Here's my top recommended waiver wire and streaming targets ahead of the coming week. Waiver Wire targets are designed to be multi-week roster-worthy options while streaming options are designed to be one-week lineup options based on matchup, injuries, and/or situation. To be eligible as a waiver wire or streaming option, the player must be available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Top Waiver Wire Targets of the Week:
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR - Baltimore Ravens) - It was a limited workload (5 targets, 3 catches for 34 yards) in Week 12 for Beckham, in large part due to a negative game script that saw Baltimore leading for nearly three full quarters and leading by two scores for a majority of the second half. Prior to the low-scoring affair on Sunday Night Football, Beckham had gone for double-digit points in three straight games and four times in five weeks. The reason why he's above the likes of Reed, Samuel, Dortch, Hyatt, and company (your choice on how desperately you need TE with Freiermuth) is his playoff relevancy. He's been solid thus far despite very few WR-friendly game scripts but will get his share of potential high-volume games to end the year, drawing the 7th-easiest playoff schedule but one that offers even more appealing opportunities from a game script standpoint. Against Jacksonville, San Francisco, and Miami, Baltimore likely won't be putting games away early like they have so far this year, adding to Beckham's potential. I'd be FAR more comfortable with Beckham in my lineup (especially with that schedule) than any other WR on waivers. With his role in the Ravens' offense, especially in the absence of Mark Andrews, Beckham appears to be a WR3/FLEX option going forward.
Jayden Reed (WR - Green Bay Packers) - Three straight weeks with a TD and his fifth time in six games with 11+ points. The rookie 2nd rounder is quickly becoming a focal point in the Packers' rising offense, leading Green Bay in targets for a third consecutive week in a 4-34-1 performance on 8 targets (16 additional yards on the ground). He's becoming more involved as the season progresses and is showing why he was a highly-touted prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Curtis Samuel (WR - Washington Commanders) - After returning from injury in Week 10 (limited role) and being ejected early in Week 11, Curtis Samuel returned to his typical self that we had seen earlier in the season, drawing a team-high 12 targets for 9 catches and 100 yards (19.0 points). We saw Samuel post 14+ points in three straight games earlier this year and go for 4+ catches in five straight; it's looking more like we'll see that type of volume for Samuel down the stretch here as Washington continues to play from behind with Sam Howell ranking among the league's top passers in attempts and yardage.
Pat Freiermuth (TE - Pittsburgh Steelers) - Welcome back, Pat Freiermuth! We had seen Freiermuth in a more typical role early in the season (7+ points in 2 of his first 3 games; only game under 7 points vs Cleveland, fewest PPG to TEs) before a Week 4 injury that kept him sidelined until Week 11, where he was still limited. In Week 12, we saw Freiermuth in his purest form now a week excluded from his hamstring injury and out of a Matt Canada offense, leading to an absurd 9-catch, 120-yard (21 points) performance on a team-high 11 targets. I'm not expecting that type of production or volume on a weekly basis, but a more effective and pass-friendly Steelers' offense certainly offers top-5 upside for Freiermuth after what we had seen from him in the past (TE7 in 2022, TE13 as a rookie in 2021).
Greg Dortch (WR - Arizona Cardinals) - Dortch was a waiver wire gem at points last year and it's looking like he may be that again this year. In his last 2 games, he's stood out as Murray's definitive WR2 behind Marquise Brown with Michael Wilson out the last two games, totaling 17 targets, 103 yards, and a TD with 11+ points in each game. He's not going to be a high-efficiency guy, but that's not what you're expecting out of him. Once Wilson returns (likely Week 15), it becomes a toss-up on who commands the secondary target share at WR with Wilson having been the WR2 prior to Murray's return but Dortch having an extensive history of being a go-to guy of Murray. At least until Wilson returns, Dortch appears a WR3/FLEX and likely to command a solid 8+ points as a volume play. He's a preferred short-term option but the upside is definitely there in a PPR format upon Wilson's return (though the security in role may not be).
Jalin Hyatt (WR - New York Giants)
Rico Dowdle (RB - Dallas Cowboys)
Demario Douglas (WR - New England Patriots)
Elijah Moore (WR - Cleveland Browns)
Elijah Mitchell (RB - San Francisco 49ers)
Top Streaming Options of the Week:
Quarterbacks:
Derek Carr (vs Detroit Lions)
Kenny Pickett (vs Arizona Cardinals)
Gardner Minshew (at Tennessee Titans)
Runningbacks:
Antonio Gibson (vs Miami Dolphins)
Ezekiel Elliott (vs Los Angeles Chargers)
Tyjae Spears (vs Indianapolis Colts)
Wide Receivers:
Curtis Samuel (vs Miami Dolphins)
Jayden Reed (vs Kansas City Chiefs)
Demario Douglas (vs Los Angeles Chargers)
Tight Ends:
Pat Freiermuth (vs Arizona Cardinals)
Chigoziem Okonkwo (vs Indianapolis Colts)
Tyler Conklin (vs Atlanta Falcons)
Defense/Special Teams:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs Carolina Panthers)
Los Angeles Rams (vs Cleveland Browns)
Atlanta Falcons (at New York Jets)
Kickers:
Matt Ammendola (vs Denver Broncos)
Chris Boswell (vs Arizona Cardinals)
Wil Lutz (at Houston Texans)