Forgive me as I take a moment to shed a single solitary tear, for this shall be the last waiver wire column for the 2024 CFF season. Some of you might be wondering about next week, but let’s be honest, with no one on bye in Week 14, you’ll have your full roster available to you. And If you’ve made it to your CFF championship, you’ve likely set yourself up with a solid squad, complete with solid backups on the bench.
But, here in the upcoming week 13, we do have some teams on bye, including some big names likes Memphis, Oregon and New Mexico. Some of y’all are going to need some options to hunt on the waiver fire and lucky for you, in this great game of CFF, you can still find them if you know where to look!
With all that being said, let’s look at who you could be grabbing off the waiver wire to enhance your playoff runs! All players mentioned are sub-30% rostered in Fantrax CFF leagues.
Quarterbacks
CJ Ogbonna – Buffalo – Ros: 2%
Last week, during the start-sit show for Chasing the Natty, I made the call on Buffalo’s CJ Ogbonna that he should be started in week 12. Well, he finished as the QB5 in standard-scoring leagues, putting up 40.06 fantasy points. He did so on the back of 264 yards passing and 55 yards rushing, with five total touchdowns. Ogbonna and this Bulls offense have been a nice surprise down the stretch after many had written them off earlier this year. If they’re able to keep up their offensive firepower, there’s no reason to think Ogbonna doesn’t have a few more startable weeks in him.
This is even more true when you consider the last two games of the Buffalos’ schedule. Not that any MAC schedule is tough by national standards, but Buffalo has hit about as close to a jackpot end-of-year schedule as you could hope for in the MAC. This weekend, the Bulls will face Eastern Michigan, who ranks 95th in total defensive team performance according to our numbers at C2C Winning Edge. The Eagles just got done getting whipped by Ohio, which included four rushing TDs and over 100 yards of rushing from QB Parker Navarro. That’s important to remember, as Ogbonna has his own pair of wheels to use. After EMU, Buffalo ends with the gold standard of bad defenses to cap their season: Kent State. Do I need to say more about what that means for Ogbonna?
Jayden Maiava – USC – Ros: 24%
Well, Miller Moss, you gave it your all. The problem is, your all was not enough. Granted, Moss lasted longer as the starter for USC than many gave him credit for (I know many here at C2C expected him to be benched by the Michigan game). Still, with nothing left to lose, Riley made the pull, and now the Trojans have a new man under center, UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava.
Maiava got his first full-time start this weekend and performed admirably. He finished the day with 259 yards passing and 20 yards rushing, with four combined TDs. While his 30.26 FPTS day didn’t single-handily win anyone their fantasy matchups this past week, Maiava brings more cohesion to this offense. His legs allow him to extend plays and pick up crucial yardage, something you couldn’t consistently get out of Moss. Hopefully, this will lead to more drives ending in TDs for USC, which could give Maiava a higher ceiling.
As for Maiava’s upcoming schedule, it’s good, and then it’s bad. The first matchup this upcoming weekend against UCLA promises to provide Maiava with an opportunity to rack up some points. UCLA’s passing defense is 109th in the country in team performance defending the pass. They’re also 55th against the run, but Maiava showed last week that he doesn’t *have* to use his legs to have a good fantasy day, although they certainly help. The second matchup versus Notre Dame is much more worrying, as the Irish rank seventh in total defensive performances, particularly, ninth versus the pass. Unless Maiava absolutely lights up UCLA this weekend and looks matchup-proof (and even then, I’d have my doubts), Maiava looks like a solid one-week rental here in Week 13.
Ashton Daniels – Stanford – Ros: 20%
I’ll be real, I’m recommending Daniels, but I’m not fully buying in. I’ve honestly taken every honorable mention listed below before I went and grabbed Daniels. With such a ringing endorsement, why am I recommending him? Well, for a good chunk of this season, Stanford’s offense has been stuck in neutral, but lately, they seem to be getting in a better groove. In their last three games, Stanford has averaged 30 points per game, which is an great improvement. This was capped off by a 38-point performance in their upset vs Louisville, in which Ashton Daniels threw for 298 yards and a trio of TDs.
Assuming this improvement in Stanford’s offense is here to stay, their last two-week schedule will be interesting for them. They face Cal in week 13, which is a top-35 defensive unit on paper, but we’ve seen that defense break against some solid offenses this year. Now, is Stanford a good enough offense to join those ranks? That remains to be seen, even though I lean towards “no.” Then, in championship week, Daniels and Stanford face San Jose State, who just got done giving up 42 points to Boise State. Their defense currently falls at 71st in team performance defending the pass, and 58th defending the rush. In theory, that should be low enough for Daniels and crew to have a solid day during championship week.
Honorable Mentions
- LaNorris Sellers – South Carolina – 41%
- Parker Navarro – Ohio – 17%
- Katin Houser – East Carolina – 26%
- Colton Joseph – Old Dominion – 27%
- Owen McCown – UTSA – 32%
- Sam Leavitt – Arizona State -30%
- Cole Snyder – Eastern Michigan – 9%
Running Backs
Kye Robicheaux – Boston College – Ros: 21%
I listed Kye Robicheaux as a waiver wire trap in last week’s Chasing the Natty waiver episode, and now here I am a week later, suggesting him in the waiver column. Safe to say, I’m eating some delicious crow on this one. Given Bill O’Brien’s history with running backs, I wasn’t ready to jump onto Robicheaux as a legit CFF option, despite his run last season and his game against Syracuse. Well, Robicheaux shut me up good with another 20+ touch and 95+ yard game. It’s pretty clear with the loss of Tommy Castellanos at QB that the Eagles are shifting their offensive identity, and that goes through the run game, AKA Robicheaux.
Boston College’s last two games of the season are a hard read, regarding what kind of upside we can expect from Robicheaux. First, they take on UNC in Week 13. On paper, this UNC defense is markedly improved from previous years despite still ranking at 78th in total team defensive performance. However, we did see them earlier this year get 70 hung on them by the likes of James Madison. Then they face Pittsburgh in week 13, who just got done holding Phil Mafah to a whopping one yard per carry and rank 19th in the country in team performance defending the run. I’m decently comfortable grabbing Robicheaux for his game against UNC, but I think Pitt might be a bridge too far for me.
Bryson Washington – Baylor – Ros: 34%
One of my strengths as an analyst is my adherence to the offensive system. It has done me well over the years. One of my greatest weaknesses as an analyst is also my adherence to offensive systems. It takes me too long to truly lock into stud players if I’m not a believer in the system they play in. That is undoubtedly what has happened here with Bryson Washington, the red-shirt freshman running back out of Baylor.
I’m not one to believe in Dave Aranda’s running backs, as I learned the hard way with my investment in Richard Reese and some Dawson Pendergrass. However, Washington’s performances in the last two weeks have made it so that I can ignore him no longer. Against TCU, Washington racked up 218 yards and four scores on 28 touches. I was willing to believe that kind of performance was a fluke, but then, against West Virginia, he also racked up 182 yards and four TDs in that game.
The great news is that Washington plays in the Big XII, which means favorable matchups as far as the eye can see. Washington and his fellow bears end the season with Houston and Kansas. Houston’s defense has been average this year, ranking 65th and 70th defensively versus the pass and run, respectively. There’s not much reason to expect Washington can’t get his recent production, even if the TD numbers come down in a lower-scoring affair. The matchup against Kansas in Week 14 is where things get juicy, as Kansas is 91st in team performance defending the run. I think it’s a fool’s errand to expect another four TD game again from any RB not named Ashton Jeanty, but if Washington has another one in him, it’d be a great championship play.
Aaron Young – Old Dominion – 3%
What a turnaround for this Monarch offense. Since they hired Kevin Decker from Norfolk University, we’ve been waiting for Old Dominion to find the right quarterback to spark this offense. Well, they got one in Colton Joseph, who we’ve discussed in these columns before. However, in addition to Joseph, the offense seems to have found themselves as difference makers at the RB position in Rutgers transfer, Aaron Young. Despite not getting the volume you’d like to see in a CFF back, Young has been solidly productive each of the last three weeks. He’s seen an average of 101 yards per game despite averaging only 15 touches per game. He’s also a coin flip to add a TD on top of his production. That’s his one potential downside, as Colton Joseph loves to call his own number in the red zone.
What stands out for Young compared to the other two RBs I’m recommending is that his end-of-season schedule promises a huge upside if he can keep up his efficiency. His final two opponents are Marshall and Arkansas State, who rank 103rd and 128th against the run, respectively. Young is a guy you can grab and start for the next two weeks as a great flex option, depending on what your roster needs each week.
Honorable Mentions
- Eli Sanders – New Mexico – 43%
- Al-Jay Henderson – Buffalo – 8%
- Ahmani Marshall – Appalachian State – 6%
- George Pettaway – James Madison – 34%
- Dylan Carson – Air Force – 22%
- Elijah Young – WKU – 15%
Wide Receivers
Joseph Williams – Tulsa – Ros: 1%
As it happens in the late season, the WR position is almost completely dried up when it comes to guys I haven’t already discussed. Therefore, I’m only breaking down two receivers this week. The first of which is a true freshman, so that means he can count for two players! (What do you mean that’s not how this works? It’s my column, dang it!) Joseph Williams has become a beacon of hope for the future of the Golden Hurricanes. They needed a threat opposite of Kamdyn Benjamin something fierce, and Williams answered the call. Over the last three weeks, we’ve seen Williams get 24 targets and hit the 100-yard mark twice in his last two games. He’s also pulled in four TDs in his last two games. Needless to say, Williams has become crucial for this offense.
In even better news, William’s last two weeks feature opponents that can absolutely allow him to continue his momentum. Tulsa will get to face South Florida and Florida Atlantic. South Florida ranks 99th versus the pass and has been a sieve of a secondary all season. Williams should be able to rack up some points there unless Kamdyn Benjamin goes bananas. After that, they get Florida Atlantic, whose rushing defense is their major weakness, but overall, their defense ranks 121st in the country. A potential shootout in either game could propel Williams to a solid finish to the season and a great bonus to your playoff run.
Justin Bowick – Ball State – Ros: 1%
Bowick is another player I have to eat crow on after putting him on my waiver wire trap list post-Week 11. In doing so, I mentioned the possibility that Bowick was emerging as the season went on after being injured, which would explain his lackluster production pre-week 11. As it stands, it looks as though that is exactly what happened, and that makes Bowick one of the few high-volume receivers who is reliably available in leagues right now. The last two weeks indicate Bowick is completely healthy and integrated into the offense. He’s seen 11 targets in the last two weeks and 148+ yards in both games, along with at least one TD.
The problem is that Ball State, overall, is a bad team, and unlike Buffalo, EMU, and some other MAC teams, Ball State does not get a favorable draw in the final two weeks here. The Cardinals will have to face Bowling Green and Ohio. Bowling Green is susceptible to the run, ranking 90th in the country in defensive team performance against the run, but their secondary has them top 20 against the pass. Ohio’s secondary isn’t as elite, but they still ranked 46th in the country. Neither of those matchups screams high upside for Bowick.
However, one could convince themselves of Bowick’s volume carrying the day. In addition, Bowick’s best performance came against Miami, OH, which is ranked top 40 defending the pass. You could argue that was Bowick’s first game fully healthy so the Redhawks were caught off guard by his involvement. Either that or you can tell yourself that it is a sign that Bowick can produce no matter who he faces. Whichever story you convince yourself of will tell you to prioritize Bowick on the wire, or just to avoid him altogether.
Honorable Mentions
- Dymere Miller – Rutgers – 8%
- Justin Lockhart – San Jose State – 19%
- Tru Edwards – Louisiana Tech – 38%
- Kameran Shanks – UAB – 22%
- Jordan Napier – SDSU – 7%
- Javon Tracy – Miami, OH – 7%
- Matt Sykes – Rice – 8%
