Welcome back to Waiver Deep Cut, the column that, according to Tuesday’s recap, laid an egg last week. Mason Taylor and I have talked it out. We’re both in a better place. This week we’re leaving the tight end swamp and heading into a backfield that’s falling apart in real time, where a forgotten veteran is suddenly standing at the front of the line.
The Pick
Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants. He’s a free agent in The family league part 2 right now, rostered in just 11.7% of ESPN leagues (up 3.3 points this week). Over on Sleeper he’s the No. 2 most-added player of the last 48 hours, so the secret is getting loud. No waiver wait, either: he’s a straight free agent.
Why bother? Look at the depth chart in front of him. Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring) is on IR and will miss at least four more games. Najee Harris was released. And Cam Skattebo, who ran for 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Week 7 before tweaking his hamstring in overtime, is day-to-day and could be a game-time decision. If Skattebo sits, Singletary is the lead back. He’s already shown a pulse: he scored the overtime walk-off touchdown in Week 7, and his 31 offensive snaps in Week 6 led all Giants running backs.
The matchup helps. The Giants come off their bye to visit Philadelphia on Sunday, and the Eagles have allowed six rushing touchdowns to running backs in eight games, plus 100-plus rushing yards to backs in three straight. ESPN projects him for 8.4 points in our scoring, and that’s before anyone knows what Skattebo is doing.
The honest risk: if Skattebo plays, Singletary goes back to being a 6-to-10-touch change-of-pace guy. His season line is 18 carries for 80 yards. This is a bet on a hamstring, so keep a backup plan and watch the inactives before the 1 p.m. kickoff.
Meaghan Moineau’s Dish of the Week
Devin Singletary is officially this week’s Creamy Corn Pudding: the side dish nobody planned the meal around that somehow ends up being the best thing on the table. And as with any pudding, the proof comes later. Tuesday, specifically.
Honorable Mentions
- Emmett Johnson, RB, Kansas City (21.9% rostered on ESPN, projected 7.5): The rookie caught all five of his targets for 128 yards and a touchdown in Week 8, including a 73-yard score, and his targets have gone up four straight games. Kenneth Walker III still owns the backfield, but with Brashard Smith on IR, Johnson is the guy catching passes. The Jets are next. In full PPR, that’s a flex dart worth throwing.
As always, the pick gets graded in Tuesday’s recap. A hit earns a Chef’s Kiss. A bust is a Flat Pancake. And if it’s another egg, at least it’ll pair well with the pudding.