The key to winning your fantasy football league is not how well you draft, but the players you add off waivers. This is extremely important because securing hidden talent could replace those late-round selections, even mid-rounders, that aren’t having the best season. Here at NFS, we provide the best picks for players you should grab off waivers now before it is too late. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. All players listed are rostered below 40 percent on ESPN. Learn to think like a NERD!
Sam Darnold, QB, Carolina Panthers
It is time to start taking Sam Darnold seriously as an NFL quarterback who can compete with most teams in the NFL. He’s on a hot streak thus far (#4 in our New Age Rankings) and as the weeks go by, he continues to make a case that he should be in the top half of starting QBs. This season, Sam Darnold has thrown three interceptions and five touchdowns. He also has five rushing touchdowns as well, which is already a career-high. He’s done his fair share at keeping the Panthers afloat in the playoff hunt so far. DJ Moore has been the beneficiary of Darnold’s production. If he’s able to keep this up, the Panthers may have just found their franchise quarterback.
Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams
In a high-level offense, Van Jefferson has been the beneficiary of some highly productive games and has already shown to be a decent steal this early in the draft after being taken in the fourth round. Jefferson last week totaled 90 yards and a touchdown on six catches. He also had a boom game Week 1 where he had 80 yards and a touchdown on two catches. He needs to make major improvements on his production consistency. That will probably just have to come with time as he integrates with the rest of the offense. But Jefferson is a solid season-long investment.
Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants
It is quite ridiculous that it took four weeks and injured players for Jason Garrett to see Kadarius Toney’s full talent. He was lucky enough to slip to the Giants at 20th when he could have easily been taken higher. Nonetheless, he finally had his first game included in the offense and he performed well. Toney finished with six receptions for 78 yards on nine targets. It would be hopeful that he is continued to be utilized in the near future for the Giants as his production helped produce their first win of the season. Toney is another investment player as he continues to make strides in his young career.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
With Miles Sanders continuing to struggle in the Eagles’ offense, it has been Kenneth Gainwell who has slowly continued to build a case for more touches. Last week, Gainwell totaled two touchdowns with around 100 scrimmage yards. Sanders on the other hand only finished with around 40 yards and an ugly 1.9 yards per carry rushing. The fifth-round pick is also starting to slowly look more like a steal in the draft. It will be interesting to see which direction Nick Sirianni leans in on who is the lead back for the Eagles. He is another investment player as the Eagles continue to develop chemistry in their offense.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
After an eight-season stint with the Packers between 2011 and 2018, Randall Cobb spent two seasons in Texas before reuniting with Aaron Rodgers. It wouldn’t take long either before the two could reconnect offensively like they did only a few seasons ago. Last week, Cobb finished with 69 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. Cobb immediately entered this offense as a reliable second receiver for Aaron Rodgers and that’s already showing early. Cobb is a solid pick up because of his familiarity in a high-producing offense.
Ethan Hartley 