Waiver Wire Watch: Week 15

John Paulsen — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:19:42 +0000

Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers. I use the ESPN league data when filtering players, so the only players eligible for discussion here are those that are available on the waiver wire of at least 50% of ESPN’s leagues. I’ll list each player’s percentage-owned after their name so you have an idea of how available they are in leagues around the country. I’ll always try to mention a few players that are available in 90% of leagues for those of you in 12-team leagues or leagues with big rosters. I’ll rank them in the order I’d pick them up in a league with a high-performance, PPR scoring system.

Please note that these rankings are for total value through the end of the year. Players with particularly good matchups this week are in bold.

QUARTERBACKS

Shaun Hill (35.7)
Kerry Collins (44.4)
Seneca Wallace (2.6)
Tarvaris Jackson (3.0)
Marc Bulger (40.4)
J.T. O’Sullivan (11.9)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (6.5)

RUNNING BACKS

A number of starter-quality RBs went down with injuries this week, so this list is dependent on their ability to come back and play in Week 15. I’m going to loosen the percent-owned requirements to account for some fringe guys.

Tatum Bell (15.5)
With Peyton Hillis out, it looks like Bell gets first shot at RB1.
LeRon McClain (59.1)
Both McGahee and Rice left the Sunday night game with injuries, so McClain is the last man standing right now.
DeShaun Foster (4.8)
Frank Gore’s ankle injury is something to watch this week. Foster’s matchup this week isn’t great (MIA), but he would have a great matchup in Week 16 (STL) if Gore is unable to return.
Maurice Morris (20.9)
Julius Jones didn’t play at all on Sunday, and Morris has a nice matchup this week (STL).
Dominic Rhodes (54.7)
The Colts are saying that Addai should be “OK” for Week 15, but Rhodes would be a great play against Detroit if Addai can’t go.
Tashard Choice (13.0)
Apparently, it was Barber’s calf (not his toe) that kept him out against the Steelers. MBIII should be able to go on Sunday, but if not, Choice is a solid fill in.
Ladell Betts (21.0)
The word is that Portis wasn’t benched due to injury. It will be interesting to see how this plays out this week with the mediocre Bengals on tap.
Chester Taylor (54.4)
Cedric Benson (39.7)
Carnell Williams (36.9)
Selvin Young (35.6)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Deion Branch (13.7)
Davone Bess (23.0)
Amani Toomer (57.2)
Domenik Hixon (37.5)
Devin Hester (43.0)
Donnie Avery (52.6)
Antwaan Randle El (37.4)
Michael Jenkins (27.8)
Matt Jones (39.2)
Nate Washington (25.1)
Justin Gage (42.0)
Bryant Johnson (17.4)
Bobby Engram (28.6)
Mark Clayton (24.1)

TIGHT ENDS

John Carlson (45.5)
Zach Miller (57.5)
Donald Lee (46.3)
Visanthe Shiancoe (53.8)
Todd Heap (48.2)
Marcedes Lewis (20.8)
L.J. Smith (18.5)
Steve Heiden (2.5)
Jerramy Stevens (16.5)
Anthony Fasano (47.4)

THINKING DEFENSIVELY (DTBWW)

Welcome to the world of Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW). Each week, you pick up a defense, usually one playing at home against a bad offense. And each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. All teams are available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

I’m moving this feature up from it’s normal slot in my Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em feature because I realize that a lot of owners are playing the waiver wire right now trying to find a defense, so the earlier you can put your bids in the better.

This week’s picks:

Patriots (@ OAK)
Redskins (@ CIN)

(I’d grab the Colts, Dolphins and Cardinals – in that order – before the Pats and Redskins, but they are owned in more than 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues, so they aren’t eligible for DTBWW this week.)

Last week’s picks:

Colts: 3 PA + 5 SK + 3 INT + 1 INT RET TD + 1 FR = 23 fantasy points
Chargers: 7 PA + 3 SK + 3 INT + 1 FR = 13 fantasy points

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Waiver Wire Watch: Week 15