Gainwell tops the waiver targets with 67% roster status for Carter on the cusp; Darnold is the clear QB add after a strong game, while Bourne and Strange emerge as smart grab options with SF and JAX dealing with injuries. Carter, Strange and Bourne offer weekly floor with potential upside as the weeks roll on. Slayton and Pickens present upside with matchup considerations, and Gardner’s shadow adds context for Giants and Jets pass-catchers. The Chargers’ backfield remains murky, underscoring the value of late-week clarity.

James and Adam outline the week’s slate: two byes (Houston, Minnesota) and two Monday night games, which heightens waiver urgency. Gainwell’s steadiness in Philly’s offense stands out, while Darnold’s high-volume approach could lift the Panthers’ receivers. In Jacksonville, Strange’s role could grow, and Bourne’s SF-injury angle makes him a high-floor add. Overall, the message is clear: prioritize backs and QBs with clear paths and flexible WRs inadenched spots.

As always, thin rosters benefit from last-minute shifts; pay attention to midweek practice reports for inputs on backfields (Kamani Vidal, Kendre Miller) and tight end usage (Mason Taylor-type options).

Jake Browning headlines a brutal fantasy QB day, topping a list of inconsistent passers and signaling a rest-of-season scramble for value. Jamar Chase’s big-week impact underscores how much QB play drives WR upside, while Geno Smith, Daniel Jones, Bryce Young, and Anthony Richardson emerge as bounce-back candidates when surrounding pieces stabilize. The discussion pivots to streaming paths and late-round holds like Cooper Rush, Desmond Ridder, and Aidan O’Connell, with Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa as higher-floor bets when healthy. Travis Kelce adds a stabilizing floor in Chiefs lineups, and Brady’s mentorship subplot hints at how outside factors can shift fantasy value.

Drake Maye sparked a second-half surge as New England toppled Buffalo 23-20, going 13-for-14 for 182 yards and a 56% first-down rate on dropbacks. His aggressive, mobile approach unlocked the Patriots’ attack, letting Raheim Stevenson and Hunter Henry reap easier gains.

Buffalo countered with Josh Allen’s 50 rushing yards on seven scrambles and Stefon Diggs’ 146 yards on 12 targets, but penalties and a costly miscue slowed them. Christian Gonzalez shined for New England with tight-window coverage, signaling a brighter ceiling for the Patriots if Maye keeps climbing.