Week 7 of the NFL season featured an action packed slate with many Super Bowl contenders facing off. We had thrilling last second finishes in Green Bay, Minnesota, and Arizona. Unfortunately, Week 7 also featured a few crucial injuries along with all the action. As we approach the tail end of the fantasy football regular season, leveraging the waiver wire is as important as ever. Following these injuries, there are a few key players who need to be rostered in every league. Let’s get right into it:
Cade Otton
As it stands right now, Cade Otton is rostered in under 50% of fantasy leagues. Now, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both out for the foreseeable future, Otton has become Mayfield’s top target in Tampa. Otton has the 2nd most targets among tight ends since Week 3. In a season where tight ends have been so inconsistent across the board, a player like Otton who will reliably put up 5+ receptions per game is crucial for a deep playoff run.
Following the loss of Evans and Godwin, there will be a major halt in production from the Bucs passing offense. Bruce Arians will turn to his RB committee to play a bigger role to help move the ball downfield. Nevertheless, when Mayfield does throw the ball his top target will be Otton, and that is extremely valuable. As it stands right now Otton is a top 5 tight end in fantasy football and he has no right being on waivers in any self-respecting league.
Ricky Pearsall
It has been a wild 2024 season for Ricky Pearsall. During the preseason he was shot in the chest during an armed robbery. He made a miraculously quick recovery and was activated by the Niners just a few weeks into the season. Now, with Brandon Aiyuk out for the season and Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings battling injuries of their own, Pearsall finds himself as the potential WR1 in San Francisco.
The Niners find themselves playing with a losing record and their backs against the wall and the prospect of facing the Cowboys and the Buccaneers in their next two games. Pearsall will be a reception vulture for as long as the Niners are short handed on wide receivers.
Also, unlike the Bucs, I expect this offense to maintain a decent level of production even with all their injuries. They still have Purdy, Kittle, and Trent Williams (as long as he doesn’t punch anyone else). The sun has not yet set on the 49ers season. Don’t be surprised when Ricky Pearsall is a significant part of their turnaround. He is a must-add in any PPR league.
David Njoku
If you are shorthanded at tight end and Cade Otton is not available, Njoku is another great option. There’s no hiding the fact that the Browns are one of the worst offensive teams in the NFL. Deshaun Watson is now out for the season with a torn achilles and it looks like Jameis Winston will be starting for the Browns. I think that the Browns offense will actually improve under Winston, which is not saying much considering the bar is pretty low.
With Amari Cooper now in Buffalo, Winston’s favorite target will almost definitely be Njoku, who has fully recovered from his ankle injury. It’s easy to forget that Njoku averaged 7 receptions, 93 yards, and 1 touchdown per game in the last 4 games of the 2023 regular season. He was emerging as the next great tight end before his injury. Coming off his best game of the 2024 season, I expect Njoku to keep putting up big numbers in a revitalized Cleveland offense. He is definitely worth adding on waivers.
Injuries are the worst part of football. They can ruin an NFL team’s season. They can ruin a fantasy team’s season. However, the mark of a great NFL and fantasy football team is the ability to adapt to changes and push through adversity. It is time to consider making serious moves, as this is the most crucial point in the fantasy football season.
