Each week of the NFL season, we will identify fantasy football waiver-wire pickups specifically for those of you looking for streaming options in deeper formats (including IDP leagues). These are players available in a majority of ESPN fantasy leagues (or close) who have enticing matchups in the week ahead that make them worthy of consideration for your lineups.
While you might notice some overlap with Field Yates' pickup column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
Editor's note: Roster percentages are updated on Fridays and players from the Thursday night game are taken out.
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins at Jets (45.9% rostered)
According to ESPN NFL Nation Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques, head coach Brian Flores expects Tagovailoa (finger) to start Sunday's game against the Jets. He has been sidelined by two separate injuries that caused him to miss multiple games this season, and he's dealt with persistent rumors that Miami is in the market for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Tagovailoa averaged 23.8 fantasy points per game from Weeks 6-8 and the New York Jets allow the 11th-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears vs. Ravens (20.3%)
Fantasy managers last saw Fields against the Steelers when he completed 17 of 29 passes for 291 yards, a touchdown and an interception. In Fields' best game in his young career, he also rushed for 45 yards. The Baltimore Ravens' defense allows the 10th-most points per game to quarterbacks (18.9). Because of Fields' dual-threat ability and the Bears being 14th in pass block win rate, he is well positioned to exceed that average.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs. Football Team (36.1%)
Days after being re-signed by his former team, Newton passed and rushed for a score in limited snaps in Week 10. P.J. Walker started for the Panthers in that game, but head coach Matt Rhule said Newton would take most of the team's first-team reps ahead of this week's game against Washington. The Football Team allows more points per game to the quarterback position than any other team. Considering his rushing ability, Newton could be considered a solid streamer and a high-end QB2 in two-QB leagues.
Running back
Unfortunately, pickings are slim at the position and there isn't a player who is available in at least half of ESPN leagues I feel comfortable recommending this week.
Wide receiver
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens at Bears (45.2%)
Bateman led the Ravens with 80 receiving yards against the Dolphins last week and caught six of his seven targets. He is one of just three viable receivers in a Ravens offense that averages 414.1 total yards per game. Bateman faces a Chicago Bears defense that allows the fifth-most points per game to wide receivers.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets vs. Dolphins (23.5%)
There is a lot of anticipation for Elijah Moore to break out, but the Jets insist on using Crowder. Last week, he led New York with 45 routes run against the Buffalo Bills. Crowder has at least six targets in each of his six games this season and this week faces a Dolphins team that's allowed the third-most points per game to wide receivers (41.3). If Mike White or rookie Zach Wilson is in the starting lineup, he can be a solid option.
Tight end
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers at Chargers (56.2%)
Last week, Eric Ebron returned for the Steelers against the Detroit Lions, but the good news is that Freiermuth is still actively involved in the offense. He caught five of nine targets for 31 yards. During his last four games, Freiermuth has averaged 12.7 points per game and he has a favorable matchup this week against a Chargers defense that allows the sixth-most points per game to tight ends.
Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. 49ers (39.2%)
In terms of offensive playmakers, Arnold has been the Jaguars' most consistent player recently. He has at least seven targets and 60 yards in three straight games and he has ascended to TE1 neighborhood this week against the 49ers.
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals at Raiders (16.4%)
In the Bengals' most recent game back in Week 9 (they were on a bye last week), Uzomah ran the ninth-most routes at his position. Uzomah has only 15 targets over his last four games, but he has a plus matchup against a Raiders defense that gives up the second-most points per game to tight ends (18.2). Recent performances against the Raiders include Travis Kelce (19.9), Evan Engram (12.8) and Dallas Goedert (12.0).
Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints at Eagles (5.4%)
The Saints have targeted Trautman at least six times in each of their last three games. He ran a pass route on 60.5% of New Orleans' dropbacks last week. During the Eagles' last five games, Noah Fant, Stephen Anderson, T.J. Hockenson, Foster Moreau and O.J. Howard averaged 6.8 targets, 6.2 receptions, 59.2 receiving yards, 0.6 receiving touchdowns and 15.72 points. Trautman could be an option this week if you are needy at the position.
Defense/special teams
Washington Football Team at Panthers (29.6%)
Our expectations for the Washington defense heading into this season aren't being met, but it played well enough to slow down the Buccaneers' potent offense last week. Against a Panthers team led by Cam Newton, the Football Team can put up solid numbers this week. This season, Carolina has given up the eighth-most fantasy points to defenses.
Miami Dolphins at Jets (57.3%)
The Dolphins gave fantasy managers a glimmer of hope last week after holding Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to 10 points. As a team, the Jets average 333 total yards (22nd) and 17.9 points (27th) per game. Also, New York's offensive line has allowed 25 sacks this season. This unit is high on the most-added list this week, but may still be available in your league.
Kicker
Randy Bullock, Tennessee Titans vs. Texans (52.9%)
Bullock accounted for nearly half of the Titans' points last week, as he made multiple field goals in a game for the fourth time in the past five. Since Week 5, Bullock hasn't missed a kick and he faces a Texans team that has allowed the eighth-most points per game to kickers.
Zane Gonzalez, Carolina Panthers vs. Washington (16.8%)
Gonzalez made field goals from 44, 48, 49 and 27 yards last week, continuing his recent consistency. That's six straight games without a miss for Gonzalez, whose 14 points Sunday marked a season high. He should be busy against Washington this week.
Individual Defensive Players (IDP)
Defensive line
Dorance Armstrong, Dallas Cowboys at Chiefs (0.2%)
Against the Falcons, Armstrong played 70% of the Cowboys' snaps and recorded three tackles and a sack. He should continue to play a high number of snaps with Randy Gregory out.
Linebacker
Davion Taylor, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Saints (1.7%)
Taylor continues to show a lot of promise. Over the last four games, he's amassed 26 tackles and had two forced fumbles last week.
Defensive back
Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins at Jets (4.7%)
Since Week 5, Holland has played nearly every defensive snap. Last week, he had five tackles and a sack. Given continued usage, Holland should continue to produce this week against the struggling Jets.