Author: John Paulsen (Page 636 of 937)

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

The following guys are owned in more than 50% of leagues, and I’d pick them up in this order before moving onto the rest of the list: Matt Ryan, Matt Cassel and Chad Pennington. I’d pick up Jeff Garcia after Marc Bulger.

Gus Frerotte (29.4)
257 yards and 1.0 TD in five starts. Good matchup this week.
Marc Bulger (45.6)
Starting to show signs of life. Also has a good matchup this week.
JaMarcus Russell (37.3)
He has been decent in four of his last five starts.
Shaun Hill (0.5)
He was named the starter in San Francisco.
Kerry Collins (24.5)
Joe Flacco (16.8)
Tyler Thigpen (1.4)
Looked pretty good against the Jets.
Dan Orlovsky (8.6)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (7.6)
Brad Johnson (34.3)
Seneca Wallace (2.5)

RUNNING BACKS

If Mewelde Moore (66.8) is on your league’s waiver wire, he’s worth a pickup as long as Willie Parker is sidelined (and it could be a while).

Cedric Benson (38.1)
Fifteen touches in each of the last two weeks. He’s the starter in Cincy, for whatever that’s worth.
Kevin Faulk (29.0)
He’s the best all around back in New England with Sammy Morris out.
Derrick Ward (48.2)
Still one of the best backup RBs in the game. If Jacobs goes down, watch out.
Pierre Thomas (18.4)
Should take over main rushing duties if Deuce is suspended.
Antonio Pittman (1.3)
Appears to be RB1 in St. Louis as long as Steven Jackson is sidelined.
Leon Washington (32.5)
Breakout game could mean more touches, but TJ is the man and the Jets are a passing team.
Maurice Morris (22.5)
Kolby Smith (12.7)
Jamaal Charles is nicked up, but LJ may be back.
Aaron Stecker (2.1)
LaMont Jordan (7.0)
If he can get healthy, he could carry the load for a game or two before Sammy Morris comes back.
Fred Jackson (19.4)
Shaun Alexander (20.9)
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (15.6)
With that many names, you’d think he was more than one person. But he’s just one man, and he’s part of a RBBC in New England.
Ahman Green (27.2)
Ray Rice (21.5)

WIDE RECEIVERS

I’d acquire Donnie Avery first, then I’d grab Lance Moore, Kevin Walter, Antonio Bryant, Devin Hester, Joey Galloway, Kevin Curtis and Antwaan Randle El (all owned in more than 50% of ESPN leagues) next, and in that order, before moving on to #2 on this list.

Donnie Avery (22.3)
He’s making a push for Torry Holt’s hold on the WR1 spot in St. Louis.
Ted Ginn (19.6)
Might he finally be capitalizing on all that potential? A 7-175 day says yes.
Greg Camarillo (31.7)
He’s still producing in PPR leagues.
Bobby Wade (11.5)
You can’t argue with 24 receptions in the last four weeks. Spot starter in PPR leagues.
Brandon Lloyd (29.6)
He’s back at practice and was hot before he got injured. Only time will tell if he’ll catch fire again.
Rashied Davis (17.4)
Deion Branch (17.2)
If he could ever get healthy… He’s worth stashing if you have the room.
Justin Gage (18.9)
Not good in his first start back, but the Colts are good against the pass.
Chaz Schilens (0.0)
Starting to work his way into WR1 status in Oakland, for whatever that’s worth.
Amani Toomer (42.0)
Steve Smith (12.4)
He might be the most dependable WR on the Giants’ roster.
Ike Hilliard (33.9)
Shaun McDonald (3.1)
Worth a look in deep PPR leagues. WR2 in Detroit.
Donte Stallworth (32.5)
Chansi Stuckey (25.3)
Josh Morgan (15.3)
He posted a goose egg Sunday after his supposed “breakout” game two weeks ago.
Javon Walker (28.0)
Only had four targets against Baltimore. Worrisome.
Nate Washington (6.6)
Relegated back to WR3 duties once Santonio Holmes returns from suspension.
Michael Jenkins (7.1)
He has caught at least three passes in the last four games.
Reggie Williams (22.7)

TIGHT ENDS

If you can grab Greg Olsen, Bo Scaife, Zach Miller, Anthony Fasano or John Carlson, do so before moving onto the list. (They’re all owned in more than 50% of ESPN leagues.)

Donald Lee (42.5)
An Aaron Rodgers favorite around the goal line.
Visanthe Shiancoe (36.3)
He’s doing pretty well with Gus Frerotte under center.
Marcedes Lewis (29.6)
He has caught at least three passes and/or scored a TD in each of the last three games. It’s a sad day when Lewis is more valuable than Todd Heap, but that day has arrived.
Todd Heap (44.3)
Billy Miller (8.6)
Solid as long as Jeremy Shockey is hobbled.
Vernon Davis (43.7)
Is there upside after that Mike Singletary ass-chewing he got on Sunday?
Desmond Clark (7.1)
Daniel Graham (5.8)
Has been good with Tony Scheffler sidelined.
Martelius Bennett (1.7)
Might be a spot starter-type with Witten out.
Kevin Boss (22.3)
Inconsistent, but occasionally good.
Dustin Keller (28.2)
Alge Crumpler (28.0)
Jerramy Stevens (10.6)
David Martin (21.7)
Alex Smith (19.2)
Robert Royal (11.0)