12/27/11
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Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to 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 a big proponent of making trades to bolster your roster,
the waiver wire can be a limitless resource when it comes to discovering
fantasy value. Each week, I’ll target both offensive and defensive
players — sometimes breakout stars that eluded your team’s
draft — as well as players who can help your squad that may
be lurking in deeper leagues.
Off the Top - Includes my premier
recommendations. These are sometimes players available only in more
shallow leagues, and occasionally guys who are more readily but
are thrust into the fantasy spotlight because of opportunity or
exceptional production.
Digging Deeper - Covers the next
tier of quality waiver wire specimens, usually players available
in a majority of online leagues. There are a lot of gems in this
range who can be plucked rather easily.
Scouring the Barrel - Chronicles
the deepest of fantasy adds — and sometimes highlights players
being tacked onto fantasy squads who I don’t have much confidence
in. Make sure you read the fine print.
Each week, I’ll also provide a brief update on the 20-30 players
I covered the previous week. It’s the most accurate, comprehensive
one-stop waiver-wire column available on the Internet, and it’s
only available here at fftoday.com.
Feedback is always welcome,
appreciated and encouraged. I’ll get to as many e-mails as
I can.
Note: Each player’s
next matchup is listed in parentheses ()
Quarterbacks
Off The Top
Carson Palmer, OAK (SD) – The veteran was plagued by turnovers
in Week 16, but he’s going to be involved in a shootout
in Week 17 against the Chargers. His receivers are getting healthier
and the finale promises to be an interesting game.
Digging Deeper
Matt Hasselbeck, TEN (@HOU) – Hasselbeck turned back the
page and assaulted the Jags in Week 16, linking up repeatedly
with TE Jared Cook and throwing for 350-1-2. If not for the picks,
he’d have been a top QB. I’d take a gamble on him
in deeper leagues for the finale, but his prospects for 2012 aren’t
good.
Scouring The Barrel
Dan Orlovsky, IND (@JAC) – Dan “The Answer”
Orlovsky, might not have a long-term future in Indy, but he’s
an excellent play in Week 17 against the Jaguars. He’s 2-2
since taking over the starting role in Week 13 and should be viewed
as a QB1 in the final week.
Updates
Mark Sanchez, NYJ (@MIA) – Sanchez threw for 258 yards
and accounted for a couple TDs (one pass, one rush) but turned
the ball over three times in the loss to the Giants. The final
week promises to be a tough one.
Matt Moore, MIA (NYJ) – The Dolphins almost upset the Pats,
and Moore had a lot to do with both the success and failure aspects
of the game, throwing for 294-3-1 and losing a fumble.
Kyle Orton, KC (@DEN) – Orton had a serviceable outing
versus Oakland, tossing 300-1-2, but I’d stay away in Week
17.
Running Backs
Off The Top
Toby
Gerhart, MIN (CHI) – Adrian Peterson’s injury makes Gerhart
the likely top add heading into Week 17, as he was probably dropped
in most leagues when ADP returned. He’s a versatile back who contributes
in the running and passing game, although Chicago is a tough bunch
of SOBs.
Kahlil Bell, CHI (@MIN) – With Forte still out and Marion
Barber inactive last week, Bell looks like the best option in
Chicago. He’s surprised a lot of folks (159 total yards
in Week 16) and remains a solid RB2 play in the finale against
Minnesota.
Digging Deeper
Evan
Royster, WAS (@PHI) – Roy Helu’s status for Sunday is unknown,
but Royster was a great Week 16 replacement (19 carries, 132 yards,
2-15-0 receiving). He’s a dice roll against the Eagles, but if
he’s the default starter, you could do a lot worse.
Scouring The Barrel
Sammy
Morris, DAL (@NYG) – Keep an eye on Felix Jones’ hamstring
injury, because if Jones is active again in Week 17, Morris (29
rushing yards, 4-10-0 receiving in Week 16) has limited value.
Updates
C.J. Spiller, BUF (@NE) – Spiller followed up his monster
Week 15 with a solid performance against the Broncos, rushing
for 111 yards and a TD and hauling in two catches for 27 yards.
He’s a fine RB2 start against the Pats in Week 17.
Donald Brown, IND (@JAC) – Brown could turn some heads with
a big game against Jacksonville, though he fell a little flat
in the Houston tilt (45 total yards). He appears to have the most
long-term value of the Colts RBs.
Lance
Ball, DEN (KC) – Willis McGahee got the start and Tim Tebow
did all the goal line rushing. Hopefully you didn’t start Ball
and his 12 yards.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Off The Top
TE Jared Cook, TEN (@HOU) – As I mentioned before, Cook
blew up against Jacksonville, hauling in 8-169-1. He’s one
to keep an eye on during next season’s draft prep.
Digging Deeper
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK (SD) – DHB had 4-70-0 in the
OT win over KC and should have a good finale against the Chargers.
His speed makes him a diabolical weapon in this offense.
Scouring The Barrel
WR Vincent
Brown, SD (@OAK) – If Vincent Jackson (groin) is inactive
for Week 17, Brown will make a solid WR3. Stay tuned to the injury
report to see how this plays out, because Jackson played in Week
16, but there’s really no point in having him play injured, and
the final week often showcases fringe players like Brown.
Updates
WR Lance Moore, NO (CAR) – Moore (hamstring) aggravated
his hamstring injury in the second quarter against Atlanta and
did not return, but he did manage 2-53-0 in limited action. He’s
not a great option for Week 17.
TE Brent Celek, PHI (WAS) – Celek didn’t disappoint
fantasy owners who took a crack with him in Week 16, finishing
with 2-52-1 in the win over Dallas.
WR Demaryius Thomas, DEN (KC) – Thomas had just 4-76-0,
but he’s clearly the best receiving option in Denver, and
could put together a solid season in 2012. He’s a decent
WR3 in Week 17, although the Chiefs have been known to shut a
few folks down.
TE Jeremy Shockey, CAR (@NO) – The veteran TE caught a TD
pass for the third straight week. He’s nearing the end of
his usefulness, so this was a fine swan song.
IDP
Off The Top
LB Chad Greenway, MIN (CHI) – Greenway has been Mr. Consistency
this season and should be a fine start against the running-oriented
Bears in week 17. He’s coming off his best game of 2011
- 16 total tackles, PD.
Digging Deeper
DL Robert Mathis, IND (@JAC) – Mathis gets to face the
league’s worst pass blockers in Week 17 and could have another
monster game. I’d roll the dice with him and hope for the
best - a couple strip sacks and a handful of tackles.
Scouring The Barrel
DB Devin
McCourty, NE (BUF) – He’s coming off a big game (9 tackles,
4 PD, INT), and Ryan Fitzpatrick loves throwing picks. Give him
a shot.
Updates
DB Eric Weddle, SD (@OAK) – Weddle is a reliable IDP contributor
who finished with six total tackles and two PD in the Week 16
game. He’s a great DB2/decent DB1 who should have a productive
final week.
DL J.J. Watt, HOU (@TEN) – Watt had his second-best game
of the season, racking up five solos, a sack and three PD. With
his size and athleticism, he’s going to be a good IDP option
for a long while.
LB Jordan Senn, CAR (@NO) – Senn had 10 total tackles against
the Bucs. We’ll have to wait and see how he fits into the
Panthers’ plans for 2012.
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