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.
QUARTERBACKS
With Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin hobbled, Kurt Warner (52.4) isn’t looking like as good of an option as he did a couple of weeks ago. He can be used in week 15 (against the Saints), but you’ll probably be able to find better options elsewhere for weeks 14 and 16…David Garrard (39.7) played well against a pretty good Colts pass defense. His schedule is tough down the stretch, but he’s serviceable QB for a team in a pinch…Kellen Clemens (9.8) has a very nice matchup this week against the Browns, but has the Pats and Titans in weeks 15 & 16, which doesn’t bode well for his prospects…Jason Campbell (48.7) has mediocre matchups down the stretch, which makes him a mediocre option. He seems to be a boom or bust pick week-to-week, so there’s no telling how he’s going to play…Trent Dilfer (2.1) tossed four INT this week, but he has four TD over the last two games and matchups against Minnesota and Cincinnati in the next two weeks, so he’s an OK option in deep leagues…Rex Grossman (13.9) has been decent since retaking the starting job in Chicago. He has nice matchups in weeks 15 & 16 (@ MIN, vs. GB), making him a decent option for a team in need of help at QB…Gus Frerotte (1.4) threw three TD against a pretty good Falcons defense, so if Marc Bulger is still out, he’s a sneaky good start against Cincy and Green Bay the next two weeks…Damon Huard (12.4) is back in the saddle now that Brodie Croyle is out with a back injury. With good matchups in weeks 14 (@ DEN) and 16 (@ DET), he’s not a bad option in deeper leagues…Sage Rosenfels (1.9) will continue to start as long as Matt Schaub is out. He has a nice matchup in week 15, but has poor matchups in weeks 14 and 16…Vinny Testaverde (2.9) tossed two TD against the 49ers and has a good matchup this week against the Jags, who have been a little spotty against the pass…Tarvaris Jackson (4.6) has played pretty well the last two weeks and the good times should continue against the 49ers this week. He has mediocre matchups in weeks 15 & 16, however…Trent Edwards (3.5) threw for 257 yards against the Redskins and faces Miami and Cleveland the next two weeks. He’s an OK option in deep leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
With the injury to Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson (47.8) was a big pickup last week, and he proved his worth against the Giants, gaining 149 total yards on 29 touches. He looks to be especially valuable in PPR leagues…Kolby Smith (48.6) is still out there in more than half of ESPN’s leagues, but he should be owned in all but the shallowest of leagues…With Ahman Green still out, perennial waiver wire pickup Ron Dayne (42.3) posted 111 total yards and a score against the Titans and has three nice matchups coming up…I recommended picking up Fred Jackson (2.5) last week and he didn’t disappoint as he gained 151 yards against the Redskins. With the Dolphins and Browns coming up, he could be in for a nice stretch run if Marshawn Lynch and Anthony Thomas remain sidelined.
WIDE RECEIVERS
I keep pimpin’ Roddy White (55.9) but 44% of ESPN fantasy owners refuse to listen. He caught 10 passes for 146 yards and a score against the Rams, which is his second good game in a row. He has a great matchup this week against the Saints… Bryant Johnson (3.5) should be this week’s big pickup. With both Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin hobbled with injuries, Johnson is thrust into a much bigger role and on Sunday he turned that into a six-catch, 56-yard (and a score) performance…Look for Shaun McDonald’s (52.3) role to increase if Roy Williams is indeed out for the year. He’s a good WR3 in PPR leagues and he just got better…After a hot start, Chris Henry’s (37.0) production has been on the decline, but matchups with Tennessee and Pittsburgh might have had something to do with it. He has the Rams, 49ers and the Browns over the last three games, so expect better numbers…Justin Gage (5.0) has averaged 5.5 catches for 80 yards and 0.5 TD over the last four weeks and is benefiting from Vince Young’s improved play at QB…Arnaz Battle (9.5) has caught a TD in each of the last two weeks and has caught at least four passes in four of the last five games. He’s a decent option, especially in PPR leagues…Brandon Stokley (32.2) continues to post decent numbers with Javon Walker still hobbled by a knee injury. Walker is not yet all the way back, so Stokley still has some value, especially in PPR leagues…Nate Burleson (22.6) is benefiting from the absence of D.J. Hackett and the Seahawks’ decision to throw the ball a bit more. He has been inconsistent this season, but may be worth a spot start…Amani Toomer (32.0) may benefit from Plaxico Burress’ injury woes. Toomer has caught at least four passes in each of the last three games…Jerry Porter (48.9) is starting to put up consistent numbers. Sunday’s game against Denver marked his third consecutive solid game, so he’s not a bad option in deeper leagues…Mark Furrey (47.0) promises to be a hot pickup this week with Roy Williams’ uncertain status. He was money last year, but this season has been regulated to WR4 duties…Sidney Rice (4.0) has caught eight passes for 135 yards and two scores over the last two weeks. He may put up a goose egg, but the rookie has been playing pretty good ball of late…Joe Jurevicius (41.7) is a good pickup in PPR leagues. He has caught at least four passes in each of the last six games and is benefiting from Derek Anderson’s good QB play…James Jones (25.6) isn’t going to set the world on fire, but he has caught at least three passes in all but one game this season, so if he’s in your lineup, you’ll probably get something out of him…Reggie Williams (32.1) has gone over 59 yards in four of the last five games and finally seems to be finding some consistency.
TIGHT ENDS
Owen Daniels (57.7) is a great option for those in need for a starter at TE…L.J. Smith (52.4) has caught at least three passes in each of the last four games, making him a decent pickup in PPR leagues…Desmond Clark (43.1) seems to be enjoying a resurgence with Rex Grossman back under center. He has caught seven passes for 137 yards and a TD over the last two weeks…Tony Scheffler’s (23.6) bad game on Sunday probably had more to do with Oakland’s stout pass defense than anything else…Marcedes Lewis (4.7) may be breaking out. He has caught 10 passes for 99 yards and a TD over the last two games…Leonard Pope (9.0) should see an increase in targets if Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin continue to miss time…Bo Scaife (6.9) has caught 22 passes over the last five weeks, but he hasn’t scored. He’s an option in deep PPR leagues.
Check back later for my Sleeper of the Week along with a few defenses that have nice matchups this week.
