NFL Waiver Wire: Players Under the Radar

Training camps have been open for more than a week and teams are evaluating their players in preseason games as well. Job battles are underway, and the next few weeks it should become clearer who will have what role on their team. Be careful to not read too much into what coaches say, as this time of year they typically say nothing but the positive about their players. As with the first two installments of this article, most players mentioned are either end-game fliers in drafts or good candidates to occupy bench spots.

If there are questions about the players mentioned, or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. 

QUARTERBACK

Hail Mary

Eli Manning, NYG - In any super-flex or two-quarterback league there's no way Manning is available but in standard 10- and 12-team leagues he could still be out there. Manning had a terrible 6.1 yards per attempt last season due partly to the lack of healthy wide receivers and is in line for a nice rebound season despite being 37. The trio of Odell Beckham, Sterling Sheppard and Evan Engram is one of the league's most talented groups of receivers, and this is a case of the receivers having the potential to give the quarterback good fantasy value. Look for Eli to get back to 4,000 passing yards and about 30 passing touchdowns this season. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

RUNNING BACK

Secondary Targets

Jaylen Samuels, PIT - In almost every league, Samuels qualifies as a running back but on some sites, including Yahoo, he also qualifies as a tight end. This makes him a sneaky value in leagues that start two tight ends, especially given his versatility. He scored 16 touchdowns last season at North Carolina State - 12 rushing and four receiving - even though he had 404 rushing yards and 597 receiving yards. The Steelers plan to use him everywhere on the field, and he'll never be the focus of defenses, putting him in softer coverage. FAAB: $1-$2

Hail Mary

Javorius Allen, BAL - Allen is set to reprise his role as the pass-catching back and should start the season as Alex Collins' backup. Allen hasn't averaged 4.0 yard per carry in any of his three NFL seasons but has caught 45 and 46 passes the two seasons he played 16 games. He has PPR value and is a Collins injury away from adding a handful of carries to his workload. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Eric Decker, NE - With Julian Edelman suspended the first four games of the season and Jordan Matthews on injured reserve, the Patriots found themselves thin at wide receiver. After visits from both Decker and Dez Bryant, New England decided to sign the former to an incentive-laden contract to add some depth. There isn't much in the way of Decker making an immediate impact given the competition and there's plenty of time for him to learn the playbook and get in sync with Tom Brady. Decker is only 31, so he should have plenty of gas left in the tank and could emerge as the No. 2 wide receiver opposite Chris Hogan while Edelman is out. Once Edelman returns, Decker likely won't get consistent targets. Think of him as a four-game rental. FAAB: $2-$4

Corey Coleman, BUF - Coleman was set for this spot given that the Browns haven't signed Dez Bryant and Coleman could have opened the season with a significant receiving role, especially with Josh Gordon's status a little murky. However, a trade late Sunday sent Coleman to the Bills where he'll get a fresh start. While the quarterback spot is more questionable in Buffalo this season, there's a clearer path to more targets competing with Kelvin Benjamin/Charles Clay vs. Jarvis Landry/Josh Gordon and David Njoku. Antonio Callaway (FCFS or $1), a burner who can stretch the field, should be the primary beneficiary of Coleman's trade. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

Taywan Taylor, TEN - Taylor has been used as the No. 2 wide receiver in camp lining up wide opposite Corey Davis and could be used there as opposed to the slot this season. Of course, Taylor could go back to the slot once Rishard Matthews returns and it's difficult to ascertain where Taylor would have more fantasy value. Should the Titans go to a more pass-heavy offense this season, Taylor could be a target in deeper leagues once the bye weeks start. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Mike Gesicki, MIA - There are conflicting reports about the effectiveness of Gesicki in camp as he's been working with the first string but is listed at fifth on depth chart that was released Monday. Fortunately for fantasy purposes, he projects as a better receiver than blocker and the Dolphins have other options at the position (MarQueis Gray, A.J. Derby) to block. Gesicki had 105 catches for 1,242 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Penn State, leading the Dolphins to draft him in the middle of the second round this year. Rookie tight ends face a tough learning curve, but Gesicki has the pedigree and athleticism to be on the fantasy radar. FAAB: $1-$2