If you want to have long-term success in fantasy football, you need to work the wire. Here’s a look at the top waiver wire adds of the week, including Colorado State’s Dalyn Dawkins.
Quarterback
Malcolm Perry, Navy
% Owned: 7%
There are two sure things in fantasy college football: a Texas Tech quarterback will always throw for 4,000+ yards, and whoever plays quarterback for Navy will call his own number a lot in the red zone. With Zach Abey possibly missing in action this week against Notre Dame and Malcolm Perry’s ability to be inserted as a QB or RB, there is no reason for his ownership not to skyrocket this week. Perry accounted for 282 rushing yards and four touchdowns against SMU, and they square off against Notre Dame in a huge letdown spot after getting thrashed by Miami.
Zach Mahoney, Syracuse
% Owned: 0%
Dino Babers announced that Eric Dungey “needs a little bit more” before he can start at Louisville this week, which leaves Zach Mahoney as a huge power play in what will be the first round of the playoffs in most leagues. Louisville’s defense is a fantasy gold mine for a quarterback, and Mahoney is flying incredibly under the radar. Mahoney threw for 384 yards and three touchdowns against a solid Wake Forest defense last week.
Tyree Johnson, Buffalo
% Owned: 3%
Tyree Johnson’s first week back from injury felt empty after throwing for 313 yards but no touchdowns. Last week Johnson torched Bowling Green for 400+ yards and three scores. Johnson is the safest bet of the three quarterbacks listed due to being entrenched as the starter rather than filling in for an injured starter. If you are needing a low-risk/medium-reward player to get you through round one, Tyree is your man.
Previously mentioned adds:
Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss
John Wolford, Wake Forest
Running Back
Dalyn Dawkins, Colorado State
% Owned: 31%
In a pass-first offense, Dalyn Dawkins has seen more than 25 touches for two straight weeks, with 150+ rushing yards in both contests. After sharing the backfield with Izzy Matthews, Dawkins has claimed the top spot in the Rams backfield and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since. With one final matchup against the San Jose Spartans, Dawkins is the X-Factor that will send you to the championship game.
Matt Colburn II, Wake Forest
% Owned: 2%
Wake Forest boasts a top-20 offense this season… Wake Forest… Really makes you wonder how they would’ve been last season if their game plans weren’t sold around. With Isaiah Robinson sidelined, Colburn has taken the Demon Deacons’ backfield and run with it. He’s rushed for 134, 120, and 237 yards the past three weeks, respectively, while also scoring three touchdowns. Colburn is an intriguing add as Wake Forest takes on North Carolina State and Duke.
Previously Mentioned Adds:
Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
AJ Dillon, Boston College
Wide Receiver
Nahshon Ellerbe, Rice
% Owned: 0%
Nahshon Ellerbe took the stage by storm last week, rushing for 153 yards and crossing the goal line four times against Southern Mississippi. Ellerbe stepped in at running back after an injury to Samuel Stewart. Ellerbe’s appeal really comes from his eligibility to be used in both RB and WR slots in your lineup. As a running back playing receiver, he’s an incredible value. As long as Stewart is gone, Ellerbe is a huge pickup.
Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
% Owned: 30%
Oklahoma may not have a defense, but man can they score. Baker Mayfield seems to finally have found his No. 1 target in “Hollywood” Marquise Brown. Brown has topped a hundred receiving yards three times this season and has 16 receptions over the last three games. Hollywood seems to have taken the role that great receivers such as Dede Westbrook and Sterling Shepard held before him, making him a hot commodity.
Scotty Washington, Wake Forest
% Owned: 2%
Greg Dortch’s injury will have a lasting impact on his owners, but Scotty Washington seems to be the guy Wolford is going to. Washington has 330 total receiving yards in the last three weeks and is averaging seven catches per game, making him very valuable in PPR formats. His lack of touchdowns may be concerning, but his numbers outside of that are hard to overlook.
Previously Mentioned Adds:
Ike Lewis, Appalachian State
Korey Robertson, Southern Mississippi
Tight End
Gabe Schrade, Texas State
% Owned: 2%
With options at tight end slim to none toward the end of the season, Gabe Schrade’s red zone action makes him stand out from the rest. Texas State’s passing offense is very potent, and Schrade seems to have taken an increased role considering he’s caught 12 passes in the last three games with two touchdowns. With the playoffs upon us, every point counts, and a red-zone target like Schrade is hard to pass on.