Week 10 ~ Waiver Wire

Here continues my "slim pickin's" approach to the waiver wire watch. This week, we have a few teams on a bye-week that have big fantasy impacts. All right, so maybe it's mostly the Patriots, but with Brady, Maroney, Welker, Stallworth, Moss, Watson, and the D/ST, it's a pretty big hit to some fantasy teams

BYE-WEEK: TEXANS, PATRIOTS, JETS, BUCCANEERS

Here is a look at who may be available on your waiver-wire and why you should pick them up to fill-in for injuries and bye-weeks.

QUARTERBACKS:

Patrick Ramsey: Patrick is not the greatest pick-up, but for teams that require two quarterbacks or someone who relied on Jay Cutler, this is your guy. The Denver defense couldn't handle the Lions nor could their offense for that matter. Shanahan is intelligent and will limit Ramsey's attempts next week, relying mostly on the run game to produce points, but he is still a quarterback and they are few and far between, when it comes to availability.

J.P. Losman: If for some reason you didn't believe me last week, you should now. Losman has something to prove and he will do it on the field. It helps that Lynch is fully entrenched at the RB position and Lee Evans is starting to produce like we thought he would all season. Expect Buffalo to make a big second half splash and Losman will have a great deal to do with it.

David Garrard: He is likely going to be be back Week 11 but all hopes are that he is available for Week 10. If it turns out to be 11, at least you have him and are ready to re-insert him into the line-up to replace whomever it is that you have been substituting on a weekly basis at your QB position. Garrard has yet to throw a pick and has the ability to get it done with his legs too.


RUNNING BACKS:

Priest Holmes: It looks like the only ones who are going to survive the Larry Johnson injury are those who have him in keeper leagues... all others are going to be absolutely miserable (myself included in a few leagues). Who knows how well he will do, but he is better than anything else available at the present moment. If you own Johnson, Priest is tops on your waiver wire requests.

Kevin Faulk: With the way the Patriots are running their offense, the second back gets enough touches to be considered a fantasy impact. With Sammy Morris gone for the season, Kevin has shown that he is THAT guy. Grab'em while he's hot, especially with the bye week coming, most will wait...you shouldn't.

Michael Robinson: With the 49ers heading down an ugly road and Frank Gore ailing with numerous injuries, expect the 49ers to protect their RB asset. You may very well see more and more of Robinson as the season progresses, giving him time to develop into a true NFL back. This is a guess on my part, but it makes sense.

Najeh Davenport: Mike Tomlin told reporters that he wants Parker to get first shot at the end zone, but after that, it's Davenport they will rely on... When the match-up is right, he is a great fill-in, sometimes even better than starting Parker. If you need depth, he may very will fill your roster needs.

DeShaun Foster: He is being relied upon more and more as the passing game has gone sour. Steve Smith was clearly missing (even though he played, 1 reception for 15 yards???). Foster has been a career second half back and if you didn't grab'em last week, go for him this week.


WIDE RECEIVERS:

Reggie Williams: He is clearly the best WR the Jaguars have and Quinn & Garrard both like to go deep with him. The more they try, the better they are getting... He only had two receptions this past Sunday, but totalled 78 yards. Nuff' said.

Marques Colston: Here he comes again. The Saints look good and Colston is making the most of his opportunities. He had 159 yards this week and 3 TDs the week before. He is only available in a few leagues, but maybe yours is one of them.

Derrick Mason: Here is a guy who is quietly putting up great fantasy numbers, averaging 76.3 yds a game. He enjoyed the absence of Heap and now has the confidence of the QB to be relied upon even when Todd returns. He is a great 3rd WR in most leagues.

Shawn McDonald: Right when 90% of owners drop him, he makes them add him back to their roster throught the waiver wire. Expect his production to continue now that the running game of Detroit is working fairly well...


TIGHT ENDS:

Donald Lee: He is turning into Bubba Franks while Franks is still on the team. We all know that the "Packers equals passing yards", with no run game to speak of... Donald Lee is turning into a go-to guy, especially as a check down now that they have determined that the RBs can't get it done.

Jeff King: As the team relies on Carr to get the job done, King becomes invaluable, especially when there isn't a second WR to worry the secondary of their opponents. King is second on the receptions chart for the Panthers and will be called upon more than most TEs in the league from here forward. A great substitute if you own Big Ben Watson.

David Martin: Here is a guy who can have a big impact during the second half of the season. With limited running ability, the trading of WR Chris Chambers, Martin becomes the third option (if you count Nick Hagan as the second). Look for him to have a better than average second half. [Check to see if he is going to be available as he is nursing an ankle injury]


These are my picks for waiver wire that may/should still be available in most free agents pools. I hope that this blog helps you fill some line-up voids and continues your progress to a league championship.


Statistocrat