Some call it “Waivers a Week Early.” Others call it “Beat the Waiver Wire.” We call it In the scope. As we conclude the 2023 fantasy football season, our staff takes a moment to reflect on our standout calls and the exceptional performers who defined the All-In-the-Scope Team. Highlighted a week or multiple before becoming mainstream waiver priorities, these players defied the odds, exceeding expectations and becoming integral to fantasy football teams’ success.
Let’s revisit our best week-early waiver wire finds:
2023 All-In-the-Scope Team: Our Best Beat-the-Waiver Wire Calls
Kyler Murray (QB, Arizona Cardinals) | Week 8
Kyler Murray proved to be a strategic pickup, finishing as the QB10 on a per-game basis and pacing as the QB9 during the fantasy football playoffs. Despite playing in a subpar offense with limited weapons, Murray displayed a solid floor.
Looking ahead, the anticipation builds as the Cardinals consider draft options to bolster their receiving corps, potentially adding Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. Murray scored a touchdown (passing or rushing) in every game and had four multiple-TD games in seven contests.
Devin Singletary (RB, Houston Texans) | Week 7
Our call to grab Devin Singletary during his bye-week paid off, as he became a better scheme fit in Bobby Slowik’s offense than incumbent starter Dameon Pierce. Singletary surged to the Points Per Reception (PPR) RB8 from Week 10 onward and RB15 during the fantasy football playoffs. Noteworthy performances included three games with 100+ scrimmage yards, including 161 in Week 10 and 170 in Week 15. With a career-high in carries (192) and his third-straight 800-rushing yard season, Singletary solidified himself as a reliable back both in the NFL and for fantasy football.
Tyjae Spears (RB, Tennesee Titans) | Week 2
Despite not becoming the bell cow due to Derrick Henry‘s presence, Tyjae Spears delivered as a serviceable desperation FLEX play. Out-snapping Henry 541-522 this season, Spears finished as the PPR RB34. His season included one RB1 finish, three RB2 finishes and five RB3 finishes, resulting from the rookie showcasing his versatility within the backfield.
Puka Nacua (WR, Los Angeles Rams) | Week 1
One of our standout calls of the year, Puka Nacua, shone from the beginning and remained a stud throughout. Finishing as the overall PPR WR5 and WR6 during the fantasy football playoffs, Nacua is on the verge of breaking rookie records in both receiving yards and receptions. Not the fastest receiver but a stellar route runner, Nacua proved to be a valuable asset in the absence of Cooper Kupp and when he returned. So much so that Nacua will likely be drafted ahead of the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) in 2024 redrafts.
Rashee Rice (WR, Kansas City Chiefs) | Week 4
Rashee Rice emerged as the Chiefs’ primary receiving option, outperforming even Travis Kelce in the later part of the season. Finishing as PPR WR21 for the season and WR4 overall from Week 12 onward, Rice amassed impressive stats with 79 receptions, 938 yards and seven TDs on 121 targets. Now taking the majority of Kansas City’s snaps, Rice has the potential to break the 1000-yard mark as a rookie in Week 18.
Trey McBride (TE, Arizona Cardinals) | Week 7
Recognizing Trey McBride‘s uptick from 33% to 58% of snaps played from Week 5 to Week 6, we urged managers to grab him ahead of Week 7. McBride saw 100 targets, recording 78 receptions, 791 yards and two TDs. Even without finding paydirt often, he finished as the PPR TE2 from Week 8 onward, outperforming notable names like Sam LaPorta and Kelce. McBride had just two finishes outside the top 12 in that nine-game span, establishing himself as a reliable fantasy asset.
Thanks for reading “In the Scope” this season! Check out more of our fantasy football and other written content here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.
*Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports*