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.
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.
QUARTERBACKS
Gus Frerotte (35.0)
Joe Flacco (34.5)
Six pass TD and one rush TD over the last four games.
Tyler Thigpen (16.0)
237 yards and 2.0 pass TD over the last three games is nothing to sneeze at.
Brady Quinn (41.4)
He looked sharp in his debut, but don’t get too excited – it was against a very bad Denver defense.
Shaun Hill (15.5)
He threw two TD against the Cards, and has a tasty matchup with the Rams next week.
Sage Rosenfels (30.0)
Kerry Collins (20.6)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (7.1)
Seneca Wallace (5.6)
Daunte Culpepper (11.1)
RUNNING BACKS
If Kevin Smith (71.3) is available, I’d grab him before Benson. If Mewelde Moore (73.0), Sammy Morris (71.5) or Justin Fargas (67.3) is available, I’d grab them first before moving on to the rest of this list:
Cedric Benson (45.1)
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (39.0)
It looks like he’s “the man” until Sammy Morris and/or LaMont Jordan get back.
Ricky Williams (47.5)
Peyton Hillis (2.8)
If Selvin Young can’t go, he’ll get most of the work in Denver.
Shaun Alexander (13.4)
He might get some work this week if Portis misses.
Selvin Young (39.5)
If he could just get healthy he’d be RB1 for the Broncos.
Antonio Pittman (7.1)
He could get the start again if Steven Jackson misses Week 11.
Pierre Thomas (23.7)
LaMont Jordan (6.7)
He needs to beat Sammy Morris back to get some work.
Carnell Williams (6.3)
It looks like he’s going to return to action soon.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Greg Camarillo (49.4)
Michael Jenkins (14.5)
Justin Gage (13.2)
Mark Bradley (2.4)
He has posted 18-188-2 over the last three weeks and looks to be a legitimate option alongside Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. The fact that Tyler Thigpen is playing well sure helps.
Malcom Floyd (5.0)
He’s thriving while Chris Chambers is hobbled – to the tune of three TD in the last four games.
Josh Morgan (8.1)
Bobby Engram (30.3)
Should have value down the stretch in PPR leagues, especially if Matt Hasselbeck can make it back.
Koren Robinson (1.3)
9-143-2 over the last two games isn’t bad.
Antwaan Randle El (47.1)
Joey Galloway (44.0)
Amani Toomer (35.0)
Donte Stallworth (24.7)
Ike Hilliard (22.0)
Steve Smith (18.3)
Mark Clayton (7.1)
Could get a few more targets next week if Derrick Mason misses action.
Shaun McDonald (4.0)
Posting decent numbers in PPR leagues.
TIGHT ENDS
I would grab Bo Scaife (81.8), Tony Scheffler (68.8), Greg Olsen (79.9), and Jeremy Shockey (81.7) and then move on to…
Kevin Boss (42.0)
After a slow start, Boss has posted 13-133-3 over the last three games. He looks like a solid starter over the stretch run.
Dustin Keller (18.4)
He had a huge day against the Rams (6-107-1) but he’s too inconsistent to be trusted as more than a spot starter.
Next, I’d grab Zach Miller (59.4), Visanthe Shiancoe (64.0) and John Carlson (50.4)
Todd Heap (37.1)
Finally! But does 5-58-2 against the Texans mean that the old Todd Heap is back? Color me skeptical.
Billy Miller (22.9)
Jeremy Shockey turned his ankle, and if he misses more time, Miller will be a solid starter.
Marcedes Lewis (28.8)
L.J. Smith (23.8)
Desmond Clark (10.2)
Robert Royal (12.2)
Alex Smith (19.8)
