Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 6

October 10th, 2011 kNuke

Before we begin I’m sorry if you started Kyle Orton… Again, my condolences. We all knew there was the possibility that he could be lifted, but ugh. If it makes you feel any better (it probably won’t) I lost along with you. Yeah, didn’t think it would make it better, but I’m trying. Hopefully we’ll all do better this week.

Bye: Denver, Tennessee, Kansas City, Arizona, San Diego, Seattle

QB: Okay Tim Tebow for President is a little much, but he’s worth a pickup. He’s on Bye this week, but if he’s given the gig moving forward he’s an interesting play with his running abilities. For Bye week streamers I’m liking Andy Dalton and Alex Smith (gulp).

RB: Adrian Peterson and Fred Jackson have been beasts this year. You’re not going to find production like that on the wire, but Jackie Battle (Bye next week) and Jonathan Dwyer had very productive days. That being said I’d pass on those two in favor of Delone Carter or Bernard Scott. If Joseph Addai misses time, Carter should pick up a bulk of the slack even though Donald Brown will get carries as well. With Scott you’re just waiting on Big House Benson and his possible suspension.

All you Stevan Ridley owners will have to hang in there another few weeks after The Lawfirm put on a show this week. Bye week flex plays include Earnest Graham (hoping for a ton of TB passing) and Kendall Hunter.

WR: Pierre Garcon and Victor Cruz are looking like weekly starters. Should we add Doug Baldwin to the list? Not quite. I’d put him in the WR3 gamble group along with Darrius Heyward-Bey, Kevin Walter, and Steve Breaston (Bye next week).

I’m a big fan on gambling at the WR3 spot each week. This week includes Danario Alexander, Michael Crabtree, and Preston Parker.

TE: Joel Dreessen and Jake Ballard had big days, but don’t bother. I’d still rather have Jermaine Gresham or Jared Cook. Heath Miller had his best game this year and I’m doubling down.

DEF: The Bengals or Bills are your options. I’m expecting Picasso to throw a few picks so I’m rolling with the Bengals. The Bills keep causing turnovers and scoring touchdowns so I can understand playing them as well.

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

Just win Bay Area…

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 5

October 3rd, 2011 kNuke

It was a high scoring affair on the fantasy field this week. Aaron Rodgers went off, Mike Vick style (Please don’t celebrate belt style at your office the next day, it’s only Week 4). However, if you had him and lost just give up the game. Cam Newton did what Cam Newton does. Moving along, nothing to see here. Mike Vick threw for 400 yards, but he can’t play defense or make his teammates hold on to the ball. Beanie was the bomb turning in 3 touchdowns. Hope you started him, some didn’t. Matt Forte posted 200 yards on the ground. The Ravens and Jets decided to only let the defenses and special teams score points.

Injury news: Andre Johnson, Vincent Jackson, Ryan Grant, Mario Manningham, Chad Henne, Daniel Thomas, Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Frank Gore, Ben Tate, Michael Vick, Beanie Wells, Antonio Gates, Aaron Hernandez, Miles Austin, Tony Romo, Eddie Royal, Danny Amendola, and Marques Colston.

Bye: Cleveland, Dallas, St. Louis, Miami, Washington, Baltimore

QB: Okay here we go with the Bye weeks. Tony Romo owners, you’re up first. Mark Sanchez is highly owned right now, but after his dismal performance his ownership may drop. If he’s there, he’s your best bet. Kyle Orton is the safe play, but the match up isn’t good. At least he’s at home. If you really feel like rolling the dice, say hello to Donovan McNabb. He’s got Arizona this week… He’s also on the verge of forced retirement so it could go either way. Curtis Painter is making his way up the list, but I’d be very hesitant to start him after one week.

RB: Ryan Torain is going to be the big add this week. Just remember that it’s Ryan Torain. I’d still keep Roy Helu and Tim Hightower around. The Redskins are on Bye this week so you have a little more time to work a deal before Torain gets injured. Stevan Ridley had a good game, but so did the Lawfirm. I’d still grab Ridley who could turn into this year’s Lawfirm minus the cool nickname. Michael Bush keeps scoring touchdowns and somehow Run DMC keeps staying healthy. Reposting from last week: Cedric Benson is going to miss a few weeks at some point so Bernard Scott will get a few weeks of run, but he’s just a rental. I still like Kendall Hunter as a speculative add, but Frank Gore is the guy in SF. Check on the injury status of Rashard Mendenhall. If he’s out, add Isaac Redman.

WR: Pierre Garcon is going nuts as I type, on his way to top WR this week so he’s a must add. Laurent Robinson had a good game and on another team would be worth an add, but with Miles Austin back after the Bye he loses almost all value. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Victor Cruz, Kevin Walter, and Jacoby Jones are all gambles at the WR3 slot.

TE: Jared Cook and Jermaine Gresham looked good this week. Cook is a beast and is worth a gamble. Hope for the feast.

DEF: All in with the Titans this week. If they’re not available I’ll go either Tampa Bay or Houston.

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

Losing sucks, I feel you…

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 4

September 26th, 2011 kNuke

Another week, another fantasy stud to the IR. Welcome to the Heartbreak hotel Kenny Britt owners. The Bills are 3-0 after beating the Patriots. A loss is guaranteed next week. Too many people jumping on the bandwagon at one time, the wheels can’t support the weight.

Injury news: Kenny Britt (season), Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin, Frank Gore, Peyton Hillis, Beanie Wells, Antonio Gates, Mario Manningham, Aaron Hernandez, Miles Austin, Felix Jones, Arian Foster, Dez Bryant, Tony Romo, Knowshon Moreno, Eddie Royal, Danny Amendola, and Marques Colston.

QB: Michael Vick owners let out a collective sigh of relief that his hand isn’t broken. Too bad that doesn’t fix his offensive line. Nothing really new on the quarterback front. Matt Hasselbeck had a good game and is worth a look if you need a backup, but I still rather have Sexy Rexy (now he’ll throw up on himself tonight).

RB: Frank Gore looks healthy, but let’s add Kendall Hunter anyway. Peyton Hillis should be over his strep throat, but that Madden cover still looms large. Grab Montario Hardesty as insurance. Cedric Benson is going to miss a few weeks at some point so Bernard Scott will get a few weeks of run, but he’s just a rental. You know the situation for Thomas Jones. Michael Bush is still out there as well. Run DMC is a monster, but he’ll miss time at some point. Death, taxes, and Run DMC injuries. Bank it.

WR: David Nelson is the only repeat from last week to make the list. I guess you could count Dexter McCluster too, but he’s at 55% ownership. Nate Washington tops the list after the injury to Kenny Britt. He’s a solid WR3 for your team. McCluster, Nelson, Victor Cruz, and Torrey Smith are all gambles at the WR3 spot.

TE: Ed Dickson is starting to look really comfortable with Joe Flacco. Scott Chandler keeps scoring. Logic says he won’t keep it up, but if the Bills keep scoring buckets of points he just might. He’s at 55% ownership so he still might be available in your league.

DEF: I’m all in with Tampa Bay this week. Atlanta is another consideration.

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

Hello Rainbow Dancers…

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 3

September 19th, 2011 kNuke

Before we sift through the Week 2 carnage let’s just crown the 2011 fantasy season pick up as Cameron Jerrell Newton. At this point he looks like a solid start regardless of who the Panthers play. I know it’s only two weeks and he’ll hit some bumps, but his rushing stats and touchdowns will keep things smooth.

Okay, back to the carnage. I’m sorry Jamaal Charles owners… Take a deep breathe, sweep up the pieces of broken (insert whatever you threw off the wall), and take it from a 2008 Tom Brady owner, there is still hope.

Injury news: Mario Manningham, Stevie Johnson, Michael Vick, Aaron Hernandez (2 weeks), Miles Austin, Felix Jones, Arian Foster, Dez Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger, Tony Romo, Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal (4 weeks), Sidney Rice, Jamaal Charles (season), Nate Kaeding (season), Danny Amendola (8-10 weeks), and Marques Colston (4 weeks).

QB: You shouldn’t need a spot starter yet, but Sexy Rexy is proving a chaotic yet productive fantasy quarterback. He serves as a solid backup at this point. Also, I want to make sure you check your Waiver Wire for Cam Newton and Ryan Fitzpatrick just in case everyone in your league lost their internet connection for the past week.

RB: Lots of adds in the running back category if we’re allowed to creep into the 55% ownership range and we will. Daniel Thomas should be the man moving forward; never believed in Reggie Bush. The value of Willis McGahee is tied to Knowshon Moreno’s health, but I’m starting to think that whatchatalkinboutwillis is winning the battle regardless. Roy Helu looks like he’ll be the guy at some point this year. If you have the roster space he’s worth the add; Week 8 sounds about right. If Felix Jones is out, Tashard Choice becomes a lower tier RB2 or Flex play. Thomas Jones is pretty old, but he’ll get some touches and probably the goal line duties so he’s worth a flier. Just for kicks I’m adding Michael Bush. Run DMC is looking way too good and way too healthy for my reality.

WR: Almost all the additions last week were whiffs, but this week has a better feel starting with Dexter McCluster as the top add. Why did I list him here? Go check your Waiver Wire… That’s right, he’s WR eligible. Nothing like a running back with WR eligibility. He should be a solid WR3 with upside moving forward. Denarius Moore will be another popular pick up and could settle in as a WR2 if the targets keep up. Eric Decker, David Nelson, Jerome Simpson, and my boy Danario Alexander are other alternatives. They are all #2 WRs so their targets from week to week will fluctuate. Consider them gambles or match up plays at the WR3 spot.

TE: Fred Davis posted solid numbers again. Chris Cooley muddies up the picture so I’m not confident he’ll keep this up, but if you’re feeling lucky you can make the add. Evan Moore, Scott Chandler, Tony Scheffler, and Jeff King all caught touchdowns again making it both games this season.

DEF: If you’re streaming defenses the 49ers and Ted Ginn Jr are the play.

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

Cue the theme song…

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2

September 12th, 2011 kNuke

Before we get going let’s do a little housekeeping.  Remember that it’s only Week 1.  No need to panic that Chris Johnson only got 9 carries.  If he’s getting 9 carries in Week 4 then we’ll revisit the situation.

This column targets players in Yahoo leagues under 50% ownership.  We’ll sometimes wander into 55-60% ownership if it’s warranted, but usually not.  Okay, let’s get going.

Injury news: Nate Kaeding (season), Danny Amendola (8-10 weeks), Marques Colston (4 weeks), Steven Jackson (out),  Mike Tolbert, Hakeem Nicks, Sam Bradford, Arian Foster, Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Lloyd, and Sidney Rice.

QB: Cam Newton set the fantasy world on fire, but one game a season does not make.  Did that sound right?  Anyways, put in your waiver add, but don’t expect that every week.  He has the makings of a Top-10 QB because of his running abilities, but don’t get all crazy.  He’s not matchup proof yet…  If you’re looking for a backup QB, a sneaky add would be Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Remember him?  He was solid in Week 1 and had a span for four games last season where he was on top of the QB rankings.  He’s at 48% owned so he won’t be in this column next week.

RB: With Steven Jackson’s injury all eyes will be on Cadillac Williams.  He’s a go in Week 2 with SJax being sidelined.  Word is that the injury is longer term that a few weeks so Cadillac could have the gig for a few weeks.  Along the same lines, Ben Tate is out there.  His wagon is solely tied to Arian Foster’s hammy.  Looks like Deji Karim will get about 10+ touches a game.  Count him as a RB3 with upside.

WR: It’s a roll of the dice with receivers this early.  You’re hoping to pull a Miles Austin out of the hat, but usually come up with a bunch of rubbish.  We’ll go in order: Early Doucet, Devery Henderson, Jacoby Jones, and Nate Burleson.  Doucet has the spot opposite of Larry Fitzgerald in a passing attack; I like those odds.  Henderson is in a passing attack as well that just lost Marques Colston.  If Lance Moore misses more time, Henderson could be line in for more passes.  I loved Jones last year and with Kevin Walter out, maybe this is the year.

TE: It’s pretty early to be switching tight ends, but Lance Kendricks and Jermaine Gresham look to be in line for some serious work.  I don’t recommend holding two tight ends, but if you own a lower tier guy take a look.  Ed Dickson and Evan Moore are other guys worth looking at.

DEF: If you’re streaming defenses the Broncos and Browns top the list.

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

Aloha…

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