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Your fantasy football waiver wire probably has been picked clean of any usable talent, and managers are finding it very difficult to find depth to help them survive the grueling bye-week gauntlet.
Though injuries typically force us to scramble for unknown running back handcuffs or emergency backups, we can take a smarter, proactive approach by hunting for talent returning from IR who are ready to make an immediate impact, particularly at the wide receiver position.
Take, for instance, the return of Ja’Kobi Lane to the Ravens. After a spectacular preseason, the rookie out of USC was already commanding a 40 percent snap share in Week 1 and saw three targets before fracturing a bone in his wrist and landing on short-term IR. He made his triumphant return Sunday, immediately jumping to a 54 percent snap share.
Lane saw five targets, second most on the team, and hauled in four catches for 40 yards. He possesses the deep speed to stretch the field vertically combined with the size and physicality to win contested catches downfield.
Once QB Lamar Jackson gets back, Lane should become an integral part of this passing attack, offering immediate fantasy viability as a WR3 or weekly flex option. Should his career trajectory continue on this path, he is locked in as the clear-cut No. 2 wideout opposite Zay Flowers.
Meanwhile, the Jets welcomed back Omar Cooper Jr. to inject some life into their offense. Cooper’s preseason wasn’t quite as loud as Lane’s, and he was initially slated to work behind Isaiah Williams early in the year. Unfortunately, he suffered a high-ankle sprain on the opening possession of the season and was stashed on IR.
He returned in Week 6 and made up for lost time in a major way. Not only did Cooper completely push Williams to the bench, but he also logged a stellar 82 percent snap share and turned seven targets into six catches for 103 yards, highlighted by a brilliant 48-yard touchdown.
Though it was a favorable matchup against a Patriots secondary that has struggled to cover slot receivers, Cooper’s relentless motor stood out. If he maintains this kind of heavy snap share, he will have no trouble building a reliable rapport with Geno Smith moving forward.
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There is always help available on the fantasy waiver wire if you know where to look. Too many managers blindly sort free agents purely by current seasonlong production numbers, staring backward at the stats when they should be looking ahead. Don’t look for what was already done, look for what is going to happen. After all, that’s why the windshield on your car is so much bigger than the rearview mirror.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy, catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Ch. 87) weekdays from 6-8 p.m. and dominate your leagues with the latest football news and advice from Fantasy Alarm.