- Your last chance to add Jonah Coleman: The Denver Broncos rookie led his backfield in snaps and carries in Week 7 despite not being 100%, and the Broncos have a good schedule for the running back going forward.
- Sam Darnold is a sneaky option at quarterback: Darnold survived a tough stretch of the Seahawks’ schedule. Now he faces teams where he can dominate.
Every player below — and more — is in the new PFF Waiver Wire Toolmaking this article’s review tailored to your league a waiver-wire recommendation.
If you sync your Sleeper, Yahoo! or ESPN league, any players already on the roster will be removed from the player pool, so you’ll only see players you can actually add. If you haven’t synced your league yet, you can filter by roster percentage to cut out players who still won’t sit on your wire.
From there, you can narrow down by position, matchup or PFF Tag like Great Matchup, Season-long and Handcuffs. Click on any player to read the analysis below, including matchup data, recent stats and a look at his upcoming schedule.
Synced leagues also get the Waiver Cheat Sheet, which puts your roster next to everyone available in weekly or rest-of-season order. If a player in the yellow rank is higher than someone you planned to start, that’s your move. The tool refreshes early every Monday and updates throughout the week as players catch up and injuries create new options. Try it now!
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quarterback
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (Listed in 31.0% of ESPN leagues)
Darnold had just one strong fantasy performance this season, but he also faces a tough opponent. Over the past four weeks, he has played with the Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, all of whom are among the top 12 teams in giving up fantasy points to quarterbacks. His only favorable game came in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders, when he scored 25.7 fantasy points.
Darnold tops this list because the Seahawks have the most favorable upcoming schedule for quarterbacks. Their next three games are against the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, all of whom are in the top 10 teams allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Seattle has its bye week, followed by a matchup against the 49ers that fantasy managers should avoid. After that, the Seahawks will face the other three NFC East teams that also rank among the 10 teams that allow the most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Darnold’s schedule is about to get easier, which should lead to more significant fantasy production. While it’s fair to consider other quarterbacks who have played better recently and have favorable matchups this week, Darnold is the best option for anyone looking for more than a one-week rental.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (19.8%)
Only a handful of available quarterbacks averaged at least 15 fantasy points per game this season. Most faced top-10 defenses this week, but Brissett was one of the notable exceptions.
Brissett has scored at least 16 fantasy points in more than half of his games. He has generally faced a difficult schedule, with only two favorable matches in his first seven games. He averaged 19.9 fantasy points in those favorable matchups, and this week he faces the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points among quarterbacks this season.
While Brissett may not be ranked among the top 12 quarterbacks this coming week, he should be a top streaming option for fantasy managers in need of a starter. The Cardinals will likely turn to Carson Beck in the next month or two, making Brissett an unlikely long-term fantasy option.
Geno Smith, New York Jets (13.0%)
Smith has a healthy receiving corps for the first time this season, with Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. playing together for the first time since the opening snaps of Week 1. He took advantage of the matchup against Miami, completing 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith has scored fewer than 16 fantasy points in five of his seven games, but he took advantage of favorable matchups against Miami this week and the Detroit Lions in Week 3.
Fortunately, Smith has another favorable matchup next week against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points among quarterbacks this season. That includes Matthew Stafford’s three-touchdown performance on Sunday.
Smith may not be ranked among the top 12 quarterbacks this week, but he should be one of the best available options for fantasy managers needing a bye-week replacement.
JJ McCarthy, New York Giants (21.5%)
McCarthy was named New York’s starter, and reports Sunday suggested he is expected to remain the Giants’ quarterback for the remainder of the season.
He played well in his first start despite facing the Houston Texans’ defense, completing 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards. New York scored four rushing touchdowns, leaving McCarthy without a passing touchdown, but he should have more opportunities to score in the future.
The Giants’ bye week is coming up, so McCarthy is not an option for fantasy managers who need an immediate replacement. However, after the bye, New York will face the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, two of the most favorable matchups for quarterbacks this season.
McCarthy will also face the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys in the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs, giving him two more favorable matchups.
The Giants have the best fantasy playoff schedule among quarterbacks available on the waiver wire. Fantasy managers planning ahead should prioritize McCarthy over some of the other available options.