The dynasty waiver wire is all about finding opportunity before everybody else sees it. Sometimes that means chasing a player who just had a big game. Other times, it means reading a situation that could change quickly and getting ahead of the market.
This week, we’re looking at DJ Giddens, a running back who deserves attention in dynasty fantasy football leagues as the Jonathan Taylor trade rumors heat up in Indianapolis ahead of the November 10 NFL trade deadline.
Most managers have already scooped up Seth McGowan. That’s understandable. McGowan has become one of the most popular waiver-wire names because of the possibility that Taylor gets moved. But if you missed out on McGowan, don’t assume the opportunity has passed.
In my opinion, Giddens is just as much of a dart throw, and he may be an especially interesting one considering what we saw late in the Colts’ most recent game.
Dynasty Waiver Wire Week 9: Why DJ Giddens Matters Right Now
The biggest reason to consider DJ Giddens has very little to do with his current fantasy production. It has everything to do with what could happen next in Indianapolis.
The Colts are reportedly open to trading Jonathan Taylor, and multiple teams have shown interest. That doesn’t mean a deal is guaranteed. Indianapolis doesn’t have to move him, since Taylor is under contract through 2028, and the team is reportedly asking for a premium return. But the writing is on the wall for a rebuild. The Colts sit at 2-6 after a 42-7 loss to Jacksonville, they’ve already traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, and Taylor barely received any carries in the team’s most recent game.
When a team starts selling off veterans, it’s fair to wonder whether its priorities have changed. If Indianapolis is ready to move on from Taylor, the running back depth chart could look very different in a hurry.
And that’s where Giddens enters the conversation.
Seth McGowan Is Getting the Attention: Don’t Forget DJ Giddens
There’s nothing wrong with adding Seth McGowan. If you already picked him up, there’s no reason to change course just because we’re talking about Giddens this week.
But dynasty managers should recognize that both players are being discussed for the same reason: opportunity.
If Jonathan Taylor is traded, Indianapolis will need to figure out how to divide the running back workload. McGowan has become the more popular waiver-wire name, but that doesn’t make him the only player worth rostering. Giddens is still worth investigating, especially in deeper dynasty leagues where the waiver wire gets thin quickly.
Let’s be honest about what we don’t know. Nobody can say exactly how the Colts would handle their backfield after a trade. It could be a committee, another player could emerge, or Indianapolis could bring in outside competition. But the same opening dynasty managers are chasing with McGowan could also create a path for Giddens.
That’s why I don’t mind taking a shot on both players if your roster space allows it.
DJ Giddens Showed a Little Something Late
Giddens also gave managers a small reason to pay attention in the Colts’ last game. He finished with 6 carries for 43 yards, making the most of a limited opportunity.
That’s not a performance that should send everybody racing to the waiver wire, and we’re not going to turn six carries into a breakout prediction. But it’s enough to keep him on the radar.
When you’re evaluating dynasty waiver-wire running backs, you’re looking for a combination of talent, opportunity, and a path to playing time. Giddens doesn’t have the opportunity locked down today. That’s the gamble. But if Taylor is traded, the path could become much clearer.
If you’re deciding between spending your last roster spot on a player with little chance of ever seeing meaningful touches or taking a shot on a running back who could suddenly find himself in the mix, Giddens is worth considering.
What Happens If Jonathan Taylor Gets Traded?
This is the question driving the entire conversation.
As long as Taylor is in Indianapolis, the other running backs are fighting over whatever scraps remain behind him. A trade would change that immediately. It would open up a significant role in the Colts’ backfield, and dynasty managers would be scrambling to find the next player to benefit. That’s why McGowan has been such a popular pickup, and why Giddens shouldn’t be overlooked.
There are no guarantees that either player becomes the lead back. The Colts could use multiple running backs, add a veteran, or approach the position differently than dynasty managers expect. That’s the nature of a waiver-wire stash.
You’re not adding Giddens because he’s a dependable fantasy starter. You’re adding him because the situation could change, and the cost of finding out is low.
- If Taylor stays: Giddens is likely a bench stash with limited immediate value.
- If Taylor is traded: Giddens could be in the mix for meaningful touches the rest of the season and beyond.
We’ll know one way or the other by November 10. That’s the kind of upside we’re hunting for on the dynasty waiver wire in November.
The Dynasty Leftovers Verdict: Take a Shot on DJ Giddens
If Seth McGowan is already rostered in your league, don’t simply move on from the Indianapolis backfield. DJ Giddens is worth an add.
I’m not calling him a future fantasy star, and I’m certainly not suggesting you spend a premium rookie pick to acquire him. This is a speculative dynasty pickup based on a situation that could create opportunity in a hurry.
The Jonathan Taylor trade rumors are the reason to pay attention. The Colts’ fire sale adds another layer of uncertainty, and Taylor’s light workload last week only makes it more interesting. McGowan has gotten most of the attention, but Giddens is still sitting there in plenty of leagues.
If you’re looking for a running back stash with a possible path to a bigger role, now is the time to take the shot. You don’t have to be right every time on the dynasty waiver wire. You just need to be right on a few players before the rest of your league catches up.
The Week 9 Dynasty Leftover: DJ Giddens.
Dynasty Waiver Wire Week 9 FAQ
Is DJ Giddens worth adding in dynasty fantasy football leagues?
Yes. Giddens is a speculative dynasty stash with a potential path to more playing time if Jonathan Taylor is traded. His recent six-carry, 43-yard performance also gives managers a reason to keep an eye on him.
Should I pick up DJ Giddens or Seth McGowan?
Both are worth considering. McGowan has received more waiver-wire attention, but Giddens could also benefit if Taylor leaves Indianapolis. If both are available and you have the roster space, there’s a case for adding either one.
When is the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
The 2026 NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, November 10. If the Colts are going to trade Jonathan Taylor this season, it has to happen by then.
Why does the Jonathan Taylor trade situation matter for dynasty managers?
The Colts are reportedly open to trading Taylor, and multiple teams have shown interest. If Indianapolis moves him, the running back depth chart opens up for the players currently behind him.
Is DJ Giddens a must-start fantasy football player?
No. Giddens is a bench stash, not a player you should count on in your starting lineup right now. His value is tied to a potential change in the Colts’ backfield.
Should I trade for DJ Giddens in dynasty?
Only at a reasonable price. He’s the type of player I’d rather add off waivers or acquire cheaply than pay a significant future draft pick for. The upside is worth a roster spot, but the situation is still uncertain.
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Missed last week? We looked ahead to the playoff push and identified a defensive strategy that could help dynasty managers get ahead of the competition, and it paid off big. Read Dynasty Waiver Wire Week 8: The Leftovers — Make Your Move Before the Playoff Push.
