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
1. Marc Bulger (57.7)
Bulger is over our 50%-owned limit, but he deserves special mention due to all that’s going on in St. Louis. It’s entirely possible that Bulger will be reinstated as the starter, which means he’s worth picking up for owners that are having problems at QB.
2. Kyle Orton (14.4)
“Neck Beard” (who has shaved his neck, so I guess he’s just “Beard”) has averaged 234 yards and 2.5 TD over the last two weeks, and he did it against two pretty good teams. He has an easy remaining schedule, so if you need a decent backup, he’s a solid choice.
3. Chad Pennington (34.3)
A nice matchup with the Chargers makes Pennington an attractive pickup this week.
4. Damon Huard (5.6)
Huard was efficient if unspectacular against the Broncos. An easy schedule makes him a relatively attractive option if you need help at QB.
5. JaMarcus Russell (42.1)
Russell seems to be improving but the Raider offense is probably going to be spotty week-to-week.
6. Matt Ryan (44.5)
Ryan has yet to throw for more than 200 yards in a game and has just two TD on the season.
7. Kerry Collins (23.8)
Getting Justin Gage back helps, but the schedule is rough over the next three weeks.
8. Brian Griese (36.8)
9. Joe Flacco (15.0)
Flacco looked pretty sharp against the Steelers. His schedule is ugly the next two weeks, but it gets easier after that.
10. Gus Frerotte (19.4)
11. Ryan Fitzpatrick (0.1)
If Fitzpatrick can catch on, he has a couple of good WRs to throw to and a decent RB lining up behind him. Who knows what’s going on with Palmer’s elbow.
12. Trent Green (6.8)
13. Matt Flynn (0.2)
If Aaron Rodgers is going to miss significant time, Flynn is the first in line to take over.
14. Brady Quinn (18.6)
With Derek Anderson’s win against Cincy, the Quinn era will probably have to wait for now.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Le’Ron McClain (41.8)
In a surprise, McClain has passed preseason favorite Ray Rice as the Ravens’ RB2. He’s a powerful runner and it looks like he’ll get most of the carries not given to Willis McGahee. Given McGahee’s chest injury (which looked pretty rough) McClain could see a lot of work while Willis recovers.
2. Michael Bush (33.7)
Bush has been quite productive with Fargas out and McFadden gimpy. Bush is a decent start until one or both of those guys get back to 100%.
3. Mewelde Moore (0.6)
Moore is the only healthy back in Pittsburgh.
4. Deuce McAllister (52.2)
He’s over the percentage-owned threshold, but it seems like Deuce has taken over short-yardage, between-the-tackles duties from Pierre Thomas. He’s worth owning.
5. Warrick Dunn (28.3)
Dunn continues to split touches with Graham and should be rostered in PPR leagues.
6. Derrick Ward (25.4)
A gaudy 6.8 ypc (along with a 4.8 ypc last season) makes some wonder if Ward is the best all-around back the Giants have. The team’s decision not to extend Jacobs before the season makes sense.
7. Carey Davis (0.1)
Davis was actually ahead of Moore on Pittsburgh’s depth chart, so if he can get healthy (ankle sprain) he could be the main back while Willie Parker is out.
8. T.J. Duckett (9.7)
A huge game in Week 3 (79 yards, 2 TD) might indicate a bigger role, at least as long as Maurice Morris is out.
9. Tim Hightower (44.3)
Hightower has scored a TD in three of the Cards’ four games, but Edge got more of the goal line carries in Week 4.
10. Fred Jackson (13.0)
Seems like he’s more involved than your average backup RB and would be starter-quality if Marshawn Lynch were to go down.
11. Ray Rice (41.5)
12. Ladell Betts (23.9)
13. Leon Washington (32.9)
14. Brandon Jackson (29.4)
15. Dominic Rhodes (16.7)
16. LaMont Jordan (11.9)
17. Jerome Harrison (1.0)
18. Jamaal Charles (7.2)
19. Ryan Torain (7.7)
Torain is a deep sleeper at this point. He was challenging to become the Broncos’ starter before an elbow injury, and is on track to start practicing in Week 8.
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Justin Gage (30.9)
5-59-1 and 5-92 in his last two games makes him deserving of a roster spot in most PPR leagues. He’s the WR1 in Tennessee.
2. Muhsin Muhammad (38.4)
Moose’s huge day (8-147-1) reiterated his role in the Carolina passing game.
3. Kevin Walter (30.2)
Walter went for 8-76-2 this week and seems to be a regular part of the Houston offense. With defenses focusing on Andre Johnson, Walter can make them pay.
4. Lance Moore (1.5)
You don’t catch 14 passes for 179 yards and two TD over two weeks by accident. Moore seems like a solid start until Marques Colston returns.
5. Steve Breaston (3.1)
Would see his value jump if Boldin can’t return to action quickly.
6. Ike Hilliard (31.5)
Hilliard seems to be a better bet than Bryant to continue to produce after Galloway returns.
7. Antonio Bryant (38.8)
Bryant has value as long as Joey Galloway is out.
8. Antwaan Randle El (41.8)
9. Matt Jones (22.5)
Jones caught a TD this week and seems to be finally capitalizing on all that potential he has.
10. Deion Branch (24.2)
11. Bobby Engram (45.1)
Engram should be back in Week 5. We’ll see how his old body is holding up.
12. Chansi Stuckey (46.0)
Somehow Stuckey missed out on the Jets’ huge day in the passing game against the Cardinals. Is the real Stuckey or were the three consecutive games with a TD to start the season a better example of how the rookie will perform the rest of the season. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.
13. Robert Meachem (25.7)
14. Miles Austin (9.4)
Austin has played two good games in a row, but how many opportunities are there for the 4th option in the Cowboys’ passing game?
15. Jordy Nelson (2.7)
He has taken over WR3 in Green Bay.
16. Greg Camarillo (1.1)
17. Arnaz Battle (5.4)
He has caught at least three passes in each of the last three games. A decent spot starter in PPR leagues.
18. Josh Reed (10.4)
19. Donnie Avery (1.8)
TIGHT ENDS
1. Zach Miller (19.3)
I liked Miller at the beginning of the season and while a 5-95-1 day is encouraging, I don’t know that the Raider passing game is trustworthy.
2. Greg Olsen (36.7)
3. Kevin Boss (31.9)
After zero catches in the first two weeks, Boss posted 3-51-1 in Week 3. Is this a sign of things to come?
4. Bo Scaife (45.7)
5. Dustin Keller (18.1)
5-65-2 over the past two games for the rookie.
6. Dante Rosario (30.6)
7. Visanthe Shiancoe (3.9)
More involved now that Frerotte is under center.
