Even though there aren’t many weeks left in the fantasy football regular season, it’s not to late to pick up a key piece off the waiver wire. If you’re hunting for receivers on the waiver wire, here are ten options to consider who are available in over half of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday night.
1. Santonio Holmes-New York Jets (12.0%)
Holmes looks like he’ll step right back in as the Jets top receiving option, but there is serious question how much that’s worth after Geno Smith struggled mightily on Sunday in Buffalo. The Jets schedule is pretty favorable with the Ravens, Dolphins, and Raiders the next three weeks, but Holmes is only as valuable as Smith can make him. I think he’s a risky flex play with serious upside since the volume of targets will be there.
2. Percy Harvin-Seattle Seahawks (45.2%)
Harvin would easily top this list if he wasn’t on a bye this week. If you don’t need him this week, grab him now since he won’t be available in most leagues next week. I’m shocked he’s this available even at this point. He showed his speed and catching ability are both back even in his very limited action and is expected to return to his full duty after the bye. He’s a true difference maker who could be a WR1 when he’s back, and if there’s any way to get him, make the move.
3. Jerricho Cotchery-Pittsburgh Steelers (16.4%)
Cotchery has five touchdowns in his last three games and Emmanuel Sanders is hurt–that’s the upside. The downside for Cotchery is that he is extremely touchdown reliant and the Sanders injury isn’t expected to be serious. In the Steelers high-volume passing attack, he’ll get looks every week and is a definite red zone target for Big Ben going forward.
4. Nate Burleson-Detroit Lions (2.9%)
Burleson still hasn’t returned from his arm injury, but the Lions could surely use his help as a threat opposite Calvin Johnson. He was off to a great start before his auto accident and should step back in quickly when he returns since he has been practicing with the team. Burleson is an option to try and add especially in PPR leagues.
5. Michael Crabtree-San Francisco 49ers (9.9%)
Crabtree has a much higher upside than anyone on this list except Harvin. However, there is still so much uncertainty about when he’ll return and how extensively he’ll be used that I’d only add him if you have the roster space to spend on him the rest of the season without ever counting on him to play. He defines high-risk, high-reward at this point.
6. Brandon LaFell-Carolina Panthers (5.1%)
On Monday Night Football, LaFell found the end zone on a night he finished with seven catches for 59 yards. He’s been targeted at least eight times in each of the Panthers last three games and can be a serviceable bye-week fill-in. His ceiling isn’t super high since the Panthers offense has been more conservative, but he’s a low-risk play to produce medium-range points since he is so involved in it.
7. Rishard Matthews-Miami Dolphins (10.2%)
Matthews came back to earth after his huge week 10 performance but still finished with four catches and 52 yards on six targets against the Chargers. The Dolphins will continue to throw the ball his way enough to make him PPR-relevant and he has some solid matchups against the Jets, Steelers, and Bills after a tough matchup this week against Carolina.
8. Rod Streater-Oakland Raiders (5.8%)
Streater gelled well with Matt McGloin finishing with six catches on eight targets for 84 yards and his second TD of the season. If McGloin is under center again this week, Streater makes a solid play against the Titans since he’s virtually the top receiver for Oakland. His upcoming opponents are the Titans, Cowboys, and Jets making him a nice gamble for the next few weeks.
9. Aaron Dobson-New England Patriots (13.9%)
Dobson only had four catches for 38 yards in week 11, but he was facing the tough Carolina defense. He was still targeted seven times , and should see better days ahead with matchups against the Broncos, Texans, Dolphins, Browns, and Ravens in the next five weeks.
10. Jarius Wright-Minnesota Vikings (0.7%)
Wright has some upside which he flashed in week 11’s contest against the Seahawks. Starting in place of Greg Jennings, He finished with three catches for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns. With the quarterback situation a mess and playing time uncertain, Wright is a high-risk pickup, but the Vikings would be wise to see what they have in this speedy playmaker.
This list of WR’s is part of my weekly waiver wire focus. If you need further help constructing your team, check out my top ten waiver wire picks of the week as well as my top waiver targets at each of the following positions: QB, RB, TE, D/ST.