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.
This week, I’m going to start ranking the players in order of what I believe their overall value to be over the rest of the season. Remember, there are Thursday games this week, so get your roster in early.
QUARTERBACKS
Kurt Warner (39.3) threw for 211 yards and two scores against the Bengals and has some nice matchups coming up against the 49ers, Browns and Saints. He’s always a threat to get injured, but he’s worth picking up if you don’t feel great about your starter…Matt Schaub (41.8) is healthy again, and he didn’t miss a beat, throwing for 293 yards and two scores against the Saints. He has a great matchup against the Browns in week 12 and a good matchup against the Broncos in week 15. Otherwise, things are pretty tough down the stretch…I expect Jason Campbell’s (45.7) percentage-owned to rise this week after he posted 348 yards and two TD against the Cowboys. He also had a great game against the Eagles, which makes Campbell one of the hottest QBs in the league right now. His matchup in week 12 is bad (@ TB), but after that, it’s not so bad, and he has a very nice matchup in week 16 (@ MIN)…David Garrard (31.6) didn’t waste any time in his first game back. He threw for 189 yards and two TD against the Chargers. He has been quite consistent in each of his starts, but faces a pretty tough schedule down the stretch…Kellen Clemens (10.1) played pretty well against the Steelers, but other than a nice matchup against the Dolphins in week 13 and the Browns in week 14, he doesn’t have a favorable schedule. Still, he’s a decent spot starter who has proved he can put up OK numbers against a good defense…J.P. Losman (24.4) has thrown for an average of 185 yards and 0.8 TD. That’s not great, but it isn’t horrible, either. Besides a great matchup in week 15 (@ CLE), his matchups don’t look too hot…Vinny Testaverde (1.8) posted good numbers in garbage time against the Packers and has the Saints and 49ers at home the next two weeks. He could be a nice fill in for those Donovan McNabb owners searching for help…Kyle Boller (3.1) threw for 279 yards and a score against the Browns, but was picked off twice. He has two pretty tough matchups in weeks 13 (vs. NE) and 14 (vs. IND), but his schedule isn’t too bad otherwise…Brodie Croyle (4.0) actually put up decent numbers (169 yards, 1 TD) against the Colts’ good pass defense. He has two good weapons in Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe, and with the Broncos and Lions on tap in weeks 14 and 16, he’s a serviceable starter for those desperate for help at QB… Rex Grossman (10.4) played OK against the Seahawks, throwing for 266 yards with no TD or INT. He has nice matchups in weeks 12 (vs. DEN) and 15 (@ MIN), but otherwise, the going looks pretty tough.
RUNNING BACKS
Ryan Grant (58.7) is the clear starter in Green Bay, but a mild ankle sprain may limit him in practice this week. With several good matchups down the stretch, he’s a serviceable RB2 in most leagues…Maurice Morris (33.7) has had two straight games in Shaun Alexander’s absence and figures to play well until Alexander comes back…Andre Hall’s (0.3) value depends a lot on the status of Selvin Young, who left Monday’s game with an injury. If Young is out (and Travis Henry’s suspension begins), then Hall suddenly becomes a viable RB2…Derrick Ward (46.4) hasn’t played in a month, but with Brandon Jacobs potentially out for next week’s game, he would be a good start if he can play. Otherwise, Reuben Droughns (40.1) will be the main guy if both Jacobs and Ward can’t go…Ron Dayne (22.2) has carried the ball 21 times in each of the last two games and has looked pretty good doing it. He’ll continue to start as long as Ahman Green is sidelined…Anthony Thomas (21.5) didn’t get many carries against the Pats, but the game got out of control early. He figures to carry the ball 15-20 times in a normal game as long as Marshawn Lynch is out.
WIDE RECEIVERS
D.J. Hackett (56.1) should be owned in all leagues. He is averaging 7.7 catches for 98 yards and 1 TD over the last three games. Pick him up and start him with confidence…Chris Henry (32.5) busted out of the gate with 12 catches for 180 yards and a score over the last two weeks. He still has to fight Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh for targets, but he appears to be a solid WR3 and a serviceable WR2 going forward…Shaun McDonald (53.5) has gone double digits in PPR leagues in the last four games. On Sunday, he caught seven passes for 113 yards…Drew Carter (10.3) deserves a look as long as Steve Smith is out. Against the Packers, he caught five passes for 132 yards and a score, and has caught at least three passes in each of the last three games…Roddy White (57.1) has caught at least three passes in every game this season, but his upside is limited by the quarterbacks throwing to him…Brandon Stokley (33.2) is still a good option as long as Javon Walker is out, though his play has been spotty of late…Arnaz Battle (9.1) has caught 14 passes for 199 yards over the last three weeks, making him a serviceable WR3 in PPR leagues…Brandon Jones (5.5) caught XXXX passes for XXXX yards and a score on Monday night and has had two solid games since returning to the lineup…Antwaan Randle El (42.2) has caught 12 passes for 97 yards over the last two weeks and seems to be getting more involved in the Redskins’ offense…James Jones (28.7) has caught at least three passes in all but one game this season, a remarkable feat for a rookie who is WR3 on his own team. He doesn’t find the endzone much, but he’s decent in PPR leagues…Kevin Walter (23.7) may be fading, but he’s the possession guy in Houston, which means he’ll still have some big games in PPR formats…Devard Darling (0.1) busted out with four catches for 107 yards and a score filling in for Demetrius Williams, who will probably miss another week or two with a high ankle sprain.
TIGHT ENDS
Owen Daniels (55.6) shouldn’t be available on the waiver wire. With Matt Schaub back under center, Daniels figures to thrive in the middle of the field…Donald Lee (55.2) continues to fill the role of Brett Favre’s security blanket. He caught two TD on Sunday and has caught at least three passes in every game this season… Tony Scheffler (18.8) has emerged as the Broncos’ TE1 in the passing game. He has caught 18 passes over the last four games and has scored twice over that span…L.J. Smith (49.1) seems to be feeling better and has caught eight passes over the last two weeks…Eric Johnson (30.4) isn’t a bad option in PPR leagues, though he tipped two passes into the arms of defenders on Sunday…Visanthe Shiancoe (7.7) caught a long pass from Sidney Rice on Sunday, but like the Minnesota passing game, he has been spotty this season…Chris Baker (5.8) has been very active with Kellen Clemens under center, catching 8 passes for 76 yards and a score over the last two games…Zach Miller (2.6) has been involved in the Raiders’ passing game of late and has caught seven passes over the last two weeks.
