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.
QUARTERBACKS
Gus Frerotte (29.9)
Frerotte has been a fringe fantasy starter since he took over in Minny. Three touchdowns against the Texans doesn’t hurt.
Sage Rosenfels (1.3)
In eight games where he attemped 20+ passes, he averaged 220 yards and 1.9 TD. He’s a borderline starter as long as Schaub is out.
Brady Quinn (9.9)
It’s official. He’s taking over for Derek Anderson. He’s worth a pickup for teams in need of QB help.
Joe Flacco (20.3)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (8.2)
Tyler Thigpen (5.4)
Byron Leftwich (0.4)
With Ben Roethlisberger sidelined, Leftwitch could be in for a few nice games.
Shaun Hill (6.1)
For desperate owners, it’s worth rolling the dice on a QB in Mike Martz’s system.
Kerry Collins (21.6)
JaMarcus Russell (36.3)
Seneca Wallace (4.8)
Brooks Bollinger (0.4)
RUNNING BACKS
Clearly, if Tim Hightower is somehow available in your league, you should definitely add him. It looks like he’s the new RB1 in Arizona. Likewise, Kevin Smith seems to be the best option in Detroit.
Cedric Benson (44.1)
Benson is the clear RB1 in Cincy and that’s worth something.
Jamaal Charles (8.6)
With Kolby Smith sidelined and Larry Johnson on the shelf, Charles is the current RB1 in KC.
Derrick Ward (50.5)
Ward continues to produce in limited touches spelling Brandon Jacobs. If Jacobs were to ever go down, Ward would blow up.
Kevin Faulk (49.1)
The best New England option for fantasy owners in PPR leagues.
Ray Rice (30.6)
With McGahee sidelined, Rice got most of the work, though LeRon McClain got the goal line carries.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42.1)
Ryan Torian (31.6)
Three carries for one yard isn’t encouraging, but the entire Denver running game struggled against the Dolphins.
Ricky Williams (48.3)
Maurice Morris (26.3)
He’s back in a timeshare with Julius Jones.
Pierre Thomas (30.0)
With a possible Deuce McAllister suspension looming and the pending return of Reggie Bush, Thomas’ value is very much up in the air.
Rudi Johnson (40.9)
Ahman Green (28.3)
Shaun Alexander (16.8)
He appears to be the main backup to Clinton Portis, who has been dinged up of late.
LaMont Jordan (6.7)
He has a chance for some work with Sammy Morris out, if he could only get healthy.
WIDE RECEIVERS
If Derek Mason or Kevin Curtis are out on your league’s waiver wire, they’re worth a pickup, especially in PPR leagues.
Greg Camarillo (29.9)
He’s putting up WR3-quality numbers in PPR leagues.
Rashied Davis (20.2)
He has posted double figures in PPR leagues over the last four weeks.
Steve Smith (13.0)
Matt Jones (34.7)
He’s playing great right now. Too bad he’s about to be suspended.
Amani Toomer (36.4)
Josh Morgan (14.4)
Michael Jenkins (7.8)
If teams focus on Roddy White and Matt Ryan continues to develop, Jenkins would be worth owning in bigger leagues.
Ike Hilliard (24.9)
Bobby Wade (9.1)
Prior to last week’s 3-16 effort, he had posted four straight 10+ games in PPR leagues.
Mark Clayton (6.8)
TIGHT ENDS
I’d grab Greg Olsen, Bo Scaife, Jeremy Shockey, Heath Miller, Tony Scheffler and Zach Miller before moving on to this list.
Kevin Boss (24.2)
Is the light finally going on? Two TD in the last two games says “yes.”
Visanthe Shiancoe (48.4)
Shiancoe has been more involved since Frerotte took over at QB.
Billy Miller (11.3)
Keep an eye on Jeremy Shockey this week. If he still isn’t fully participating in practice, Miller could be a steal off the waiver wire in PPR leagues.
Donald Lee (38.4)
Vernon Davis (36.6)
Will the Mike Singletary incident light a fire under the young TE?
Marcedes Lewis (27.3)
Desmond Clark (7.3)
Dependable fill-in type who is bound to catch 2-4 passes each game.
Dustin Keller (21.6)
Alex Smith (20.0)
Robert Royal (9.7)
Todd Heap (40.7)
Simply stated, he’s been a huge bust this season. He must have slept with Joe Flacco’s girlfriend.
David Martin (29.6)
