Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 6: Don't Let My Cameron Meredith Go

Last week, no one knew about Cameron Meredith (He was owned in only 3% of leagues by Sunday, even after the Kevin White news). Meredith is a 2nd year undrafted free agent out of Illinois State, who played sparingly a year ago. That all changed with Kevin White going on IR on Wednesday, and then on Sunday, as the Brian Hoyer-Cameron Meredith connection went wild. Meredith finished with 9 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. The opportunity is there opposite Alshon Jeffery, and the Bears should be the type of team that needs to pass to stay in games. One thing to monitor is the fumbles: he already has 3, including a costly one on Sunday.

But Meredith will be the hottest pickup this week. Here are other options:

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow Leagues: Marcus Mariota (54%) is coming off a big game against the Dolphins, and gets the porous Cleveland Browns defense, and should be a starting option based on the matchup.

Average: Alex Smith (35%) will go against an Oakland team that is last in points allowed to QBs. Monitor Trevor Siemian (33%) as well because he also has a good matchup in another AFC West game on Thursday vs San Diego, and Paxton Lynch showed he wasn’t ready to take over while Siemian was out Sunday.

Deep: Brian Hoyer (28%) has thrown for 300 yards in three straight games and goes against Jacksonville.

Also, Colin Kaepernick (3%) is available if you want to make a statement, but probably not someone you want to put in your lineup versus the Bills.

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow: Cameron Artis-Payne (56%) scored two touchdowns on Monday night, and gets the Saints this week. New Orleans is dead last in points allowed to RBs. (174 yards from scrimmage, 2 Tds a game). [Update: Jonathan Stewart says he will return on Sunday, knocking Artis-Payne from consideration as a starter].

Average: Devontae Booker (45%) has been getting more playing time and was more productive than C.J. Anderson on Sunday. The rookie has impressed and could see an expanded role as the season continues, and would be a big starting option if Anderson missed any games.

Jalen Richard (41%) filled in with DeAndre Washington with Latavius Murray missing last week, and with the turf toe injury, it is still not known if Murray will be back for the matchup against the Chiefs.

Jacquizz Rodgers (38%) will be on a bye after getting 30 carries. Doug Martin could return after the bye, but Rodgers could still see an expanded role with Charles Sims going on IR.

James Starks (33%) may be the man this week for Green Bay against Dallas if Eddie Lacy cannot go. It’s not a great matchup, but Starks could be the option by default and a flex start. [Update: Starks did not practice and Lacy did, so he is not an option.]

Deep: Mike Gillislee (12%) is a handcuff option in Buffalo on the cheap, as the Bills running game has been very productive since Greg Roman was fired.

Justin Forsett (23%) just signed with Detroit, and should be a backup along with Dwayne Washington (who was out injured this week) behind Theo Riddick.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow: Donte Moncrief (60%) has missed 3 games, and will likely miss 2-3 more, but he is valuable enough and top 30 start every week when he returns, so he’s worth it if someone has dropped him in your league. It appears plenty of people have.

Average: WR Chris Hogan (48%) had over 100 yards in Tom Brady’s return. He’s not going to be the top option, but should get some big plays in this offense.

Deep: WR Kenny Britt (12%) goes against the Lions, Nelson Agholor (11%) had 7 targets last week, and WR Jeremy Kerley (7%) has been the only good thing about San Francisco’s passing game, with 45 targets this year, but the change at QB could alter things.

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow: Hunter Henry (64%) continues to impress, even after Antonio Gates’ return this week, and should still be in your lineup. Dwayne Allen (56%) got a touchdown last week and is right on that bubble of “could be available” in your league. Eric Ebron (52%) missed last week’s game but could be back, and if so, is a starting option.

Deep: Charles Clay (29%) going against the 49ers is a good matchup play.

OVERALL:

SHALLOW LEAGUES [list updated to remove Artis-Payne]

WR Cameron Meredith, CHI
WR Donte Moncrief, IND
RB Devontae Booker, DEN
TE Hunter Henry, SD
RB James Starks, GB
WR Chris Hogan, NE
TE Eric Ebron, DET
QB Marcus Mariota, TEN
TE Dwayne Allen, IND
QB Alex Smith, KC

AVERAGE LEAGUES

WR Cameron Meredith, CHI
RB Devontae Booker, DEN
RB James Starks, GB
WR Chris Hogan, NE
QB Alex Smith, KC
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, TB
QB Trevor Siemian, DEN
RB Jalen Richard, OAK
WR Jeremy Kerley, SF
QB Brian Hoyer, CHI

DEEP LEAGUES

WR Cameron Meredith, CHI
WR Jeremy Kerley, SF
QB Brian Hoyer, CHI
WR Kenny Britt, LA
WR Nelson Agholor, PHI
TE Charles Clay, BUF
RB Justin Forsett, DET