Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver Pickups

Zero. Zilch. Nada. Zip. After doing the math, that’s how many fantasy points Zac Stacy earned on Sunday. And I don’t know if this lessens or worsens the pain for Stacy owners: Stacy had zero carries. So he wasn’t just ineffective, or clumsy. He wasn’t used. Stacy played one snap, saw zero looks, zero carries, which equals zero points. Ouch.

With Jeff Fisher practicing sneaky Belichick-like antics, Stacy not only saw one running back surpass him, but two: Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham. All fantasy owners have been there, and will be there again. All you can do is sprint to the waiver wire and recharge your fantasy energy with a free agent.

Speaking of the waiver, wire, here are a few free agents for your considerations. And please be kind to the Stacy owners in your league. Allow them first dibs on running backs. I don’t really mean that.    

Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams – As mentioned, Mason was one of two running backs to outplay Stacy in the St. Louis Rams’ gutsy and glorious performance over the Seattle Seahawks. Mason, who is in his rookie season, finished the day with 85 yards and a touchdown. Looks like this little lamb is the Rams new starter.

Benny Cunningham, RB, St. Louis Rams – Cunningham can help you also. While Mason was the lead back with 18 touches, compared to Cunningham’s seven, Cunningham contributed with five catches for 46 yards a touchdown. Mason is clearly the favorite, but if you’re hurting at RB, Cunningham is a good add with 10+ points in consecutive weeks.  

Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Looks like another running back established a starting role on Sunday. Robinson, who entered the Jags-Browns game with 160 career yards, dazzled with 127 yards on 22 carries, and his first career touchdown. Robinson is still widely available. Feeling good about this Jag.

Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks – With Percy Harvin traded earlier last week, Baldwin stepped up as Seattle’s No. 1 target, and reeled in seven receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. I don’t expect performances like this every week, but he’s worthy of a WR3 slot.  

Gavin Escobar, TE, Dallas Cowboys – There are some who already know this guy: Cowboys fans, and those who own Jason Witten… and I’m guessing this is probably a sensitive subject for Witten owners. Meet Gavin Escobar, the Dallas tight end with three touchdowns over the past two games. I don’t think he has replaced Witten, but he’s worth watching. For now, deep leagues only.  

Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon, RB, Buffalo Bills – And just like that, the Fred Jackson-C.J. Spiller tandem is over, at least for now. Spiller is done for the season and Jackson will miss as many as four games with a groin injury. In their absence, Dixon stepped in on Sunday and rushed for 51 yards on 13 carries. Seems like the logical pickup, right? And that’s my guess. But keep in mind that Bryce Brown, who had been the inactive fourth-stringer, has been activated and likely to help carry the load. Not really sure how this will shake out, but my guess is Dixon, at least for now.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants – Against an improved Cowboys defense, Beckham was impressive with two touchdowns on 34 receiving yards. He added 13 rushing yards. Consider Beckham a WR2-3 each week. Except this week, of course – he has a bye. Beckham is still available in half of all fantasy leagues. Don’t make me beg you to take him.

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

This isn’t easy, that’s for sure. As a fantasy owner, you’re the owner, general manager and head coach combined. Maybe even the commissioner, and surely the one measly fan of your team. Choosing who sits and who starts each weak is agonizing. Waiver wire shopping can be daunting too. But when you get it right, it feels pretty good, doesn’t it? Now raise your hand if you started Mohamed Sanu or Joe Flacco. Very well done. And if you started Brandon LaFell or Antone Smith, you are a genius. Or a liar.  

Cheers to the geniuses – and the liars too. And, because I care, here’s a little help with this week’s shopping list:

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – I expected an uptick in Sanu’s production on Sunday, but not quite this much. With A.J. Green sidelined, Sanu delivered with 11 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. Both Green and Marvin Jones are expected to sit out week 7, so count on another red hot Sanu when the Bengals face Indy on Sunday. Sanu is still available in 40 percent of leagues.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos – Fantasyland wasn’t sure exactly how this would shake out with so many options. But on Sunday, Hillman was the featured back with Montee Ball sidelined for 3-4 weeks. Hillman rushed for 100 yards on 24 carries, and added three receptions for 16 yards. Look for Hillman to continue the lead role until Ball returns.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants – While Beckham didn’t match his week 5 performance of 44 yards and a touchdown, Victor Cruz’s injury means Beckham will be inserted into a starting role. Consider Beckham a WR2-3.  

Tim Wright, TE, New England Patriots – If you’re going to catch only one pass, for one little yard, the end zone is a good place. And that’s what Wright did on Sunday. The Pats tight end, who has two touchdowns in two weeks, may not get a lot of looks, but red zone territory is what matters. Consider Wright a good add for deep leagues or bye weeks.

Storm Johnson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Look, I wouldn’t rush for this pickup. I’m trying to stay away from Jaguars (and Vikings too). Yes, Johnson scored a touchdown, but his 10 carries amounted for only 21 yards on Sunday. Still, he’s worth an add if you’re hurting at RB. Toby Gerhart’s ineffectiveness means more opportunities for Stormy.

Antone Smith, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Yes, Steven Jackson is the lead back in Atlanta, but you have to wonder how much longer. With Jackson’s numbers declining, and Smith putting together 40-, 50- and 60-yard touchdowns, it’s only a matter of time before Smith works himself into a more prominent role.   Consider Smith an investment pick.

Cleveland DEF – Keeping the Steelers to 10 points should get your attention. Oh, but yes, they don’t really force a lot of turnovers. But wait, their next three opponents are Jacksonville, Oakland and Tampa Bay. Have fun with that, streamers.

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 4 Waiver Pickups

There’s an insurance plan for everything – from health to homes, automobiles to boats. They even have insurance for mustaches, runaway brides, and alien abductions. Seriously. But those policies are just plain silly, and I’m guessing not cashed out too often.

What I’m about to suggest has a more practical benefit. And certainly wider appeal. Why not fantasy insurance? Don’t laugh. Think about it. Jamaal Charles goes down. No worries. Here’s 100 yards and two touchdowns added to your total. EVERY WEEK. Your wide receiver is declared unusable? Rest assured, Mr. Policyholder. Let your prudent backup give you security. Or perhaps your quarterback is out for the season. You can exhale. Your totaled QB becomes 15 easy fantasy points. Minus a deductible, of course.

Call me a fantasy football opportunist if you must, but I call it sensible. Just seems like a logical next step in the world of indemnification (thank you, thesaurus). I realize policing insurance fraud could be a financial strain, so I need more time to complete this stroke of genius. In the absence of a fantasy safe haven, here are a few guys to repair your team. No need to mail me a check.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins – I think we all suspected he’d continue to see some success, but wow, what a Sunday. With 427 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, this guy isn’t just a substitute QB. Consider Cousins a legitimate starter. Hard to believe he’s still available in half of all fantasy leagues. Get him while you can. The bye weeks are upon us.  

Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans – The Texans offense was ugly on Sunday, but Blue stepped up in Arian Foster’s absence to rush for 78 yards, including a dazzling 46-yard run. Foster, who is nursing a hamstring injury, isn’t at risk of losing his starting job, after collecting 241 rushing yards in his first two games. But these injuries can linger or reappear. Blue is a good backup to stash.  

Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – The rookie wideout, who dropped two passes in week 2, redeemed himself with eight receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his week 3 performance, keep in mind, he faced the Washington secondary. Consider Matthews in deep leagues only for now.   

San Diego DEF – They play Jacksonville. That’s all.

Owen Daniels, TE, Baltimore Ravens – Here’s a familiar face to Texans fans. With Dennis Pitta out for the season, O.D. gets a promotion as the Ravens’ lead tight end. If you’re TE-deficient, give Daniels a try. And here’s a bonus – Joe Flacco loves his tight ends.

Cody Parkey, K, Philadelphia Eagles – Look, I don’t give a lot of kicker advice, but Parkey is outscoring most of my players. And yours too.   

John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Two touchdowns from Drew Stanton make the rookie an interesting pickup. Since week 4 is a bye for Arizona, outsmart your friends and claim now.

Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Baltimore Ravens – Filling in for an injured Bernard Pierce, Taliaferro rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Not bad, especially considering Sunday marked his first NFL carry. But this is a tough one. Pierce should return soon. Taliaferro showed he’s worth a consideration even after Pierce returns. If your bench can hold him, he’s worth picking up. Just no guarantee he starts again soon.

Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams – After reeling in seven passes for 74 yards, Quick matched that with another serviceable performance – two receptions for 62 yards and a score. Quick has a bye this week, but he’s a good WR3 when he returns.

Eddie Royal, WR, San Diego Chargers – I realize he scored twice, but resist the temptation. We’ve been here before.

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

Upon further review, I am regretting my draft partner

Fantasy Football Week 3 Waiver Pickups

Since J.J. Watt can't play all positions, here are some waiver wire suggestions for your fantasy team. Check them out on here on HoustonTexans.com. 

Lindy's Expert Mock Draft and Analysis

It's never too early to talk fantasy football. Check out our "experts" mock draft in Lindy's Magazine. Keep in mind, we mocked in July. Also keep in mind, I am laugh every time I say "expert."

lindyssports.com/nfl/column/nfl-player-news/lindys-2014-fantasy-football-mock-draft/227135

Fantasy Football Week 17 Waiver Pickups

There are two kinds of people reading this article right now. Those lucky enough to be competing in their fantasy league Super Bowl. And my parents. It’s a grueling 16-week battle to make it this far. And while the number of fantasy enthusiasts still enthused is dwindling, those who do care are on hypersensitive fantasy mode. In fact, I recommend keeping your distance from anyone near a Stat Tracker on Sunday. Take it from me, we can be downright annoying.

Congratulations to those still in it! And for those who didn’t make it, why are you reading this?

Here are this week’s recommended waiver pickups:

Edwin Baker, RB, Cleveland Browns – The Browns reached way back to the practice squad for this young pup. Going against a stout Jets run defense, Baker rushed for 64 yards on 17 carries, plus a touchdown. Baker is projected to be the starter this week when the Browns take on the Steelers who are only average against the run. Available in 99 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars – A disappointing year for Lewis, but he’s beginning to become fantasy relevant right as the season ends. On Sunday, Lewis reeled in four catches for 50 yards and a score. Lewis has four touchdowns in the last five games. Available in 96 percent of Yahoo leagues.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots – Look, I can’t say this with absolute certainty, but it appears that just maybe Blount is the favorite back in New England. On Sunday, Blount rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns, and more importantly made me feel better about benching Shane Vereen. Available in 90 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts – No stranger to this list, Brown continues to improve over the course of the season. Brown rushed for 79 yards and a rushing touchdown, while adding another 31 in the air with another score. On Sunday, he faces a Jags defense that allows the 11^th most fantasy points to running backs. Available in 57 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Blitzen – Underrated reindeer, feared by most quarterbacks. 

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