Tag: waiver wire watch (Page 7 of 10)

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

Shaun Hill (35.7)
Kerry Collins (44.4)
Seneca Wallace (2.6)
Tarvaris Jackson (3.0)
Marc Bulger (40.4)
J.T. O’Sullivan (11.9)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (6.5)

RUNNING BACKS

A number of starter-quality RBs went down with injuries this week, so this list is dependent on their ability to come back and play in Week 15. I’m going to loosen the percent-owned requirements to account for some fringe guys.

Tatum Bell (15.5)
With Peyton Hillis out, it looks like Bell gets first shot at RB1.
LeRon McClain (59.1)
Both McGahee and Rice left the Sunday night game with injuries, so McClain is the last man standing right now.
DeShaun Foster (4.8)
Frank Gore’s ankle injury is something to watch this week. Foster’s matchup this week isn’t great (MIA), but he would have a great matchup in Week 16 (STL) if Gore is unable to return.
Maurice Morris (20.9)
Julius Jones didn’t play at all on Sunday, and Morris has a nice matchup this week (STL).
Dominic Rhodes (54.7)
The Colts are saying that Addai should be “OK” for Week 15, but Rhodes would be a great play against Detroit if Addai can’t go.
Tashard Choice (13.0)
Apparently, it was Barber’s calf (not his toe) that kept him out against the Steelers. MBIII should be able to go on Sunday, but if not, Choice is a solid fill in.
Ladell Betts (21.0)
The word is that Portis wasn’t benched due to injury. It will be interesting to see how this plays out this week with the mediocre Bengals on tap.
Chester Taylor (54.4)
Cedric Benson (39.7)
Carnell Williams (36.9)
Selvin Young (35.6)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Deion Branch (13.7)
Davone Bess (23.0)
Amani Toomer (57.2)
Domenik Hixon (37.5)
Devin Hester (43.0)
Donnie Avery (52.6)
Antwaan Randle El (37.4)
Michael Jenkins (27.8)
Matt Jones (39.2)
Nate Washington (25.1)
Justin Gage (42.0)
Bryant Johnson (17.4)
Bobby Engram (28.6)
Mark Clayton (24.1)

TIGHT ENDS

John Carlson (45.5)
Zach Miller (57.5)
Donald Lee (46.3)
Visanthe Shiancoe (53.8)
Todd Heap (48.2)
Marcedes Lewis (20.8)
L.J. Smith (18.5)
Steve Heiden (2.5)
Jerramy Stevens (16.5)
Anthony Fasano (47.4)

THINKING DEFENSIVELY (DTBWW)

Welcome to the world of Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW). Each week, you pick up a defense, usually one playing at home against a bad offense. And each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. All teams are available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

I’m moving this feature up from it’s normal slot in my Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em feature because I realize that a lot of owners are playing the waiver wire right now trying to find a defense, so the earlier you can put your bids in the better.

This week’s picks:

Patriots (@ OAK)
Redskins (@ CIN)

(I’d grab the Colts, Dolphins and Cardinals – in that order – before the Pats and Redskins, but they are owned in more than 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues, so they aren’t eligible for DTBWW this week.)

Last week’s picks:

Colts: 3 PA + 5 SK + 3 INT + 1 INT RET TD + 1 FR = 23 fantasy points
Chargers: 7 PA + 3 SK + 3 INT + 1 FR = 13 fantasy points

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 (29.9)
Shaun Hill (30.6)
Matt Hasselbeck (48.7)
Joe Flacco (45.6)
Kerry Collins (46.7)
JaMarcus Russell (23.8)
Marc Bulger (42.9)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (6.7)

RUNNING BACKS

Peyton Hillis (62.3) would be a great play against Kansas City this week. Le’Ron McClain (52.4) appears to be the RB1 in Baltimore right now, but matchups against Washington and Pittsburgh over the next two weeks. make him an iffy pickup.

Cedric Benson (42.8)
Brandon Jackson (8.8)
Tashard Choice (1.7)
Carnell Williams (36.5)
Maurice Morris (21.1)
Ladell Betts (20.5)

WIDE RECIEVERS

Amani Toomer (35.0)
Domenik Hixon (7.0)
Davone Bess (7.1)
Matt Jones (41.4)
Mark Clayton (7.8)
Devin Hester (40.0)
Deion Branch (14.2)
Justin Gage (49.6)
Antwaan Randle El (38.6)
Mark Bradley (23.8)
Brandon Stokley (21.8)
Michael Jenkins (29.9)

TIGHT ENDS

Dustin Keller (67.7) is still out there in more than 32% of ESPN leagues and is starter-quality at this point in the season. Kevin Boss (63.1) has a great matchup this week. Heath Miller (52.0) has also been good over the last two weeks.

Zach Miller (47.7)
Donald Lee (45.2)
John Carlson (37.8)
Todd Heap (48.7)
Marcedes Lewis (21.9)
L.J. Smith (19.2)
Martellus Bennett (3.0)

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

I’d pick up Tyler Thigpen, Trent Edwards and Jeff Garcia ahead of Collins this week and Matt Hasselbeck after him, before moving on to the rest of the list:

Kerry Collins (36.5)
Over the last three weeks, Collins has averaged 254 passing yards and 2.0 TD per game.
Shaun Hill (25.3)
Hill has thrown for at least two TD in each of the last three games.
Gus Frerotte (30.7)
He has nice matchups in Week 14 and Week 15, which makes him a good QB2 for the playoffs.
Sage Rosenfels (24.0)
Joe Flacco (43.1)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (6.6)
JaMarcus Russell (24.1)

RUNNING BACKS

If Justin Fargas, Kevin Faulk or Leon Washington is available, they are worth consideration. I would grab Hillis and Morris first, however.

Peyton Hillis (48.7)
Hillis has posted 32 touches for 166 yards and three TD over the last two weeks. Not bad.
Maurice Morris (15.7)
Broke out with a big game against the Redskins and it looks like he is the RB1 in Seattle right now.
Pierre Thomas (35.8)
He was very involved in the Saints attack and looked much quicker and more effective than Deuce McAllister. But with Reggie Bush on the way back, his upside is somewhat limited.
Cedric Benson (45.7)
LeRon McClain (41.6)
Carnell Wiliiams (35.5)
Got some work in relief of RB1 Warrick Dunn. This role might grow to keep Dunn fresh.
Antonio Pittman (28.1)
Lorenzo Booker (0.6)
Might get the start if Westy can’t go.
Tatum Bell (25.8)
Ahman Green (23.8)
Ladell Betts (23.3)
Jamal Charles (22.5)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Steve Breaston, Ted Ginn, Isaac Bruce and Anthony Gonzalez are available in 30-40% of ESPN leagues. With Greg Camarillo out, I like Ted Ginn’s chances to produce over the stretch run.

Mark Bradley (24.1)
Bradley left Sunday’s game with a calf injury. Monitor that situation before committing too much.
Domenik Hixon (3.7)
If Burress misses time, Hixon should produce. He went for 6-57 this week and 4-102-1 back in Week 5.
Amani Toomer (34.3)
With Burress iffy, Toomer is the most dependable WR option for the Giants.
Devin Hester (40.5)
Michael Jenkins (29.9)
He just keeps churning out decent numbers in PPR leagues.
Davone Bess (0.4)
Bess is a deep sleeper who has posted 8-137 over the last two weeks. With Greg Camarillo out for the year, he could be a decent (albeit risky) play in PPR leagues.
Matt Jones (44.0)
Bryant Johnson (18.9)
Fourteen catches over the last four games is nothing to sneeze at.
Justin Gage (41.1)
Gage has been inconsistent, but he plays the Lions this week.
Ike Hilliard (18.1)
He has a nice matchup this week with the Saints.
Steve Smith (20.6)
He would get a bump if Burress misses time.
Antwaan Randle El (39.9)

TIGHT ENDS

If Kevin Boss is available, I’d pick him up if Keller isn’t available.

Dustin Keller (49.8)
Over the last three weeks, he has posted 20-236-1 and looks like a good TE start down the stretch. In fact, you might want to start him over some of these bigger-name guys that have been disappointing.
Heath Miller (49.3)
Zach Miller (46.8)
John Carlson (40.2)
Donald Lee (44.3)
Marcedes Lewis (24.0)
David Martin (15.6)
With Camarillo out, he may get more of the underneath stuff.
Desmond Clark (10.5)
Robert Royal (10.7)