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Week 11 Waiver Wire Reportby Bob Henry, Exclusive to Footballguys.com
Quarterback Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Over the last four weeks, Leftwich completed 62% of his passes for 642 yards, 4 TDs and 1 interceptions (and a rushing TD). The schedule looks good down the stretch for Leftwich with two games against Tennessee, at Arizona, at Cleveland, at Houston and two home games against San Francisco and Indianapolis. Leftwich is helped by the emergence of Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford as playmakers the last few games. While Leftwich shouldn’t be on the waiver wire in most leagues, he could be available in much smaller leagues. If he continues at his recent clip, he could be a solid top 10 QB the rest of the way.
Big Ben is supposed to return to action next week from a sprained knee. He may be available in smaller leagues. Otherwise, he’s probably stashed on most teams as a top notch backup. Weeks 15 and 16 against Minnesota and Cleveland on the road could be nice spots for Roethlisberger in case you’re worried about a starter like Manning getting rest if they’ve locked up their playoff spot.
Simms played well this week against the Redskins leading the Bucs to a come-from-behind victory throwing two TDs in the second half. He finished with 279 yards and 3 TDs while not committing any costly turnovers. Simms appeared to be on a short leash going into this game, but his solid play probably earned him some breathing room for now. He could be useful next week against the Falcons as well as all three weeks during the playoffs (weeks 14 thru 16) against Carolina, New England and Atlanta again.
Warner puts up stats (yardage mostly) but he sure isn’t pretty to watch anymore. Warner threw for 359 yards and a TD against the Lions, but it was mostly a byproduct of playing from behind. The Cardinals still have no ground game so as long as Warner keeps the job, he’ll be reliable in many leagues, but not those which score heavier on TDs. Next week against the Rams is a great spot to gamble on Warner. Other games where he might be useful include week 13 at San Francisco and week 15 at Houston. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
Carr hasn’t been very productive through the first ten weeks. He may not be worthwhile at all in most leagues. He does have a decent schedule down the stretch though. Andre Johnson is back in the lineup and Domanick Davis probably returning soon, Carr could be a solid sleeper the rest of the way. The schedule is quite favorable with only one tough matchup against Baltimore. The rest of the games might actually prove to be nice spots for Carr – KC, St. Louis, @ Tennessee, Arizona, Jacksonville and @ San Francisco.
Garcia isn’t quite ready to resume the starting job yet, or at least he wasn’t this week, but he could be ready for week 11 in Dallas. That game doesn’t look like a great spot for Garcia even if he does play, but weeks 12 through 14 look more favorable at home against Atlanta and Minnesota followed by a road game against Green Bay. The Lions WR corps is getting healthier finally and if Garcia can get himself healthy, he could be a decent sleeper down the stretch with the potential to be a very good backup or spot starter.
Harrington finally stepped up and put together a solid game at home against the Cardinals. They obviously won’t all be that easy, but Harrington possibly bought himself another game, especially if Garcia continues to rehab slowly. The Lions WR corps is getting healthier finally and the schedule doesn’t look bad either. Next week the Lions are at Dallas, which doesn’t look like a great spot for Harrington, but weeks 12 through 14 look more favorable if he can keep that long. The Lions will host Atlanta and Minnesota at Ford Field before facing Green Bay on the road.
The entire Vikings offense looked generally horrible against the Giants defense. Brad Johnson threw for only 144 yards with no TDs and the Vikings wouldn’t have scored or won this game without 21 points from their special teams and defense. Johnson has a decent schedule except for weeks 15 and 16. He could be useful for a couple starts but he doesn’t look like he’ll consistent enough to be a reliable fantasy option in most leagues. Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
Boller might as well just stay on the sidelines. He was terrible. He threw 33 times completing 19 to the right guys and 3 to the wrong guys finishing with just 142 yards. The schedule doesn’t look good either, unless you’re considering him week 13 against Houston or weeks 15 and 16 against Green Bay and Minnesota. Hopefully there are better options available on your waiver wire.
The Browns are being patient when it comes to throwing Charlie Frye into the fire as a rookie. It looks like Romeo Crennel will hold back on Frye until GM Phil Savage gives him the green light. Frye played with poise and leadership in the preseason, so he could be a nice surprise if he gets a shot. If Frye gets the starting nod against the 49ers or Texans (weeks 13 and 15) then he could be worthwhile in deeper leagues. Otherwise, he’s a player we can all evaluate for the future. The Browns have some nice young players surrounding him so he could be a solid player in dynasty formats in the next few years.
Losman actually played reasonably well this week against the Chiefs. He didn’t start the game, but took over for Kelly Holcomb and threw for 137 yards connecting with Lee Evans for a pair of TDs. The Bills have a soft schedule against the pass the next two weeks against San Diego and Carolina. In week 14, against New England, Losman could be a sleeper play, too. Otherwise, he remains a dark horse as a fantasy option. The Bills simply have not been consistently productive throwing the football this year despite all their talent at the wide receiver position.
There’s always a chance that Kurt Warner could get hurt or benched again. If Dennis Green throws a curve ball and benches Warner before next week, then keep McCown on the short list of mid-week transactions. Against the Rams, McCown would be a nice gamble. Other games where he might be useful include week 13 at San Francisco and week 15 at Houston.
If Chris Simms falters down the stretch, do not forget about Tim Rattay. He’s being eased into the offense and remains behind Luke McCown on the pecking order, but if the Bucs needed to turn to another QB, chances are, that Rattay would get the call. The Bucs have a nice playoff schedule with games against Carolina, New England and Atlanta. Rattay could be useful if he’s starting in those games.
It seems like it’s just a matter of time before Volek is on the field again. The Titans schedule looks like it could be productive for McNair/Volek, depending on who is playing. Upcoming opponents include San Francisco, Indianapolis, Houston, Seattle, Miami and Jacksonville twice. Drew Bennett and Brandon Jones are on the mend and Ben Troupe could be back in action in another week or two as well. If Volek gets the call, he’s usually a decent start. Add for Insurance (Injury or bye week replacement)
Charlie Batch broke his right hand on a one yard TD run Sunday night and was replaced by Tommy Maddox. As long as Big Ben is able to start this week, then Maddox won’t be worth a sniff. However, if Ben isn’t ready to play after sitting out the last couple weeks with a sprained knee, then Maddox would get the call against Baltimore. Keep an eye on this situation, but Maddox wouldn’t have much value starting against the Ravens anyway. Add for Playoffs (Favorable schedule)
If you own Peyton Manning, then hopefully you have thought ahead and have a solid backup on your roster already. If not, Sorgi is someone to consider since the Colts could clinch home field advantage for the AFC playoffs. It's possible the Colts could give Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and company a week or two to rest for the playoffs. If Peyton sits, then Sorgi could be a big-time sleeper in week 16 at Seattle and week 17 versus Arizona. Add for Next Year (Dynasty potential)
Lovie Smith was recently asked what would happen when Rex Grossman is healthy and ready to play. Smith said that Kyle Orton would remain the starting QB but that Grossman would improve the position. If Orton gets hurt, obviously Grossman would be an intriguing option as a backup. Neither QB will probably put up big numbers, but Grossman could reemerge as the starter in 2006. If he’s available in your dynasty league, you might want to stash him in the off chance he ever does something.
Kitna will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. It’s doubtful that he’ll return to Cincinnati if he gets a crack at a starting job elsewhere. Teams like Detroit, Arizona, Houston, Minnesota, NY Jets and Baltimore could be looking for a QB. Kitna is the kind of veteran that could become a solid fantasy option again on the right team, so if you can stash him away this year, you could be paid off handsomely next year.
Rivers will almost certainly be competing for a starting job elsewhere in 2006. It seems like the smart choice for the Chargers to keep Brees and get as much as they can for Rivers via trade. If Rivers remains with the Chargers, and Brees is allowed to leave, then he’ll be a nice dynasty option with LT, Gates and McCardell as his primary targets.
Rosenfels has a strong arm and an outside chance to compete for the starting job next year in Miami. Gus Frerotte can’t be considered anything but a short-term option so it’s possible that either Rosenfels or even Cleo Lemon could compete for the job next August. The Dolphins have some good surrounding talent and Nick Saban will probably look to add another big play option at receiver in the offseason. Running Back Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Marcel Shipp has been a dud as the Cardinals starting back this year. Arrington has been just as awful, but at least he’s showing some sparks in the last few weeks. He scored a TD this week, but only produced 28 combined yards. The Cardinals offensive line is terrible at run blocking. So, Shipp and Arrington probably won’t be much as fantasy options except if the matchup is ridiculously good. The next two games might be nice auditions for Arrington if Green gives him a shot. The Rams and Jaguars have struggled against the run, so keep your eyes on Arrington if Green gives him the starting nod before next week. Week 14 against Houston is another possible spot where Arrington could be a surprise.
Heath Evans handled the bulk of the workload just two weeks after signing with the Patriots. Corey Dillon started but left the game after just one play. He appeared to pull his calf. Evans, a full back, stepped in and produced 84 yards on 17 carries while catching 3 balls for another 18 yards. It’s too early to tell if Dillon will be out next week or longer. If you own Dillon, it’s been a guessing game trying to figure out if he’ll play and who will start if he doesn’t each week. Patrick Pass isn’t healthy. Kevin Faulk isn’t ready to return yet and Mike Cloud only produced 8 yards on 7 carries this week. If Dillon can’t go against the Saints next week (or if he's out even loner), then Evans is a prime-time pickup at this point in the season. The Patriots have some nice matchups over the next month. If Evans somehow continues to remain the Pats primary option on the ground, then he could be a nice option for fantasy production as well. Think about players like Nick Goings and Reuben Droughns. Each were fullbacks who were afterthoughts as far as fantasy value goes, but each back was a prime-time fantasy player down the stretch a year ago. Evans has a similar opportunity if Dillon's sidelined for a while.
If this week was a job interview for the rest of the season, then it’s probably safe to say that Gado has an offer on the table and the start date is next week. Gado scored three TDs against the Falcons. Gado rushed for 103 yards on 25 carries and caught 4 balls for another 5 yards. Barring injury or a huge surprise, Gado will start next week for the Packers and presumably, when Tony Fisher is healthy, too. He’s bigger than Tony Fisher is and he runs harder, too. In two “starts”, Gado has 165 yards rushing on 51 carries with four TDs. The telltale sign is Gado’s workload. The Packers have been desperately seeking a ground game and with 51 carries in two weeks, Gado appears to have answered the call. If he’s still available after last week’s feeding frenzy, he’ll be the #1 player to go after this week.
The 49ers schedule isn’t that bad in terms of defensive matchups against the run. They face the Seahawks twice. Otherwise, games against Tennessee, Arizona, Jacksonville, St. Louis and Houston are all good matchups. Gore isn’t starting, but he’s been getting a good amount of work spelling Kevan Barlow. If he ends up starting because of injury he would be a solid starter down the stretch, but as long as Barlow stays healthy, he’ll be a solid sleeper and a decent player to have for depth.
If Fred Taylor continues to be slowed by various (or nagging) injuries, then Jones becomes an interesting player down the stretch. The Jags play Tennessee (twice), Arizona, Cleveland and Houston down the stretch. All of those games are favorable matchups for the Jags running game. Jones is a nice insurance policy for Taylor knowing that he usually doesn’t cut into Taylor’s carries when Taylor is healthy. When Taylor can’t play, Jones gets the bulk of the workload. You couldn’t ask for much more if you own both. Otherwise, grab Jones just in case he gets the call in any of those games. He rushed for 106 yards on 25 carries with a TD against the Ravens, so he’s a good option if he’s starting.
Peterson could very well be the most sought after waiver wire player this week depending on your league. With Thomas Jones sidelined and resting his sore ribs, Cedric Benson got the starting nod, but he was knocked out of the game with what appeared to be a bad knee injury. Peterson, who was already getting a split of the carries, responded with 24 carries for 120 yards including a 7-yard TD. The Bears winning formula is simple. Run the football and play solid defense. The schedule isn’t great for the Bears down the stretch, but Peterson could be useful next week against Carolina if Jones isn’t ready to start. It looks like Benson could be out a while, but it’s too early to tell. X-rays on his knee were negative, but he’s schedule to have an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury. Benson said his knee was sore after the game. He was wearing a brace. Benson said, "We don't really know yet.. They don't know what's torn, or if it's just strained." We’ll keep you posted on this one. Right now, Peterson is a great pickup, especially if Jones isn’t ready this week.
With the Colts potential clinching early Dominic Rhodes could be a nice player to own during weeks 16 and 17. The Colts face Seattle and Arizona in those games, so if Rhodes ends up playing at least half of the game, or even starting, then he could be a solid fantasy starter as well in most leagues.
Willie Parker has a gimpy ankle and Jerome Bettis isn’t healthy either. Don’t be surprise if the Steelers lean on Duce down the stretch. The Steelers are fortunate enough to have three good backs. Staley is a proven veteran who can still get the tough yards, catch the ball well out of the backfield and be a solid #2 fantasy back as long as he’s starting for the Steelers. The schedule isn’t favorable for the Steelers, but he could be useful against the Vikings in week 15 and Browns in week 16 if he’s the starter for those games.
Wells isn’t a flashy back, but when his number is called he usually responds with good results for the most part. He filled in for the injured Domanick Davis (knee) this week rushing for 58 yards on 15 carries with a 14-yard TD run. He also caught three balls for 17 yards. Davis could return to the lineup as early as this coming week, so Wells’ value will hinge on Davis’ availability. If Davis isn’t able to play in week 12 against the Rams or weeks 14 (at Tennessee), week 15 vs Arizona or week 16 against Jacksonville, then Wells is a strong consideration in his stead. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
The Bucs turned to Mike Alstott this week and he delivered the goods. He scored two short TDs and combined for 39 yards on the day. Most importantly, he scored the game-winning 2-point conversion on a gutsy call by Jon Gruden with 54 seconds left on the clock. Alstott had 9 carries to Cadillac’s 10 and Pittman’s 5. Whether the Bucs continue to leverage Alstott in short yardage remains to be seen, but he could be a solid play in TD only leagues and he’s most likely available in most leagues still.
Barber played extremely well for the Cowboys the last few weeks while Julius Jones nursed a sprained ankle. Now, with Jones apparently healthy again, it’s a guessing game whether Parcells will give Barber meaningful touches or if he’ll be used sparingly. Parcells seems to be hinting that he could use more of a committee approach in recent press conferences alluding to all three of his young backs being productive and reliable. Knowing that Parcells and the Cowboys can and will run the ball effectively, Barber’s definitely worth a roster spot even if Jones is back in as the starter. You never know when Barber’s next opportunity will come.
What a difference one week makes. After producing 100+ yards and a TD against the Lions in week 9, Bennett came up empty this week against the Giants. Many owners went after Bennett hard last week only to get rewarded with a very Bennett-like performance – 16 yards on 19 carries with a lost fumble. He managed to touch the ball 25 times producing a whopping 27 yards. That’s pathetic. The Vikings offensive line doesn’t produce much running room either, but Mewelde Moore is clearly more productive than Bennett and as soon as his sprained wrist allows, look for him to be back in the starting lineup and Bennett on the bench. As injuries happen, Bennett could get another crack still, but if the matchup isn’t favorable, you might want to pass.
The Titans are coming off their late bye and Henry hasn’t been used much since returning from suspension. Chris Brown has been productive and healthy. As long as Brown remains healthy and productive, Henry might not get much work. However, Brown’s well known for his lack of durability, so Henry could get the call at any time and should be on a roster in most leagues if he’s not already.
Jacobs only had one rushing attempt this week for two yards. He’ll continue to get some looks at the goal line and if the Giants get a healthy lead, he’ll probably see a few more carries. Otherwise, he’s strictly an insurance policy for Barber. The problem is that Derrick Ward would also see a healthy amount of carries if Barber were to miss a game or two. Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
Fason didn’t get much work this week, but he could see more touches down the stretch after Bennett failed to impress this week. Moore will resume the starting job as soon as his wrist allows. Fason could continue to see some goal line carries and potentially could even spell Moore on occasion or on third downs. It’s hard to predict how Tice will rotate or play his backs. Fason has some promise and it would seem like the team would want to see what they have with Bennett a free agent and Moore’s tendency to get nicked up.
Pearman is a decent option to add for depth, especially in PPR leagues. He didn’t produce anything note worthy this week, but he recently had a 44 yard run against the Rams and whether Taylor or Jones is the starter, Pearman will continue to play on third downs. He’s a decent bet for a couple catches per game, possibly more, depending on the game situations.
Suggs is as healthy as he’s been at any point this season, which isn’t saying much. Reuben Droughns is playing reasonably well, too. Suggs could still emerge as the Browns starter if Droughns gets hurt. William Green isn’t healthy right now either. As long as Droughns stays out of the infirmary, he’ll be the Browns’ back. Just keep an eye on Suggs. If you own Droughns, then Suggs is a decent handcuff if your other options are thin. Add for Insurance (Injury or bye week replacement)
Betts had a big day for the Redskins against the tough Bucs defense. He returned a kickoff 94 yards for a TD, caught 17-yard TD pass and rushed for 26 yards on seven carries spelling Clinton Portis. Portis has stayed healthy all year for the most part. Betts is the clear backup and he would likely handle the majority of the load in Portis’ absence. The Skins have a few nice matchups down the stretch, too. In particular, next week against Oakland and weeks 13 and 14 against St. Louis and Arizona.
See Evans. Cloud’s opportunity seems to have closed before it really even opened up. Evans stepped in and he appears to have won the interim starting job if Dillon can’t go in week 11. Cloud would still see some carries if Dillon can’t go, but Evans clearly had the better game and it would be a surprise if Cloud had more touches next week.
McGahee injured his hand in this week’s game against the Chiefs, but appeared no worse for the wear. Shaud Williams is the clear-cut backup to McGahee so monitor his availability, especially if you own McGahee. Williams would be a strong option in PPR leagues if he were forced to start for the Bills. Add for Next Year (Dynasty potential)
Davenport will be a free agent this off-season. The Packers will probably try to resign him if the price is right. He’s never been able to stay healthy for the long haul, but he has the size, speed and overall talent to be a very good RB. He could enter training camp next year competing with Sam Gado to be the starting back. Or he could sign with another team for a similar opportunity.
Houston ended up getting several carries in the second half of this week’s game against the Panthers. He carried 10 times for 53 yards. Martin’s age is definitely becoming a concern and Houston is an intriguing player in a dynasty format. If Martin retired or got hurt next year, Houston would be in the best bet to take over as the Jets primary back. Derrick Blaylock is also in that mix, but Houston appears to be a better fit as the featured back.
Morency has the size/speed to be a solid back in the NFL. He’s mired on the depth chart behind Domanick Davis and Jonathan Wells, but he could emerge as Davis’ primary backup next year. Of course, knowing Davis’ frequent appearances on the injury report, Morency is the kind of player that can be a good investment if your patient. He’ll need help in the form of an injury to become a starter, but he could be a nice surprise if that happens.
Morris will be a free agent this year. Whether he’s able to find a better opportunity is hard to predict, but Morris has ability. He’s quick and a bit undersized by most NFL standards, but still capable of being a productive back if given the opportunity to start.
Payton could easily become the Titans primary backup next year if the team doesn’t bring back Travis Henry. Until then, he’s third on the depth chart and not worth rostering except in leagues with extremely deep rosters.
Smith will be eligible to play next year for the Vikings, or some team. Whether he gets a legitimate opportunity or he screws up again is guesswork right now. Smith is a talented player, but he’s a major question mark given that he’s one strike away from the death penalty in terms of the NFL substance abuse policy. Others to Keep an Eye On
Lee served as the Packers third down back this week after fumbling away his opportunity to start for the Packers last week. When Tony Fisher is healthy, Lee will be relegated back to third string behind Gado and Fisher. He’ll also give up his third down duties to Fisher. As such, Lee’s value is weak right now unless either Fisher or Gado go down.
With Priest Holmes on IR, Richardson might be considered the Chiefs #2 back. While Richardson probably wouldn’t be the true featured back if Larry Johnson went down, he’s still somebody to keep an eye on. McKenzi Smith and Dee Brown are also in that mix, so if you feel like gambling on LJ getting hurt, look at one of these three. Brown appears to have a slight edge on Smith, but it’s close and Richardson could possibly get some goal line work if LJ were sidelined. Wide Receiver Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Bennett has been out a few weeks now, but he’s close to returning. If he was cut free by another owner in your league, then you might want to get him now before others notice he’s still there. The Titans have a nice schedule down the stretch and Bennett could possibly be a candidate to finish strong.
Brown was probably a hot commodity in last week’s transactions, but if he’s still out there, you’ll want to add him if you can. The Eagles rookie receiver is going to benefit from the suspension of Terrell Owens. If his first start is an indication of things to come, he could provide starter quality numbers the rest of the way.
Bruce returned to action this week, but didn’t appear to be 100%. Kevin Curtis may have played well enough in the last two months to keep the starting job quite honestly, but Bruce will likely emerge again and have a few big weeks down the stretch. Bruce’s turf toe injury was a tough break. Those injuries take a long time to heal properly, so keep that in mind. Bruce might not be 100% at all this year.
Engram caught 6 balls for 70 yards this week. He’s been much more productive in PPR formats this year considering he’s yet to score a TD, but in six starts, he’s caught five or more balls for 50+ yards in five of those games. Darrell Jackson is a couple weeks away still. Either way, Engram remains in the starting lineup and he should be a reasonably consistent yardage producer the rest of the season.
Evans is finally hitting his stride. It’s been a tough road to hoe this year if you drafted Evans. Most people who did draft him probably cut bait at least a month ago. The Bills pass offense has picked it up over the last few games, ironically with J.P. Losman providing the spark. If Losman regains the starting job, Evans will undoubtedly be a risky play. He’s explosive and always capable of scoring long TDs in any game, but with Losman, he’ll probably put up quite a few bad games, too.
Ferguson might be able to play in week 11. He’s been close to returning. When he does return, he will be worth owning. Whether you need a potential third starter or solid depth for insurance, Ferguson will have plenty of opportunity.
Jackson is supposedly eyeing a week 12 return. Jackson is such a good player that most owners probably held onto to him through the season hoping for a nice reward at the end. You never know how a player will produce coming off a knee injury, but Jackson is definitely a proven player in a great system and he certainly could do just that. The Seahawks have some nice matchups down the stretch where Jackson could have big games – next week against San Francisco, week 12 vs the Giants, week 14 against the 49ers again and then Tennessee, Indianapolis and Green Bay to finish the year.
Johnson didn’t play this week after being injured in practice mid-week. Anquan Boldin could be returning soon, so Johnson ultimately will be relegated back to the slot when that occurs. If Johnson is able to play this week and Boldin continues to sit out, he’ll be worthwhile as a sleeper starter against the Rams. The Cardinals throw the football a ton. As long as Johnson is in the lineup, he deserves consideration as a potential #3 in your lineup.
Jones had his first signature breakout game as a rookie. He caught five balls for 117 yards with a 32 yard TD and another catch that was good for 42 yards. He ran the ball twice for 12 yards, too. Jones was recently overshadowed by the play of Ernest Wilford, but this week it was clearly Jones’ turn. Both players are huge targets for Leftwich. If Wilford’s shoulder keeps him sidelined this coming week, Jones becomes a great sleeper play if you can still grab him.
Wilford sprained his shoulder in the fourth quarter against the Ravens and didn’t finish the game. He caught one pass for 10 yards. He was overshadowed by the big game turned in by rookie Matt Jones. Wilford could lose his starting gig if he’s not healthy next week. Reggie Williams could regain his spot and Matt Jones could continue to emerge as another playmaker for Byron Leftwich. Keep an eye on Wilford’s shoulder because he’s been on fire lately. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
Chatman will probably move back to the slot when Robert Ferguson returns to the lineup either next week or soon after. Chatman thrived in Ferguson’s absence and he’ll still see enough targets and catches to be worthwhile, but he's probably peaked in terms of his fantasy value this season unless Ferguson goes down again (and that could definitely happen).
The good news is that Colbert caught a TD for the second time in three games. The bad news is that he’s only caught more than 2 balls in two games this year and not in the last five games. Steve Smith is playing so well that Colbert and Rod Gardner just aren’t getting enough looks. The rest of the time, the Panthers ground game is doing the job. Colbert is still a good receiver, but he’s just not getting enough targets or opportunity to be a consistent scorer for fantasy purposes.
Finneran is the most consistent of the Falcons receivers this year. He’s been consistently productive over the past few weeks emerging after Michael Jenkins’ injury. Finneran caught a 2 pt conversion and had 50 yards on four receptions. The Falcons passing game isn’t always the most productive place to look for fantasy points, but Finneran seems to be doing a decent job. He’s worth a gamble as a spot starter.
Gabriel is back to the slot now that Randy Moss is playing full-time. He still managed to catch a TD against the Broncos. He caught 5 balls for 58 yards. He won’t always produce starter-quality numbers because of Jerry Porter and Randy Moss, but he’ll score every 3 or 4 games. Collins likes going to him downfield.
With Andre Johnson back in the lineup, everyone expected Gaffney’s recent production to subside. It didn’t happen this week. Gaffney caught a 13-yard TD from David Carr, but he only had two catches for 29 yards. The Texans passing game just isn’t productive enough to count on as a good source of fantasy points (particularly at the WR position). Gaffney’s been somewhat reliable in the last month as a spot starter. That’s probably his best use. He’s not a good receiver to start every week, but if you can get by with him every now and then, you might be ok.
Henry is proving to be inconsistent like rookie receivers tend to be. He has scored several TDs this year; it’s just too bad half of them haven’t stayed on the board. Carson Palmer is on fire this year. Opponents are forced to worry about the Bengals running game and both of their starting WRs outside. That leaves Henry wide open in single coverage in most games. Palmer seems to find him frequently enough for big plays. He’s not going to get it done every week, but he’s explosive and can score a bunch of points and only touch the ball a couple of times.
Hilliard started this week in place of the injured Michael Clayton. The veteran caught 3 balls for 37 yards including a 4-yard TD in the second half that helped rally the Bucs in a come from behind win. Tampa will be throwing the ball a lot. If Clayton is unable to play next week, then Hilliard deserves a look as a short-term solution. Ultimately, he may be just a one or two week wonder, but he’s a reliable veteran who can produce if he’s in the starting lineup.S
With Owens out, Lewis continues to play essentially the same role. He’s the Eagles #2 receiver. Lewis has been consistent from week to week. He’s kind of like Bobby Engram. You can get used to four or five catches each week and around 50 yards, but he still hasn’t been a factor in the red zone nor has he made enough big plays. That will change sooner or later. Lewis will score a couple times before the season is over.
Stokley has 11 catches for 139 yards and a TD over the last three games. He caught six for 73 yards with a 21-yard TD this week against the Texans. He’ll never be as consistent or as valuable as last year, but he could still be a decent spot starter.
Over the last four weeks, Scottie Vines has 21 catches for 221 yards. He’s really asserted himself with the limited opportunities he’s earned this year. Charles Rogers and Roy Williams returned this week and Mike Williams will be back in the lineup soon, too. Vines may be bumped back down to 4th on the depth chart, but he’s been there every week over the last month when these other guys weren’t on the field. If any of the three Lions WRs are not able to play, then Vines deserves a look in deeper leagues (especially PPR). Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
Battle is finally getting back to health. Even so, he’s not much of a fantasy option with the current state of the 49ers quarterbacking. Battle could emerge at some point again, but not one of the 49ers QBs has the ability help Battle or Lloyd sustain any fantasy value. The 49ers completed one pass this week. One pass for the entire team. Enough said.
Caldwell looked like he was beginning to emerge again this year before he fumbled the game away to Philadelphia a couple weeks ago. He’s been filling in for Eric Parker and playing in the slot when Parker is on the field. Caldwell is healthy again and a guy who can make a big play at any given time. With LT, Gates, McCardell and Parker on the team, Caldwell’s best opportunities to be a fantasy WR come when Parker’s not 100%. Otherwise, keep an eye on him because he’s been playing well lately for the most part.
Wayne Chrebet’s season and career are over. Unfortunately, Chrebet’s loss, was the kind of break that Jerricho Cotchery needed to jump start his career. Cotchery could emerge as a playmaker from the slot if the Jets can ever get some good QB play. He’s better as a dynasty league sleeper, but he could emerge at some point down the stretch, too.
Edwards is slowly working his way into the starting lineup. He’s still behind Dennis Northcutt, but the two are starting to rotate in and out of the game more frequently. Edwards is unquestionably a player on the rise, but it’s hard to guess how many targets he’ll see and if the Browns can sustain a consistent fantasy WR. Antonio Bryant has not been consistent, but he’s been productive. The same might apply here with Edwards. He should flourish down the stretch if the team gives him the opportunity.
In typical fashion, Justin Gage caught a TD one week and then disappeared the next week. That’s been his calling so far in his short career. Gage caught only one ball this week for 6 yards. Fantasy points will be hard to come by most weeks in Chicago. They play good defense and they focus on running the football and controlling the clock. Gage is a nice target in the red zone given his size, but otherwise, he’s unreliable.
Rogers was back in action this week, one week after he was left inactive for Scottie Vines because of a poor week of practice following a four game suspension. Rogers only caught one ball this week, but he could still become a big play target down the stretch. The Lions need either Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia to produce consistently. If that happens, and it’s a long shot, then Rogers might have some value yet. Let’s not hold our collective breath though. Rogers is a shot in the dark at this point and he’s got a lot to prove.
Beyond Brian Finneran and Alge Crumpler, none of the Falcons receivers merit much fantasy value. On the other hand, White is starting to emerge as a rookie. He started in place of the injured Michael Jenkins this week and will continue to do so until Jenkins is ready. White probably won’t have any real value until 2006 at the earliest, but he has the size and speed to be a special player. So, don’t be surprised if he springs a few big ones in the next two months. Just keep your expectations in check. Again, it's a Falcons WR. Add for Next Year (Dynasty potential)
Crayton could be ready for action in a couple of weeks. He had a few big games earlier this year playing out of the slot. He's big, fast and has displayed excellent hands so far. Peerless Price is currently filling in for Crayton as the slot WR, but Crayton should regain that job when he's healthy. In deeper leagues, Crayton's worth a look, or if you want to stash him on your dynasty roster for next year. Others to Keep an Eye On
McCoy caught 6 balls for 70 yards this week. He took advantage of Bryant Johnson's injury. Reggie Newhouse also saw more action because of injuries to Johnson and Anquan Boldin. Newhouse caught 2 balls for 23 yards. McCoy was a favorite target of Warner when he wasn't dumping off to Obafemi Ayanbedejo or going to their top gun Larry Fitzgerald. With Boldin and Johnson out of the lineup, McCoy's a decent sleeper. He hasn't done it two weeks in a row and those guys could return as soon as this week, so McCoy's strictly a short-term play depending on the others availability.
McCoy caught 6 balls for 70 yards this week. He took advantage of Bryant Johnson's injury. Reggie Newhouse also saw more action because of injuries to Johnson and Anquan Boldin. Newhouse caught 2 balls for 23 yards. McCoy was a favorite target of Warner when he wasn't dumping off to Obafemi Ayanbedejo or going to their top gun Larry Fitzgerald. With Boldin and Johnson out of the lineup, McCoy's a decent sleeper. He hasn't done it two weeks in a row and those guys could return as soon as this week, so McCoy's strictly a short-term play depending on the others availability. Newhouse saw fewer targets, so he's more of a secondary option if you're really desperate. Tight End Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Franks caught 4 balls for 34 yards this week. Despite missing almost a month because of a sprained knee, Franks is having a productive season. In four starts, Franks has 20 receptions for 164 yards and 1 TD. If you can still grab him off the waiver wire, get him.
It’s amazing how long Kinney has lingered around many leagues as an available free agent. He’s gone in most leagues now, but if he’s still out there get him while you can. Ben Troupe will probably be out another week or so with a high ankle sprain giving Kinney a few more red zone targets and a consistent number of catches and yards each week.
Like Kinney, Scaife seems to produce consistently from week to week whenever he’s playing. Scaife is filling in for the injured Ben Troupe. The Titans TEs are producing at a prolific rate this year. McNair likes throwing to them so why argue, exploit it. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
Clark hasn’t been very consistent or reliable this year. He’s more of a hit or miss option, but because he catches balls from Peyton Manning, his hits tend to be worthwhile. He’s a lot like Bubba Franks has been in recent years. Clark caught a TD this week but still only had two receptions for 18 yards otherwise.
Jolley is now the starting tight end for the Jets with Chris Baker out for the season. Hopefully, now he’ll get the opportunity to flourish as many projected this year. Jolley caught two balls for 25 yards against the Panthers. He could put up a few big games, like Baker, but he may be too inconsistent to rely on.
Pollard has 13 catches for 129 yards with 1 TD in his last four games. Joey Harrington looks for Pollard frequently. If Harrington stays on as the starter, then Pollard’s value might also continue to be slightly higher (ironically). Pollard has benefited from the injuries to the WR corps and he's been forced into more of a primary role.
Putzier caught three balls for 33 yards and had a 2-point conversion this week against the Raiders. He’s never been much of a TD threat but Putzier is semi-reliable in PPR leagues. If you're looking for insurance at TE, Putzier is a decent player to add as a backup just in case.
Watson exploded this week for 2 TDs while Daniel Graham sat out with a shoulder injury. Watson finished with 3 catches for 37 yards. Both Watson and Graham have the talent and ability to be top shelf tight ends, but because the Patriots offense is so diverse from week to week, Watson and Graham seem to alternate big games. The problem is that both players fail to make the box score too frequently, which makes them a big risk as a starter. Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
Clark keeps putting together decent, but not great, games. He made a couple nice plays this week finishing with 2 catches for 43 yards. The Bears just don’t throw enough (or well enough) to warrant consistent stats for Clark, but he’s still turning into a decent option in deeper leagues.
Gaines started for the Panthers this weekend against the Jets and caught one pass for 11 yards. He’s filling in for the injured Kris Mangum (sprained knee). Gaines had showed some signs of development in recent weeks while serving as the 2nd string TE, but the Panthers only threw 20 passes this week. The Panthers don’t utilize their as often as some other teams, but as long as Mangum is sidelined, Gaines could be a decent player to grab in deeper leagues.
The Packers are getting plenty of production from their tight ends this year, but Martin has been sidelined the past couple of weeks. Once healthy, Martin becomes a decent player for the back end of the roster in deeper leagues. In most leagues, he probably will not hold enough value to roster except for a spot start opportunity due to an injury on your roster. One more thing worth mentioning, Martin and the Packers play Minnesota this coming week. If Martin is able to go, he might be worth picking up and starting knowing how well tight ends have fared against them.
If you’re looking for a one-week starter in the next couple of games, then you’ll want to keep an eye on Aaron Shea. In Week 12, the Browns face the Vikings, which is without question the best matchup for a TE. Aaron Shea and Steve Heiden both see the field a lot, which means either one is just as likely to produce as the other. Against Minnesota, it wouldn’t be a surprise if both players produce something worthwhile.
Troupe will probably miss another week or two, but if you can grab him now while he’s out and can afford the roster spot, he might be worth your time. The Titans are getting more production out of their TEs than any other team in the league. If healthy, Troupe is a great candidate to produce some big games down the stretch. He just needs to get (and stay) healthy first. Add for Insurance (Injury or bye week replacement)
The Packers face the Minnesota Vikings in week 11. That means every TE on the Packers roster – Bubba Franks, David Martin and Donald Lee – are on high alert. The Vikings have allowed more fantasy points to opposing TEs than any other defense in the league. David Martin hasn’t been healthy the past few weeks, so if he’s not ready to go this week, Lee becomes a super sleeper and a nice short-term play if you’re looking for a quick fix. The last time the Packers played the Vikings, Lee caught 3 balls for 32 yards. Martin produce 2 for 30 yards and Bubba Franks 3 for 38 yards. Amazingly, none of them caught a TD. That should change this time around. Add for Next Year (Dynasty potential)
Here’s your weekly reminder to go grab Edwards if he’s available in your dynasty league. Everett is from the “U”, but he’s not in the same kind of class as Jeremy Shockey or Kellen Winslow. Everett has all the talent to be a solid player in the league, but he was viewed as a guy that might not make an immediate impact, but could blossom in a couple years. He’s been sidelined his entire rookie season because of a torn ACL. Kicker Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Akers is back in the saddle again. He’s always been a top notch fantasy kicker in terms of consistency and accuracy. As long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, Akers could be a really nice option down the stretch if the Eagles struggle in the red zone.
Lindell has ranked amongst the top kickers all year long, but continues to linger around the waiver wire in many leagues. Maybe some owners still have a hangover and always associate his name with his previous struggles with accuracy. Lindell seems to be in the zone this year and he really has been a solid kicker over the past four seasons making 81 out of 100 FGs in that span.
Stover’s biggest problem is the Ravens offense being so darn horrible. Sometimes, that helps him, but this week it limited him to just one 41-yard field goal. Kyle Boller cost Stover at least one and possibly two FG attempts because he threw interceptions. The Ravens are a bad team, but Stover might be worth salvaging. He’s produce solid numbers after an uncharacteristically bad start.
Suisham is the Cowboys kicker after Parcells cut Jose Cortez after a recent bad game. There’s no guarantee who long Suisham will last either, but the Cowboys appear to be a good source for kicking points. They run the ball well and play solid defense. Suisham might be worth a look if your current kicker is not getting it done. Defense Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Since the Giants came off their bye week, they’ve been one of the top fantasy defenses in the NFL. Since week 5, they’ve produced 15 sacks, 11 turnovers and allowed only 69 points. They completely shut down the Vikings offense, but amazingly, they still lost the game. The Giants defense didn’t allow any points and all 21 points for Minnesota came on returns from special teams or turnovers.
In the last five games, Jacksonville’s defense has been steadily on the rise. They have 14 sacks and they have forced 11 turnovers in that stretch. Discounting one game against the Colts, their schedule looks great down the stretch. They play Arizona, Houston, Tennessee (twice), Cleveland and San Francisco.
The Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers twice in the next month. That alone should be a reason to pick them up and put them right into the lineup unless you're sitting on an outstanding defense already. In their last four games, they have 15 sacks and 8 turnovers.
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