What To Know
- A player with a good matchup can have a breakout performance, even if they aren’t a long-term solution.
- When a key player on a team goes down with an injury, their backup often becomes a valuable fantasy asset.
- For example, you might pick up a running back who is facing a weak run defense, or a wide receiver who is playing against a team with a poor secondary.
The fantasy football season is a marathon, not a sprint. While your draft is crucial, it’s the savvy waiver wire moves that truly separate the champions from the also-rans. Knowing how to pick up players in fantasy football is the key to staying competitive throughout the season.
The Art of the Waiver Wire: Finding Fantasy Gems
The waiver wire is your treasure chest, filled with potential diamonds in the rough. These are players who might have been overlooked in the draft, or who have recently emerged as breakout stars. The key is knowing where to look and how to identify players who can make a real impact on your team.
The “Must-Have” Waiver Wire Criteria
Before diving into specific strategies, let’s define what makes a waiver wire player worth picking up. Here’s a checklist:
- Opportunity: Does the player have a clear path to playing time and significant snaps? Look for players on teams with injuries, or who are in a system that favors their skillset.
- Talent: Does the player possess the natural ability to succeed in the NFL? Look for players with strong college resumes or who have shown flashes of brilliance in limited opportunities.
- Matchup: Is the player facing favorable matchups in the coming weeks? A player with a good matchup can have a breakout performance, even if they aren’t a long-term solution.
- Value: Is the player available at a reasonable price on the waiver wire? Don’t overpay for players who might not be worth the investment.
The Waiver Wire Strategies: Mastering the Art of the Pick Up
Now, let’s explore some proven strategies for finding and acquiring valuable waiver wire players:
1. The “Hot Hand” Strategy:
This strategy involves picking up players who have recently had strong performances. Look for players who have scored touchdowns, gained significant yardage, or had a high volume of targets. This strategy can be risky, as a player’s hot streak might not be sustainable, but it can pay off handsomely if you pick the right player.
2. The “Injury Replacement” Strategy:
This strategy is straightforward. When a key player on a team goes down with an injury, their backup often becomes a valuable fantasy asset. Look for teams with known injury concerns and identify the backup players who are most likely to benefit from increased playing time.
3. The “Emerging Talent” Strategy:
This strategy involves identifying players who are showing promise but haven’t yet broken out. Look for players with strong college backgrounds who are getting more playing time in the NFL, or who have shown flashes of potential in limited opportunities. This strategy requires a bit more patience, but it can lead to finding hidden gems with high upside.
4. The “Bye Week Fill-In” Strategy:
This strategy involves picking up players who can fill the void during your starting players‘ bye weeks. Look for players who are on teams with favorable schedules during your bye weeks, or who are playing against weak defenses.
5. The “Trade Bait” Strategy:
This strategy involves picking up players who might not be valuable to your team, but who could be valuable trade assets to other managers. Look for players who have a strong following in your league, or who are playing well despite not being on your roster.
6. The “Stream” Strategy:
This strategy involves picking up players based on their matchups each week. For example, you might pick up a running back who is facing a weak run defense, or a wide receiver who is playing against a team with a poor secondary. This strategy can be very effective, but it requires constant monitoring of matchups and making frequent roster moves.
The Waiver Wire Pitfalls: Avoiding Common Mistakes
While the waiver wire offers tremendous potential, it’s also a landmine of potential pitfalls. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Overpaying for Players: Don’t get caught up in the hype and overpay for players who might not be worth the investment. Remember, the waiver wire is a market, and you should be willing to walk away from deals that don’t make sense.
- Chasing Points: Don’t get swayed by a player’s recent performance and pick them up just because they had a big game. Look for players with sustainable opportunities and talent, not just a flash in the pan.
- Ignoring Matchups: Don’t forget to consider the matchups when picking up players. A player who is facing a tough defense might not be worth the risk, even if they have a good reputation.
- Holding Onto Players For Too Long: Don’t be afraid to cut players who are no longer performing. The waiver wire is constantly changing, and you need to be willing to make adjustments to your roster based on the latest information.
The Waiver Wire Mindset: Patience, Persistence, and Flexibility
The key to success on the waiver wire is a combination of patience, persistence, and flexibility. You need to be patient and wait for the right opportunity to emerge, persistent in your search for hidden gems, and flexible enough to adjust your strategy based on the ever-changing landscape of the fantasy football world.
The Final Word: Your Waiver Wire Success Awaits
The waiver wire is the ultimate equalizer in fantasy football. It’s where you can find the players who will help you win your league, even if you didn’t draft them. By mastering the art of the waiver wire, you’ll be well on your way to fantasy football glory.
What People Want to Know
1. What time should I set my waiver claims?
The optimal time to set your waiver claims depends on your league’s settings. If your league uses a standard waiver system, you want to set your claims as early as possible to increase your chances of getting the player you want. However, if your league uses a “first-come, first-served” system, you’ll need to be more vigilant and check the waiver wire frequently.
2. How many players should I be targeting on the waiver wire each week?
The number of players you should be targeting on the waiver wire each week depends on your league’s roster size and your team’s needs. As a general rule of thumb, you should be looking to add at least one or two players each week, even if you don’t have any immediate needs. This will help you keep your roster fresh and give you options for making trades or filling in for injured players.
3. What are some good resources for finding waiver wire players?
There are many great resources for finding waiver wire players, both online and offline. Some popular options include:
- Fantasy football websites: Sites like ESPN, Yahoo, and CBS Sports all have waiver wire sections that provide rankings and analysis of available players.
- Fantasy football podcasts: There are many podcasts dedicated to fantasy football that provide expert advice on waiver wire pickups.
- Fantasy football magazines: Magazines like FantasyPros and Rotoworld offer in-depth analysis of players and provide waiver wire recommendations.
4. Should I be afraid to drop a player to pick up someone else?
Don’t be afraid to drop a player to pick up someone else, especially if you feel like the new player has a better chance of helping your team. The waiver wire is constantly changing, and you need to be willing to make tough decisions to stay competitive. Remember, there’s no shame in admitting that you made a mistake and moving on to a better option.
