He's The Backup

Blake Corum is currently available on waivers and represents free value that can be picked up; the source emphasizes that acquiring him off waivers after week one will be difficult, making him a priority waiver target. The source notes 'it's going to be incredibly difficult for you to go through and for you to find a cut after week one when one of these guys pops up off waivers,' indicating urgency to claim him early.

WR depth piece with limited trade value in two-receiver, one-flex format; the source identifies Brian Thomas as a wide receiver five on the roster whose depth value is nearly useless in this league format. Suggests selling Brian Thomas in two-for-one trades to upgrade at quarterback or running back.

The source suggests overpaying for Brock Bowers in trades, indicating he is worth the premium cost; the strategy involves trading away depth like Carnell Tate to acquire Bowers, leveraging waiver availability of players like Blake Corum to fill gaps. In a 10-team, two-receiver, one-flex format, the source recommends trading to acquire Bowers from George KD, noting 'it makes a lot of sense in a league in which wide receiver depth is so easy to come by.' The source also identifies Bowers as an elite tight end option that provides significant value to a roster, particularly in league formats with limited receiver slots.

Brock Purdy faces the Rams in Week 1, making him a less favorable start compared to Jackson Dart, who gets the Dallas Cowboys. The source positions Purdy as a waiverwire QB option in a tier above other available options like Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield, and Tyler Shuck, recommending him as the backup to Trevor Lawrence. Despite the unfavorable Week 1 matchup, Purdy offers value as a streaming option.

Bucky Irving is RB2 in a 12-team start-eight league roster review. If he falls to the fifth round, he should be drafted at that ADP as a solid value pick for the format.

In 10-team shallow formats, the source would propose 2-for-1 trades combining Caleb Williams and Carnell Tate to upgrade to Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, indicating trade value exists where elite QB upgrade is worth the cost. In deeper 12-team double-flex formats, the source advises keeping Williams paired with Tate rather than trading both for a single elite quarterback; the pairing is preferred over acquiring Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson in deeper league contexts.

Cardell Tate is a long-term breakout candidate who will provide expendable trade value once he proves out. However, he cannot be traded now because he hasn't broken out yet and isn't someone to start Week 1. The source advises holding until Malik Neighbors' injury clears and Tate's breakout materializes, then selling receiver depth to upgrade running back.

In 12-team double-flex formats, the source recommends retaining Carnell Tate alongside Caleb Williams rather than trading both for a single elite quarterback; the pairing is preferred over acquiring Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson in deeper league contexts. However, in shallow formats with abundant waiver depth, Tate is identified as a tradeable asset that can be moved to acquire premium players like Brock Bowers.

One of two anchor running backs in a 12-team start-eight auction league roster, indicating a strong primary role in the team's running back rotation.

Realistic chance to become Jacksonville's starting running back in week one. The source recommends cutting a bench player to pick up Chris Rodriguez, citing a realistic opportunity for him to be the straightup starting running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars in week one.

Startable bench piece with trade value. The source suggests Watson as part of a two-for-one trade package alongside Colston Loveland to upgrade at tight end, targeting Trey McBride. On a strong 10-team, two-receiver, one-flex roster, Watson is identified as a startable depth piece that could be traded in combination with Trevor Lawrence to upgrade at quarterback.

Leverageable trade asset despite backup tight end role. The source suggests pairing Loveland with Christian Watson to upgrade at tight end, specifically targeting Trey McBride. If drafted in round 3 or 4, the owner is pot-committed to banking on Loveland as a top-three tight end in fantasy; the source sees limited upside in alternative tight end options on the roster.

WR depth piece with minimal trade value; the source notes that Sutton has essentially no trade value, stating 'You wouldn't be able to sell Courtland Sutton for anything. And if you could sell Courtland Sutton for something, that'd be absolutely insane.'

The source suggests selling DeAndre Swift in a two-for-one trade package with Brian Thomas to upgrade at running back.

D'Andre Swift is available to play at running back early in the season without issue. The source suggests Swift could be traded away (in combination with Matthew Stafford) to upgrade at quarterback if one of the team's rookies breaks out early.

Dallas Goedert is the tight end in a 12-team start-eight league roster review, but the source recommends punting the tight end position in this format rather than investing in elite options. Goedert is part of a strategy to build depth at running back and receiver instead, indicating he is not a priority hold in this deep format.

Devon Achane is identified as one of two anchor running backs in a 12-team start-eight auction league roster, indicating a strong primary role in the team's running back rotation alongside Chase Brown.

Rookie wide receiver with breakout potential; the source identifies him as a candidate to monitor for a breakout that could unlock trade flexibility, stating 'I think you're going to be waiting until we get a breakout from one or two of those rookie wide receivers. And once you get a breakout from Deshaun Stribbling, then maybe at that point, yeah, you can go through and you can trade Christian Watson and your quarterback to get a QB upgrade.'

Depth wide receiver asset in double-flex league with trade value. The source suggests trading DeVonta Smith and Kyler Murray together to acquire Josh Allen, contingent on Jaren Price proving usable early in the season. Smith is identified as leverageable depth that can be moved to upgrade at premium positions.

Harold Fannon is the team's tight end in a 12-team start-eight auction league; the source states that if you have Fannon at tight end, there is no world in which you would start Terren Ferguson over him, indicating Fannon is the clear starter and preferred option with no viable backup competition.

Isaiah Pacheco is on injured reserve, limiting his availability for immediate roster consideration in this league format.

The source identifies Price as a startable bench piece on a strong 10-team, two-receiver, one-flex roster. Price is part of significant depth that allows for trading pieces to upgrade at other positions; the source recommends considering trading Price in combination with Trevor Lawrence to upgrade at quarterback (e.g., to Josh Allen), noting that such a trade would be an absolute no-brainer.

Quality starting QB on roster; the source states 'Quarterback, we have Jaden Daniels. So quality QB, nobody on the waiverwire is that interesting to rosters to back up,' indicating no need to pursue waiverwire QB upgrades.

The source identifies Jaylen Warren as a running back upgrade target worth acquiring via two-for-one trade, suggesting he is worth trading for by selling depth pieces like DeAndre Swift and Brian Thomas.

Jeremiah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain and missed significant camp time, which is not ideal for a rookie needing reps. He is listed as running back two behind Tyler Algier on the Cardinals depth chart. The source ranks him RB24 for week one and discounts his production for the opening week due to injury recovery. However, the source emphasizes not to panic on his long-term upside given his elite talent and top-five draft pedigree, expecting the Cardinals will feature him this season.

Jonah Coleman is RB4 in a roster review with long-term upside potential representing depth and future value in the running back room. The source recommends adding him to the waiverwire watch list, advising to monitor what the Week 1 Denver backfield appears to be and potentially consider acquiring Coleman after Week 1 depending on usage patterns.

RB1 anchor on roster in two-receiver, one-flex league; the source identifies Taylor as the primary running back anchor, providing stability at the position.

Brooks is a startable bench piece in 10-team, two-receiver, one-flex formats with strong depth. The source identifies him as a tradeable asset in 2-for-1 deals to upgrade at premium positions; proposed pairing Brooks with other depth pieces to move up to elite running backs like DeAndre Swift or tight ends like Travis Kelce. Long-term trade target once team injuries clear and complementary pieces break out.

The source recommends picking up Jordan Tyson off waivers if possible, particularly if the league allows injured reserve placement. In a double flex format, Tyson has upside to be a league winner in the second half of the season, making him a priority waiver wire target despite early-season injury concerns.

High-value trade target across multiple league formats. The source frames acquiring Allen via 2-for-1 deals (e.g., Caleb Williams and Carnell Tate, or Jadarian Price and Trevor Lawrence) as 'such a no-brainer' for teams. Suggests overpaying for Allen is justified; example given is trading Jaden Daniels and T. Higgins to acquire him. Worth the premium cost in both shallow and deeper league contexts.

Available on waivers in 10-team PPR format despite suspension uncertainty; the source assesses it's reasonable to assume Jacobs could make a difference this year and may not face full-season suspension. One of very few waiver names capable of providing meaningful upside to championship-contending rosters. Strong pickup candidate in shallow formats where ceiling matters more than floor; will be difficult to find a cut after week one when he clears waivers.

The source identifies Jawan Johnson as the starting tight end but notes the roster is not in a comfortable position at the tight end spot with him as the starter, suggesting the need for an upgrade; the source prefers Hunter Henry as an alternative.

Not a reliable weekly starter. The source states Kyler Murray is "not the best QB" and recommends a streaming/matchup-based approach: "If you have Kyler, I very much think that you're in a position in which you should be playing the matchups. You kind of should be going back and forth based on the weekly projections." Identified as a potential trade asset to upgrade to Josh Allen.

Elite quarterback upgrade target. In shallow league formats where waiver depth is abundant (e.g., Josh Jacobs available for free), the source suggests it would be acceptable to trade Caleb Williams and Carnell Tate to acquire Lamar Jackson. Also identifies Jackson as a top-tier target for 2-for-1 trades; suggests trading Jonathan Brooks and Trevor Lawrence to acquire him, calling such a trade an absolute no-brainer in 10-team, two-receiver, one-flex formats.

Nico Collins is considered as a potential straight-up trade asset, but the source decides against selling him straight up because the roster already has Laughlin at a similar position, making a package deal more valuable. The source states 'a big thing that you could do is just try to sell Nico Collins straight up. Actually, no. Because you have Laughlin. You don't want to do it straight up like you would in another league.'

Listed as a wide receiver on the team roster being evaluated in a double flex league format.

Patrick Mahomes is coming off a significant injury and is expected to start slowly. The source notes an awkward spot and specifically does not want to start him against the Denver Broncos in week one, preferring to find matchup flexibility. The source also states it is 'really tough to imagine us being excited to start him week one' despite having him on many rosters. For week one specifically, the source recommends starting Jackson Dart over Mahomes due to a superior matchup against Dallas compared to Mahomes' matchup against Denver.

Ray Davis is a handcuff to James Cook with limited standalone value. If Cook gets injured, Davis would be an auto-start, but the source prefers Caleb Johnson as a backup option because James Cook has proven durability and there's essentially 0% chance Davis could beat out Cook for the primary role.

With Trevian Henderson out, Rhamondre Stevenson will receive all touches in the Patriots backfield. The source strongly recommends starting him despite a tough matchup against Seattle, calling it 'critical' that owners start him if they have him. The source also identifies Stevenson as part of a solid running back combination with Saquon Barkley that will help early in the season.

RJ Harvey is identified as the running back four on the roster in a 12-team start-eight auction league, providing additional depth at the position. The source identifies him as a lottery ticket running back on the bench with potential to pop later in the season, noting 'potentially, just potentially, we end up seeing RJ Harvey or Joe Nicoleman pop for us later in the season.'

The source identifies Saquon Barkley as part of a solid starting running back combination in a double-flex format league alongside Raidre Stevenson.

The source identifies Tee Higgins as a wide receiver four on the roster with depth value that is nearly useless in a two-receiver, one-flex format. The source suggests selling Higgins in a two-for-one trade to upgrade at quarterback or running back.

Listed as a wide receiver on the team roster being evaluated in a double flex league format.

The source identifies Travis Etienne as a running back upgrade target in a two-for-one trade, suggesting he is worth acquiring by selling depth pieces like Bayel Tutin and Brian Thomas.

Too much draft capital invested at his draft position; the source believes 'a little bit too much value tied into with Travis Kelce' and would have preferred a running back or wide receiver in those rounds instead. Does not expect Kelce to be tradeable, though a two-for-one deal could create roster flexibility.

QB2 with limited trade value and draft capital concerns. The source views Trevor Lawrence as acceptable to roster depending on cost, but does not expect to be able to trade him away for meaningful return. The source identifies Lawrence as having too much value tied into the roster at his draft position; prefers running back or wide receiver in those rounds instead. However, suggests trading Lawrence in combination with depth pieces (Christian Watson, Jadarian Price, or Jonathan Brooks) to upgrade at quarterback to a top-tier option like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.

Elite tight end upgrade target. The source recommends pursuing McBride as a primary trade upgrade, suggesting pairing Colston Loveland and Christian Watson in a two-for-one deal to acquire him. McBride is positioned as a premium tier above current roster options and represents the key upgrade path in single-flex leagues where the roster is already strong at other positions.

The source recommends picking up Wandale Robinson off waivers as a valuable free acquisition, particularly if roster flexibility opens up through two-for-one trades involving Travis Kelce or Trevor Lawrence.