Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers. I’ll 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 40% 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 talk about a player or two that are available in 90% of leagues for those of you in 12-team leagues or leagues with big rosters.
QUARTERBACKS
Jason Campbell (48.9) didn’t play very well against the Pats and his schedule isn’t very easy over the second half of the season, but he’s a solid backup QB that will give your team a chance to win if your starter goes down…Brian Griese (38.1) defied all odds and had a horrible game against the Lions (208 yards, 1 TD and 4 INT). He has one of the easier schedules down the stretch, but it’s worrisome that he can’t put up good numbers at home against Detroit…Kurt Warner (29.2) doesn’t have a very good matchup in Week 9 (@ TB), but after that, he has four nice matchups over the next six games, so he could be a decent starter for those owners in tough shape at QB…Cleo Lemon (9.0) is worth a look in deeper leagues. With Ronnie Brown out, the team may lean on him more and he has put up decent numbers in his last three starts…Kellen Clemens (3.9) has been named the starter for the Jets, but tough matchups against the Redskins, Steelers and the Cowboys don’t generate much optimism for his short term prospects. Still, he has two great wideouts to throw to and the Jets’ QB has traditionally been pretty productive.
RUNNING BACKS
Kenny Watson (52.7) continues to thrive as the starter in Cincinnati. As long as Rudi is out, Watson is a serviceable RB2…Jesse Chatman (50.3) didn’t hit pay dirt, but he put up nice numbers (19 touches, 100 total yards) against a good Giants defense. He’ll be a good RB2 as the starter in Miami…The value of Selvin Young (40.3) is dependent on the status of Travis Henry’s appeal. Now Henry is banged up so Young’s time may come sooner than we think…Brian Leonard (36.9) will fill in for Steven Jackson if he misses any time with his bulging disk. He wasn’t great while Jackson was out, but any starting RB has some fantasy value…Chris Henry (31.5) is becoming a nice change of pace back alongside LenDale White in Tennessee, but Chris Brown’s return could hurt his touches…Ron Dayne (14.4) was thrust into the starting lineup when Ahman Green was unable to go. Adimchinobe Echemandu (0.1) gained 62 yards on 10 carries and could get extra work if Green missed more time and Dayne continues to struggle…Justin Fargas (9.3) is going to see his workload expand as he continues to outplay LaMont Jordan. Jordan hasn’t been the same since he hurt his back a few weeks ago. Fargas holds more value in PPR leagues…Leonard Weaver (0.6) may have earned more touches with two pretty good games before the Seahawks went on their bye…Ryan Grant (0.1) filled in for the injured DeShawn Wynn on Monday night, gaining 104 yards on 22 carries. The Packer RB situation is in constant flux, but the team has a bunch of great rushing matchups over the second half of the season, so whoever gets the carries should be productive.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Reggie Brown (57.3) got off to a very slow start this season, but in the last three games he has caught a total of 17 passes for 238 yards, making him a valuable contributor, especially in PPR leagues…Roddy White (49.5) has caught at least three passes in every game this season. He’d be better if he had a good QB to throw to him, but he’s been decent even with Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich under center…Shaun McDonald (46.4) reasserted himself as a viable starter in PPR leagues by catching six passes for 64 yards against the Bears…Kevin Walter (24.0) has caught at least five passes in each of the last five games. He is becoming a must start in PPR leagues…Brandon Stokely had another nice game (5 catches, 71 yards) against the Packers and continues to thrive starting in place of the injured Javon Walker…James Jones (14.5) is a solid start in PPR leagues. He had three catches for 103 yards and a score against the Broncos and has caught at least four passes or scored a TD in six of seven games this season…Arnaz Battle (8.3) is worth a look in deeper PPR leagues.
TIGHT ENDS
Eric Johnson ( 31.6) didn’t have a great game on Sunday, but he’s still roster worthy in PPR leagues…Donald Lee (26.9) caught three passes against the Broncos on Monday night, a mark he has matched in every game this season…Jeff King (11.8) caught 10 passes for 82 yards against the Colts, but don’t get too excited. He caught just five passes in the previous three games…Tony Scheffler (10.6) caught a TD for the second straight week, and looks to be a decent play with Javon Walker out.
Tuesday Update: Kenny Watson suffered a concussion in week 8 which puts his availability for week 9 in doubt…Packers HC Mike McCarthy named Ryan Grant the starter for next week’s game against KC. It’s a tough matchup, but any starting RB has some fantasy value. The Packers have several great rushing matchups over the back half of the season, so if Grant can hold onto the job, he should be productive down the stretch.
