The Spire

Logan Gooley ‘24

Sports Staff Writer

Waiver-Wire:

QB: Kenny Pickett (30.0%) RB: Tyjae Spears (12.9%) WR: Tank Dell (3.8%) 

TE: Zach Ertz (47.2%)  DEF/ST: Jaguars DEF (12.7%)

My top add for this week is Houston Texans WR, Tank Dell. If you’re a fan of Houston sports like me, I’m sure you drafted Tank Dell in one of the last rounds of the draft. But if not, now is your chance to get your WR3 on your championship roster. Dell saw 7 catches on 10 targets and managed to catch a touchdown to boot. Dell won’t repeat his 20.2 production very often but expect him to get you double-digit PPR fantasy points regularly from now on. As Stroud progresses, he’ll be carrying Tank Dell alongside his upward trajectory.

Must Start

RB: Najee Harris vs. Las Vegas Raiders WR: Jakobi Meyers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 

TE: Hayden Hurst vs. Seattle Seahawks

This will be the only time you see me telling you to start Najee Harris. I have yet to watch the Steelers’ Monday Night matchup against the Browns, but I can tell you that he did not play well. However, it does not get much easier than the Raiders. The Raiders allowed the 7th most fantasy points per game to RBs last season and decided it was the offense that needed fixing. I love James Cook, but allowing him to rush for 123 yards is a sign that run defense is not the strength of your team. 

Next up is Jakobi Meyers; this pick is with slight hesitation. If Meyers can escape concussion protocol by Thursday, throw him in your starting lineup. The Steelers were a sub-par team for fantasy points allowed to WRs last season, and Patrick Peterson should retire. Outside of T.J. Watt, this defense has struggled, and the WRs for Las Vegas should have a nice day against a struggling Steelers team.

After being a must-sit last week, Hayden Hurst has found his way onto the Must Start list. I’m currently unaware of the results of the Saints vs. Panthers Monday Night game, but Hurst may have been quiet against a tough Saints’ defense. However, Seattle had the worst defense against TEs for fantasy last season and allowed 8 catches for 112 yards to TEs this season so far. Expect Hurst to be a big target for rookie Bryce Young for the rest of the season, starting with a big output against Seattle.

Must Sit

RB: James Conner vs. Dallas Cowboys 

WR: Devante Parker vs New York Jets TE: Dalton Kincaid

James Conner will always be a fantasy mystery to me, but there’s no mystery that he’ll be underperforming this week. Until someone can show me how to run against this Cowboys’ defense, I’ll keep putting whoever they play against on this list. I’m not sure when that will happen, but a 4.6 carry average against a struggling Giants team isn’t enough to make me believe Conner will be the man to change it.

Despite an impressive 8 target, 6 catch game against the Dolphins, Devante Parker and the Patriots are in for a tough outing against the New York Jets. Outside of superstars CeeDee Lamb and Stefon Diggs, the Jets have been lockdown in the air attack this season. Perhaps Bourne still has a good game, but the number two option for the Patriots will surely be neutralized this week.

I’m a huge believer in Dalton Kincaid, but this Commanders’ defense is stubborn against TEs. Allowing the fourth least points per game to TEs last season, the Commanders are right where they left off, slowing down Zach Ertz and neutralizing Sean Payton’s acolyte, Adam Trautman. 

Buy Low

Expensive: Joe Burrow Mid-Price: Jahmyr Gibbs Cheap: Elijah Moore

Maybe it’s my grandfather’s LSU pride in me, but Joe Burrow is a top 5 QB in the league. Don’t let one bad and one average performance keep you down. Steal Burrow at his floor and you’ll be starting him at his ceiling.

This may be a bit expensive depending on the football knowledge of your league mates, but if a Gibbs holder happens to be new to fantasy football, attack for Gibbs. A mediocre Week 2 is standard for rookie RBs, but his 14 touches should make you view him as a sleeping giant. Montgomery’s unfortunate injury only opens the door even wider for a Gibbs explosion.

Moore had a lackluster week 2, so go get him. Cooper’s nagging injury means that Moore will be the guy in Cleveland, and with his skill level, that will mean high production this season.

Featured image courtesy of Ben Lepper ’25