Week 4 Waiver Pickups

Perhaps long-term relationships are unattainable. Of course, I mean fantasy relationships – the complicated and sometimes tumultuous marriage between owner and player. Week in and week out, owners are forced to bench or drop a player – often of star caliber – in favor of the guy with fresh legs and limited war wounds. And that guy lasts until his inevitable injury, or the other one returns. Or Mike Shanahan changes his mind. It’s an endless spin cycle of find-and-replace. This is why guys like Tashard Choice are knights in shining armor for fantasy owners. After the league’s leading rusher C.J. Spiller suffered a shoulder injury Sunday, Choice stepped in and rushed for 91 yards on 20 carries. Of course, he probably got you nothing. Choice was either unclaimed or on the bench in your league, and leagues everywhere. Over the previous two games, he had tallied only four fantasy points.

As a Spiller owner, I am suffering the typical stages of loss: shock, sadness, and now waiver wire exploitation. It’s what we do in fantasyland. And Choice may be only a one-game starter with Fred Jackson’s imminent return, but I accept that. In the words of Duran Duran’s Simon LeBon, “Some people call it a one-night stand, but we can call it paradise.”

Here are a few choice pickups for your consideration:

Tashard Choice, RB, Buffalo Bills – Remember the magic from December, 2008? His services as the Cowboys’ third-stringer were certainly appreciated during the fantasy football playoffs then (Ahem, I am especially grateful). Fantasy owners could use that Choice charm now, even if it’s temporary, and especially if you’re 0-3 with Chris Johnson and Kevin Smith anchoring your crew. With your RB faction depleted, your week-to-week strategy is in full force. Choice is worth the gamble, even against the Patriots defense. But keep your eye on Jackson’s status. Available in 91 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Ryan Williams, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Another option to consider at RB, Williams filled in for the turf toe-plagued Beanie Wells on Sunday in spectacular form with 13 carries for 83 yards and several big runs. Wells’ status is still uncertain, in typical injury report fashion. Williams is a good one to claim and stash, even if you don’t use him this week. Williams will be serviceable down the road. Available in 63 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings – So much for matchups. The young QB is quietly putting together nice numbers, even against good teams. On Sunday, Ponder threw for 198 yards (21 for 35), including three touchdowns, one by foot. And this was against the 49ers! Next up, the Detroit Lions with a sub-par secondary. Available in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues. 

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings – While he didn’t record a lot of yards (36 yards on Sunday), he delivered near the goal line with two touchdowns. And make that three touchdowns for the year. This week’s matchup against the Lions is good for Rudolph, as they yield the fifth most points to tight ends. Available in 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions – Sorry, Kevin. Leshoure is the new captain, with Sunday’s performance: 26 carries for 100 yards, plus 34 receiving yards and a touchdown. Oh, what to do with Smith? Drop him for one of the guys on this page. Don’t worry, he won’t know. Available in 42 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans – OK, this isn’t a claim-him suggestion, but rather a start-him suggestion. Yeah, many fans across the nation watched Sunday’s matchup vs. Denver because of Peyton Manning. But it was Schaub’s day, completing  17 of 30 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Nice numbers, yet Schaub was activated in only 13 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Fantasy owners will have to reconsider starting him this week when the Texans take on the struggling Tennessee pass defense. Hello Andre Johnson.

Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen. 

Week 3 Waiver Pickups

Take a deep breath and exhale. It’s time to face the facts. You are 0-2. That’s what losers do. They lose. They lose consecutively. They lose automatically. They lose habitually. They lose.  But this is not you. You are not the Arizona Cardinals Tennessee Titans. I know you’re asking yourself, “How is this even possible? I have a franchise quarterback, stud running backs and wide receivers. Even my tight end scores!”

Well, you are not alone. Just look at the New Orleans Saints and poor Drew Brees. I’ve been trying to console him all day, but he hasn’t responded to any of my texts.

I understand your sadness. I’ve had some – although very limited – experience with losing. And you can’t mope around all day. Enough! If you’re ever going to escape this seemingly insurmountable test, you have work to do. Grab a Kleenex, wipe those tears, and get to your waiver wire. Play the Braveheart theme song if you have to! These players might just be the key to that coveted 1-2 record.

Martellus Bennett, TE, New York Giants – Bennett enjoyed the Eli Manning 510-yard passing party with five receptions for 72 yards. Not just a one-week wonder, either. In the Giants-Cowboys season-opener, Bennett reeled in four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Seems like an obvious pickup, especially if you lost Rob Gronkowski on Sunday. Available in 67 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Andre Brown, RB, New York Giants – I know, I know. Another New Yorker. But there’s a lot of offense coming out of the Big Apple right now. And Andre the Giant is next in line after losing Ahmad Bradshaw to a neck sprain, and losing David Wilson to a bad case of the butterfingers. On Sunday, Brown rushed for 71 yards on 13 carries, with a touchdown and two-point conversion. With the early Thursday game this week, Brown’s likelihood of starting increases. Available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.                                                                                                       

Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams – In the first two games of the season, Amendola has been the favorite target for Sam Bradford. In his latest game, he caught 15 – yes, 15 – passes for 161 yards. A PPR dream! He won’t be around long. Available in 51 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens – Targeted 15 times, the tight end had eight receptions for 65 yards. Pitta is proving to be a staple in the Ravens’ offense. And wow, his quarterback is the “best in the league,” according to Joe Flacco himself. How can you not like that combination? Available in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Arizona defense, DEF, Arizona Cardinals – Better than you think. Don’t be scared of the Philly matchup either. In this early season, they’ve yielded the most fantasy points to opposing defenders. Available in 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Buffalo defense, DEF, Buffalo Bills – When in doubt, start the defense playing Cleveland. Available in 59 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen. 

 

Week 2 Waiver Pickups

Let me be clear. I’m a waiver wire extremist. No pick is beneath me. No timing is inappropriate. No circumstance challenges my moral compass. I love the wire, even when it doesn’t love me back. As I reminisce, vintage darlings Tashard Choice, Peyton Hillis and Ron Dayne come to mind – all special picks forever engraved in my fantasy heart.

I’m convinced you can’t win at fake football without shopping the wire regularly. I realize this practice makes some owners nervous. Some are worried they’ll pick the wrong guy. And I assure you, this will happen. Or drop the wrong guy. Yes, this too will happen. Or perhaps they think they’ll regret it in the morning. Yes, you will have regrets. Lots of them. But you can’t win by playing it safe, unless you’re playing for mediocrity. And sure, that fifth place trophy is as meaningful as my swim team participation ribbons.

But relax, my friends. I’m here to help. Every week, I’ll spotlight a few of my favorite free agents. Without further adieu, here are this week’s waiver wire wonders:

Kevin Ogletree – Ogletree kicked off the “open wire” season when he reeled in eight receptions for 114 yards, including two touchdowns in the NFL’s season opener. It’s easy to mock those who claim the Cowboys’ anonymous third receiver. I mean really, what are the chances that hot hand continues? But remember last year’s third man? Laurent Robinson finished 2011 with a career-best 54 receptions for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns. And yep, he was a waiver prize. Ogletree deserves the same courtesy. Owned in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues, and climbing.

Stephen Hill – Who? He plays professional football for the New York Jets. Hill and his teammates proved that they have the ability to score touchdowns – lots of them – as they embarrassed the Buffalo Bills in a 48-28 rout. The rookie wideout caught five receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Favorite target, perhaps? Jump on this bandwagon while you can. Available in 84 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Alfred Morris – Another Sunday sensation, Morris ran for 96 yards on 28 carries, plus two scores. Now this is Washington, home of the original running back roulette, so claim Morris at your own risk. Would I claim him? Um, I actually drafted him. Still, claim in deep leagues (or desperate situations) only as every week you’ll be at the mercy of Mike Shanahan. Available in 71 percent of Yahoo leagues.  

Jonathan Dwyer – Even though Isaac Redman drew the start, Dwyer had the more impressive game – 4.8 YPC (11 carries for 43 yards) vs. Redman’s 1.9 YPC. Until Rashard Mendenhall returns, consider this Dwyer’s job to lose. This week he faces a Jets defense that gave up the 23^rd most fantasy points to running backs last season, and surrendered 195 ground yards to the Bills last week. Available in 82 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Owen Daniels – Yeah, I know he’s already owned in 68 percent of Yahoo leagues, but this number should be higher. In a sea of average tight ends, Daniels’ chemistry with Matt Schaub (and his production) will place him among the top TEs. With four catches for 87 yards, he’s a nice second receiver when Andre Johnson is double covered. And this week, the Texans take on Jacksonville, which yielded the third most fantasy points to tight ends last year. Get him and start him.

Randall Cobb – If I could stockpile this player, I would. His nine catches for 77 yards along with a returned punt TD got my attention. And it gets even better! Or worse, depending on your vantage point. Greg Jennings is nursing a pulled groin, which could keep him out of the lineup Thursday night when the Packers take on the Bears. Next batter up is Cobb. Swing for the fences, Randall! Available in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues.

 

Erin Skelley joins Houston Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen. 

Key Questions for Week 1

Fantasy football is a game of pretend, so let’s pretend I am bombarded – I mean absolutely flooded – with questions headed into week one. My pretend staff has worked all day and all night with the painful but honorable task of sorting through heaps of mail (some are adoring fan letters). After scores of paper cuts, they found the most burning questions just for you. Naturally, I am dictating this article to my pretend intern.

Week 1 Questions

Do I start Maurice Jones-Drew? – Hoping to go from “Jags to Riches,” the pocket-sized running back has presented big-time problems in fantasyland. First, we debated what round to draft him. Now he’s on your team (like it or not), you’re questioning sitting or starting. The Jags have announced that Jones-Drew will play, but only third downs this week. Rashard Jennings will get the start instead. You should do the same. Bench MJD as he won’t get many touches.   

What about Mike Wallace? – According to Steelers.com, the holdout-wideout is now spending extra time on the field, taking extra reps, and off the field, learning the playbook. All team reports sound very positive. While it is estimated he’ll play, check his status as Sunday approaches. If he plays, start him.

Adrian Peterson or Toby Gerhart? – This one is easy. Bench Peterson, start Gerhart. AD is not ready. Not today. Not Sunday. Remember, he tore his ACL with only two games left in 2011, and he’s only eight months removed from surgery. For now, you’ll have to exercise patience, just like Adrian. Just like the Vikings.

What about Jamaal Charles? – Yes, Charles tore his ACL too, but during the second game of the season, so he’s had nearly a year to recover. Charles ran for 62 yards over 12 carries in the pre-season. Not bad. He is likely not 100 percent, but he is still a playable  RB1. Start him with confidence week one.

What can we expect from Peyton Manning? – Manning was ho hum early in the pre-season, so I see why you’re skeptical. You were waiting for the signal caller, who is coming off iffy neck surgery, to prove himself. His final game, he completes 10 of 12 passes for 122 yards, and two touchdowns. And of course, you think, Manning needs to be tested against a good defense. Or what about taking a big hit? Again, he needed to prove himself. Only this time, he faced San Francisco and he got clocked. Now do you believe he’s back? Expect big things. Viable QB1.

Who’s the lead back in Pittsburgh? – For the first four weeks, and maybe longer, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman will split duties while Rashard Mendenhall recovers on the PUP list. Right now, the favorite is Dwyer. But that’s right now, so stay tuned. Both are startable as RB2s.

Is Matt Schaub undervalued? OK, this may not be on everyone’s mind, but it’s on mine. And probably Texans fans too! Yes, he’s wildly undervalued. Currently, among fantasy experts, he’s listed as the No. 14-18 QB for fantasy production, coming off a year with 2,479 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games played. But let’s look at the situation. Schaub and Andre Johnson played in only three full games together last season. Talk about a buzzkill for his stats. Plus, over time, the Texans game plan changed (hello, Arian Foster). And who needs to sling it when you’re nursing a lead? A healthy AJ means healthy stats for Schaub. Sunday projection: 200 yards, two scores.

Erin Skelley joins Houston Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.