Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 7: Andre Holmes, However Improbable, Must Be the Truth

Andre Holmes had two touchdowns last week against the Chargers. Perhaps you missed it. It’s easy to see one-hit wonders in the NFL (remember Allen Hurns from the first quarter of week 1?), but there are several reasons to take a chance on Holmes. The undrafted free agent who was buried on Dallas’ roster for two years before catching 25 passes last season has broken out over the last two games, anonymously sandwiched around a bye week after a trip to London. He has done so while catching passes from both Matt McGloin and Derek Carr.

The Raiders don’t exactly have an established go-to receiver, as he is battling James Jones, Rod Streater, and theoretically, Denarius Moore for opportunities. After not getting any looks in week 1 and a handful in the following two games, Holmes has been targeted 20 times in the last two games, producing 9 catches, 195 yards and 3 touchdowns. He will be boom or bust, but this is a good week to play him, as Arizona has been giving up big plays in the secondary.

Also, don’t forget about the weekly fantasy game at Fantasy Score, where you can use the code TBL50 to get a 50% match on your deposit. Every Thursday going forward, I will be posting my weekly picks using the salary cap numbers. Last week’s entry–despite the struggles of Eli Manning, still finished in the top 15% of all contests entered thanks to huge games from Mohamed Sanu, Branden Oliver, and Matt Forte.

Here are the rest of the waiver wire suggestions.

QUARTERBACK

Shallow: Carson Palmer (61%) going against those same Raiders is as good a matchup as you will find on the waiver wire.

Average: none

Deep: Two options here. The first is Brian Hoyer (22%) going against a terrible Jacksonville defense. The other is to ride the rookie Derek Carr (8%) coming off a 4 touchdown game and playing Arizona.

RUNNING BACK

Shallow: Jerick McKinnon (58%) got the start last week. He didn’t put up big numbers in a tough matchup against Detroit. He has another difficult draw this week against Buffalo, but if you can have patience, the rushing schedule opens up starting in week 8.

Antone Smith (52%) continues to score big touchdowns, and you just wonder when he will get a bigger workload. Darren McFadden (66%) has looked better than Maurice Jones-Drew and should be a flex option going forward.

Average: Bernard Pierce (50%) is your matchup flex start this week, going against Atlanta. The Falcons are, by far, giving up the most points to running backs. It continued last week with Forte. Even if Pierce gets 40% of the touches, he will be worth playing.

Speaking of matchup plays, Isaiah Crowell (34%) and not Terrance West got the action strongehind Ben Tate, and did not fail to impress again. This week, against Jacksonville, he is again a flex option.

Storm Johnson (45%) didn’t have a big game in place of Toby Gerhart, but will likely get more opportunities, and this week’s matchup against Cleveland is favorable enough to make him a top 30 RB option.

Deep: Brandon Bolden (8%) will get an opportunity with Stevan Ridley out for the year. The offensive line in New England is starting to play better. If you can stomach picking up a Patriots’ back, he will be an up-and-down flex option for the rest of the year.

Also, with the news about Joseph Randle’s underwear and cologne thievery, bump up Lance Dunbar (16%) in your handcuff/lottery ticket selections.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow: Odell Beckham, Jr. (55%) does not have a great matchup against the Cowboys this week (who would have thought we would say that?) but with Victor Cruz’ injury should be a top 36 weekly candidate going forward.

Average: Cecil Shorts (35%) has been slowed by injuries, but had a whopping 16 targets (!) last week from Blake Bortles in finally putting up a 100 yard game. Time to get back on board. Allen Robinson (39%) has also emerged as the other clear option in Jacksonville among the receivers, again getting double digit targets. The Jaguars will be playing from behind . . .

Justin Hunter (45%) has been slowed by the horrific QB situation but has a good matchup this week against Washington, and is capable of big plays if you need an upside gamble.

Deep: We’ve already talked about Andre Holmes, owned in only 9% of leagues but likely to change this week. If you are a bargain shopper, Davante Adams (10%) has emerged as the third option in the Packers’ passing attack, and is an injury away from being a top 12 start.

Brandon LaFell (18%) had another big game for New England and gets to go against the Jets’ secondary on a short week.

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow: Timothy Wright (53%) was a factor in the New England passing resurgence for the second week in a row. J-E-T-S.

Average: Charles Clay (38%) and Jared Cook (37%) are your options. Did you know that Cook is 3rd in targets among tight ends? The problem is that he is inconsistent and drops the ball, but this week against Seattle he should be a big part of the game plan.

Deep: Josh Hill (0%) could be your sneaky play of the week, with Jimmy Graham out in New Orleans. Clay Harbor (12%) has caught 14 of 16 targets since Bortles became the starter in Jacksonville.

OVERALL

Andre Holmes
Jerick McKinnon
Odell Beckham, Jr.
Cecil Shorts
Josh Hill
Brandon Bolden
Storm Johnson
Darren McFadden
Davante Adams
Clay Harbor