Fantasy football waiver wire: Add Danny Amendola for stretch run
Two weeks before the playoffs start. Are you in ... or are you out?
There's more strategy involved in working the waiver wire at this stage of the season. Depending on your league settings, you might want to grab a backup quarterback or kicker in case you can't replace them during the playoffs. Or maybe handcuff your No. 1 running back. If you're out of contention in a keeper league, speculate on someone who might have a larger role in 2018 (Josh Gordon??).
The best pickup recommendations last week were running backs Samaje Perine and Danny Woodhead and wide receiver Corey Coleman. See if they're still available before checking out the rest of this week's list.
Since free agent acquisition budgets are nearly depleted by this point, we won't recommend specific dollar amounts to bid going forward. If you have the resources, spend what it takes to land the players you need.
BEST BETS
WR Bruce Ellington, Houston Texans. A rib injury to Will Fuller has Ellington getting a lot more work in the Texans passing game. He's started the past two weeks and been fairly effective. He caught six of seven targets in Week 11 for 63 yards, but will face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
WR Danny Amendola, New England Patriots. Similarly, a shoulder injury to Chris Hogan has opened the door for Amendola. He's healthy (for now), had a touchdown among his eight receptions on Sunday and can produce whenever he has the opportunity.
RB J.D. McKissic, Seattle Seahawks. With a backfield that's been decimated by injuries, McKissic looks like the only one left with even a hint of playmaking ability.
REPLACEMENTS
QB Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills. Yes, we may not know if he'll start Sunday at Kansas City, but there's a very good chance he was cut last week when the Bills switched to Nathan Peterman. If you need a backup for the stretch run, his schedule (at K.C., N.E., Ind., Mia, at N.E.) is enticing -- even if his receiving options are limited.
WR Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars. Another wideout coming back from an extended injury absence, Westbrook caught three of his six targets for 35 yards last week in his NFL debut. Allen Hurns' ankle sprain means more time for Westbrook.
RB Byron Marshall, Washington Redskins. A season-ending injury to Chris Thompson has Marshall now the backup to Perine. He should see plenty of action on third downs. Also check to see if wideout Josh Doctson is available; he's going to see a ton of targets going forward.
TE Ricky Seals-Jones, Arizona Cardinals. After the game he had vs. Houston (three catches, 54 yards, two TDs), he deserves a mention. The Cardinals have been throwing more to their tight ends, but it's hard to expect another big game from RSJ (too soon?) since those were his first three receptions of the season.
SPECULATIVE PICKUPS
Other than going out on a limb to grab injured stars who won't be back until Week 15 at the earliest (Aaron Rodgers, Ezekiel Elliott, David Johnson), there just aren't any high-upside players left on the waiver wire.
However, if you're in a keeper league ...