Usually, there’s a pretty normal formula for a big late season waiver wire emergence. It almost definitely involves an injury to a player higher on the depth chart, which opens up a significant role in the offense that wasn’t previously available.

This week’s gold medalist arrives in an unconventional manner. He’s both a delayed breakout sophomore, and a pass catcher who benefited from a trade above him on the depth chart and an injury to his starting QB who was markedly worse than the backup. Let’s talk about him and a few other exciting options in this week’s waiver column.

Quick reminder: I’m primarily going to discuss players with below 50% ownership on Yahoo, with possible exceptions if the number is very close.  There will be a section for players closer to 75-80% owned later in the article, which will include names to make sure aren’t owned in your league, but those names likely won’t be available in most cases.

The Podium

Gold Medal: Browns WR Cedric Tillman (19% rostered)

Tillman was going to be the bronze medalist last week until the Bucs lost both WRs on Monday Night Football and I switched to Jalen McMillan. Even though I suggested a significant 15% FAAB bid, Tillman still only rose from 1% to 19% rostered on Yahoo. Well, how does seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns sound?

That performance with new Browns QB Jameis Winston under center makes Tillman our clear gold medalist, and about as hyped as a waiver pickup will be for the remainder of the season. He’s a potential “empty the clip” guy if you have a need. FAAB Suggestion: 30%

Silver Medal: Bills WR Keon Coleman (41% rostered)

Coleman has been brilliant in back-to-back weeks now, and appears to be showing significant growth in this high-powered Bills offense after a rocky start to the year. Admittedly, 41% is a bit high for a silver medalist who hasn’t had anything radically change, but at the same time, I don’t understand why Coleman’s still that low. This is a crowded offense, but there’s not a QB more capable of supporting multiple weapons than Josh Allen.

Coleman’s more of an upside flex play with some risk, but this should absolutely be his final week below 50%, maybe for the rest of his career if these past two weeks have been a breakout. FAAB Suggestion: 20%

Bronze Medal: Jaguars WR Parker Washington (0%)

Going way off the board here to bring you a guy who is zero percent rostered on Yahoo, somehow. Every Jags WR is banged up, and Christian Kirk is out for the season. Washington, who played 73% of snaps Sunday, is talented enough to step into a significant role and succeed, and it looks like that role will be there for him for most of the rest of the season. FAAB Suggestion: 15%

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