Tag: waiver wire watch (Page 9 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.

QUARTERBACKS

I’d grab Trent Edwards, Matt Schaub, David Garrard and Derek Anderson first, but if they’re gone…

1. Matt Ryan (47.0)
At this point, I’d take the rookie (who is wise beyond his years) over anyone else on this list. Beware – he has a bye this week.
2. Brad Johnson (0.5)
He’ll take over for the next three games in Dallas. He’s a vet and a pro, so expect capable production with a good set of weapons to throw to.
3. Jeff Garcia (18.0)
175 passing yards and a TD every week seems about right. He has a good matchup this week.
4. JaMarcus Russell (45.4)
Erratic arm with upside. He has a nice matchup this week.
5. Marc Bulger (49.7)
Where is the Bulger of old? (Torry Holt wants to know.)
6. Chad Pennington (41.5)
7. Gus Frerotte (25.3)
8. Kerry Collins (22.1)
9. Joe Flacco (13.9)
10. Seneca Wallace (0.3)
11. Brodie Croyle (4.8)
12. Ryan Fitzpatrick (1.4)

RUNNING BACKS

If Correll Buckhalter, Tim Hightower and Michael Pittman are gone, go for these guys…

1. Warrick Dunn (48.8)
Dunn’s touches grew when the team moved Graham to fullback this weekend (due to injuries). Keep an eye on this situation this week. He’s roster worthy, especially in PPR leagues.
2. Dominic Rhodes (11.9)
As long as Joseph Addai is missing time with a bad hammy, Rhodes is a starter quality fantasy back.
3. Kevin Faulk (10.0)
In PPR leagues, Faulk has good value as long as Laurence Maroney is out.
4. Ray Rice (21.8)
McGahee is nicked up (again) and LeRon McClain only had three touches against Indy. Is it Ray Rice’s time to shine?
5. Cedric Benson (17.8)
Given the way Cincy has handled Kenny Watson (cutting him then re-signing him last week) it would appear Benson is the best bet to take over for Chris Perry if he gets bench (and there are rumors he will be).
6. Derrick Ward (35.0)
7. Ryan Torain (11.4)
He won’t be back for a couple of weeks, and when he does return, there’s no telling how Mike Shanahan will use him. We know one thing – he was on his way to a steady workload before he got injured.
8. Fred Jackson (16.4)
9. Mewelde Moore (41.0)
10. Ahman Green (24.4)
11. Maurice Morris (18.2)
12. Kenny Watson (16.5)

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Devin Hester (36.6)
He’s starting to look like a real NFL WR. He’s averaging 4.7-60-0.7 over the last three weeks.
2. Antwaan Randle El (46.3)
He’s capitalizing on all the attention Santana Moss is getting.
3.,Greg Camarillo (14.0)
Worth a roster spot in PPR leagues. Probably the top WR in Miami. (Certainly the most consistent.)
4. Kevin Walter (42.1)
He gets consistent looks and the Texans are often in shootouts.
5. Steve Breaston (42.0)
Continues to thrive with Anquan Boldin out.
6. Justin Gage (25.1)
If he could ever stay healthy, Gage would be a terror in PPR leagues.
7. Deion Branch (33.6)
8. Matt Jones (38.7)
9. Brandon Stokley (33.2)
Keep an eye on that injury. Value is hurt when Royal returns.
10. Rashied Davis (2.8)
As long as Brandon Lloyd is out, Davis is a sleeper in the Bears’ surprisingly good passing attack.
11. Steve Smith (11.8)
Smith is averaging 6-60 over the last three weeks. He’s not usurping Amani Toomer as WR2 in NYG, but things are getting close.
12. Ike Hilliard (46.5)
Bad week is probably an aberration.
13. Chansi Stuckey (36.7)
Zero catches last week.
14. Michael Jenkins (8.3)
Complementary receiver is catching 3-4 passes a game.
15. Josh Reed (25.8)
Bye week fodder for larger PPR leagues.
16. Donte Stallworth (39.9)
He’s playing again. That’s a start.
17. Kevin Curtis (47.3)
On his way back, but what will be his role?
18. Hank Baskett (33.0)
19. Brandon Lloyd (45.2)
He was on fire before the injury, but there’s no return in sight.
20. Robert Meachem (46.9)
21. Bryant Johnson (40.6)

TIGHT ENDS

1. Zach Miller (46.3)
8-141-1 over the past two weeks ain’t bad.
2. Bo Scaife (44.7)
I spent all week daydreaming about the 7-72 he posted before the Titans’ bye.
3. John Carlson (43.0)
He has already had an up and down season, but looks to be a Charlie Frye favorite. Woo hoo!
4. Vernon Davis (51.1)
6-75 against the blitz-happy Philly? Is this a sign of things to come or just an aberration? Two catches (total) in the previous four games indicates the latter.
5. L.J. Smith (36.9)
6. Donald Lee (47.9)
7. Marcedes Lewis (18.7)
Two TD in the last two weeks. Is Lewis finally capitalizing on all that talent?
8. Visanthe Shiancoe (38.9)
A quiet week brings a decent run to an end.
9. Alex Smith (10.8)
Occasionally catches a TD and has caught at least two passes in all but one game this season.
10. Dustin Keller (30.2)
A Favre favorite near the goal line, Keller had a TD taken away last week due to a penalty. Doh!
11. Dante Rosario (21.0)
12. Ben Utecht (13.6)
4-34 against the Jets.
13. Alge Crumpler (34.2)
Why isn’t he posting better numbers?
14. Kevin Boss (31.7)
15. Billy Miller (5.1)
He’s a decent fill in as long as Jeremy Shockey is out.

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. Kyle Orton (38.4)
“Beard” (formerly “Neck Beard”) has posted 267 yards passing and 2.3 TD over the last three weeks. He’s definitely QB2 caliber now.
2. Marc Bulger (48.8)
Bulger resumes his starting duties this week.
3. Matt Ryan (43.4)
Ryan threw for 194 yards and two TD against he Packers, and almost had a third TD.
4. Chad Pennington (35.3)
Pennington has a nice matchup with the Texans in Week 6.
5. Gus Frerotte (16.1)
With the Lions on tap in Week 6, Frerotte is a good pickup this week.
6. JaMarcus Russell (46.5)
Russell seems to be playing better, and with the Saints coming up, he’s a viable spot starter.
7. Kerry Collins (25.2)
8. Joe Flacco (15.2)
9. J.P. Losman (0.6)
The Bills are on bye and Trent Edwards should be ready for Week 7, but if not, Losman will have some value.
10. Brodie Croyle (4.0)
Croyle will be the starter after KC’s bye.
11. Jeff Garcia (17.6)
With Griese nicked up, Garcia has a chance to reclaim the starting job.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Mewelde Moore (40.0)
Moore is starter caliber as long as Willie Parker is out.
2. Warrick Dunn (39.9)
Dunn continues to split touches with Graham, which makes him a decent flex/spot-starter play.
3. Justin Fargas (56.8)
Fargas is over our 50% threshold, but he’s back at practice and may be the starter if McFadden continues to nurse his turf toe.
4. Tim Hightower (42.7)
Hightower keeps vulturing goal line carries, so he has some value.
5. Michael Bush (34.3)
Productive when given the opportunity, Bush now has to deal with Fargas coming off an injury.
6. Derrick Ward (31.5)
Even though Brandon Jacobs re-established his grip on the starting job, Ward is still a backup with major upside.
7. Maurice Morris (20.2)
If he can get healthy, he’ll likely find himself back in a timeshare with Julius Jones.
8. Cedric Benson (10.2)
As Chris Perry continues to fumble, the chances that Benson can earn a bigger role continue to increase.
9. Ladell Betts (20.1)
Like Ward, Betts would become a starter caliber RB if something were to happen to Clinton Portis.
10. Kenny Watson (22.3)
Given Chris Perry’s fumbling problems, Watson has an outside chance for major
11. Leon Washington (30.2)
12. Ahman Green (26.6)
13. Brandon Jackson (24.2)
playing time now that he’s back with Cincy.
14. Fred Jackson (17.4)
15. Dominic Rhodes (13.6)

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Bobby Engram (50.5)
8-61 in his return + Deion Branch injury = lots of opportunity for Bobby Engram.
2. Ike Hilliard (44.4)
Hilliard isn’t going to win any games single-handedly, but he’s a great backup in PPR leagues.
3. Brandon Stokley (10.4)
With Eddie Royal hobbled, Stokley shouldn’t have any problem continuing his hot run (13-132-1 over the last two weeks).
4. Steve Breaston (19.8)
As long as Anquan Boldin misses time, Breaston is a solid starter as a WR2 or WR3, especially in PPR leagues.
5. Devin Hester (27.0)
Is Hester catching on? His recent performance – eight catches for 93 yards and two TD over the last two weeks – says that maybe he is.
6. Chansi Stuckey (44.9)
7. Antwaan Randle El (41.6)
8. Amani Toomer (49.5)
9. Kevin Walter (40.5)
10. Mike Walker (0.1)
The second-year wideout has caught 11 passes for 153 yards over the last two weeks. He and David Garrard seem to be developing a rapport. There is a lot of upside here.
11. Greg Camarillo (3.1)
Over the last three weeks, Camarillo has 14 catches for 177 yards and a TD. He’s roster worthy in all PPR leagues.
12. Justin Gage (31.1)
I still like Gage. He’s the WR1 in Tennessee if he can just get healthy.
13. Ted Ginn (29.8)
After a dreadful start, Ginn has 12 catches for 104 yards over the last two weeks, which makes him an interesting pickup in PPR leagues.
14. Domenik Hixon (3.0)
He exploded with Burress out after catching three passes in each of the two previous games. Going forward, it’s tough to see him getting enough targets to be a regular fantasy starter.
15. Kevin Curtis (48.2)
Only Andy Reid knows how he’s going to fit in with DeSean Jackson and Reggie Brown.
16. Robert Meachem (40.5)
17. Matt Jones (33.2)
18. Josh Reed (30.8)
Reed has caught at least four passes in each of the last four weeks, which makes him fodder as a spot starter in PPR leagues.
19. Deion Branch (31.6)
Branch injured his right heel and did not return. He’s not worth picking up unless he’s able to play in the next week or two.
20. Jabar Gaffney (17.1)
He has nine catches for 85 yards and a TD over the last two weeks.
21. Nate Washington (0.7)
A big game against Jacksonville (6-94-1) gives a glimpse at Washington’s potential, but with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes ahead of him, he probably won’t get enough targets to produce consistently.

TIGHT ENDS

1. Bo Scaife (50.4)
Scaife is a bona fide fantasy backup and one of the Titans’ biggest “weapons” in the passing game.
2. Zach Miller (25.4)
He has as much upside as anyone on this list, but he plays with an inconsistent QB in JaMarcus Russell.
3. Donald Lee (48.1)
Not quite as consistent as last year, but he’s a decent fantasy backup.
4. L.J. Smith (37.1)
He caught three passes for 26 yards in his return.
5. Dustin Keller (23.2)
A Favre favorite around the goal line.
6. Visanthe Shiancoe (20.1)
Production is up since Frerotte took over.
7. Kevin Boss (33.2)
He was a big disappointment in Week 5 with Burress out.
8. John Carlson (50.3)
Was his goose egg in Week 5 an indication of things to come?

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

A couple of (increasingly) solid names still linger on the waiver wire in half of ESPN’s leagues.

1.Trent Edwards (51.3)
Edwards has been as solid as they come – at least 215 passing yards and a TD in the first three games. And he has great matchups in three of the next four games.
2. J.T. O’Sullivan (45.0)
O’Sully (as I call him) has thrown for a combined 510 yards and three TD over the last two weeks. Moreover, he doesn’t really have a tough matchup until after his bye, in Week 9.
3. Matt Ryan (43.9)
Has yet to eclipse the 200-yard passing mark, but has thrown two TD on the season.
4. Kerry Collins (17.7)
He’s averaging 159 yards and a score over the last two games. As long as the Titans keep winning, Collins will be the QB.
5. Brian Griese (6.9)
6. Chad Pennington (42.1)
7. Gus Frerotte (11.6)
8. Brady Quinn (8.3)
It’s time to start thinking about the possibility of Quinn taking over in Cleveland. The Browns schedule has been brutal so far, so there’s a chance that whoever is QB’ing the Browns in a month could look a lot better than what’s going on right now.
9. JaMarcus Russell (41.2)
10. Kyle Orton (10.8)
11. Joe Flacco (17.2)
12. Tyler Thigpen (1.6)

RUNNING BACKS

The RB position is always thin, but there are several guys splitting time that could bust out if their backfield partner were to miss extended time.

1. Correll Buckhalter (5.6)
Brian Westbrook’s MRI on his ankle came back negative, but Buckhalter could have some serious short-term value if Westy misses any time.
2. Pierre Thomas (24.2)
Thomas continues to be the Saints’ short-yardage back.
3. Derrick Ward (24.1)
Does anyone else think that Ward is the best RB on the Giants roster?
4. Le”Ron McClain (5.6)
Big, brusing back is getting the carries that were supposed to go to Ray Rice.
5. Michael Bush (21.3)
Will continue to be productive as long as Fargas and/or McFadden miss time.
6. Warrick Dunn (23.7)
7. Michael Pittman (40.3)
Denver’s goal-line back has value.
8. T.J. Duckett (7.2)
If Maurice Morris continues to miss, Duckett may see increased work.
9. Tim Hightower (38.7)
10. Leon Washington (37.5)
11. Brandon Jackson (30.9)
12. Ladell Betts (29.8)
13. Andre Hall (29.5)
14. Dominic Rhodes (20.4)
He looks spry, so if Joseph Addai were to go down, watch out.
15. LaMont Jordan (15.0)
16. Fred Jackson (10.4)
17. Jamaal Charles (6.4)

WIDE RECEIVERS

There are some roster-worthy names here, especially in PPR leagues. Injuries are opening up opportunities for some decent players.

1. Bobby Engram (40.2)
He should be coming back in Week 5. There’s no telling how his old body will respond, but the Seahawks are desperate for help.
2. Justin Gage (33.8)
Gage should be solid in PPR leagues if he can get healthy.
3. Ike Hilliard (12.8)
Hilliard should be owned in all PPR leagues. He has been steady.
4. Brandon Lloyd (8.0)
Lloyd has two pretty good games in a row, which is a record for him.
5. Chansi Stuckey (16.6)
The rookie doesn’t get a ton of targets, but he makes the most of them.
6. Antonio Bryant (9.6)
With Galloway out, Bryant should shine as the Bucs only viable deep threat.
7. Amani Toomer (42.8)
8. Muhsin Muhammad (42.3)
His performance against a shaky Minnesota secondary is worrisome.
9. Antwaan Randle El (46.8)
10. Hank Baskett (34.1)
11. Lance Moore (0.2)
12. Kevin Walter (37.7)
13. Robert Meachem (24.9)
14. Matt Jones (24.2)
15. Josh Reed (1.2)
PPR league spot starter.
16. Greg Camarillo (0.6)
PPR league spot starter. Sound familiar?
17. Mark Clayton (18.7)
18. Billy McMullen (0.4)
The best Seattle has at the moment, but the cavalry is on its way.
19. Justin McCareins (2.0)
He’s a decent option in PPR leagues as long as Justin Gage is hobbled.
20. Steve Smith (11.0)
21. Laurent Robinson (1.5)
22. Jordy Nelson (1.3)
23. Brandon Stokley (13.1)
24. Jabar Gaffney (24.8)

TIGHT ENDS

With John Carlson, L.J. Smith and Anthony Fasano above the 50% owned mark, the pickings are getting slim on the waiver wire.

1. Bo Scaife (27.3)
Scaife continues to be the Titans best TE threat.
2. Kevin Boss (34.2)
Boss finally broke into the box score with a 3-51-1 day. Is this an abberation or a sign of things to come?
3. Dustin Keller (12.6)
The rookie had a nice game against SD.
4. Greg Olsen (44.3)
5. Randy McMichael (34.8)
6. Dante Rosario (34.8)
Week 1 hero has quieted down considerably.
7. Desmond Clark (11.6)
8. Robert Royal (34.8)
Trent Edwards likes him, but he won’t always produce.
9. Visanthe Shiancoe (1.2)
Could Shiancoe bust out with Gus Frerrote under center?