Zero Dollar Bids: Waiver Wire Look Ahead (Week 4)

Zero Dollar Bids: Waiver Wire Look Ahead (Week 4)
by Alan Seslowsky

Many of our fantasy teams are going to need a weekly facelift with fresh talent from the waiver wire. As we start to deplete our FAAB budget or our waiver priority moves from the top three to the bottom three, we need to find other ways to get an edge. RosterWatch has long been a proponent of picking up players that have a plausible path to be the hot free agent next week. Mining players from the bottom of the Ultimate Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet is a proven way to gain an edge.

Each week this column will provide you with sneaky zero dollar pickups you can add to your roster today, which may be of great value next week.

 

Andy Isabella (WR Arizona; 4% rostered)

Andy Isabella largely disappointed in his rookie season last year, with only two fantasy-relevant games. His big game in 2019 came on one 88 yard catch where he scored. Even if you had Isabella on your roster, you surely did not start him. A quiet finish to the season made Andy Isabella nothing more than a second-year WR dart throw at the end of your draft this year. 

After a catchless Week 1, and a modest three-target game in Week 2, Isabella opened up our eyes in Week 3, catching all four of his targets for 47 yards and two TDs. Two factors make Isabella’s performance worth of a speculative add.

1- Despite having game-breaking 4.31 forty speed, he produced on short to intermediate throws. This implies he is not boom or bust. He was proactively part of the game plan, even with target hog DeAndre Hopkins getting his feast of 12 targets.

2- Isabella’s second-round draft capital implies that the team wants him to work. He was drafted by the current regime. In contrast, his injured teammate Christian Kirk is left over from the previous coaching staff.

This week there are high profile WRs like Justin Jefferson, Tee Higgins, and Brandon Aiyuk that will garner the big bids; We urge RosterWatch Nation to speculate on Isabella for a zero dollar bid if you have the roster space. Yes, his production was buoyed by the absence of Christian Kirk, but, what he was able to show in the offense given the opportunity is promising.

 

Greg Ward (WR, Philadelphia 4% rostered)

The case for picking up Greg Ward is simple: Looking back to 2019 when The Eagles were decimated by injuries, Greg Ward was relied on over the last month of the season. During that final stretch last year, he averaged almost eight targets a game. In the words of Yogi Berra, “it’s deja vu all over again.” The Eagles pass catchers have been hit with the injury bug. Rookie Jalen Reagor has been sent to IR and emerging star TE Dallas Goedert is going to be out for at least six weeks. Greg Ward reminded us that he can be fantasy relevant with an eye-popping 11 targets in week three, which he turned into 8/72/1. Most of your league is going to be fighting it out over the high profile rookies and average RBs, RosterWatch Nation should consider Ward with a zero dollar bid. 

 

Zach Pascal (WR Indianapolis; 4% rostered)

Chances are you have had Zach Pascal on your roster at some point over the past few years. During his three-year NFL career, Pascal has been roster-worthy and productive in short stints, but not a player that is draftable. Pascal has always been a plus red-zone threat, even going back to his days at Old Dominion. He is a capable professional WR. Pascal is about to get an opportunity again in 2020. Pass catchers Paris Campbell and Michael Pittman are out for at least a month and Ty Hilton looks like a shell of his former self so far this season, and is acting like he is banged up as well. Pascal played over 80% of snaps in week two and over 90% of snaps in week three. He has seen a modest four targets per game, but that is likely to increase moving forward. If you are in need of a WR or a floor flex play in PPR leagues, putting a zero dollar bid on Zach Pascal is a sharp pivot off of the high priced WRs this week. 

 

 

29 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By DillymyPhily

    dynasty league 20 round draft very little on waiver wire. I have Chris Carson somebody dropped Carlos hyde last week how much fab percentage should I lay down. My other rbs are James Connor, Fournette, Boston Scott and Phillip Lindsey. Not sure if it’s worth a big bid?

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Don’t be scared to be aggressive in a league like that. Like you mentioned not much pops up, so prices are inflated. In your situation, I would be good wit up to a 25% bid. But you know your league, you may be able to get away with 10-15%

  2. ↓ Post By sdboor

    Someone dropped Steelers Def. I have LA Rams. Pick up Steelers? Potentially for ROS

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      If you have the room sure why not. They have some good matchups coming up.

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      I like being able to “set it and forget it.”

  3. ↓ Post By apkelley47@gmail.com

    0.5pt ppr

    Would you trade Dalvin Cook for James Robinson and Tyler Boyd/Alan Lazard?

    My current team is
    Mahomes
    Zeke
    Cook
    Evans
    S. Watkins
    Waller
    Gibson/Singletary/Jefferson/Landry/Shenault

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      No!

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      That is an interesting trade. I dont hate it. Boyd is going to be locked in your lineup and AL, has gained the trust of AR. Its hard to value Robinson but he sure does look the part. He was able to produce even when the Jags were getting beaten up…that’s a great sign.

      Robinson is a player you wont be good about trading for, or not trading for. A true mystery. Let us know if you decide to do it

  4. ↓ Post By FF_Hookem

    Unsavory start question as we deal with more injuries. Which 2 do I start in PPR?

    Anthony Miller
    Scotty Miller
    Jamison Crowder (plays tonight)
    Corey Davis
    Desean Jackson

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      I like Anthony Miller with Foles in there.

      If Crowder plays tonight I could see taking a chance with him. Miller would be the one but he is on the injury report now too.

      Ant Miller/Crowder

  5. ↓ Post By Bigmanmike

    I need 2 WR’s and a flex from the following.
    Golladay, M Gordon, OBJ, Slayton, Gage and Metcalf.
    Thank you…

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Lock in Metcalf

      I think ODB is in a nice spot this week. If he fails again this week, then he becomes more of a WR3.

      M Gordon hasn’t been great and Jets run D is solid, but it is the jets, I’d play MG as the flex

  6. ↓ Post By flemdog

    PPR, who would you rather own between Tonyan or Alie-Cox moving forward?

    Thanks

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Both are in a similar bucket. I think MAC, has produced yards, not just TDs, he is the better-looking prospect, especially w/ all of the Indy pass catcher injuries

  7. ↓ Post By Rusty

    0.5 ppr

    Is Malcom Brown droppable for Brian Hill?

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      I like that move. Hill could easily be the hot free agent next week. Brown is sort of a “Fugazi”

  8. ↓ Post By Gman

    Goodmoring RosterWatch Nation.

    Need your advice. Must drop one of the following to pick up a TE to replace Junno Smith:

    Phillp Lindsay or Damion Harris.

    Both benche stashes. Want to keep best ROS potential.

    Which to drop?

    Drop

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Gman:

      I think NE backfield is way too crowded for Harris to see projectable volume. You can cut him

  9. ↓ Post By Gman

    Thanks Alan.

  10. ↓ Post By gcmason00@gmail.com

    I’m 1-2 after winning last week in my biggest league, and picked up Fitz off the wire. I’d been starting Brees (and i know they both have solid matchups this week)—–in a 6pt passing TD league, would you start Fitz over Brees??? **starting Michael Thomas as well**

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      If Brees is going to have a big game this is the week. Fitz always has in game benching risk. I suppose Brees does too now a days but not as much.

  11. ↓ Post By Elfholme

    1/2 point PPR league with no IR spots. Would you drop Sterling Shepard to pick up either Isabella or Ward? In this league we have large rosters, so always have to look a couple weeks ahead.

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Is there anyone else you can drop? Love Wards floor and upside these next few weeks? I’d be ok dropping SS for Ward.

      1. ↓ Post By Elfholme

        Not really. Shepard, Higgins, or Renfrow. Also have McLaurin, Watkins, Fuller, Edelman. My #1 WR was Courtland Sutton. We play 3, and can flex one, but I’m usually flexing a RB or TE (we get full PPR for TE).

  12. ↓ Post By tylr

    Redraft .5 ppr 12 team – leveon bell was dropped, how much faab is worth bidding?

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      The upside is there with Bell, but I would not empty the kitty. 25-30%

  13. ↓ Post By Spinman

    Hello RW!

    Asking for a friend (me!) in a .5 PPR- B Hill is on the WW:
    Who can I drop (if any) to pick BH up from these :
    C Akers
    J Kelley
    J Wilson

    Currently have:
    Cook
    Carson
    Hyde
    Don’t have a second QB nor TE.

    Bench WRs:
    M Brown
    L Shenault

    Thank you!

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Love the upside Hill projects with only Gurley in front of him, but like the options, you have better. I’d hold for now, but get ready to pounce.

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