It's the offseason, except for those of us in dynasty leagues. Many waiver wires are closed up tight until the summer, but some are open for business. Others will open shortly after annual rookie drafts. If you can add players now or soon, check to see if these guys are available.
My goal here is to name guys who might actually be options. Anyone can tell you to pick up Jeff Janis, but not only does everyone know about him now, he probably isn't available. These guys are a step down from him -- forgotten, overlooked, and maybe ready to be added to the bottom of your roster.
Mike Gillislee, RB, Buffalo: He'll be on a roster in some leagues, certainly. He played well for Buffalo down the stretch. Why he might be available is that he's a third-string running back best remembered for burning out quickly with the team that drafted him, Miami. But LeSean McCoy might be in some legal trouble (and seems a poor bet to stay healthy anyway), so it won't be surprising if the top 2 in Buffalo for a stretch of games are Karlos Williams, and Gillislee.
Jeremy Butler, WR, Baltimore: I know, he's just some nobody wideout in Baltimore who got to play because their entire roster got hurt. But look: he did pretty well in the lineup for the Ravens down the stretch. Steve Smith truly is a Senior, and he's coming up an Achilles injury -- very tough for any player to come back from. Breshad Perriman oozes talent but didn't get on the field as a rookie. No reason to think Butler won't open the season as Joe Flacco's No. 3 (at worst).
Jeff Heuerman, TE, Denver: Lost in the likelihood of Peyton Manning retiring is that Owen Daniels is probably done, too. Vernon Davis flopped in Denver, and Virgil Green is best suited to be a No. 2. Denver drafted Heuerman in the third round a year ago. He tore his ACL in minicamp, but that was way back in May -- he should be healthy for training camp this year. Could be the team's starter by 2017 at the latest.
Tyler Kroft, TE, Cincinnati: My dynasty league gives tight ends 1.5 points per reception, so maybe I have more interest in these guys than many owners do. But the tight end is a big part of Cincinnati's passing game, and Kroft filled in nicely when Tyler Eifert got hurt last year. And Eifert, no one needs to be reminded, gets hurt a lot.
Branden Oliver, RB, San Diego: The Chargers have already made it a point of importance to get the running game going next year. They're going to get Melvin Gordon to the point where they don't look foolish for drafting him in the top 15 picks. And if that fails, they'll need another running back to step up. Branden Oliver flashed nicely as a rookie. He's never going to be a workhorse, but he could very well start some games in 2016 and have a big role if Gordon can't step up.
Stevan Ridley, RB, N.Y. Jets: Ridley, coming off a torn ACL, did nothing for the Jets last season. But Zac Stacy, who was healthy, didn't show anything spelling Chris Ivory, and Ivory is a candidate to leave in free agency. Ridley might very well be starting for the Jets this year.
Blake Bell, TE, San Francisco: Yes, one more tight end. Chip Kelly is taking over in San Francisco, and Blaine Gabbert (if he winds up as the starter) likes to throw to the position. As does Kelly. San Francisco also has Vance McDonald, but don't just dismiss Bell. San Francisco made him the fifth tight end drafted a year ago, in the fourth round.
Marqise Lee, WR, Jacksonville: Lee has been an injury-prone bust for the Jaguars thus far. But he's a second-round pick who could be the No. 3 in a strong passing offense, and he finished fairly strong a year ago: 8 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in the final three games. There are worse fliers for that last roster spot.
Javontee Herndon, WR, San Diego: Please do not drop anyone viable for Herndon, who only had a role last year because of how gutted by injuries San Diego was. But the Chargers don't have much behind Keenan Allen and Stevie Johnson, so Herndon could very well be Philip Rivers' No. 3. Pending the draft, and free agency, and....
Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington: Probably not available, but maybe a player who will be cut loose around rookie draft time. Recent reports out of Washington suggest the team will bring back both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. But let's see. Their contracts are big, and the team will have to pay Kirk Cousins. Crowder might be no more than the No. 3, or he could be a starter.