I’ll be digging through the trash for your next waiver stash. Like last week, these 3 guys are barely owned. They might not be huge contributors to your squad right now, but could possibly be useful down the road. Here goes:

1. Braxton Berrios, WR, New England Patriots

(1.4% owned in FFPC leagues)

On IR

Berrios was a 6th round pick by the Patriots in the 2018 Draft (210th overall) out of Miami University. Before being drafted, he was compared to former Patriot Wes Welker. Standing at 5’9” and only 185lbs, it’s easy to see the comparison. In college, Berrios played out of the slot and throughout his career at Miami and compiled 96 catches for 1,121 yards and 14 touchdowns. At Miami’s Pro Day, he showed off his speed by running a 4.44 40 time. The Patriots were intrigued and ended up drafting him.

Berrios is a fearless receiver and is not afraid to go through the middle to make a catch and has been praised for his route running. During the preseason, he only saw action in week 1 due to injury. He would end his preseason with 1 catch for 3 yards. He also returned a kick for 13 yards and fair caught a punt. After that only preseason contest, the Patriots placed Berrios on IR with an undisclosed injury that would end his rookie season before it began. Why is Berrios landing on the Trash Pile this week? Well, Julian Edelman isn’t getting any younger and he does have an injury history.

Next season, if Berrios can make an impression in camp, he may be able to spell Edelman during the season. If you play in PPR formats, he could be useful next season and beyond. With only 1.4% ownership, he could be a nice stash (since he’s on IR designation). If you have an IR spot to burn, you might want to take a shot on Braxton Berrios.

2. Mason Rudolph, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

(1.2% owned in FFPC leagues)

Vs Carolina, @ Jacksonville, @ Denver

Is this Big Ben’s last year in Pittsburgh? Will he retire? Who knows. I’m not even sure Big Ben knows. The Steelers took Ben Roethlisberger serious when he said the 2018 season would be his last and took a chance in the 3rd round at pick 76 on Mason Rudolph due to this uncertainty. Rudolph was a 3-year starter at Oklahoma State and threw for 4,553 yards and 35 touchdowns in his senior year. What was even more impressive is that he also ran for another 10 scores. He was also the winningest quarterback in Oklahoma State’s history. What is also intriguing about Rudolph is that the Steelers also drafted one of his favorite receivers from his college days in James Washington.

In his first preseason action against the Philadelphia Eagles, Rudolph showed off his chemistry with Washington. On a 3rd and 8, Rudolph threw one up for Washington and the receiver came down with it while being draped over by an Eagles corner for 35 yards. The very next week, Rudolph would throw his first touchdown on a 5 yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster against the Green Bay Packers. In the final preseason matchup against the Carolina Panthers, Rudolph would impress. He had two touchdowns in this game, but the most impressive came on a 3rd and Goal in the 3rd Quarter. The Panthers defense forced Rudolph out of the pocket and he rolled to his right and threw across his body to the middle of the end zone to find Quadree Henderson for a touchdown. His preseason performances had ups and downs. He did throw a costly interception in week 2 against Green Bay. In the first offensive snap of the game, Rudolph threw a pass that was intended for Darius Heyward-Bey and Tramon Williams read it perfectly and jumped the route to pick the pass for an easy pick six.

All in all though, you can clearly see the kid has talent. His final preseason numbers weren’t too shabby. Rudolph ended up with 24/44 54.5% completion rate, 315 yards, 2 td’s and 1 INT. He is clearly the heir apparent to Roethlisberger and even has a similar frame (6’5” 236lbs) of the franchise quarterback. If you own Roethlisberger on your Dynasty team, you may want to grab Rudolph if you haven’t already.

3. Justin Watson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(0.3% owned in FFPC leagues)

Vs Washington, @ New York Giants, Vs San Francisco

Ending the Trash Pile this week is Bucs wide receiver Justin Watson. Drafted in the 5th round at 144th overall, Watson is Pennsylvania University’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. After his pro day, he began to gain some hype by running a 4.41 40 yard dash and also by possessing a catch radius of 10.28 (91st percentile). Not only does he have speed, but he also runs crisp routes and has excellent hands.

Watson flashed his potential early on in the preseason and was fairly productive. In week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, Jameis Winston hit Watson in the corner of the end zone for a 21 yard score. Then, in the final preseason game, Ryan Griffin hit Watson on a short slant for a 3 yard touchdown. Watson preseason wasn’t all roses though as he did fumble in his first action of the preseason against the Miami Dolphins and also dropped a pass for a first down against the Lions. However, Watson is the only one on the Trash Pile list who has actually seen the field so far this regular season. He has been active for 5 of the Bucs 8 games and caught his only target of the year for 5 yards.

Watson has the potential to be a red zone threat and will be valuable eventually to Dynasty leaguers. His ownership gives the indication that he’s basically free and very well could pay off dividends if added.