability: 91%
New York Jets D/ST at New York Giants: An away game at home for the Jets, this matchup has the lowest betting total of the week, and the Giants offense has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses.
Availability: 41%
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST vs. Chicago Bears: The Chargers defense hasn’t been all that inspiring, but the Bears are still one of the most advantageous matchups for opposing defense, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game.
Availability: 93%
PK Dustin Hopkins, Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks: Hopkins has been rolling lately with four double-digit fantasy point outings in six games. We’ll stay in the flames with this one.
Availability: 83%
PK Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams: The rookie is a solid option this week kicking inside against the Rams, who have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to kickers.
Availability: 76%
