In addition to proper roster construction and a modicum of health, waiver wire pickups are key to a playoff caliber squad. The last two weeks the amazing youngster, Cole Freel, and I made recommendations on 24 players (2 TE’s, 2 QB’s, 9 RB’s and 11 WR’s). For the record you can scan the earlier touts easily on the recent posts log on the Daily Advice log on the left of the MLFS home page.

This week I’m gonna roll out eight newbies that will be flying off the shelves on Waiver Wire dispersal day. At best you’ll get a plug and play stud but more than likely you’ll find bench support or for you addicts out there-trade bait. Percentage owned quotes are based on a composite of MyFantasyLeague and ESPN most recent data. The variance in league to league will make some of these guys out there and some not. I’ll leave the rack and stack or FAAB bidding up to you.

QB- the Veteran vs. the Youngster

Ryan Tannehill , Miami (8% owned) Even the most diehard Dolphin fan has had moments in the past years of throwing this guy off a bridge. Bonehead plays at the most inopportune time seemed the rule rather than the exception. The first five years his stats were speckled with two 4,000 yards passing seasons with a decent amount of TD’s. And then came the nightmare of a missed 2017 season.

This year every Fish fan I know wanted him out and a New Shiny Toy in. But instead he’s led his team to a 3-0 start, tossing seven TD’s while completing 73% of his mid-range slings. So he doesn’t have the “BIG ARM” of a lot of players but he is a veteran guy with a very keen connection to the underrated Kenny Stills. Three games doesn’t mean much and I’m not advocating him as a top twelve guy but if you lost Jimmy G. or are fed up with the nickle and dime passing of Andrew Luck or cannot stomach for another second the bi-polarity of Blake Bortles he’s a solid option.

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland (11% owned) The storybook is in session. Hard Knocks and a splendid 1-1-1 start to the season. And in the Year of the Quarterback they may have finally picked the right guy!

Tyrod Taylor is a serviceable player and a leader but way too erratic. Hopefully, he can get healthy enough to mentor Mayfield and play if necessary. But only IF NECESSARY. It may not be the Brownie’s “time” in 2018 but this is the moment under fire that this stud is made for. Add to that the solid effort in the preseason and the ridiculously overrated first win in seemingly forever for the Brownies and it’s obvious that he’s ready.

The Browns, like it or not, will be playing from behind quite a bit and Shake and Bake will be throwing and, on occasion, running his ass off. Will there be fumbles- YES. Will there be ill-timed decisions- COUNT ON IT. But the exuberance- in this case definitely not wasted on the young–having a solid receiving corps of receivers including the, thus far, underutilized weapon known as Duke Johnson and this guy should be a borderline starter in 12 team leagues.

RB- two choices one obvious and one lottery ticket

Chris Ivory, Bills (6% owned) Now in his ninth year this bulldozer has had many good games for the Jets and Jaguars. He’s not a burner by any means but most definitely can move the pile, catch some balls and crash a one yard TD plunge. Desperate times drive desperation plays such as this. With the enigma formerly known as Shady McCoy this is at worst a solid handcuff even if he plays for the woeful Buffalo Bills (regardless of the big Vikings win). The Bills defense can be respectable at times and with Josh Allen at the helm the Bills will need someone to produce especially if the crap hits the fan on McCoy. The guy with the dreads COULD BE THAT GUY.

Kerryon Johnson, Lions (62% owned) Hopefully it doesn’t seem preposterous to mention a player this highly owned but I guarantee that after the first two weeks of the season some dunderheads cut this guy free. The Lions are a pass first team not simply because they will be playing from behind all year. The running game is a lost art in Detroit. Prior to Sunday night it had been over four years since Reggie Bush on Thanksgiving day broke the 100 yard rushing mark. Another “issue” that would have pissed people off is the fact that Riddick is, and bar injury will be, the third down back. So that’s the gloom side of it. But the boom side of this explosive runner will bust several more big games and be a very tempting start in the weeks to come in the Black and Blue Division!

WR- now or never types

Tyler Boyd, Bengals (25% owned) Common knowledge is that regardless of the pedigree, rookie wide receivers can be a curse (fantasy-wise). For reasons way beyond the intent of this article, year three is often the breakthrough year. For Boyd that TIME IS NOW, in three games this year he’s 15-249-2. Last year he caught a total of 22 balls partially due to injury but mostly due to mediocrity. Andy Dalton, albeit erratic, is slinging the ball in the early going and is showing the world that Cincy has a receiver of note not named A.J Green. A solid 6’2″ and 203 pounds this former 2nd round pick from Pitt is a man on the mission. GRAB HIM IMMEDIATELY.

Geronimo Allison, Packers (15% owned) Being the third or fourth banana on a team is not ideal but this guy is rising in the ranks based on this three game breakout (13-209-2). Another third year guy who can stretch the field there is an upside here. Maybe the Packers had a scoop when they said goodbye to Jordie Nelson’s big contract. Ironically, he’s the exact same size as Tyler Boyd. If you believe in the ability of Rodgers to stay in the lineup this is a FLEX PLAY RIGHT NOW.

Calvin Ridley, Falcons (13% owned) Julio Jones is without a doubt one of the best wide receivers in the game. Everyone knows that, so why would ATL use a 1st round pick on another Alabama All American? Because he’s good, possibly very,very good. Game one he took a donut. In week two- I was there!- he caught 4 balls for 64 yards and a TD. And then came the Saints game, 7-146-3. Not a misprint, in his third game he blew up. Granted it was against the inept New Orleans defense but areyoufrigginkiddinme?

He may not be as big as Allison or Boyd but the hands, the moves , and the massive opportunity…..Don’t be shy – make a 20% FAAB bid or if you have first waivers. LOCK HIM UP.

TE

Dallas Goedert, Eagles (barely owned) No kidding, Ertz is THE GUY. But have you watched that less than adequate receiving core in Philly? Alshon Jeffries is bound to return but will he be any good? Mike Wallace has been a no show, Agholor is decent but not stretching the field at all. Wentz, to be kind, is rusty and not likely to be the stud he was anytime soon. In the meantime the formula for Philly will be the swarming defense and tempo passing game. And this big fella will make an impact in the Red Zone and with some long ones GUARANTEED.

Good Luck in Week 4

Goz