Preemptive Strike

 Welcome to Preemptive Strike. In most leagues, every Tuesday its waiver wire day. It's when fantasy managers put in claims or use FAAB (Free Agent Auction Budget) to better their teams for Fantasy Football glory. Now let's say, what if you can beat your league mates to the punch and pick-up players before they have a possible break-out game or if the starter ahead of a certain player is dealing with injuries that might allow a reserve more opportunity to shine. Well, that's what this series will be all about. Here are some players to try and add that are under 50% owned. 

 Quarterbacks

Gardner Minshew II 26% Owned - The Minshew Swag is ready to show that he's oozing machismo. The second-year gunslinger is a must-own in two-quarterback and super-flex leagues this season or a great add for streamers or if your starter happens to have a tough Week 1 match-up. As a rookie, last season Minshew came outta nowhere to post 3,271 yards with 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions. The quarterback also added 344 yards on the ground which is always welcome from your QB. The Jaguars' defense was once a pillar of stability for this team, but now will be the offspring of the type of game script that will allow Minshew to have to throw a ton to keep the Jaguars in games.

Derrick Carr 17% Owned - Did I just say, Derrick Carr? Jesus, please take the wheel! Over the last five years, Carr has surprisingly averaged 3,905 yards passing and 24 touchdowns. The talent that's been assembled around Carr this season is arguably the best group of weapons he's ever had. For deep leaguers and two-quarterback leagues, Carr is a definite add as a QB3 that can perform as a QB2 in the right match-up. Carr is also a solid back-up for league managers that waited on quarterbacks in drafts.

Tyrod Taylor 8% Owned - Taylor is getting his chance to start after sitting behind Phillip Rivers last season. The quarterback started for Coach Anthony Lynn when they both were with the Buffalo Bills a few seasons ago. Coach Lynn was the offensive coordinator that season and became interim head coach towards the end of the 2016 season. The quarterback has never attempted more than 436 passes in a season but where he will help your fantasy squad is with his running game. Taylor averaged 525 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns per season when he started three seasons for the Bills. Taylor is another great option for two-quarterback and super-flex leagues. 

Running Backs

Chase Edmonds 42% Owned - Whether your a Kenyan Drake owner or not, Edmonds should be owned in all leagues. He's a lottery ticket waiting to get cashed in. Drake had an explosive second half last season but before his arrival to Arizona Edmonds was showing glimpses of being a more the capable bell cow. Drake has never proven that he can have a full season of consistent productivity. The last game that Edmonds had a full workload before getting injured he rushed 27 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns. If you have the extra roster space add Edmonds, as he's only a Drake injury away from posting RB1 numbers.

Chris Thompson 42% Owned and James Robinson 49% Owned - If either Thompson or Robinson are floating around in your waiver wire stop reading this and go pick either of them up now as they both are must-own players. Ok now that's done, Thompson and Robinson are both in line to be highly used in the Jaguars. As mentioned before the Jaguars defense will be playing from behind and Minshew will be dumping off passes to Thompson early and often. Thanks to the releasing of Leonard Fournette, early-down work will be handled by Robinson who's a rookie starter and should carry the majority of the workload. Robinson has been the most added player over the last week.

Wide Receivers

Preston Williams 42% owned - Williams is the forgotten man in Miami's receiving core. He was on his way to a stellar season before suffering an ACL tear in his knee. In seven games Williams posted 32 receptions 428 yards and three touchdowns. Reports out of camp have been positive and Williams has been setback free and should be in the Dolphins. The second-year wideout should be owned in all leagues.  

Bryan Edwards 24% Owned - Attention all fantasy owners you might want to add Edwards to your fantasy teams this week before other league mates get to see him play. He's a player I have tried to add as much as possible in all my leagues. The rookie wideout complied 234 receptions for 3,045 yards and 22 touchdowns over his collegiate career. With no pre-season games, Edwards's hype has remained tempered, but once Tyrell Williams landed on Injured Reserve, it opened up the door to a path of many more targets than initially expected for Edwards. So grab him while you can.

Steve Sims Jr. 6% Owned - Deep leaguers must check to see if Sims is available on the waiver wire. He finished last season strong by averaging 21.63 fantasy points over his last three games and built some nice chemistry with Dwayne Haskins. Sims is already Washington's WR2 and with Terry McLaurin garnering the number one cornerback every week, there should be a clear path for Sims to be a possible WR4 or flex option this fantasy season.

Van Jefferson 6% Owned - The rookie from the University of Florida, has made quite an impression on Coach Sean McVay and the Rams as he's been turning heads during training camp. The former Gator came in and has already passed Josh Reynolds as the number three receiver in this offense. Brandin Cooks's trade to Houston left his 72 targets up for grabs. Jefferson should settle into this offense perfectly and should be added to your deep fantasy rosters if you have space. 

Tight Ends

Eric Ebron 36% Owned - After having a break out year in 2018, Ebron fell back down to earth when he had to split targets with Jack Doyle last season while catching balls from Jacoby Brissett instead of Andrew Luck after his sudden retirement. A little bit of a downgrade at QB there wouldn't you say. This year Ebron is set to make a rebound as he signed with the Steelers during the offseason and will be paired up with Ben Roethlisberger. Word out of camp is that Ebron is being line-up all over the offense and that no linebacker can keep up with him. For those of you that waited on drafting a tight end and are looking to stream the position or want to add someone that can be your starter for the rest of the season, Ebron may be your guy. 

Jack Doyle 27% Owned - As mentioned above, Doyle's main competition for tight end targets from last season is no longer on the team, with the departure of Ebron. The Colts brought in injury-prone veteran Trey Burton who's already landed on the IR with a calf injury. Doyle will get all the targets he can handle from old gunslinger Phillip Rivers. If you recall all those years playing with Antonio Gates, Rivers really does love throwing to tight ends. If you in need of a tight end, pick-up Doyle now before it's too late. 

Dan Arnold 1% Owned - This last player is for the deepest of leagues that are tight end premium or deep dynasty players. Arnold is a 6'-6" behemoth of a man that's been tearing it up in training camp. The Cardinals signed the tight end at the of last season when the Saints released him. Arnold and Murray have been forming some great chemistry this offseason and could be a good red-zone target this season.

Quick hits

• Darrell Henderson 45% Owned - Recovered from his hamstring injury in time for Week 1 and could be in the mix in the receiving game for the Rams. 
• Allen Lazard 43% Owned - Starting wide receiver who is playing with a future Hall of Famer.
• Boston Scott 39% Owned - With Miles Sanders nursing a hamstring injury and currently questionable Scott will have a very nice workload and must add this week.
• Tony Pollard 37% Owned - A Zeke injury away from being an RB1 for fantasy managers.
• Jalen Reagor 35% Owned - Recovered from a shoulder in time for Week 1 and looks like a full go Carson Wentz after practicing in full on Friday.
• Malcolm Brown 18% Owned - Might be the starter for Week 1.
• Tyler Eifert 15% Owned - Having a healthy training camp and according to reports great chemistry with Minshew.
• Joshua Kelley 11% Owned - Impressive rookie running back who could be in line for early-down work the Chargers. 
• Jerrick Mckinnon 9% Owned - All reports out of camp have been that he's looked fantastic and is ready to go to be a PPR factor this year.
• Bryce Love 8% Owned - Should be involved in the running game with the release of Adrian Peterson.
• Scotty Miller 1% Owned - Regardless of Mike Evans being listed as doubtful this week, Miller will be Tom Brady's go-to slot receiver this season. A must own.
• Quintez Cephus 0% Owned - Rookie wideout who could have a major role this week with Kenny Golladay listed as doubtful and Danny Amendola listed as questionable this week.

You may follow me on Twitter at @smooth1074 and let me know what your thoughts are so can further discuss.

References: Pro Football Reference Yahoo Fantasy Football Player Ownership