Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups

By Michael Visconti November 15th, 2016

What a week! There were a ton of big scores this week with running backs leading the way. There were 6 RB’s that had multiple TDs this week while 11 of them had 19 carries or more. What is this 2002?

We are now entering in to the final regular season week in many of the high-stakes format leagues, and with the final big week of byes it is imperative to sharpen up our roster before heading into the playoffs. Here are the Week 11 byes:

Atlanta
Denver
San Diego
New York Jets

Week 13 byes:

Tennessee
Cleveland

Quarterbacks

At this stage of the year rather than suggesting a rest of the way Quarterback pickup we will be offering our best streamers in order of our weekly standard rankings. Here are the stream options for Week 11:

Marcus Mariota TEN @ IND
Kirk Cousins WAS vs. GB
Eli Manning NYG vs. CHI
Matthew Stafford DET vs JAX

Running Backs

Rob Kelley WAS – Well as I discussed on my podcast before the season started fumbles finally did Matt Jones in. Jay Gruden claims he is not totally on the outs, but we know what that means, it means this is UDFA Kelley’s job now, if he is still available in your league pick him up.

James White NE – I have found James on the waiver wire in a couple of 12 team leagues. Clearly Dion Lewis’ comeback plus the play of LaGarette Blount have resulted in his drop, I guess? They play the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday which is an obvious lopsided match as the Patriots enter the game coming off a home loss. Ya’ll better get out the way!

Wendell Smallwood PHI – Oh him again. I would not go and invest too much into his success, but this is simply an addition in case Ryan Mathews goes down or again falls out of favor with the coaching staff. Still Smallwood ran well when giving the opportunity. He carried the ball 13 times for 70 yards for a 5.4 YPC.

Kenneth Dixon BAL – Terrance West led the backfield with 21 carries to Dixon’s 6, but it’s what they did with them. Kenneth had a 6.3 YPC while Terrance West carried a 3.1 YPC. Dixon also hauled in 4 receptions on 7 targets for 42 yards to West’s 1 catch on 2 targets for 12 yards. Dixon is much more versatile and explosive and will be the RB to own in this backfield down the stretch.

CJ Prosise SEA – CJ is the man. If he is available in any of your leagues pick him up now. He is a difference maker especially in PPR formats. With Thomas Rawls possible come back this week it is possible that he has some value as a bench stash. Christine Michael is clearly out of favor and looks to be out of gas too.

Watch List – Jalen Richard OAK, Dwayne Washington DET, Jeremy Langford CHI

Wide Receiver

Rishard Mathews TEN – Another game another TD. That makes 6 in 6 games. I would caution that he is not getting a lot of targets but when he continues to find the end zone week in week out, who cares?

Eli Rogers PIT – Sammie Coates is apparently not going to miss time with two broken fingers, but it has cleared a path for Eli Rogers to be the clear-cut #2 WR in Pittsburgh. Eli is a must own in all formats.

Tyreek Hill KC – 13 targets! Wow! He caught 10 of them for 89 yards too. If Maclin comes back this week look for these targets to go way down, but if he does not play expect Tyreek to get a heavy workload.

Devante Parker MIA – Right about this time last year is when Parker began turning it up in his rookie campaign that gave him a ton of preseason hype. People grew frustrated and eventually dropped him in a ton of leagues. Staying consistent with the timing Parker catches 5 of 8 targets for 103 yards. Here is to him stringing together a bunch of good games late in the season, again.

Cameron Meredith CHI – This guy could have been a top 15 WR had Hoyer stayed healthy. When Cutler came back it was like he didn’t even know who Meredith was. Now with Alshon Jeffery out for 4 weeks with a PED suspension maybe Cameron will introduce himself to Jay. Jay meet Cameron, Cameron meet Jay. Jay, he is the best WR on your sweet football team.

Michael Floyd ARI – Everything I said about Devante Parker pretty much applies here. After being demoted publicly it seemed to have lit a spark under Floyd. He played well on Sunday doing what we thought he would do in the preseason going up and grabbing balls out of the sky using his big body to haul in the deep ball. Floyd ended up catching 5 of 6 targets for 101 yards.

Watch List – Tyler Lockett SEA, Brian Quick STL, Dontrelle Inman SD, Taylor Gabriel ATL

Tight End

LaDarius Green PIT – had only 3 catches for 30 yards but the storyline is he is back in the league. His return was not guaranteed, but it looks like he is back and he landed in a perfect situation for a tight end. He is an excellent bet to score in the top 5 at the tight end position from now until the end of the season. Excellent add.

Cameron Brate TB – Some of you were smart enough to pick him up last week. He’s still available in a ton of leagues and proves to be a target monster in this offense. Brate caught all 7 of his targets for 84 yards and a TD.

Watch List – Will Tye NYG, Vance McDonald SF, Richard Rodgers GB

Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups

By Michael Visconti November 8th, 2016

Not a very big week of waiver wire pickup names, and on the flipside there was not any major injuries either. The biggest bye weeks are behind us and while we still have 4 byes this week and next we are almost through the dog days of fantasy football.

It is time to start shaping up your roster for the playoffs and prepare for the championship weeks. Take a look ahead and load up the type of stream defenses, kickers and QB’s that might carry some value during Weeks 14-16. I also like to hold onto the proper handcuffs needed.

Week 10 byes

Buffalo
Detroit
Indianapolis
Oakland

Week 11 byes

Atlanta
Denver
San Diego
New York Jets

Then we finish with 2 odd week byes in Week 13:

Tennessee
Cleveland

Quarterbacks

At this stage of the year rather than suggesting a rest of the way Quarterback pickup we will be offering our best streamers in order of our weekly standard rankings. Here are the stream options for Week 10:

#8 Eli Manning NYG vs. CIN
#10 Joe Flacco BAL vs. CLE
#11 Jay Cutler CHI @ TB

Running Backs

Tim Hightower NO – Hightower out carried Mark Ingram 23 to 15, but Mark did exactly what he needed to do against the 49ers to earn himself the starting job back. Tim Hightower looked pretty good too though.

Sean Payton will surely work both RBs in over the course of the next 7 weeks, but Tim should be viewed as a handcuff to Ingram.

Chris Ivory JAX – Certainly Ivory was dropped in a couple of 12 team leagues. He played really well gaining 107 yards on 18 carries in Kansas City which is a very difficult place to play. He ran hard, determined and focused, He was actually fun to watch. I still cannot believe that Jacksonville is this bad of an offense. I like them to be competitive and put some points on the board down the stretch.

Paul Perkins NYG – Oh then there is the run game in New York, ugly. Paul matched starting running back Rashad Jennings carry total of 11 and his receiving target of 3. Both RB’s averaged less than 3 yards per carry but it is important to note that Paul is being worked in to this offense and I am sure his volume will grow over the next several weeks.

Dujuan Harris SF – While everybody spent their FAAB on Charcandrick West, Tim Hightower, CJ Prosise and Paul Perkins last week it was Dujuan Harris that brought the firs! Well if you take away his long reception for a TD his numbers do not look that great. Still he had 559 yards on 10 carries. Not that bad. Hyde is not guaranteed to be back this week from shoulder injury which would make Harris an RB2 at Arizona.

Payton Barber TB – So this is what it has come to. Jaquizz Rodgers is out while Doug Martin is a ways away from coming back and it is unlikely we see Charles Sims in the next few weeks despite recent progress. Barber is simply the next man up and can be started if you are in a bye week pinch or you need an RB3.

Watch List – Jalen Richard OAK, Dwayne Washington DET, Kenneth Dixon BAL

Wide Receiver

Rishard Mathews TEN – Rishard has 5 TDs over the last 5 weeks which of course has him due for a 3-4 week slump, but still looks to have a connection with Mariota as of late. He caught 6 of his 10 targets for 63 yards and 2 TDs.

Eli Rogers PIT – It has been difficult to understand who the #2 WR is for Pittsburgh. Sammie Coates one week and Eli the next. Eli just looked better on the field this week hauling in 6 of his 10 targets for 103 yards and a TD while Coates had some bad routes and had a couple of inexcusable drops.

Quinton Patton SF – Quinton’s targets have increased since Kaepernick has taken over at QB while Jeremy Kerley’s targets have taken a slight dip. He is a deep-league only consideration in PPR formats.
Marquise Lee JAX – Marquise had 84 yards on 8 targets while Allen Hurns had zero catches partially due to suffering a concussion, but also due to his inept play this season. Lee is a decent option this week in Houston.

Corey Coleman CLE – Coleman is back on the rise after returning from injury getting 7 targets. He will get the volume as the clear #2 wide receiver for a team that will surely be down in most if not all of the remaining minutes for 2016. Nobody said fantasy is pretty.

Watch List – Steve Smith CAR, Brian Quick STL, Dontrelle Inman SD, Cordarrelle Patterson MIN

Tight End

Austin Hooper ATL – Although he is the 3-4 option in the Atlanta pass game that is better than most of the other tight end scenarios available. He is a decent plug in over the next 3 bye weeks.

Lance Kendricks STL – Is this the Lance Kendricks that has been in the league since 1993? It seems that long. The volume is hard to deny. Lance hauled in 7 of 12 targets for 90 yards.

Watch List – Will Tye NYG, Vance McDonald SF, Richard Rodgers GB

Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

By Michael Visconti November 1st, 2016

The half way point of the 16-week fantasy season is here and a lot has changed. Starting fantasy running backs are getting benched (Mark Ingram, Matt Jones), going on IR (Jamal Charles), some are retiring (Arian Foster), and CJ Spiller got signed by the Jets, again. This just in: CJ Spiller has been dropped by the Jets, just kidding, we will give him 2 weeks. Mostly everyone is banged up and questionable while the others are on bye weeks.

This week we have six teams on bye: Bears, Bengals, Patriots, Cardinals, Redskins and the Texans. Below is a list of great options to plug in and help you get through football’s version of the dog days of summer.

Quarterbacks

At this stage of the year rather than suggesting a rest of the way Quarterback pickup we will be offering our best streamers in order of our weekly standard rankings. Here are this week’s stream options:

#5 Dak Prescott – DAL @ CLE
#7 Colin Kaepernick – SF vs NO
#11 Joe Flacco – BAL vs PIT

Watch List – Tony Romo DAL, Josh McCown CLE, Jay Cutler CHI

Running Backs

Tim Hightower NO – Mark Ingram fumbled in the first against a very tough Seahawk defense and Sean Payton (my favorite coach) saw enough. Hightower sat the rest of the game while claiming it was because Hightower was productive. Note to Payton: Hightower was not that productive, but as long as Payton has no faith in Ingram then Hightower will get the volume here.

Charcandrick West KC – With today’s news of Jamal Charles heading to the IR and this weekend’s concussion to Spencer Ware paves the way for West to get some volume. Andy Reid loves to run the ball and West is currently the RB1 in Kansas City. Ware might not miss anytime, but West will be the hot pickup this week and not a bad one on the chance that Ware misses time or worse suffers another blow to the head.

Paul Perkins NYG – This might be the change that the Giants have been talking about going into the bye. News came out today that they plan on getting Paul more involved in the offense, and my belief is they worked him in with the ones during the bye week. He is the most talented RB on the team.

Antone Smith TB – He will share time with Peyton Barber and while we have both of them projected to split the carries 50/50 Smith is a better receiving back. If I had to grab one for Thursday night, it would be Antone.

CJ Prosise SEA – I picked him up in a couple of leagues last week and he played pretty well. It is clear that he has a role in the passing game in this offense. Good plug in at running back for PPR leagues.

Derrick Henry TEN – While he is owned in most leagues he is still available in some 12 teamers and lower. Murray is 3rd in total carries through 8 weeks with 160 (Gordon and Blount have 161). Murray also pulled up lame with a toe injury in Week 8. He is fine for week 9, but could be a sign of things to come. I’m in on Henry being a difference maker down the stretch.

Rob Kelley WAS – I believe I can fly…I believe I can touch the sky… Rob got the start in Week 8 and got 87 yards on 21 carries. Not bad for his first start. He heads into bye Week 9 and Matt Jones is likely going to get another shot, but he will be on the shortest leash possible. If he fumbles again he will never see the field again. Either way Rob has earned himself a role in this offense for the remainder of the year.

Watch List – Peyton Barber TB, Dujuan Harris SF, Thomas Rawls SEA, Alfred Morris DAL, Don Jackson GB, Kapri Bibbs DEN

Wide Receiver

Mohammed Sanu ATL – Well it is clear that Sanu is going to take over the number 1 wide receiver spot in Atlanta. All kidding aside Sanu played extremely well on Sunday catching 9 of his 10 targets for 84 yards and a TD. Sanu is the clear cut 2nd option in this offense.

JJ Nelson ARI – JJ was promoted to the first string offense with Michael Floyd’s intermittent play. Now Floyd is questionable for the week. Nelson got 12 targets in Week 8 and is making the most of his action catching 8 of them and taking 2 to the end zone.

Donte Moncrief IND – While his 4 for 41 line doesn’t look very promising it is obvious that Luck loves having the big dude back on the field. I love Moncrief for the rest of the way as a 1B 2A starting fantasy WR.

Watch List – Percy Harvin BUF, Corey Coleman CLE, Brian Quick STL, Tyreek Hill KC, Seth Roberts OAK

Tight End

CJ Fiedorowicz HOU – Fun spelling. CJ has performed pretty good the last couple of weeks and will continue to be involved with a decent floor from week to week.

Eric Ebron DET – Eric had 7 catches on 10 targets in his return back to action. Ebron is quickly becoming the new Jordan Reed, all of the talent but cannot manage to stay on the field. He will be great as long as he plays.

Watch List – Virgil Green DEN

Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

By Michael Visconti October 25th, 2016

We are almost at the half way point. It goes so fast. We are also at the point of the season where we have the biggest bye weeks. This week we have six teams on bye: Rams, Dolphins, Giants, 49ers, Steelers, and Ravens. Brutal. Get ready to see what kind of bench you and your opponents have. This is a great opportunity to creep up in points and sneak in a win by playing the waiver wire and free agent market better than your league mates.

Quarterbacks

There aren’t any Quarterbacks recommended as season long holds, so here are a few streamers for Week 8:

Alex Smith KC @ IND
Sam Bradford @ CHI
Brock Osweiller vs HOU
Ryan Fitzpatrick @ NYJ

Watch List – Josh McCown CLE, Tony Romo DAL, Colin Kaepernick SF

Running Backs

Jay Ajayi MIA – In case your league did not believe in his 200+ yard Week 6 performance he posted another 200+ yard performance which will require you to put all of your FAAB on him now. He is worth it, especially with the recent news of Arian Foster’s retirement.

Jaquizz Rodgers TB – As Doug Martin is still ailing with a foot injury Quiz keeps racking up the carries. I saw him dropped in a couple of leagues with Doug whispered of returning last week. Foot injuries are tricky and Quiz is a must add in all formats.

Devontae Booker DEN – Booker is earning more and more playing time. He surpassed CJ Anderson on Monday Night Football with a total of 17 to 16 carries. If he keeps playing well he will continue to get a lot of action. CJ will continue to get a bunch of looks here too, but in this day of football a run-heavy offense can have two fantasy relevant running backs.

Chris Thompson WAS – As I spoke of in the preseason Matt Jones loves to fumble. That could be a career killer for him. Chris got the most action. He caught all 7 of his targets while rushing the ball 13 times. He is not the prototypical running back, more like a scat back, but the upcoming Redskins schedule (aside from Minnesota) is good enough to bring Thompson to fantasy relevance down the stretch. I really like that week 16 matchup versus the Bears.

Mike Gillislee BUF – Mike will be the starting running back should LeSean miss anytime. He has played pretty well this season with a 6.8 YPC this season. If LeSean is fine, which he usually finds a way to play, then Mike has very little value. He is worth a speculative add.

Ty Montgomery GB – I guess I will put this guy here in the running back section. The former wide out is still probably a wide out. Either way he has great value for the remainder of the season. I have my eyes on Knile Davis as he is more of the traditional Packers type of a running back, but Ty will be heavily involved in this offense moving forward.

Kenneth Dixon BAL – With the very brief success of Terrance West owners may have been fed up holding onto Dixon. Coach John Harbaugh is committed to getting Kenneth in action as soon as this week.

Watch List –Damien Williams MIA, Thomas Rawls SEA, Dion Lewis NE, Alfred Morris DAL, Zach Zenner DET, Matt Asiata MIN, Knile Davis GB, Rob Kelley WAS

Wide Receiver

Kenny Britt LA – Kenny came back down to earth, but he still led the Rams with 8 targets. The big guy will have a couple to three big games down the stretch and is worth an add through these bye weeks.

DaVante Adams GB – And the Hate – Love – Mostly Hate relationship continues. Get ready for the Week 8 letdown here. Adams will be the #1 pickup this week, but we have all seen this movie before. Still, he had a monster Thursday Night Football game.

Kenny Stills MIA – Kenny had a great Sunday and looks like he leap-frogged disappointing DaVante Parker on the depth chart. Stills had 100 yards receiving on 5 catches and a TD.

Marquise Lee JAX – I cannot quite figure out why Lee had just as many targets as Allen Robinson this Sunday, but maybe it is that while A-Rob draws all the best defensive attention Lee gets the best matchup. He did the most he could with his 8 targets catching 7 of them for 107 yards while A-Rob caught 2 of his 8 targets for 9 yards, that’s disgusting. Allen Hurns had 7 targets and caught 4 for 45 yards. This is not a very exciting scoop, but he may end up being the most fantasy relevant on this team for the remainder of the season. Jury is out.

Watch List – Corey Coleman CLE, Cordarelle Patterson MIN, Adam Thielen, Nelson Agholor PHI, Chris Conley KC, Robert Woods BUF, Breshad Perriman BAL, Anquan Boldin DET, Seth Roberts OAK, Michael Floyd ARI

Tight End

Vernon Davis WAS – VD caught all six of his targets for 79 yards. I will say that Reed has been cleared to begin practicing, but I have very little confidence in his ability to stay healthy.

Jack Doyle IND – Jack was on every one of my DFS lineups last week and he was the highest scoring fantasy tight end. His play, especially redzone targets, has earned him a spot as a waiver wire add in season long leagues. Jack caught 9 balls and one for a TD on Sunday.

Watch List – Lance Kendricks LA, Vance McDonald SF