Waiver wires are locked for the offseason in my dynasty leagues, which I suspect is true of most. But browsing is encouraged, looking for today's nobodies who might be tomorrow's somebodies. Here are 10 players available in my leagues; many of them or those of a similar ilk might be out there in yours, too.
Jonathan Williams, Ind. The former Bill got a chance to replace Marlon Mack for a couple of games late last year, going over 100 rushing yards in back-to-back contests against the Jaguars and Texans. He's headed for unrestricted free agency, while Mack-Jordan Wilkins-Nyheim Hines are all under contract for 2020. Williams might get a look as a No. 2 somewhere, making him a player to monitor in dynasty leagues.
Duke Williams, Buff. Coming out of the CFL, Williams wasn’t even active for most of Buffalo’s games last year. But when they were resting regulars in Week 17, Williams filled in and caught 6 passes for 108 yards. The next week in the playoff loss at Houston, he was a big part of their offense, catching 4 passes for 49 yards. He’s a lot bigger than all of their other receivers. It’s early, but a decent chance Williams will be one of their three main wide receivers in 2020, working alongside John Brown and Cole Beasley.
Robert Tonyan, G.B. Jimmy Graham is done in Green Bay. The Packers drafted Jace Sternberger in the third round, and it's not necessarily a big deal that he didn't show much -- rookie tight ends frequently don't. But the Packers haven't shown enough drafting receivers of late for anyone to be confident that Sternberger is their tight end of the future. Maybe it will be Tonyan.
Taysom Hill, N.O. Ian posted the numbers of Hill's work as a quarterback last preseason last week. Sean Payton's belief that some team might give up a first-round pick for him in restricted free agency is palpably false, but no one should dismiss the possibility of him being an NFL starter at some point, given the state of quarterbacking in today's NFL. I doubt he'll be starting in New Orleans this season, but it's not impossible -- nor is it impossible he'll wind up putting up viable passing and rushing numbers somewhere else. Should be rostered.
Malcolm Brown, LAR. There was some buzz for Brown last preseason, you'll recall, with Todd Gurley's future uncertain. Gurley stayed more or less healthy all season, with the result being that by far Brown's best game was in Week 1 -- 53 yards and 2 touchdowns. He wasn't usable after that. One year later, Gurley's status is every bit as uncertain. Even if the Rams part ways, they could add someone, and Darrell Henderson will be a factor. But Brown starting in Week 1 next season is not that far-fetched.
Adam Humphries, Tenn.Humphries was a bust of a free agent signing, and he was hurt down the stretch. A.J. Brown is the star of this passing game going forward. But after a mediocre season from Corey Davis and with the Titans not having a go-to guy at tight end, a healthy Humphries could bounce back next year as a busy PPR option in the middle of the field.
Blake Jarwin, Dall. The season-long presence of sloth-like Jason Witten blocked Jarwin all of last season. Witten won't be back -- he apparently might join former coach Jason Garrett with the Giants -- which could give Jarwin a chance to put up viable numbers in tight end-friendly scoring systems. He's 25 years old.
Jeff Wilson, S.F. Raheem Mostert, recall, was San Francisco's No. 4 or 5 running back one year ago. Jerick McKinnon is probably done in San Francisco, and Matt Breida fell out of favor late last year. Even if we're comfortable saying Mostert and Tevin Coleman are locked in as the team's top 2 backs, Wilson is a guy who's produced in that offense when given a chance -- like every other Shanahan running back over the years. An injury or two suddenly elevating him up into part of a 1-2 punch next season isn't as far-fetched as one might think.
Byron Pringle, K.C. Chasing backup wide receivers in Patrick Mahomes' offense can be a futile effort. Demarcus Robinson was essentially useless, and even Sammy Watkins had far more bad weeks than productive ones a year ago. But the Super Bowl champs (yeah that sounds weird) have more questions than answers at wide receiver heading into next season. Will Watkins be back? (Probably not at his current contract, and he himself floated the idea of taking a year off.) Will Robinson? Pringle only had one noteworthy game all of last season, but noteworthy it was (6-103-1 against the Colts).
Stephen Gostkowski, N.E. I know, kickers. Ugh. But Tom Brady may well be back and New England may well be a 12-win type of AFC East Champion again. And Gostkowski might be a top-5 or 10 kicker just sitting out there collecting dust.
Again: all of these guys aren't available in your dynasty league. And many of them might not amount to anything anyway. But those of you with deep rosters looking for possible breakout veterans should be considering these types of players. The next Raheem Mostert or Darren Waller might be out there.