Waiver Worthy: Week 7 (2018): Several Running Backs To Target & More

by Will Overton

We’ve got a bit of everything to cover in the waiver wire report. There were breakout performers from Week 7, injury news to breakdown and fallout from trades that have taken place. The wire is quite possibly going to be buzzing this week and you want to know who to grab and who to leave, so let’s get to work breaking it down:

Raheem Mostert, RB – San Francisco 49ers
The return of Matt Breida was supposed to spell the end of Mostert, but that was short lived as Breida hit the sidelines shortly into Sunday’s game and Mostert had another solid performance (he ran the ball seven times for 59 yards while catching four passes for 19 yards). In the last two games he has 19 carries for 146 yards. The Niners seem to be wise to the fact that Alfred Morris just isn’t very good so if Breida misses another game I think Mostert could see a nice chunk of the snaps against a bad run defense in Arizona.
Verdict: A solid stream this week if Matt Breida is out

Jalen Richard, RB – Oakland Raiders
I’ve mentioned Jalen Richard before and recommended him as a pickup in PPR leagues, but his stock is rising even further after we learned that Marshawn Lynch would be sidelined for several weeks now. Richard has primarily been a pass catching back only this season so some are looking to Doug Martin as the fill in, but I’d much rather have Richard. For starters I think he’s the more explosive and talented player. I also think that just because he hasn’t run the ball much this season doesn’t mean he won’t now that Lynch is out.

The Raiders also traded away Amari Cooper yesterday and so there are more receiving targets to go around as well making Richard the top add if he’s available.
Verdict: Richard is the Raiders running back to add

Kenjon Barner, RB – New England Patriots
The Patriots keep taking hits in the backfield and this past week it was Sony Michel who went down with Barner coming out of nowhere to play a role in the offense. Barner carried the ball 10 times on Sunday for 36 yards. Despite the system he’s in I still don’t think you should use much of your FAAB to add him. It sounds like Michel isn’t as seriously injured as it looked. If he does end up missing more time than expected I could see the Patriots signing someone, and if they don’t sign anyone Barner still just isn’t that good and will be behind James White in the pecking order.
Verdict: I don’t see the value

Trenton Cannon, RB – New York Jets
Injuries are riddling the Jets backfield and potentially opening a door for Cannon. Isaiah Crowell is playing, but he’s banged up, and Bilal Powell left Sunday’s game with a neck injury and will probably be touch and go all week. Cannon came in on Sunday and played a real role as a pass catching back, hauling in four catches for 69 yards. If Powell is out Cannon could be interesting with the Jets potentially playing from behind against the Bears.
Verdict: If Powell sits Cannon is a deep league PPR option and may be worth a dynasty league flier

Tajae Sharpe, WR – Tennessee Titans
The number two receiving option in Tennessee keeps on changing, and it now appears that Sharpe may be the next man up in the role after Taywan Taylor was filling the job for a while. Sharpe was the leading receiver against the Chargers with seven catches on nine targets for 101 yards. It’s really hard for me to get behind anyone at WR for the Titans outside of Corey Davis. Did the Chargers just shut down Taylor in the slot? Can we really expect more than one guy to get consistent production in this offense? These kinds of questions make me think twice about adding Sharpe.
Verdict: Not enough here to trust week to week

Martavis Bryant, WR – Oakland Raiders
We mentioned the trade of Amari Cooper earlier in this article and it comes back up here. Someone is set to step up in Cooper’s absence and I’m going in on the guy with the big play potential. The Raiders throw a lot, partly based on game plan and partly based on game flow. As we also mention Marshawn Lynch is out for a while which likely means even more passing. Bryant may not be the most consistent guy, but he has such big play potential that he’s worth a flier in most leagues.
Verdict: A flier that could pay big dividends

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