At this point in the season each team has that one emerging player. Whether it is due to injury or because they are a rookie plenty of receivers and some running backs are getting sufficient volume and opportunity. This week the biggest position was wide receivers, from the 1-3-1 Eagles to the 4-1 Chiefs there are plenty of waiver options to go around.
Alexander Mattison- If Alexander Mattison is not already owned in every league he definitely should be. As a Dalvin Cook owner, he should be handcuffed and as any other owner he should have been trade bait. Now neither of these labels are sufficient for Mattison who is stepping into the role of RB1 for the Vikings and RB1 For Fantasy Sake. With Cook out, Mattison can produce the same exact fantasy output. Mattison has been extremely efficient with the touches he has so far this year, taking 20 carries on 50% of snaps for 112 yards at a 5.6 yards per carry clip in Week 5. If he is not already rostered and started he needs to be.
Scoville Units: Carolina Reaper- 2,200,000
Travis Fulgham- Last week I sat here and said that Greg Ward was the No. 1 option on the Eagles, today I am here to admit I am wrong. Travis Fulgham the sophomore Old Dominion product, might just be the guy. In Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers, Fulgham caught two passes on three targets for a score. Then in Week 5 against a sturdy Pittsburgh Steelers defense, Fulgham saw a tremendous uptick in volume and production. Fulgham caught 10 of 13 targets for 152 yards and a touchdown. It is definitely worth noting that Alshon Jeffery and Desean Jackson may come back next week against the Ravens, but look for Fulgham as a major waiver wire add.
Scoville Units: Habanero- 275,000
Chase Claypool- When Andrew Wiggins broke into the NBA, shouts were coming for the Canadian Michael Jordan, he was dubbed Air Maple and obviously did not live up to the lofty expectations. This is just simply not the case for Claypool. Claypool has been dubbed Mapletron by Steelers fans and our own Michael Sicoli, and honestly I am buying the hype. Any rookie single game records that existed were blown out of the water on Sunday, as Claypool went for 7 catches, 110 yards and 4 touchdowns. Diontae Johnson injuries have served as a catalyst for Claypool’s volume, and with Johnson banged up once again, Claypool is worth a look.
Scoville Units- Ghost Pepper- 1,041,000
Nelson Agholor- Is a change of scenery all that Agholor needed? Maybe. Is the Raiders offense actually good? Yes. As one of the very few Agholor supporters out there I have always rostered him on my team at one point or another during the year. This season was the year that I wanted nothing to do with him. After signing with the Raiders, who have been perennially murky for fantasy wide receivers, and being the fourth option I was really turned off of Agholor. With that being said he has no doubt been a relevant piece of that offense. Through the last two weeks Agholor has caught two touchdowns along with 111 yards. This is not enough production to make my line up, but it is enough for me to monitor his performance. The downside is that Agholor only caught two passes on two targets, without guaranteed volume, the production is a toss-up.
Scoville Units: Jalapeno- 9,000
Mike Williams- The Justin Herbert era has officially begun in LA and that is of great benefit to Williams. Williams has suffered from injuries throughout his career, but when he is on the field he always shows his immense talent. Mossing players on deep routes, showing his deceivingly good speed and his amazing jumping ability, Mike Will is a fun player to watch. This year I drafted him in almost all of my leagues and after a great Week 5 I am hoping this is a sign of more to come. Williams posted five catches on eight targets for 109 yards and two touchdowns, if he can continue to stay on the field the volume should continue. Keenan Allen also left the game with a back injury, but with or without Allen I am all in on Mike Will.
Scoville Units: Trinidad Scorpion- 2,000,000
Mecole Hardman- The Chiefs offense is a potent one with options everywhere you look, so much so that it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. Between Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson, any touches are a premium. Hardman has been a big play guy dating back to last year, averaging 13.1 yards per target. With Sammy Watkins out with a hamstring injury for the next two weeks, that target share is sure to increase. Usually Hardman owners are looking for the big play, now he has the change to get three-down work.
Scoville Units: Scotch Bonnet- 270,000
