9/26/06
Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections that will help your team from week to week while you
strive to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs, and
win the elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp.
While I’m just as big a proponent of making trades to bolster
your roster, the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource
when it comes to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each
week, I’ll target players that may be available in shallow
leagues – sometimes just breakout stars that eluded your team’s
draft – as well as players who can help your squad that will
still be available in most deeper leagues.
Off The Top
Brett Favre, GB – I know
he’s available in some leagues, because he’s available
in one of mine. And I know after Chris Simms went down last week,
somebody who owns a studly QB starter just lost their backup for
the year. So if you’re in a deep league or you’ve
got a sketchy QB situation, you can’t get many more TD passes
for your money from anybody else.
Matt Leinart, ARI – The
2004 Heisman trophy winner has already been locked up by many
Kurt Warner owners, and he’s not a great start this week
at Atlanta. But he’s an obvious choice in keeper leagues
and he’s got lots of weapons in that Arizona offense to
help him make the transition pretty smoothly.
Digging Deeper
Mark Brunell, WAS – I
guess the Redskins are a different team with a healthy Clinton
Portis. But is Mark Brunell a different quarterback? Looked like
it on Sunday, when he broke an NFL record by throwing 22 straight
completions to start the show. Somewhere out there, league owners
that dropped him are reconsidering.
Scouring The Barrel
David Carr, HOU – With
a 113.6 passer rating, he really merits better than bottom-of-the-barrel
status, considering there’s really only a couple guys with
better fantasy numbers. But they are the Houston Texans, and in
leagues where turnovers count against you to the tune of -2 or
-3 points, he’s a liability because his team doesn’t
find the end zone enough.
Updates from Week 3:
Charlie Frye, CLE – He
has more rushing TDs this season than Shaun Alexander, and will
continue to do so for the next couple weeks. I don’t know
all your needs, but that alone might be enough to merit a spot
on your roster. With 298 yards passing last week versus Baltimore,
he still might be something that semi-desperate souls can get
excited about – if not any of the above.
Matt Schaub, ATL – Vick
got tossed around a bit in the spirited Superdome. But you can’t
really move on him with so many other options out there.
J.P. Losman, BUF – Glad
I included him just under the surface last week. I’m sure
there’s one fantasy owner out there who benefited from his
two scores and 328 yards, even if the sorry sack lives in Buffalo.
Vince Young, TEN – One
week closer to his NFL debut, as far as I’m concerned.
Andrew Walter, OAK – The
week of preparation on the bye could have only helped his cause,
unless he’s been speaking to Tom Walsh, the Raider offense’s
version of James Stockdale, or the archaic piece of Al Davis furniture
known as Art Shell. Just imagine what it must be like trying to
take those guys seriously in practice. This is what I’d
say: “Heya, coach, can you explain why my offensive line
is crumbling like feta while I continually get smashed by looping
defensive ends every time? Oh, is it because I have to drop back
six billion steps before I throw? Gotcha.”
Off The Top
Maurice Morris, SEA –
This is when you call up your buddy who didn’t handcuff
Shaun Alexander and cackle obnoxiously into the phone for a few
seconds. If you do grab him, realize that he’s getting thrown
into the fire at bit against Chicago, but rest assured that he
is a talented veteran who still has fresh legs.
Digging Deeper
Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX –
Two guys named Maurice are chillin’ on the wire this week.
But this Maurice earned his spot, emerging as Jacksonville’s
go-to-guy in their dogfight versus Indy on Sunday. Fred Taylor’s
backup had 13 carries for 103 yards and 4 receptions for 34 yards
and a touchdown, albeit in a losing effort. When the offense is
clicking this team runs the ball effectively, and this guy will
benefit more and more from that with more touches and more scores
as the season progresses.
LenDale White, TEN – While
he’s not a great start this week versus the Cowboys, the
two guys ahead of him on the depth chart have toe injuries that
tend to linger. And neither Chris Brown nor Travis Henry are in
the running for any NFL Ironman awards.
Scouring The Barrel
Michael Robinson, SF –
Frank Gore should be playing this week, but keep an eye on the
former Penn St. QB who grabbed some carries and two late goal-line
scores in a loss to the Eagles on Sunday. Gore hurt his abdomen,
and Robinson got a bunch of touches. He’s not going to be
a stud anytime soon, but in deeper leagues he’s worth a
look.
Ron Dayne, HOU – The
only thing worse than picking up Ron Dayne is picking up Ron Dayne
when he’s on the Texans. But if you currently have Wali
Lundy, this might be the time to cash him in for Dayne.
Updates from Week 3:
Joseph Addai, IND – Just
three carries and three catches last week, but you don’t
play the Jags every week.
Kenny Watson, CIN – Still
a necessary handcuff for Rudi Johnson.
Mike Anderson/Musa Smith, BAL –
Jamal’s been holding up pretty well, but you never know.
Off The Top
Braylon Edwards, CLE –
This second-year receiver out of Michigan quietly tallied five
catches for 116 yards and a TD versus the Ravens last week. He’s
Frye’s new big-play guy, so if he’s out there, make
it so he isn’t..
Digging Deeper
Eric Johnson, SF – Alex
Smith’s rookie TE target, Vernon Davis, has a broken leg,
and Johnson will benefit from the opportunity. He’s got
good hands and will produce solid numbers (for a TE) now that
Davis is gone..
Scouring The Barrel
Roscoe Parrish, BUF –
He’s only got 7 catches this year, but four came last week
against the Jets, when he totaled 104 yards (including a 51-yard
TD), so I’m not saying to get him. Just keep an eye on him,
since there’s really no telling what’s going through
Losman’s head.
Owen Daniels, HOU – Any
TE with 2 TDs this early in the season deserves a look, even if
he plays for the Texans.
Updates from Week 3:
Bernard Berrian, CHI –
Still putting up numbers for the Bears, who faced a tough Vikings
team last week.
Greg Jennings, GB – The
big-play guy in Brett’s arsenal, Fare will continue to look
his way.
Kelley Washington, CIN –
T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry have voided this guy’s
fantasy value for now, but you should still keep tabs on the Cincy
WR injury situation.
Off The Top
Gerald Hayes, ARI – He’s
Arizona’s leading tackler after three games, and there’s
hardly anybody that owns him. Plus, he’s got a sack and
an INT to boot.
Scott Fujita, NO – The
Saints defense has turned to the veteran Fujita in its time of
need and he has responded. Don’t wait any longer to pull
the trigger and pick him up if your linebackers are hurting you.
Digging Deeper
Chris Draft, CAR – Did
anybody else forget about this guy? He’s got 25 tackles,
and when asthma’s not keeping him down, he’s very
effective at racking up IDP points.
Sean Jones, CLE – Quietly
putting up solid numbers in the Browns secondary (24 tackles,
INT, 3 PD), I’d look his way if your DBs aren’t getting
it done.
Scouring The Barrel
DB Nick Collins, GB –
This safety has 22 tackles and four passes defended in his first
three games, and he should still be available in your IDP league.
Updates from Week 3:
LB Angelo Crowell, BUF –
10 tackles (six solo) and a pass defended on Sunday versus the
Jets.
LB Morlon Greenwood, HOU –
Still getting it done, but giving up lots of tackles to studly
rookie Demeco Ryans.
DB Jermaine Phillips, TB –
Seven solos last week against the Panthers.
DL Trent Cole, PHI – Another
four tackles and a sack, and he’s only getting more involved
in this solid front seven.
DL Aaron Kampman, GB –
A non-factor last week against the Lions, but he’ll make
a fantasy impact again sometime down the road.
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