Each week David Gautieri previews the Top 5 waiver wire adds based on the Consistency model! Follow David on Twitter at @GuruFantasyWrld
Congrats to those of you who’ve advanced to the second round of the playoffs! Here are the 5 widely-available players who I believe give you the best chance at advancing to the Championship Round:
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts put up 10.26 fantasy points in 1 quarter & 7:39 against GB two weeks ago – a full-game pace of 27.1 fantasy points, which would have finished as QB4 on the week. Then he went out & put up 19.28 fantasy points against a New Orleans defense that has allowed the 4th fewest fantasy points to QB’s this year. That’s two QB1 performance against two teams that are top-8 in fewest points allowed to QB’s. This week, he gets an Arizona defense that has allowed the 12th most fantasy points to QB’s. He’s not just the top pickup of the week, he’s a must-start.
Jeff Wilson Jr.
Jeff Wilson Jr. quietly has 9+ touches in 3-straight games since returning from injury. He also had a rushing TD this past week while relegating Jerick McKinnon to 2 (!!) offensive snaps. He plays Dallas' swiss-cheese DEF this week & even if Raheem Mostert (who is banged up) plays, Wilson is a solid bet for 50+ yards & a TD. I’d start him this week over the likes of Devin Singletary, James Conner, Todd Gurley, & even Ezekiel Elliot.
Tony Pollard
Speaking of Ezekiel Elliot, this Dallas backfield is quietly turning into a committee. Over the last 4 games, Ezekiel Elliot has 43.7 fantasy points. Tony Pollard has 32.8, and he saw a season-high 13 touches this past week. With Zeke dealing with a calf injury, you really need to prioritize getting Tony Pollard onto your roster just in case he is thrusted into starting role for one of these last 2 fantasy-relevant games. And if you’re that desperate, you can probably even throw Pollard into your lineup even if Zeke plays.
Gabriel Davis
Gabriel Davis has a TD in 3 straight games & in 4 of the last 5. He’s hit double-digit fantasy points in every game since taking over John Brown’s starting spot. Most importantly, the Buffalo passing offense is absolutely humming right now. Josh Allen allowed five (!!) different receiving options to hit 10+ PPR points two weeks ago & then allowed 4 of them to hit 7.4+ PPR points this past week against a tougher Steelers defense.
Irv Smith Jr.
It was a painfully slow start to the season for the second-year TE, but in his last 6 games, Smith has hit double-digit fantasy points 4 times. As long as Kyle Rudolph remains out, Smith is a borderline must-start, especially this week against a Chicago defense that has allowed the 4th most fantasy points to TE’s.
