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In most seasonal fantasy leagues, weeks 14-16 are playoffs, making this week the halfway point in the season. Whether you're 5-1 or 1-5, everyone still has a shot at the playoffs. Your draft is a distant memory at this point. I don't care that you drafted Andre Johnson or Peyton Manning in the fourth round; it's time to drop them. If you're not actively seeking trades and putting in waiver claims every week, you're not trying. With injuries piling up, bye weeks, breakout performances and "studs to duds" scenarios (HERE WE GO, YO), let's get to this weeks waiver wire targets.
Stefon Diggs, WR, MIN
Seemingly out of nowhere, Diggs has risen to be the only pass catcher that you can trust on the Vikings. A lot of Bridgewater apologists were expecting big things this year, but the Vikings offense has been pure vanilla YTD. An injury to Charles Johnson has given opportunity to the rookie out of Maryland, and Diggs has run with it. Diggs has 13 receptions for 216 yards in his last two games, and even the mercurial Mike Wallace is heaping praise on the rookie, comparing him to a young Antonio Brown. If the trend conitues, Diggs will be a fine WR3 the rest of the season.
Theo Riddick, RB, DET
Riddick holds much more value in PPR leagues obviously, but with Zack Zenner done for the year, Joique Bell unable to get on the field, and Abdullah "fumbling" away his opportunity, Riddick is the last man standing. Blessed with exceptional quicks, Riddick is a handful for any LB to cover out of the backfield. The Lions defense isn't stopping anyone, which should keep the offense to catch up/pass first mode all season.
Christine Michael, RB, DAL
Michael has been on this list before, but reports out of Jerry's world are that he's getting the lion share of first team RB reps, and the Cowboys want him to earn the starting role. The Michael hype train has been well documented in his time in Seattle, but the fact is he couldn't beat out Robert Turbin to be Beast Mode's caddy. You can't deny his physical traits; a 5-foot-10, 220-pound fire hydrant that has a vertical of 43" is the definition of an explosive athlete. Coupled with the best O-line in the NFL, and you never know.
Michael Crabtree, WR, OAK
Crabtree has shown renewed form and explosiveness in the early part of the season, and the Raiders come out of their bye heading to San Diego, where the Chargers secondary has been struggling. Amari Cooper is Carr's clear WR1, but Crabtree should average 8-10 targets a week, which provides plenty of upside as aWR3.
The Steelers defense is allowing teams to score, but they are also getting to the QB and causing turnovers. I usually prefer to stream defenses that are playing at home, but I love the Steelers heading to Arrowhead against Andy "I am the walrus" Reid and Alex "Seven yard out" Smith.