Every week, I try to find players who could be sitting on the waiver wire and are worth picking up for this week based on their matchups. Here’s what I have for this week!
QB:
Russell Wilson, Steelers
The Steelers need a bounce-back game after a tough loss in the snow on TNF last week. They face a Bengals team that not only scores a lot, which should lead to a high-scoring game, but the Bengals also rank 29th in fantasy football this season against the QB position.
Bryce Young, Panthers
Young and the Panthers are playing much better football lately and have a good matchup this weekend against the Bucs. The Bucs offense is going to score, so this should be a high-scoring game. Also, the Bucs rank 31st in fantasy football against QBs and 29th in the NFL against the pass.
RB:
Sean Tucker, Bucs
This is purely based on matchup. He is the RB3 on his team, so the volume likely won’t be there for him unless it is a blowout. However, the Bucs face the Panthers this weekend, who rank 32nd against RBs in fantasy football and 32nd in the NFL against the run. Tucker has seen some red-zone carries lately, too.
Jeremy McNichols, Commanders
It’s possible that both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler will miss this week’s game due to injuries. That vaults McNichols into a starting role against the Titans and sets him up to have a solid game based on his involvement alone.
WR:
Joshua Palmer, Chargers
Although he didn’t have a big game last week, he did see eight targets and made more plays than Quentin Johnston did. He has a good matchup this weekend against a Falcons defense that ranks 28th against WRs in fantasy football and 26th in the NFL against the pass.
Adam Theilen, Panthers
He returned last week after being out since week 3. He caught 3 passes for 57 yards and should be involved again this week in a good matchup against the Bucs. The Bucs rank 27th in fantasy football against opposing WRs and 29th in the NFL against the pass.
TE:
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
The Steelers pass offense has been better with Russell Wilson at QB, and they have a chance to put that on display this weekend against the Bengals. The Bengals rank 30th in fantasy football against the TE position and 23rd in the NFL against the pass.
Ja’Tavion Sanders/Tommy Tremble, Panthers
This is purely matchup-based. The Bucs rank 28th against the TE position in fantasy football. Sanders would be an excellent option, but because of the injury he suffered last week, he could miss this game, and then you would have to use Tremble if you decide to stream a Panthers TE.
DST:
Cowboys
The Cowboys play the Giants, who look to be the worst team in the NFL right now. Parsons is back, so the defense is making more plays now, and their special teams made some big plays last week, too. At home, on Thanksgiving, against a terrible Giants team gives this Cowboys defense a chance to have a big week.
