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 in 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.

Alex Smith (17.0)
Of this group, I’d still take Smith first despite a bad outing against a suspect Bears secondary. He has a great upcoming schedule and has a few good options in the passing game in Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree.
Vince Young (6.6)
Young has been very solid of late, and with the Texans and Cardinals up next, he has a chance to post decent fantasy numbers.
Mark Sanchez (46.4)
The rookie has been pretty good over the last three weeks, but with the Pats and Panthers up next, that may not last.
Jason Campbell (19.2)
Matthew Stafford (5.8)
Marc Bulger (3.7)
Josh Freeman (3.4)
Chad Henne (5.2)

This was a big week for RB injuries as Michael Turner, Julius Jones, Brian Westbrook and Ronnie Brown are all likely to miss time. If Beanie Wells (64.0) is on your waiver wire, he’s worth a pickup. The same goes for Darren McFadden (58.2) who will likely get more work in upcoming weeks.

Ryan Moats (48.3)
In Week 9, Moats out-touched Steve Slaton 19 to nine, so I’m assuming he’s the lead back for the time being. The lead RB in Houston has considerable value, so I’d put him slightly ahead of the other guys on this list.
Jamaal Charles (36.3)
Charles rushed for 103 yards and a TD against a very bad Oakland rush defense. He has more long term value than the rest of the guys on this list because he seems to be the team’s starter as long as he’s healthy. Be warned that he has a very bad matchup this week against the Steelers, but things get easier down the stretch.
Ladell Betts (16.9)
Betts was excellent (114 yards, TD) against a pretty good Broncos rush defense. He should be productive as long as Portis is out, and it looks like he’ll be out for at least another week.
Justin Forsett (1.4)
Julius Jones apparently does NOT have a broken rib, just a bruise causing bleeding in his lungs. The Seahawks are optimistic about a quick recovery, but this doesn’t bode well for Week 11 and he might be out even longer. Forsett was great in his stead but a tough matchup this week versus the Vikings limits his upside.
Jason Snelling (0.3)
Michael Turner has a high ankle sprain but the team is optimistic that he will be back soon. Recovery from high ankle sprains could take 2-3 weeks up to 6 months, but given the team’s tenor, I’m betting on the former. Snelling is capable, but didn’t look great against a very suspect Panthers rush defense. He’s most valuable to owners desperate for a short-term fill in.
Justin Fargas (16.8)
Sammy Morris (35.3)
Laurence Maroney has been pretty good holding down the fort, so there’s no telling how much work the Pats will give Morris when he does come back. He was slated to be RB1 before his injury, so I can only assume he’d eventually regain that role when he returns.
Shonn Greene (41.3)
Leonard Weaver (1.1)
He’ll get some work — especially around the goal line — with Westbrook out.
Bernard Scott (0.7)
Cedric Benson says he’s going to play in Week 11, but Cincy just signed Larry Johnson (though they say he’ll be inactive this week). Benson looks likely to play, so if he’s not practicing, Scott would be worth a pickup.

Donnie Avery (44.2)
Last week, Avery was my top recommended WR pickup and he had a 4-67-2 day against the Saints. He looks like he’s healthy and he has a great schedule down the stretch, so he should definitely be rostered in 12-team leagues.
Jeremy Maclin (41.4)
It’s hard to argue with a 4.2-61-0.7 average over the last six games. He’ll have his ups and downs, but the Eagles will be more likely to abandon the run with Brian Westbrook sidelined.
Austin Collie (48.5)
Devery Henderson (51.9)
With Lance Moore out, Henderson has at least three catches in each of the last four games. With Tampa Bay up next, Henderson should have a nice week.
Pierre Garcon (31.3)
Garcon has 15 catches over the last four weeks and it doesn’t look like Anthony Gonzalez is going to make it back anytime soon.
Mike Wallace (35.2)
A disappointing 1-16 day against the Bengals broke a nice run. Wallace should post a better line against a suspect Chiefs pass defense.
Robert Meachem (10.3)
Meachem only had one catch in Week 10, but he made it count for a TD. He also had a 41-yard run.
Nate Washington (12.2)
He’s not catching a lot of passes, but he has two TD in the last three games, so Vince Young is looking his way around the goal line.
Chris Chambers (32.6)
I’m not a fan, but 6-130-2 over the last two weeks is hard to ignore. He has a few tough matchups coming up, however.
Malcom Floyd (5.0)
Davone Bess (3.8)
Brandon Gibson (0.0)
With Keenan Burton out for the season, keep an eye on Gibson, who went for 7-93 against the Saints.

Dustin Keller (53.5) is getting hot, so I’d pick him up before moving onto the list.

Todd Heap (45.6)
Kevin Boss (39.4)
Benjamin Watson (35.5)
Fred Davis (3.3)
Tony Scheffler (22.2)
Brandon Pettigrew (6.6)
Bo Scaife (8.9)
Jermichael Finley (9.4)
Donald Lee (2.7)
Marcedes Lewis (11.6)


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