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Sep 28, 2015

Waiver Wire: WR Matthews a bright spot for Dolphins

Each week, TSN.ca takes a look at the top available players in fantasy football ahead of the Wednesday waiver deadline. This week, Rishard Matthews should be grabbed as one of the few bright spots in Miami so far this year, and Karlos Williams is continuing the streak of fantasy production from Bills' backup running backs.

Rishard Matthews

Ben Fisher, TSN.ca Staff

Each week, TSN.ca takes a look at the top available players in fantasy football ahead of the Wednesday waiver deadline. This week, Rishard Matthews should be grabbed as one of the few bright spots in Miami so far this year, and Karlos Williams is continuing the streak of fantasy production from Bills' backup running backs.

 

Rishard Matthews
1. WR Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins

Last Week: 6 receptions (10 targets), 113 yards, 2 TDs

  • Week 4 Opponent
    vs. Jets
  • % Owned
    16
  • FAAB
    $20
Everyone thought Jarvis Landry would be the receiver to own in Miami this season, but through three weeks he's been outplayed by Matthews. Matthews' numbers are inflated by his two-score effort in Week 3, but it's the second time he's eclipsed 100 yards receiving on the young season. The Dolphins have a lot of receivers but Matthews is second on the team in targets. Plus Miami shouldn't be as bad as they've started all season long.
Michael Vick
2. QB Michael Vick, Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Week: 5/6, 38 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs

  • Week 4 Opponent
    vs. Ravens
  • % Owned
    1
  • FAAB
    $18
Vick has done very little the past three years to prove he's a viable fantasy quarterback, but he's now at the helm of one of the best offences in the league for the next six weeks. That should be good enough for QB2 numbers. If your starter is facing a bye anytime before Week 10, Vick could be a nice fill-in. 
Karlos Williams
3. RB Karlos Williams, Buffalo Bills

Last Week: 12 carries, 110 yards, 1 TD

  • Week 4 Opponent
    vs. Giants
  • % Owned
    24
  • FAAB
    $15
For years Fred Jackson provided fantasy production from the backup running back position in Buffalo, now it looks like Williams could be carrying on that custom. Williams will never get the workload to warrent RB1 or RB2 consideration - especially as LeSean McCoy gets healthier - but he's scored every week and is a backup worth considering for flex duties.
Derek Carr
4. QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Last Week: 20/32, 312 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT

  • Week 4 Opponent
    at Bears
  • % Owned
    20
  • FAAB
    $15
The last time a Raiders quarterback was owned in fantasy in a non-bye week was maybe Rich Gannon... Carr could change that after putting up back-to-back QB1 weeks. And if not for a hand injury in Week 1, he could be just outside the Top 5 to start the year. Carr showed promise his rookie campaign; he's showing he could be a fantasy player for years to come so far his sophomore campaign.
Marvin Jones
5. WR Marvin Jones, Cincinnati Bengals

Last Week: 5 receptions (8 targets), 94 yards, 1 TD

  • Week 4 Opponent
    vs. Chiefs
  • % Owned
    19
  • FAAB
    $12
Jones was the forgotten man in Cincinnati after missing last year to injury, but is now the second most targeted wide receiver on a very hot Bengals offence. After a slow start in Week 1, Jones has put up back-to-back WR2 weeks. If Andy Dalton has made the jump at quarterback, Jones will be one of the biggest benefactors this season.
Ryan Mathews
6. RB Ryan Mathews, Philadelphia Eagles

Last Week: 25 carries, 108 yards; 20 receiving yards, 1 TD

  • Week 4 Opponent
    at Redskins
  • % Owned
    67
  • FAAB
    $11
After struggling mightily the first two weeks of the season, an injured DeMarco Murray gave way to Mathews in Week 3 and Mathews delivered with 128 combined yards and a touchdown. Despite his struggles, the Eagles' starting RB job is still Murray's to lose, but if his hamstring injury lingers, Mathews could provide a solid fill-in option. Regardless, more weeks like this from the former Chargers RB should lead to more touches in the Philly backfield. 
Victor Cruz
7. WR Victor Cruz, New York Giants

Last Week: Injured

  • Week 4 Opponent
    at Bills
  • % Owned
    60
  • FAAB
    $10
Cruz declared himself 100 percent healthy this week and finally ready to play this season. While the Giants are now firmly Odell Beckham's team, if you think Cruz has any of the talent that propelled him to huge years in 2011 and 2012 left after injury, he could be worth grabbing this week to beat the rush. If you're not sold yet, check Cruz's targets in the early going.
Charles Clay
8. TE Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills

Last Week: 5 receptions (7 targets), 82 yards, 1 TD

  • Week 4 Opponent
    vs. Giants
  • % Owned
    14
  • FAAB
    $10
The Bills offence wasn't supposed to be this good. But after three weeks it's time to add some Bills to your lineup. Clay's good for a handful of targets a game with Buffalo and if the red zone target can find the end zone on a regular basis - he's scored each of the past two weeks - he should make for a TE1.
Blake Bortles
9. QB Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week: 17/33, 242 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

  • Week 4 Opponent
    at Colts
  • % Owned
    8
  • FAAB
    $8
An already thin fantasy QB market got even thinner for the next six weeks when Ben Roethlisberger was injured against Rams. Bortles has disappointed so far this season but if you need a QB to at least keep you in the game, the second-year man should do enough in garbage time to keep your team afloat.
Owen Daniels
10. TE Owen Daniels, Denver Broncos

Last Week: 5 receptions (9 targets), 28 yards, 1 TD

  • Week 4 Opponent
    vs. Vikings
  • % Owned
    40
  • FAAB
    $6
Daniels finally broke out with a decent Week 3, although he needed the touchdown for the big week despite being targeted nine times. Granted Peyton Manning isn't the quarterback he once was, but if he made Julius Thomas a Top 3 fantasy tight end a couple years ago, he can make Daniels a borderline starter this year. If Daniels' targets stay this high, he'll be worth a start even in Denver's toned down offence.
% Owned based on ESPN standard leagues