Just about every fantasy league is in its final week of the playoffs, so I’m going to do a quick rundown of the guys available at each position. To qualify, players have to be available on the waiver wire of at least 50% of ESPN’s leagues. I’ll rank them in the order I’d pick them up in a league with a high-performance, PPR scoring system. And I’ll focus mainly on the player’s Week 16 matchup.

QUARTERBACKS

Shaun Hill (43.1)
Dan Orlovsky (2.9)
Mark Bulger (40.0)
JaMarcus Russell (23.5)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (6.1)
Seneca Wallace (6.1)
Tarvaris Jackson (5.4)
J.P. Losman (4.4)
Ken Dorsey (0.9)

RUNNING BACKS

Cedric Benson (36.5)
Maurice Morris (28.7)
DeShaun Foster (11.4)
Tatum Bell (36.5)
Tashard Choice (30.5)
P.J. Pope (0.2)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Deion Branch (25.4)
Davone Bess (32.8)
Devin Hester (50.5)
Domenik Hixon (38.9)
Steve Smith (18.6)
Dennis Northcutt (1.9)
Johnnie Lee Higgins (5.8)
Michael Jenkins (28.0)
Donnie Avery (47.0)
Justin Gage (37.8)

TIGHT ENDS

There isn’t much available in 50% of leagues, but Zach Miller (62.9) and John Carlson (57.8) are playing well and are solid PPR starts this week.

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 have moved 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. (I’d take the Dolphins first before moving onto the list.)

SEA (vs. NYJ)
CLE (vs. CIN)

Last week’s picks:

Patriots: 26 PA + 2 SK + 1 INT + 1 RET TD = 9 fantasy points
Redskins: 20 PA + 2 SK = 2 fantasy points