The waiver wire is a great place to strengthen your team, especially early in the season. Each week we’ll break down the wire and point out a few players that you might want to add to your squad.
QUARTERBACKS
Drew Bledsoe, DAL: 226 yards, 3 TDs
If you protect him, he will perform. Don’t expect numbers like this every week, but with several offensive weapons, Bledsoe would make a good backup as long as the Cowboys can give him solid protection.
Joey Harrington, DET: 167 yards, 2 TD
The offensive line doesn’t look very good, but Harrington was reasonably efficient against the Packers. He’s another guy benefiting from a nice surrounding cast and should make a decent backup.
Others:
Gus Frerotte, MIA: 275 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
This may be an aberration, but Frerotte looked good running the Miami offense against a relatively good Denver defense.
Trent Dilfer, CLE: 278 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Cleveland looks like they may be playing from behind a lot this year, and Dilfer will have an opportunity to air it out to a nice receiving corps.
Tim Rattay, SF: 165 yards, 2 TDs
Rattay was efficient for the 49ers, but with emerging WRs Brandon Lloyd and Arnaz Battle, he might have some big days.
Anthony Wright, BAL: 214 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
With Boller out for a bit, Wright will finally get his chance to shine in Baltimore. Let’s see what he can do with a week to prepare.
RUNNING BACKS
Assuming Tatum Bell, Willie Parker and Stephen Davis are not available in your league, there doesn’t appear to be a whole lot of immediate help at the RB position on the WW this week.
Others:
Frank Gore, SF: 38 total yards
Most reports indicate that Barlow had a very bad outing, so move Gore up a tick and add him if you have room (and don’t need help at another position).
Brandon Jacobs, NYG: 39 yards, 1 TD
Looked good during his six carries and appears to be the goal line back for the Giants. A must add if available and Tiki Barber is one of your starters.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Joey Galloway and Antwaan Randle-El may be available in some leagues, but here are three guys that are likely on your league’s waiver wire:
Robert Ferguson, GB: 1 rec., 4 yards
With Javon Walker’s season-ending knee injury, Ferguson steps into the #2 WR position in GB, which is usually good for 60+ catches and 850+ yds. He should make a very solid #3 WR.
Arnaz Battle, SF: 5 rec., 59 yards, 1 TD; -3 rushing yards; 27 passing yards
A former QB, Battle threw, ran and caught the ball Sunday. Until TE Eric Johnson fully returns from his injury, he and Lloyd appear to be the only viable options for the 49ers in the passing game.
Patrick Crayton, DAL: 6 rec., 89 yards, 1 TD
Also a former QB, Crayton is in his second year, had a fine preseason and carried it over to Sunday. He is listed as the #3 WR behind Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn, and with the recently added Peerless Price waiting in the wings, it is tough to gauge Crayton’s value going forward.
Others:
Bobby Engram, SEA: 8 rec., 79 yards
With the departure of Koren Robinson, Engram moves into the #2 WR role behind Darrell Jackson. Engram will probably have a lot of games like the one he had on Sunday.
Frisman Jackson, CLE: 8 rec., 128 yards, 1 TD
Those are eye-popping numbers, but it will be tough for Jackson to repeat playing behind Antonio Bryant, Dennis Northcutt and rookie Braylon Edwards. Keep an eye on him.
TIGHT ENDS
Marcus Pollard, DET: 5 rec., 58 yards, 1 TD
If teams try to double-cover Roy Williams and Charles Rogers on the outside, Pollard will make a living this year over the middle. Still, don’t expect numbers like this every week with all the offensive weapons in Detroit.
Chris Baker, NYJ: 7 rec., 124 yards, 1 TD
Everyone thought Doug Jolley would be the guy for the Jets, but it was Baker who shined on Sunday. He was one of the only bright spots on a rather dismal day for the Jets.
Others:
Jerramy Stevens, SEA: 3 rec., 41 yards
Possibly still available in your league, Stevens appears to have locked up the starting TE position in SEA.
Ben Watson, NE: 2 rec., 55 yards
Watson started Thursday night on fire, but then wasn’t heard from the rest of the night. He looks like he is very talented, but with the way the Patriots spread the ball around, it’s tough to say how many targets he will get week to week. At the very least, he’s the best TE option in NE.
Ben Troupe / Erron Kinney, TEN
Troupe caught four passes for 28 yards and a TD for the Titans, and he wasn’t even supposed to play. The other TE, Erron Kinney, caught five passes for 58 yards, so it’s clear that Tennessee plans to use their tight ends as their #2 option in the passing game.
Alex Smith, TB: 4 rec., 34 yards, 2 TD
Tampa Bay’s other rookie looks big, strong and fast and could emerge as the team’s #3 option in the passing game.
Courtney Anderson, OAK: 3 rec., 18 yards, 2 TDs
Anderson benefited from all the attention the Patriots gave to Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Lamont Jordan. It’s unclear if he’ll get these types of looks game to game, but the guy is talented.
If you have any questions, feel free to post them in our Fantasy Football Q&A section.
