Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Pickups

Thank you, Marvin Jones. You are why I love the waiver wire. As last week’s chancy little waiver claim, you paid off with big – I mean BIG – rewards. Before Sunday, the second-year wide receiver was fairly anonymous outside of Cincinnati and even the fantasy community.  You look back and you see there were signs Jones was emerging as a threat. His touchdowns in back-to-back games garnered him some waiver wire interest. But Jones’s four touchdowns – yes, four touchdowns! – earned him a bronze bust for week eight. And maybe even a parade.

The lesson I’m hoping you’ll glean from Marvin’s little miracle is that the waiver wire is full of hope. Dig around the little island of misfit players and you might just find a Julius Thomas or a Phillip Rivers. Here are this week’s waiver gems:

Marvin Jones, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – Um, consider this my official recommendation to claim him. Four touchdowns and 122 yards last week, and six touchdowns in the last three weeks. Pretty, pretty good. Available in 74 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Darius Heyward-Bey – With the injury to Reggie Wayne, the DHB will shoulder some of the load. In week 7, the speedster had four receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown.  Remember, TY Hilton’s stock also rises, so I hardly call Darius a Harry Douglas. Available in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Harry Douglas, WR, Atlanta Falcons – Speaking of Douglas, let me get this straight. Matt Ryan is intercepted four times, yet Douglas still musters 12 receptions for 121 yards? His availability is shrinking. Grab him while you can. Available in 23 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals – We can’t forget who fired the ball into Marvin’s hands. Check out Dalton, who has 1,024 yards and 11 touchdowns in the last three games. I know he isn’t widely available (23 percent), but he is starting in about a third of all leagues. It’s time to give him the nod.

Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots – I understand why you dropped him. The bye weeks are brutal, as are all the injuries that force you to dump your players. It’s time to reclaim Vereen, who could return as soon as week 11, after the Pats’ week 10 bye. Available in 61 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals – I’ve been pleading his case for weeks. Finallly, Ellington earned the start, as Rashard Mendenhall was sidelined with a toe injury. Ellington rushed for 154 yards and one touchdown, which certainly deserves consideration for starting next week. Unfortunately, Bruce Arians said that Mendenhall will likely resume the starting role when he returns. Stay patient. This will pay off eventually. Available in 46 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.

Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver Pickups

Arian Foster’s injury hurt. Brian Cushing’s too. As Texans fans – and fantasy owners – we held our collective breath waiting for updates on Sunday. We had a hunch, which was later confirmed, that Cushing’s injury was serious. Out for the year. Sigh.

It was a brutal Sunday around the league. Reggie Wayne and Sam Bradford – done for the season. Jay Cutler and Lance Briggs will miss 4-6 weeks. And Doug Martin should miss an extended time. If you escaped with your fantasy team intact, consider yourself lucky.

I don’t like writing about injuries. But it’s part of the game. And with fantasy, like the actual game, there are roles to fill, and questions to answer. Consider me your answer gal, here to help. Here are this week’s waiver pickups.

And yes, I am wearing a helmet and shin guards right now. Can’t be too careful.

Mike James, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Meet Doug Martin’s backup, Mike James. Tampa’s backup running back, James delivered with 14 carries for 45 yards on Sunday. I don’t love this week’s matchup against the Panthers, but he’s a starter. And if you’re reading this, you need him. Available in every single Yahoo league.

Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans – Foster’s prognosis is day-to-day, and with a bye week ahead, it could be business as usual week 9. But you can’t wait until then to claim Tate. Consider Tate a viable RB2 if Foster sits. And yes, Tate did break four ribs! I might ask for a sick day or two if that happened to me, but Tate is expected to play week 9. Available in 41 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Percy Harvin, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Percy is back, and could be in the lineup as soon as this week against the St. Louis Rams. We won’t know for sure until later this week, but keep your eye on him. Harvin would be a great waiver add down the stretch. Available in 38 percent of Yahoo leagues.   

Harry Douglas, WR, Atlanta Falcons – For two weeks in a row, I insisted you claim him. I wasn’t kidding. With seven receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown, you know what has to be done. Available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Zac Stacy, RB, St. Louis Rams – The Rams will continue to keep Stacy as the lead back as long as he puts up 70+ yards each week. And with Bradford out, the run game should increase. Count on Stacy as a solid RB2 option, even this week against Seattle. Available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Roy Helu Jr., RB, Washington Redskins – Nope, Alfred Morris feels just fine. Except for perhaps the dagger in his heart for losing all his touchdowns to Helu. It might be a little hasty to pick up the three-touchdown vulture. But if Mike Shanahan continues this little nonsense, then Helu becomes fantasy relevant. Available in 77 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.

 

 

Fantasy Football Week 7 Waiver Pickups

As much as it is a science, it is also a guessing game. I admit it. Fantasy analysts use the numbers to form opinions and predictions, but we get it wrong. This is at least what I’ve been told. Take this weekend, for instance. Knowshon Moreno led all running backs with three rushing scores and 42 yards rushing. Who predicted that? Vincent Jackson caught nine passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, while Nick Foles was among the top quarterbacks with three touchdowns on 296 passing yards. And a rushing touchdown. Indeed, that Nick Foles, Michael Vick’s backup.  

But certainly Peyton Manning was, well predictable Peyton Manning, right? What, no? Only two touchdowns? A pick six too? To the Jags?  

See. Sometimes it’s just a guessing game.  But I’ll still stick with the numbers. They make me a better guesser.

Here are this week’s waiver picks:

Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – Four touchdowns should have been enough to get your attention. Even better, the Eagles face the Cowboys, who are terrible against the pass. And Vick has said himself that he won’t come back until he’s 100 percent. All good signs for Foles. Fly Eagle fly! Available in 84 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals – As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, it’s only a matter of time before he steals the starting role from Rashard Mendenhall. In week 6, Ellington ran for 56 yards with a score, while pulling in five receptions for 36 yards. And let’s see, Mendenhall rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries. What are you waiting for? Available in 63 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Harry Douglas, WR, Atlanta Falcons – Roddy White is out for the season. Julio Jones pulled a hammy. And somehow, Douglas is still available in 64 percent of Yahoo leagues. But zero percent of my leagues. Of course.  

Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants –  Pretty, pretty good, Brandon Jacobs. 106 yards and two touchdowns will earn Jacobs the starting job once again. Yeah, and David Wilson is out for a very long time, and maybe even Da’Rel Scott. If you overlooked Jacobs last week, I understand. But he’s worth reconsideration. Available in 75 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Kris Durham, WR, Detroit Lions – Keep your eye on Calvin Johnson’s injury status. It may be Durham, and not Ryan Broyles, who takes Johnson’s targets (so temping to say lion’s share here). On Sunday, Durham caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown. Someone to monitor. Available in 99 percent of Yahoo leagues. 

Rueben Randle, WR, New York Giants – While Randle only caught three receptions, he was managed 75 yards including a 37-yard touchdown. And make this two games in a row with scores. Available in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Cowboys running backs – Yikes. Avoid this situation. Joseph Randle is the likely backup if DeMarco Murray can’t go on Sunday, but honestly none of the options intrigue me.

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

Fantasy Football Week 6 Waiver Pickups

Things don’t always go according to plan. Apparently. And that’s why you need backup plans. Lots of them. Drafted David Wilson? Look at Brandon Jacobs. Counted on Maurice Jones-Drew, pick up Willis McGahee. And how about Mike Wallace? A guy like Justin Blackmon can help.

Fantasy success starts with your draft day wizardry. But you also need calculated game planning. And you need quick, resourceful thinking when nothing goes to plan, when injuries or mediocrity plagues your team. Or in some case, multiple teams. I mean, hypothetically, of course.

For the frustrated and annoyed, here are this week’s waiver wire gems:

Willis McGahee, RB, Cleveland Browns – Look, I never intended to write about the Browns in this many consecutive articles, but it’s open waiver wire season and Cleveland players are everywhere. On Thursday, McGahee ran the ball 26 times for 72 yards and a score. His YPC, I know, was not particularly impressive. But they kept giving McGahee the ball, and he kept piling on the yards. With Brian Hoyer out, McGahee’s workload should increase. Available in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues.   

Legarette Blount, RB, New England Patriots – His fumble led to benchwarming in Week 5, but keep him on your radar if Stevan Ridley’s thigh bruise keeps him out of Sunday’s contest. Available in 62 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears – Alshon, wow. You outperformed your spectacular Week 4 performance with an even more spectacular performance in Week 5, totaling 218 yards and a touchdown. Awesome, super, wonderful, amazing! I could go on. Let me just say this. Stop whatever you’re doing and claim him while you can. Available in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Ellington is on his way to becoming the Cards’ featured back, outperforming Rashard Mendenhall on Sunday with 83 combined yards. While only an RB3/flex play right now, he’ll be promoted once the Cards do the same. Available in 77 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – Nice debut for Blackmon, who reeled in five receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown. Blackmon had been overlooked because of the suspension, but not any longer. Available in 38 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants – Why so many running backs on this list? Because you can never have too many. Jacobs didn’t impress on Sunday with 37 yards and a fumble. But if David Wilson is sidelined on Thursday with a neck injury, then Jacobs is the guy. Yes, it has come to this. It’s a bye week, so consider the waiver wire skimpy. Available in 94 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.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Pickups

Week 1 would have been too soon. Even week 2. But with four games behind us, it’s exactly the right time. Go ahead. Panic.

Panic? Yes. That 0-4 record isn't going to turn itself around on its own. But after your little meltdown, you need a plan. Just moaning about your embarrassing fantasy team is no fun for anyone. Not even me! 

But as you look at your underperformers and your options – do nothing, shop the waiver wire, offer a trade or simply quit – you can get dizzy pretty quickly. What to do, what to do… My general rule of thumb is pay attention to how the head coach is dealing with the slumping player. Take David Wilson, for instance, who has 130 yards and zero touchdowns through four games. Four games! Think Tom Coughlin is happy about that either? This little slump doesn’t seem to be improving. In fact, Wilson didn’t even start in Sunday’s contest, nor did he play third downs. I wouldn’t start Wilson another game until he does something. Not worth the heartache.

It’s a tougher call with quarterbacks. If you own San Francisco’s Collin Kaepernick, how much longer do you hold on? His 856 yards, four TDs and five interceptions are a far cry from his pre-season projections. But I’m sure it’s hard to simply bench him. You keep wondering, thinking, hoping he’ll turn it around. In a situation like this, I would pick up another quality QB and play the matchups week-to-week. It sounds easy because it is. The quarterback position is so loaded that you can pick up someone who is putting up serious points.  

And then there are the injuries. This is perhaps the trickiest situation of all. Of course, you want to hold on as long as you can, but with bye weeks upon us, your bench is getting crowded. So agonizing. The further the hole you’re in, the bigger the chance you take. So trading or dumping may be the extreme measure you’re forced to deploy to get yourself back in the race.

While you chew on that, here are some waiver picks widely available:

Brian Hoyer, QB, Cleveland Browns – Who is Brian Hoyer? Good question two weeks ago, but now he’s one of the hottest fantasy commodities. Hoyer is coming off another incredible performance with 269 yards and two touchdowns. And the Browns are winning! Hoyer is a really good QB2 start, and even a viable QB1 start if your current one is ailing. Available in 94 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Rashad Jennings, RB, Oakland Raiders – Coming off an impressive performance with 116 total yards, the backup to the backup running back will get the nod again on Sunday with both Darren McFadden and Marcel Reece out. Another 100-yard performance is wishful thinking, but do you have a better plan? Available in 92 percent of Yahoo leagues.    

Danny Woodhead, RB, San Diego Chargers – I’d feel a lot better about this pick if Phillip Rivers didn’t rotate favorite receivers every week. Still, it should be noted that Woodhead caught two touchdowns on 54 receiving yards, while also rushing for 32 yards. Think deep leagues only here. Available in 58 percent of Yahoo leagues.  

Colby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts – See what Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham did to the Seahawks last week? Matchups matter. Available in 67 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Ok, Bell is not widely available like most of these guys. But he deserved a spot on this list! In his debut on Sunday, Bell scored two touchdowns on 57 yards rushing and 27 receiving yards. He will get a ton of carries. Pittsburgh desperately needs him. Not widely available, but worth a glance at the wire. Keep in mind, he has a bye this week, but still worth stashing away. Available in 28 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears – What a day for Alshon. The second-year player reeled in five receptions for 107 receiving yards and a touch down, while also rushing for 27 yards. I don’t want to overreact to just one great day, but I will. My reasoning, the potential shootout with New Orleans. Love him as your WR3. Available in 53 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Carolina DEF – Ranking 10^th in the league is a good start. But they play Arizona too. What’s not to like? Available in XX 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.