There are many obvious waiver adds today. You don't need to hear me say "Add Dallas Goedert" or "Don't sleep on Nyheim Hines!" So let's look at some less obvious pickups.
Michael Thomas's injury might finally open to door for 2018 third rounder Tre'Quan Smith (rostered in 0% of ESPN leagues). Rarely if ever serving as better than the #5 or #6 option in one of the league's most top-heavy offenses, Smith is a terrific athlete with great hands (second highest catch rate in the nation on 20+ yard pass plays in 2017). He was an afterthought (WR-84 ADP) in drafts, pushed aside with the acquisition of Emmanuel Sanders. As long as Thomas is sidelined, Smith could make a play as Drew Brees' top receiver. Unless I'm completely misreading this and Smith somehow doesn't start, he's a solid flyer for now.
I'm expecting better days for Tyrod Taylor (5%), who started his first game in roughly two years this past Sunday. Home against the Chiefs, he should offer top-16 production as the Chargers make offensive adjustments to capitalize on Taylor's dual-threat abilities. And don't forget Austin Ekeler caught only one ball after catching 92 last season. Yes, adjustments are coming, and with K.C. likely to put up 30+ points, Taylor deserves more love.
Joshua Kelley (11%) has moved past Justin Jackson on the Chargers' RB depth chart. The question now is whether he's a bellcow-caliber back if Ekeler goes down. We don't know whether his 1.7 catches per game in college reflect what he's capable of at the NFL level. Yet he has to be considered a top-14 handcuff at the moment, and that makes him worth an add in nearly every league.
And for the third straight season, have some respect for Jonnu Smith (22%). Yes, I get it: O.J. Howard (5%) deserves more attention. And I'm sure Howard will get snatched up in many leagues today. But Jonnu is perpetually ignored, despite earning 9+ points nearly every game he's started since 2018.
Michael Thomas's injury might finally open to door for 2018 third rounder Tre'Quan Smith (rostered in 0% of ESPN leagues). Rarely if ever serving as better than the #5 or #6 option in one of the league's most top-heavy offenses, Smith is a terrific athlete with great hands (second highest catch rate in the nation on 20+ yard pass plays in 2017). He was an afterthought (WR-84 ADP) in drafts, pushed aside with the acquisition of Emmanuel Sanders. As long as Thomas is sidelined, Smith could make a play as Drew Brees' top receiver. Unless I'm completely misreading this and Smith somehow doesn't start, he's a solid flyer for now.
I'm expecting better days for Tyrod Taylor (5%), who started his first game in roughly two years this past Sunday. Home against the Chiefs, he should offer top-16 production as the Chargers make offensive adjustments to capitalize on Taylor's dual-threat abilities. And don't forget Austin Ekeler caught only one ball after catching 92 last season. Yes, adjustments are coming, and with K.C. likely to put up 30+ points, Taylor deserves more love.
Joshua Kelley (11%) has moved past Justin Jackson on the Chargers' RB depth chart. The question now is whether he's a bellcow-caliber back if Ekeler goes down. We don't know whether his 1.7 catches per game in college reflect what he's capable of at the NFL level. Yet he has to be considered a top-14 handcuff at the moment, and that makes him worth an add in nearly every league.
And for the third straight season, have some respect for Jonnu Smith (22%). Yes, I get it: O.J. Howard (5%) deserves more attention. And I'm sure Howard will get snatched up in many leagues today. But Jonnu is perpetually ignored, despite earning 9+ points nearly every game he's started since 2018.