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Every Monday during the season, theScore’s Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.
Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.
Quarterbacks
Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Taysom Hill, Saints
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
at DEN
43%
$9
We were excited about Jameis Winston‘s fantasy potential in New Orleans’ offense, but Sean Payton named Hill the starter. Hill went on to finish as a top-12 fantasy quarterback Sunday, rewarding his coach’s faith and giving fantasy managers a new weekly starter at QB.
Hill passed for 233 yards while adding 51 yards and two scores on the ground against a Falcons defense that’s given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Tougher matchups are on the way, but Hill’s rushing ability will keep him in the QB1 conversation for as long as he’s starting. Based on the latest reports on Drew Brees‘ health, this could be Hill’s job for several weeks.
Derek Carr, Raiders
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
at ATL
36%
$1
As we just mentioned, the Falcons are the easiest matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. This week’s beneficiary is Carr.
The Raiders passer is coming off a strong showing against the Chiefs, throwing for 275 yards and recording his seventh multi-touchdown game this season.
Carr should have no problem racking up stats in what’s projected to be the highest-scoring game of Week 12.
Streamer options: Daniel Jones at CIN (28% rostered), Andy Dalton vs. WAS (9% rostered), Baker Mayfield at JAX (31% rostered), Kirk Cousins vs. CAR (42% rostered), Philip Rivers vs. TEN (26% rostered), Alex Smith at DAL (10% rostered)
Injured streamer options (if healthy): Teddy Bridgewater at MIN (39% rostered), Gardner Minshew vs. CLE (13% rostered)
Running backs
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Gus Edwards, Ravens
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
at PIT
28%
$14
J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, making it impossible for them to get cleared for Thursday night’s matchup with the Steelers.
That leaves Edwards as the last man standing in what was once a three-man committee. Dobbins took a commanding lead in playing time (41 snaps) and production (85 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown) in Week 11, but he’ll now be forced to sit out while Edwards handles the bulk of the work.
Edwards has shown he can perform, whether down the stretch in 2018 or even more recently when he carried the ball 16 times for 87 yards and a score against this same Steelers defense back in Week 8.
Pittsburgh’s ability to stop the run has been greatly diminished by the loss of linebacker Devin Bush, so treat Edwards as an RB2 in what’s likely to be a one-week stint as the frontman in the Ravens’ backfield.
James White, Patriots
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
vs. ARI
40%
$9
White had seemingly been passed on the depth chart by Rex Burkhead after seeing under 30% of the snaps in three of his last four outings heading into Week 11.
However, with Burkhead suffering a torn ACL on Sunday, White was thrust back into a significant role. He led the backfield in snaps while totaling a season-high 83 yards from scrimmage and six catches.
Damien Harris remains the Patriots’ lead back, but White has returned to fantasy relevance as an RB3/flex option moving forward.
J.K. Dobbins, Zack Moss, Salvon Ahmed, Jamaal Williams, Latavius Murray, Wayne Gallman, and Phillip Lindsay are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.
High-upside backups Alexander Mattison (33% rostered), Boston Scott (29% rostered), Carlos Hyde (46% rostered), and Brian Hill (7% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.
Flex options: Frank Gore vs. MIA (10% rostered), Adrian Peterson vs. HOU (54% rostered), Kerryon Johnson vs. HOU (16% rostered), Tony Pollard vs. WAS (19% rostered)
Risky flex options: Cam Akers vs. SF (31% rostered), Malcolm Brown vs. SF (28% rostered), Justice Hill at PIT (0% rostered), Jordan Wilkins vs. TEN (10% rostered), Devontae Booker at ATL (10% rostered), Ty Johnson vs. MIA (0% rostered)
Other backups to roster: Sony Michel vs. ARI (25% rostered), Benny Snell Jr. vs. BAL (5% rostered), Joshua Kelley at BUF (28% rostered), D’Onta Foreman at IND (0% rostered), Jeremy McNichols at IND (1% rostered), Samaje Perine vs. NYG (1% rostered), Devine Ozigbo vs. CLE (1% rostered)
Injury stashes: Tevin Coleman at LAR (18% rostered), Rashaad Penny at PHI (4% rostered)
Deeper stashes: Anthony McFarland Jr. vs. BAL (1% rostered), Darrel Williams at TB (2% rostered), Jordan Howard vs. SEA (17% rostered), Royce Freeman vs. NO (1% rostered)
Wide receivers
Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
vs. TEN
44%
$19
Get ready to see some familiar names in the receiver section because it’s filled with players we recommended last week.
Pittman has clearly asserted himself as the Colts’ top receiving option. In addition to posting stat lines of 4-56-0, 7-101-0, and 3-66-1 over his last three games, the rookie led the receiving corps in snaps by a wide margin this past week.
If he’s still available in your league, Pittman is a WR3 with WR2 upside for the rest of the season.
Tim Patrick, Broncos
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
vs. NO
21%
$14
Patrick is about to set a record for most consecutive appearances in my waiver wire column, yet he somehow still remains available in 79% of leagues.
Let’s once again remind everyone about Patrick’s weekly production since Courtland Sutton went down. Here are Patrick’s stat lines over the last seven games:
4-43-1
6-113-1
4-101-0
3-44-0
4-29-1
4-61-0
5-119-0
Patrick is now a top-30 receiver in fantasy points per game since Week 3, and he’s just patiently waiting for you to realize his value. Unless you’re stacked at wideout, go and give this guy a home on your roster as a WR3/flex.
Deebo Samuel, Jakobi Meyers, Sterling Shepard, Corey Davis, Curtis Samuel,and Cole Beasley are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.
Flex options: Allen Lazard vs CHI (42% rostered), Jalen Reagor vs. SEA (28% rostered), Breshad Perriman vs. MIA (11% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. CHI (31% rostered), Denzel Mims vs. MIA (5% rostered), Emmanuel Sanders at DEN (49% rostered), Nelson Agholor at ATL (20% rostered)
Risky flex options: Sammy Watkins at TB (41% rostered), Keelan Cole vs. CLE (28% rostered), K.J. Hamler vs. NO (6% rostered), Josh Reynolds vs. SF (12% rostered), Damiere Byrd vs. ARI (2% rostered), Darnell Mooney at GB (8% rostered), Keke Coutee at DET (0% rostered), Rashard Higgins at JAX (12% rostered), Henry Ruggs, at ATL (31% rostered), Russell Gage vs. LV (7% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options: Marvin Hall vs. HOU (2% rostered), Khadarel Hodge at JAX (0% rostered), Gabriel Davis vs. LAC (1% rostered), Hunter Renfrow at ATL (19% rostered), Anthony Miller at GB (18% rostered), Michael Gallup vs. WAS (44% rostered), Zach Pascal vs. TEN (7% rostered), Jakeem Grant at NYJ (9% rostered), Steven Sims Jr. at DAL (2% rostered), Demarcus Robinson at TB (2% rostered), N’Keal Harry vs. ARI (8% rostered), Tre’Quan Smith at DEN (12% rostered), David Moore at PHI (5% rostered), Willie Snead at PIT (4% rostered), Chris Conley vs. CLE (1% rostered)
Injury stashes: Laviska Shenault vs. CLE (17% rostered), Julian Edelman vs. ARI (28% rostered)
Deep bench stashes: Auden Tate vs. NYG (1% rostered), Cam Sims at DAL (1% rostered), Jalen Guyton at BUF (1% rostered), Dez Bryant at PIT (9% rostered)
Tight ends
Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Robert Tonyan, Packers
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
vs. CHI
46%
$2
Tonyan is coming off a five-catch, 44-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Colts.
Though his target share is likely to be more volatile now that the Packers’ receiving corps is back to full health, he has a favorable matchup with the Bears.
Chicago’s defense has been strong this year, but it’s giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends, making Tonyan a solid streamer in Week 12.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys
Next Up
Rostered
FAB
vs. WAS
21%
$1
Schultz‘s numbers dipped to unplayable fantasy levels after Dak Prescott was lost for the season. Fortunately, he’s had a resurgence in the last few weeks with stat lines of 6-53-0, 4-48-0, and 4-25-1.
Washington is the eighth-best matchup for fantasy tight ends, so Schultz can be played with confidence as a streamer this week.
Austin Hooper, Logan Thomas, and Mike Gesicki are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.
Streamer options: Jordan Reed at LAR (15% rostered), Jordan Kins at DET (2% rostered), Jimmy Graham at GB (38% rostered), Irv Smith Jr. vs. CAR (8% rostered), Trey Burton at TEN (17% rostered)
Risky streamer options: Jacob Hollister at PHI (0% rostered), Will Dissly at PHI (1% rostered), Chris Herndon vs. MIA (13% rostered), Tyler Eifert vs. CLE (5% rostered)
EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers signed defenceman Travis Dermott to a professional tryout on Friday.
Dermott, a 27-year-old from Newmarket, Ont., produced two goals, five assists and 26 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season.
The six-foot, 202-pound blueliner has also played for the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto drafted him in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2015 NHL draft.
Over seven NHL seasons, Dermott has 16 goals and 46 assists in 329 games while averaging 16:03 in ice time.
Before the NHL, Dermott played two seasons with Oilers captain Connor McDavid for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. The team was coached by current Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Maria Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, led the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s fan vote her first year on the ballot — an important part to possible selection to the hall’s next class.
The organization released the voting results on Friday. American doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan finished second with Canada’s Daniel Nestor third.
The Hall of Fame said tens of thousands of fans from 120 countries cast ballots. Fan voting is one of two steps in the hall’s selection process. The second is an official group of journalists, historians, and Hall of Famers from the sport who vote on the ballot for the hall’s class of 2025.
“I am incredibly grateful to the fans all around the world who supported me during the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s fan votes,” Sharapova said in a statement. “It is a tremendous honor to be considered for the Hall of Fame, and having the fans’ support makes it all the more special.”
Sharapova became the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 in the world. She won Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008. She also won the French Open twice, in 2012 and 2014.
Sharapova was also part of Russia’s championship Fed Cup team in 2008 and won a silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012.
To make the hall, candidates must receive 75% or higher on combined results of the official voting group and additional percentage from the fan vote. Sharapova will have an additional three percentage points from winning the fan vote.
The Bryans, who won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, will have two additional percentage points and Nestor, who won eight Grand Slam doubles titles, will get one extra percentage point.
The hall’s next class will be announced late next month.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.
Gaudreau, 31, and brother Matthew, 29, were killed in Carneys Point, New Jersey, on Aug. 29, the evening before they were set to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding.
The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of nearby Woodstown, New Jersey, is charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. At a virtual court hearing Friday, a judge ordered that he be held for trial after prosecutors described a history of alleged road rage and aggressive driving.
“’You were probably driving like a nut like I always tell you you do. And you don’t listen to me, instead you just yell at me,’” his wife told Higgins when he called her from jail after his arrest, according to First Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn of Salem County.
The defense described Higgins as a married father and law-abiding citizen before the crash.
“He’s an empathetic individual and he’s a loving father of two daughters,” said defense lawyer Matthew Portella. “He’s a good person and he made a horrible decision that night.”
Higgins told police he had five or six beers that day and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving, according to the criminal complaint. He also failed a field sobriety test, the complaint said. A prosecutor on Friday said he had been drinking at home after finishing a work call at about 3 p.m., and having an upsetting conversation with his mother about a family matter.
He then had a two-hour phone call with a friend while he drove around in his Jeep with an open container, Flynn said. He had been driving aggressively behind a sedan going just above the 50 mph speed limit, sometimes tailgating, the female driver told police.
When she and the vehicle ahead of her slowed down and veered left to go around the cyclists, Higgins sped up and veered right, striking the Gaudreas, the two other drivers told police.
“He indicated he didn’t even see them,” said Superior Court Judge Michael J. Silvanio, who said Higgins’ admitted “impatience” caused two deaths.
Higgins faces up to 20 years, a sentence that the judge said made him a flight risk.
Higgins has a master’s degree, works in finance for an addiction treatment company, and served in combat in Iraq, his lawyers said. However, his wife said he had been drinking regularly since working from home, Flynn said.
Johnny Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey,” played 10 full seasons in the league and was set to enter his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a seven-year, $68 million deal in 2022. He played his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames, a tenure that included becoming one of the sport’s top players and a fan favorite across North America.
Widows Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau described their husbands as attached at the hip throughout their lives. Both women are expecting, and both gave moving eulogies at the double funeral on Monday.
