Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 16

December 19th, 2011 kNuke

Welcome to Championship week! If you’re still breathing there’s a good chance your stars carried you to victory. Guys like Brees, Megatron, Brady, McCoy, Romo, and Roddy Roddy White posted big time numbers. Along were some surprises like Spiller, Stafford, Tebow, Bush, and the Seattle DEF/ST. High fives all around if you had Drew Brees on your fantasy squad.

Matt Moore: The Patriots give it up in the air so the match up is solid. If you need a hail mary mother of god play on championship week put your hands together for Matty Nice.

Lance Ball: If Willis McGahee is out you could slot Ball in as a solid RB2. Talk about a nice present to receive at this time of year.

Donald Brown: He’s been playing well the past few weeks and seems to be getting the majority of the carries. That being said Joseph Addai still looms, which keeps Brown in the grey area. Add the bad match up this week and Brown is a low end Flex play.

Kahlil Bell: Even though he’s splitting time with Marion Barber expect Bell to rack up some points in the passing game against the Packers (assuming the 49ers win tonight). Don’t get overly excited, but a low end Flex play is not bad off for a backup running back.

Demaryius Thomas: Make that three great games in a row. Same spiel as last week with an average match up. Jump on board the Titletown train with Thomas posting WR2 numbers again this week.

Darrius Heyward-Bey: DHB has put together a couple of solid weeks in a row. Not a very good match up against the Chiefs, but the big play ability is there. That’s probably worth the gamble at WR3.

Brent Celek or Jared Cook: Both of these guys are coming off solid games with good upcoming match ups. Celek is most likely the popular choice, but if he’s not there Cook is another option.

Tennessee DEF/ST: The Titans didn’t show up as advertised last week in Indianapolis, but tis the season of second chances.

Send me stuff on Twitter @kNuke. I’ll be posting updates and answering questions throughout the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 15

December 12th, 2011 kNuke

In honor of Christmas we’re rolling out the Scrooge edition of Waiver Wire pickups. Before we get to the misery and misanthropy let’s all cheers to MJD who was living the high life this weekend. Okay enough with the pleasantries, on to the Bah Humbug list:

1. Congratulating your opponent before the final results are all in (this applies all year). I get it, you’re trying to be right on both ends. If you win, you’re good. If not, you look smart by “knowing” the other team was going to win. You can’t have it both ways. If you “know” you’re going to lose just bench all of your players. If not, shut the hell up and let the game play out. You can congratulate the other guy when it’s over.
2. After the fact smack talkers. If you talk the talk then walk the walk feel free to keep on slinging that smack son. But if you didn’t talk any smack before the contest don’t be a douche bag and talk smack after it’s over.
3. Taking joy in finishing 4th or just making the playoffs.  There is only one winner, that’s it.  You can talk all you like about finishing above another owner, but it doesn’t matter.  If you’re not the champion you’re all on the USS Loser.
4. Deadbeat owners.  There is nothing like fighting for a playoff spot down the stretch only to have your main competition up against a deadbeat owner who beat your squad earlier in the year when the owner was actually playing.
5. Tim Tebow lovers/haters.  Give it a rest…
6. Holiday shopping, company parties with no alcohol, in-law family gatherings, and fruitcake.  Ugh.

Jake Locker: I’m not a big fan, but the match up is there for a big game. If Matt Hasselbeck is out, Locker has a solid chance of landing inside the Top 12.

Andy Dalton: A safer play than Locker, but he could still post good numbers. Inside the Top 15 sounds a little high, but attainable.

Felix Jones: With DeMarco Murray done for the year all that’s left in the Dallas cupboard is Felix. That bodes well for short term fantasy purposes. He is a top end RB2 moving forward with two great match ups ahead. He’s not the healthiest cat in the litter, but I’d gamble he stays healthy enough the next two weeks. This is the guy who could have you packing your bags to Titletown.

Ryan Grant: If James Starks is out again next week Grant becomes an interesting play. The Packers don’t run much, but if the game gets out of hand he could garner extra carries. Solid Flex with upside if Starks is out.

Demaryius Thomas: That’s two good games in a row and he has a to die for match up. Like Felix Jones this guy could be your ticket to Titletown. Thomas is a low end WR2 this week that could be had in most leagues.

James Jones: If Greg Jennings misses time the percentage bet is that Jones picks up the slack. Donald Driver is in the picture as well, which muddies up the situation making Jones a gamble at WR3.

Jake Ballard: He scored last week. Doubt he’ll score again, but you never know. On the low side he’ll probably get around 50 yards receiving and that ain’t bad.

Cincinnati, Tennessee, Seattle, or Atlanta DEF/ST (in order): If you’re streaming defenses these are the teams to go after.

Send me stuff on Twitter @kNuke. I’ll be posting updates and answering questions throughout the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 14

December 5th, 2011 kNuke

Depending on your league format you’re either on the playoff doorstep or fully in the house. Time to put the hypothetical women and children to bed and go lookin for some dinner! A couple big name injuries (Matt Forte and Andre Johnson) to go along with one big name suspension (Fred Davis), but for the most part it’s slim pickins on the Waiver Wire.

Christian Ponder: The match up this week isn’t as good as last week, but without Adrian Peterson he may be asked to shoulder the load again. Add that to the fact that the Lions usually light up the scoreboard equals a decent week. Ponder should land in the Top 15 with an outside shot at the Top 10.

Rex Grossman: The match up makes Rexy worth a look, but only in the deepest of leagues. I’m optimistically predicting he’ll land around the Top 15.

Marion Barber: With Matt Forte sidelined for the foreseeable future Barber should get most of the rushing workload moving forward including goal line duties. I think he can hold up for a few weeks with the added workload, but the Bears offense is stuck in neutral. The match up against the Broncos is not appealing, but the full workload still makes Barber a solid Flex.

Dexter McCluster: The match up isn’t good and the workload hasn’t been high, but you’re gambling that the workload will increase. A running back who’s wide receiver eligible with an increasing workload sounds good to me; WR3 gamble.

Toby Gerhart or Maurice Morris: Both of these guys fortunes are tied to the health of their backfield counterparts. If AP or Kevin Smith are out, respectively, either back becomes a weak Flex option.

Ronnie Brown: LeSean McCoy has been dinged up lately making Brown worth a speculative addition. If you own McCoy you should make the add for sure.

Jabar Gaffney or Santana Moss: Moss is probably not available in your league, but check just in case. Both are solid WR3 starts this week hosting the Patriots with Moss ahead of Gaffney in the rankings.

Golden Tate: Sidney Rice is done for the year, he had a breakout game, and the Seahawks are facing the Rams. I’m just saying…

Damian Williams: He’s putting up respectable numbers for a WR3 and has a nice match up. Definitely worth a gamble if you need it at WR3.

Jake Ballard: Been steady lately. Don’t knock steady. If you need a tight end I’d gamble that he’ll score this week.

Jared Cook: Not really sure why coming off a goose egg, but I got a feeling…

Seattle DEF/ST: The Rams are not very good right now and it’s possible they have to start their practice squad quarterback. I expect the Seahawks inside the Top 5.

Denver DEF/ST: No Cutler or Forte… Yikes. There won’t be a lot of points scored this game from the Bears to go along with a few turnovers.

Send me stuff on Twitter @kNuke. I’ll be posting updates and answering questions throughout the week.

Last chance to vote for Aja Dang as the next Maxim Hometown Hottie!

Anyone else feel like drinking some Jose Cuervo?

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 13

November 28th, 2011 kNuke

We’re getting down to the nitty gritty. There are three types of owners at this point: playoff bound, in contention, and spoiler. Hopefully you’re not in that last group, but if you are we’ll still give you a head bump for playing out the string. Thankfully not a lot of injuries in Week 12 so the Waiver Wire is lighter than usual with impact additions.

Christian Ponder: Let’s face it, if you need a starting quarterback off the Wire at this point your team is probably sunk. That being said I’d expect Ponder to toss a couple of touchdowns even though the Broncos defense has been playing well lately. The ceiling isn’t as high as a guy like Matt Moore, because the Broncos run the ball so much.

Matt Moore: It’s possible he throws a bunch of touchdowns in a shootout, but it’s also possible he throws for an empty 200 yards. If you own Brandon Marshall it makes sense to try to double the fun.

Roy Helu: He’ll probably be the #1 add this week. The Redskins running back situation is always tricky and the match up next week is not good. Still Helu is a solid Flex play since he contributes in the passing game so regardless of the score he’ll post numbers.

Donald Brown: He was solid again. I don’t mind the match up against the Patriots, but the return of Joseph Addai muddies up the waters. Low end Flex play at best.

Toby Gerhart: Even if Adrian Peterson is out he’s got a tough match up. Best case scenario he duplicates what he did last week, but I don’t see it.

Maurice Morris: If Kevin Smith is out he becomes a solid Flex play.

Johnny Knox and Damian Williams: Not a big fan of either guy, but both have decent match ups. Low end WR3. Not worth the gamble to me, but you’ve got nothing else. Knox could catch a deep ball and Williams could score.

Greg Little: Got a ton of targets and finally found the end zone. Don’t expect much from him this week. Another low end WR3.

Jake Ballard: I think he’ll have a solid performance on MNF tonight and he’ll follow that up with a solid game next week as well.

Scott Chandler: He’s a high risk gamble, but I think he hits pay dirt this week.

Denver DEF/ST: The Vikings without Adrian Peterson is a solid match up. A few sacks, a couple picks, and about 14 points given up for the defense and maybe a contribution from special teams.

San Diego DEF/ST: The Jaguars without a quarterback sounds like a recipe for lots of defensive fantasy goodness. MJD will get his, but I’d expect easily 10 fantasy points for the Chargers on defense. Maybe even more if they get a pick six.

Send me stuff on Twitter @kNuke. I’ll be posting updates and answering questions throughout the week.

Last week to vote for Aja Dang.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 12

November 21st, 2011 kNuke

Week 11 can be summed up with three words: Mother****in Kevin Smith. I like the way you roll, do work son.

The Bye Weeks are done and the trade deadline has passed so your team is what you’re staring at. The Waiver Wire has one priority add this week (see above), but don’t forget about the rest of the bunch.

Christian Ponder: For the record I’m not a big fan, but he’s the best guy out there at this point. You can gamble with Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Caleb Hanie, or Matt Moore but I don’t like them odds.

Kevin Smith: Yeah, he’s the starting running back for the Lions as long as Jahvid Best is out. Just remember it’s not the best match up and Smith is a walking injury. He’d be a solid Flex play.

Joe McKnight: If the injuries to LT and Shonn Greene cause them to miss the upcoming game McKnight becomes a solid RB2 this week. If you need a player this week I’d pick McKnight over Smith granted LT and Greene miss the game.

Toby Gerhart: If Adrian Peterson misses time he’ll get the bulk of the carries. The match up this week is not very good making him a Flex at best with AP out.

Ryan Grant and CJ Spiller: James Starks and Fred Jackson were dinged up this week, but both didn’t look serious. If the situation changes both are worth pick ups as Flex plays.

Chris Ogbonnaya: Had a great game this week, but don’t expect a repeat. His match up isn’t very good and most expect Montario Hardesty to be back next week.

Jabar Gaffney: As long as Rex Grossman is at the controls Gaffney is worth a gamble at WR3. Remember that Santana Moss is on his way back, which would minimize his value.

Michael Crabtree: Seems like he’s on this list every week so I won’t bore you with the details. Not a good match up this week, but the two after are the Rams and Cards. That smells like some good eats coming from your WR3 spot.

Torrey Smith: He’s at 60% ownership right now and that’ll be going up after this week, but don’t get too excited. The Ravens don’t throw that much and Smith isn’t the main option. You have to love the upside though; great gamble at WR3.

Jerome Simpson: If AJ Green is out Simpson becomes a great option at WR3.

Jake Ballard: Assuming his health checks out I’d expect a bounce back week for Ballard.

Arizona DEF/ST: The match up is good and I’m feeling a Special teams touchdown.

Send me stuff on Twitter @kNuke. I’ll be posting updates and answering questions throughout the week.

Make Aja Dang the next Maxim Hometown Hottie!

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