Waiver Wire

Josh Allen

## Form & Role Allen remains the ultimate dual-threat weapon in 2026, pairing an elite 87.4 PFF grade with a stellar 69.4% completion rate. His massive fantasy floor is cemented by a remarkable 14 rushing touchdowns and 3,668 passing yards this season. ## Matchup He draws a highly favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Their defensive front lacks the discipline to contain his rushing upside, while the secondary will struggle against his 25 passing touchdowns' worth of red-zone efficiency. ## Verdict Allen is an unquestioned must-start across all fantasy formats. Lock him into your lineup as an elite QB1 with guaranteed week-winning upside.

Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson remains the primary engine of the Baltimore Ravens offense, delivering highly efficient play during his thirteen appearances in the 2025 season. As a passer, he completed 63.6 percent of his throws for 2,549 yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions, culminating in an excellent 103.8 passer rating. On the ground, Jackson added 349 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns, proving he is still a potent dual-threat quarterback. His ability to produce high-value plays in both phases of the game keeps his weekly fantasy floor very stable. The upcoming October 22 clash against the Cleveland Browns presents a highly favorable opportunity for Jackson to exploit a familiar opponent. While divisional matchups in the AFC North can be gritty, the Browns frequently struggle to contain mobile quarterbacks who extend plays outside the pocket. Jackson usually uses Cleveland's aggressive pass rush against them, scrambling for crucial yardage when his initial passing reads are covered. This specific dynamic makes him very likely to pad his overall fantasy total with significant rushing production. Fantasy managers must view Jackson as a definitive must-start option across all league formats for this pivotal week. Elite dual-threat quarterbacks are incredibly valuable, and benching a player with his proven ceiling in a favorable matchup is simply a mistake. The combination of his reliable passing baseline and the immense upside generated by his rushing ability makes him a top-tier asset. There is no legitimate justification for keeping a dominant playmaker of his caliber out of your starting lineup. While his efficiency metrics are stellar, managers should closely monitor his overall rushing volume and health status as the season progresses. Accruing 349 rushing yards in thirteen games is a noticeable decrease from the explosive ground totals of his earlier peak years, hinting at a schematic shift to protect him. Furthermore, missing games due to physical wear serves as a minor reminder of the inherent durability risks attached to his playing style. Nevertheless, his touchdown efficiency heavily outweighs the slight concerns about his reduced rushing workload.

Derrick Henry

## Current Form & Role Derrick Henry remains the undeniable focal point of the Baltimore Ravens rushing attack after an incredibly dominant 2025 campaign. He handled a massive workload of 307 carries last season while racking up 1,595 rushing yards and punishing opposing defenses for 16 rushing touchdowns. Averaging an outstanding 5.2 yards per carry, the veteran running back continues to prove his bruising style can wear down any front. Operating alongside a dynamic quarterback, Henry sees lighter boxes, allowing him to maintain elite efficiency. ## Matchup Breakdown Looking ahead to the upcoming clash against the Philadelphia Eagles, the matchup projects to be highly favorable for the star running back. The Eagles have recently shown clear vulnerability against physical, downhill rushing attacks that command the line of scrimmage. Because the Ravens rely heavily on establishing the run to open up their offensive playbook, Henry should see extensive volume in a positive game script. If Baltimore takes an early lead, he will be heavily leaned upon to control the clock and ice the game. ## Start/Sit Verdict You should absolutely consider Henry a locked-in, must-start asset in all fantasy formats for this slate. His elite role near the goal line ensures a highly secure touchdown floor, and his projected carry count makes him one of the safest volume plays available. Regardless of any potential scoring lulls, his ability to break off explosive runs provides the high-end ceiling needed to win weekly fantasy matchups. There is simply no justifiable reason to leave a producer of this caliber on your bench. ## Trend Watch Despite his phenomenal rushing efficiency, fantasy managers should continue closely monitoring his distinct lack of involvement in the passing game. He recorded just 15 receptions for 150 receiving yards throughout the entirety of his 2025 season, making his fantasy output heavily dependent on scoring opportunities. Furthermore, his career rushing workload is reaching historic levels for a modern running back. While he has defied age-related regression thus far, any slight reduction in snap share or minor physical setbacks could suddenly cap his ceiling.

CeeDee Lamb

## Current Form & Role CeeDee Lamb remains a highly efficient focal point of the Dallas Cowboys passing attack, closing out the 2025 campaign with seventy-five receptions for 1,077 yards across fourteen games. Despite missing a few weeks earlier in the season with a high ankle sprain and competing for targets with newly acquired teammate George Pickens, Lamb still showcased elite playmaking ability. He posted a career-best 14.4 yards per reception and a highly efficient 9.2 yards per target, proving that his role has evolved to feature more explosive downfield routes rather than just relying on sheer underneath volume. ## Matchup Breakdown The upcoming matchup against the New England Patriots presents a highly favorable environment for Lamb to completely dismantle a vulnerable secondary. The Patriots have routinely struggled to contain dynamic route runners this season, frequently yielding massive chunk plays on deep passing concepts outside the numbers. With Pickens likely drawing significant defensive attention and safety help on the opposite side of the formation, Lamb should have plenty of space to operate in the intermediate and deep zones where he has consistently thrived. ## Start/Sit Verdict You are treating Lamb as an absolute must-start option across all fantasy formats this week without any hesitation. Even though he suffered a career-low three receiving touchdowns during the 2025 regular season, his elite yardage baseline and downfield upside make him far too valuable to ever leave on a fantasy bench. This highly favorable defensive matchup only amplifies his weekly ceiling, providing an excellent opportunity for some long overdue positive touchdown regression. ## Trend Watch Fantasy managers should closely monitor his deep target utilization as a crucial trend for the remainder of the fantasy season. While his overall target volume has slightly decreased due to the shifting offensive scheme in Dallas, the pure quality of his looks has dramatically increased his big-play upside. The only lingering risk is his recently reduced red-zone usage, but his proven ability to flip the field and score from absolutely anywhere keeps his weekly ceiling incredibly high.

Patrick Mahomes

## Current Form & Role Patrick Mahomes remains the undisputed leader of the Kansas City Chiefs offense, though his 2025 production saw a noticeable dip compared to his historical standards. Over 14 games played, the veteran quarterback threw for 3,587 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, navigating an offense that leaned more heavily on the short game and defensive support. His completion percentage dropped to 62.8 percent, and an 89.6 passer rating reflected some uncharacteristic struggles with deep-ball accuracy and overall efficiency. Despite these lower statistical benchmarks, his role as the primary engine of this championship-caliber franchise is as secure as ever. ## Matchup Breakdown Looking ahead to his upcoming matchup, fantasy managers are dealing with a neutral environment that offers both stability and moderate resistance. Mahomes has proven capable of dissecting standard zone coverages, but his 2025 tape shows occasional hesitation when forced to hold the ball against simulated pressure. The opposing defense features a sturdy secondary that aligns well with the two-high safety shells that have historically frustrated this passing attack. If he wants to break through for a vintage performance, he will need his receivers to create reliable yardage after the catch on quick underneath routes. ## Start/Sit Verdict Despite the statistical regression we witnessed throughout the 2025 campaign, Patrick Mahomes remains a must-start asset in all traditional fantasy football formats. His undeniable baseline and immense talent mean he is always a threat to erupt for multiple scores regardless of the defensive scheme lined up across from him. While the 22 passing touchdowns represent a career low for a primary starting season, the positional landscape at quarterback makes it nearly impossible to bench a player with his weekly scoring upside. You drafted him to be the anchor of your fantasy roster, and you must trust his playmaking ability in this crucial spot. ## Trend Watch The most pressing trend to monitor is his declining downfield efficiency and reliance on the short passing game. With a pedestrian 7.1 yards per attempt and notable struggles on deep throws outside the pocket, the ceiling games that used to be a weekly occurrence have become less frequent. Fantasy managers should also keep a close eye on the health and development of his primary receiving weapons, as their ability to generate separation directly dictates his overall production. If the passing volume remains high but the explosive plays stay dormant, his status as an elite tier-one fantasy quarterback may need to be reevaluated for the future.

Lamar Jackson

Opportunity opens up — QB starter on Baltimore Ravens is injured

Derrick Henry

Opportunity opens up — RB starter on Baltimore Ravens is injured

CeeDee Lamb

Opportunity opens up — WR starter on Dallas Cowboys is injured

Alan Herron

Opportunity opens up — OT starter on New Orleans Saints is injured

George Pickens

Opportunity opens up — WR starter on Dallas Cowboys is injured

Josh Allen

Chargers' secondary is struggling, allowing many passing yards.

CeeDee Lamb

Upcoming matchup

George Pickens

Upcoming matchup

Kahlil Benson

Upcoming matchup

Cooper Beebe

Upcoming matchup