What is the best fantasy football waiver wire strategy?
So your waiver wire targets should be those who have had their role, playing time, or opportunity increased. Don't get distracted by what happened last week. Make a plan for what to do if you go cold, and you should have enough budget/priority left over to make it happen. Find players who could turn into full-time starters, who can plug holes in your lineup, and drop bench players who have had their role decreased.
The waiver wire is likely the biggest chance for improvement you'll have after draft day. Who stepped up due to injury, depth chart change, coaching decision, or scheme change?
Look at the opportunity, not only the points.
For example, a player with 2 TDs on limited opportunities is likely less valuable than a player with consistent carries, routes, or targets but no touchdowns. Playing time, snaps, touches, targets, routes run, and red zone involvement can tell us more about whether a performance is repeatable.
Look for players who can help your starting lineup.
A running back behind a newly elevated starter might have greater value in a typical league than a third-string wide receiver whose prospects for playing time appear bleak. In larger leagues, there may be a chance to pick up a player who is likely to receive more playing time before he becomes entrenched in a starting role.
Your waiver format will also dictate how you spend. If you're in a rolling-priority league, don't blow your initial waiver claim on a fringe player if you don't need one immediately. You could lose that player in a week. If you're in a free-agent acquisition budget league, you should be a bit more aggressive when placing bids on a potential long-term contributor, but make sure you keep some money in the bank for a late-season injury or breakout.
Tell your bench the truth every week. It might just be that a popular guy is losing playing time, and there's an up-and-coming player who is going to take his place. Don't be afraid to cut guys who will never see the field while a new starter or even replacement is available.
Don't try to claim players off of one week. Sometimes it's the schedule that's helped, sometimes it's the player's role, most times it's the talent of the player. Always check practice reports, depth charts, quotes from coaches, and recent usage before you submit your waiver claims.