With the exception of James Starks, all the players listed below play this week. This week's bye teams are Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, and Green Bay. Of players on those teams, Marvin Jones is the only player that jumps out to me as a player to stash. Now onto the waiver wire.
Stefon Diggs, Vikings
I saw some recommend stashing Stefon Diggs during the bye, and those people were right on. In Week 4 against Denver, he caught six balls for 87 yards and followed up that performance in Week 6 with seven catches for 129 yards. He’s drawing praise from many, and despite my hesitation to trust the Minnesota passing game, I like Diggs.
Christine Michael, Cowboys
The uber-athletic Christine Michael has reportedly garnered most of the first-team reps at running back, and it looks like he’ll have the chance to show he can do more than Joseph Randle. He’s worth the speculative add, even without knowing exactly what his role will be.
Michael Floyd, Cardinals
Five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown isn’t the most exciting statline, but it was on a season-high eight targets. But if Michael Floyd managed to convert on a close-to-being-a-touchdown, I feel he’d be one of the top adds. With the way this Arizona offense is playing, even the third option is fantasy-relevant, especially if he gets 6-8 targets a game.
James Starks, Packers
I’m not going to pretend I know what will happen with the Green Bay backfield, but the upside of the starting running back here is worth a roster spot. Breaking 100 yards and two touchdowns against a weak San Diego difference shows Starks is still capable big games, and he could be a difference-maker if he out-snaps Eddie Lacy.
Brandon LaFell, Patriots
Eligible to practice now after missing the whole season thus far after being on the PUP List, Brandon LaFell is worth a look in a New England offense that has scored at least 28 points in every game. It will be worth monitoring how playing time and targets are distributed once LaFell returns.
Rishard Matthews, Dolphins
After recording only one catch for 16 yards in the London debacle, Rishard Matthews bounced back by catching all six of his targets for 85 yards against Tennessee. It was his fourth game with six or more targets, and it looks like he’s locked into the role we thought DeVante Parker might have. He offers low-end flex appeal on most weeks.
Charles Sims, Buccaneers
While Doug Martin has been great in his own right, Charles Sims has carved out his own role in the Tampa Bay offense. He has totaled 56 touches in five games, and in his last three games, he has either scored a receiving touchdown (Weeks 3 and 4) or had 85 receiving yards (Week 5). Against a tough Washington run defense, Sims might have the edge over Martin.
Theo Riddick, Lions
On a weekly basis, Theo Riddick doesn’t offer much upside, but in PPR leagues, he has been great on a pure volume basis with 33 catches in six games. With Joique Bell banged up and Ameer Abdullah ineffective, he has the opportunity to take on more snaps.