We are officially halfway through the fantasy football regular season in most leagues. For some teams, it’s time to look ahead to the playoffs and account for which players have particularly good or bad schedules the rest of the way. For other teams, it’s all about winning in the short term.
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There are plenty of players who have been on the waiver wire for a while and are still solid options, but the five players to add are the ones who saw their value increase this past week.
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FIVE PLAYERS TO ADD
1. RB Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders suffered an ankle injury early in Sunday’s game and was carted to the locker room. With Sanders out, the Eagles split snaps between Kenneth Gainwell and Scott, as Gainwell handled passing downs while Scott came in for rushing plays. Gainwell saw a lot of snaps immediately after the injury and toward the end of the game when Philadelphia was only passing.
There was a five drive stretch where we saw what the Eagles backfield should look like if Sanders misses time. Scott played in 13 of a possible 18 first and second downs, including a third-and-1. Gainwell took the rest of the third-down snaps and the remaining first and second downs.
The Eagles are a pass-heavy team regardless of the situation, and the fact that they are constantly playing from behind doesn’t help. As long as Philadelphia can keep a game close, Scott should score more fantasy points. In games where the Eagles will lose by a lot, then Gainwell would likely do better. PFF's injury expert Mario Pilato only expects Sanders to miss 1-3 weeks at most. Therefore, we should consider a Philadelphia RB in the short term.
Looking specifically at Week 8, Scott should be the waiver-wire target. The Eagles play the Detroit Lions, which should lead to a competitive game. Detroit had also allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs, so Scott should have a good game.
2. WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens' rookie receiver should have been added last week after tying for the team lead in targets. This week, Baltimore basically threw to only three players when the game was close, and he was one of them. He tied for the team lead in receiving yards (80) and caught three of the five passes thrown his way.
It’s no sure thing that he will continue to see this much playing time and targets once Sammy Watkins returns, but he has too much upside to leave on the waiver wire.
3. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers
The Packers have two wide receivers on the COVID-19 list, leaving them very short-handed for their matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. Arizona has been below average against wide receivers this season in terms of fantasy points, making this a favorable matchup for whichever wide receiver can catch passes in Green Bay. The Packers aren’t expected to win this game, especially after losing their wide receivers, so they should pass a lot.
Valdes-Scantling could be the Packers receiver who benefits most. He is currently on injured reserve, but the Packers are hopeful he can play. If so, he could lead the team in targets. Randall Cobb and either Equanimeous St. Brown or Malik Taylor would be the other wide receivers. The Cardinals have been the best team at preventing fantasy points to tight ends, and they are above-average against running backs. Valdes-Scantling should get the volume and be decently efficient.
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