Week 13 Waiver Wire Adds

Blame it on California.

I am sitting on the plane, writing this story, realizing how vital waiver wire additions are for fantasy owners this week and cursing Frontier for not offering in-flight wireless internet.

So, I guess you should blame it on Frontier. Sorry about that, California. And also my apologies to fantasy owners for the tardiness of this post .

I was able to peruse the stats from week 12 in order to find some of this week’s waiver wire gems. If you read this in time, make sure to take a look in your league(s) for these players.

Jerious Norwood, RB, Falcons : The Falcons may have rushed Michael Turner back too quickly , but did not do the same for Norwood. Good thing, too, because he appears to be fully healthy again and ready for his chance to cash in on all that preseason hype we laid on his shoulders.

Fred Jackson, RB, Bills : What goes around, comes around—and Jackson has now come full circle. He started the season with a bang as the Bills starter for the first three weeks. And then Marshawn Lynch returned. But now that Dick Jauron has been fired, it appears the Bills are going back to what worked well earlier this season.

Jason Avant, WR, Eagles : More than any other team, the Philadelphia Eagles likely will treat DeSean Jackson’s concussion very, very delicately. That means more opportunities for Avant, who has become the veteran presence in the Eagles’ passing game.

Kevin Walter, WR, Texans : Walter caught seven passes for 73 yards against the Colts and appears to be getting more work. That has a lot to do with the absence of Owen Daniels.

Vince Young, QB, Titans : If you missed the VY train in previous weeks, there may still be time to punch your ticket. But you better do it this week after his masterful week 12 performance against the Cardinals, which included a game-winning 99-yard touchdown drive. It might be too soon to tell, but Young may be developing a rapport with Kenny Britt so keep an eye on Britt as well.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Target These Players for the Fantasy Football Playoffs

In continuation of trade deadline advice week here at The Hazean, today’s fantasy football trade feature focuses on a few players with tasty playoff schedules.

In case you were wondering, yesterday’s feature highlighted eight handcuffs fantasy owners should target via the waiver wire or trade market this week.

For those of you in the thick of the playoff race, looking too far ahead could be costly. Each regular season weekend from now until the start of the fantasy playoffs should be the most important item on a fantasy owner’s agenda.

But getting a feel for which players have the best matchups come fantasy playoff time is never a bad idea. Especially if you are considering swinging a deal that could help you down the road.

Before making a deal, assess your chances of making the playoffs. If you have a few players with great matchups the next few weeks whom others are targeting in a trade, decide if you can get into the playoffs despite losing these players. And if so, make sure you get one or a few guys with great fantasy playoff schedules in return.

The players listed below have the tastiest of fantasy football playoff matchups based on the amount of fantasy points given up by the opposing defenses in the past few weeks.

The matchups for each of the players listed below are for a standard fantasy playoff schedule, Weeks 14 through 16. If you need Week 17 matchup advice, check the handy Fantasy Strength of Schedule tool provided by FFToday .

 

Quarterbacks

Kurt Warner, Cardinals
@ 49ers, @ Lions, vs. Rams

Matt Schaub, Texans
vs. Seahawks, @ Rams, @ Dolphins

Risky Pick: Vince Young, Titans
vs. Rams, vs. Dolphins, vs. Chargers

 

Running Backs

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
@ Browns, vs. Packers, vs. Ravens

Thomas Jones, Jets
@ Buccaneers, vs. Falcons, @ Colts

Risky Pick: Michael Turner, Falcons
v. Saints, @ Jets, v. Bills

 

Wide Receivers

Marques Colston, Saints
@ Falcons, vs. Cowboys, vs. Buccaneers

Jerricho Cotchery/Braylon Edwards, Jets
@ Buccaneers, vs. Falcons, @ Colts

Risky Pick: Greg Jennings, Packers
@ Bears, @ Steelers, v. Seahawks

 

Tight Ends

Greg Olsen, Bears
v. Packers, @ Ravens, vs. Vikings

Heath Miller, Steelers
@ Browns, vs. Packers, vs. Ravens

Risky Pick: Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
@ Ravens, vs. Cardinals, @ 49ers

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Week 11 Waiver Wire Adds

Vindication, thy name is the waiver wire!

Hopefully our advice was heeded last week and you added Ladell Betts or Jamaal Charles to your roster.  Both guys finished the day with more than 100 yards rushing and one touchdown.  Not too bad for a plug-and-play in my opinion.

There was a myriad of injuries this past weekend , so no doubt people will be scrambling to lock up players on the waiver wire.  Even if your team is out of the playoff hunt, scoop up some of these players and trade them off to benefit your team next year.

Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta Falcons

With Turner going down to a reported high ankle sprain , Snelling took over and rushed for 61 yards and a score.  He also added 32 yards receiving to his cause.  Turner is getting an MRI done today, but more than likely he will be out for at least this upcoming week.  With Jerious Norwood injured as well, Snelling will get all the carries as long as Turner is out.  He is a must-add for all Michael Turner owners.

Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Forsett came in to replace the injured Julius Jones and had a nice day as he accumulated 123 yards and a touchdown.  As long as Forsett can continue to produce, the Seahawks will not rush Jones back onto the field.  Forsett could produce big dividends in the weeks to come.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Phiadelphia Eagles

We recommended adding McCoy a few weeks back once Westbrook went down with a concussion.  Now, Westy has suffered a second concussion in three weeks , and his season/career is now in jeopardy.  McCoy looks to be the main guy going forward in the Philly back field, so if he is still available pick him up for the duration of the season.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Week 11 Waiver Wire Adds

Vindication, thy name is the waiver wire!

Hopefully our advice was heeded last week and you added Ladell Betts or Jamaal Charles to your roster.  Both guys finished the day with more than 100 yards rushing and one touchdown.  Not too bad for a plug-and-play in my opinion.

There was a myriad of injuries this past weekend , so no doubt people will be scrambling to lock up players on the waiver wire.  Even if your team is out of the playoff hunt, scoop up some of these players and trade them off to benefit your team next year.

Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta Falcons

With Turner going down to a reported high ankle sprain , Snelling took over and rushed for 61 yards and a score.  He also added 32 yards receiving to his cause.  Turner is getting an MRI done today, but more than likely he will be out for at least this upcoming week.  With Jerious Norwood injured as well, Snelling will get all the carries as long as Turner is out.  He is a must-add for all Michael Turner owners.

Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Forsett came in to replace the injured Julius Jones and had a nice day as he accumulated 123 yards and a touchdown.  As long as Forsett can continue to produce, the Seahawks will not rush Jones back onto the field.  Forsett could produce big dividends in the weeks to come.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Phiadelphia Eagles

We recommended adding McCoy a few weeks back once Westbrook went down with a concussion.  Now, Westy has suffered a second concussion in three weeks , and his season/career is now in jeopardy.  McCoy looks to be the main guy going forward in the Philly back field, so if he is still available pick him up for the duration of the season.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Percy Harvin Surges to the Top of the Rookie Rankings

You know it is a down year when the rookie rankings are headed up by a guy who did not even play last weekend.

Sure, this year’s class has had its moments. Mark Sanchez looked like like a star at the start of the year. Knowshon Moreno took the reins in Denver. But mostly, it has been a relative disappoint for this season’s rookies from a fantasy standpoint.

Perhaps Michael Crabtree can redeem the class by season’s end?

Good thing the Rookie Report is a cumulative list based on the whole season. Otherwise, this week’s top five might have five new players due to subpar performances by the regulars this past week.

1.  Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings –  Harvin was on a bye and gained “Top Dog” status on this week’s list.  Some of that is because of his rookie peers’ lackluster performances, but mostly it is because of his versatility.

2.  Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos –  Moreno was completely shut down by the Steelers rush defense with just five carries for three yards.  Stats like that are not the way to remain on this list.  The Broncos need him to contribute in a big way to stop their two game losing streak.

3.  Austin Collie, WR, Colts –  Collie lost most of his usual action to sure-handed tight end Dallas Clark, who had 14 catches.  Collie will need to have a big game against the Patriots if the Colts want to maintain their undefeated status.

4.  Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers –  Wallace is making his first appearance on this list with a four-catch-for-69-yards-and-one-touchdown performance against the Broncos on Monday Night Football.  Wallace is becoming Big Ben’s go-to deep threat in the passing game.

5.  Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets –  Sanchez is still hanging in on this list because of his early successes to start the season.  He needs to come back strong after the bye week to remain in contention for fantasy rookie of the year.

Last week’s Rookie Report rankings:

1. Knowshon Moreno
2. Percy Harvin
3. Austin Collie
4. Hakeem Nicks
5. Mark Sanchez

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Bye Week Plug-and-Plays for Week 10

The starting roster scramble is about to begin in earnest for fantasy football owners.

With more teams observing bye weeks of the 2009 NFL regular season this weekend, fantasy owners will spend precious team management time plugging holes in rosters left by idle players .

Complicating matters for several owners are injuries to both starting fantasy players and those on the bench. Those in an extreme pinch will need to seek salvation from the waiver wire in order to make it through the weekend.

Let the hysteria begin.

There is hope, however. Many a fantasy owner has had to strategically manipulate the waiver wire to find the perfect plug-and-play starter over the years. We all have been there.

Usually it happens with the least carried positions on fantasy rosters: tight ends, kickers and defenses. However, those with rosters decimated by injuries will need more than a one-week stop gap at the least valuable fantasy positions.

Scouring the waiver wire for the right plug-and-play is risky business, but there are several players who could fit the bill this weekend.

Week 10 Byes

Texans: Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton, Andre Johnson
Giants: Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks

Potential Week 10 Plug-and-Plays

The players listed below are unowned in a majority of fantasy football leagues and have favorable match-ups in week 10. Any one of these guys is worth a start this weekend for an in-need fantasy football owner.

Quarterbacks

Chad Henne v. Buccaneers
Passing is inconsistent in Miami with the Wildcat offense, but the Bucs’ D can be had through the air. Perhaps a trick touchdown pass/catch is in the cards for Henne?

Alex Smith v. Bears
Smith and the 49ers play at home on Thursday night against the Bears. Smith has been putting up good fantasy numbers despite losing.

Running Backs

Jamaal Charles @ Raiders
Larry Johnson is gone for good but was it a vote of confidence for Charles?

Justin Fargas v. Chiefs
As long as Darren McFadden continues to sit out Fargas will continue to be a decent option for a desperate owner.

Wide Receivers

Terrell Owens/Lee Evans @ Titans
Either of these guys could be floating on waivers in some leagues, and both could be good plays this weekend.

Steve Breaston v. Seahawks
With Anquan Boldin out last weekend, Breaston cherished the opportunity. Maybe he will get another chance to start this weekend.

Tight Ends

Brandon Pettigrew @ Vikings
A breakthrough performance for Pettigrew last weekend or just an aberration? Vikings allow fantasy points to TEs.

Kickers

Jay Feeley v. Jaguars
Feeley has been one of the most consistent kickers in fantasy this year and should get enough opportunities in this one.

Defense/Special Teams

Dolphins v. Buccaneers
Sure Josh Freeman was good in his first start at home, but going on the road against a tough-ish D should be a different story.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Daily Haze: Brandon Jacobs V. Ahmad Bradshaw

Perhaps I overlooked one other emerging running-back-by-committee last week, because clearly Ahmad Bradshaw has worked his way into a significant portion of the Giants’ running game.

In Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, Bradshaw carried the ball 14 times to lead all Giants running backs in carries. Jacobs carried 11 times while third-string running back Danny Ware received two carries. In total, Bradshaw received 17 touches to Jacobs’ 12.

Those numbers should be a little concerning for Jacobs’ owners.

He was hampered during the game by a slight knee injury, though he continued to play through it. More frustratingly, Jacobs averaged 6.1 yards per carry compared to Bradshaw’s 2.8, and he has averaged more than five yards per carry during the Giants’ four-game losing streak.

As a Jacobs owner, I am not sure there is anything more perplexing to watch than the Giants’ running back rotation. Just when it seems Jacobs has the wheels rolling, he heads to the sidelines for Bradshaw. In last weekend’s contest, perhaps the Giants would have been better off leaving Jacobs on the field a little more often.

The good news is that there does not appear to be a changing of the guard, like there was earlier this season when Rashard Mendenhall took over for Willie Parker . The Giants have a bye this weekend to get both backs healthy and try to figure out the rotation.

Here are today’s great reads:

* The groundswell of fantasy support for Joseph Addai continues to gain momentum as he continues to get the opportunities. [Roto Arcade]

* Once again, running backs proved why theirs is the most important position in fantasy football with a big week nine from several players. [National Football Post]

* More playoff planning advice for fantasy owners in the thick of the postseason push. [FanHouse]

* I, for one, thought this would be a big year for LaDainian Tomlinson. Maybe it is time all the Tomlinson supporters start to realize that the end is near for the great LT2 . [ProFootballTalk]

* Waiver wire advice for those of you in individual defensive player leagues. [Kilroyz Krystal Ball]

 

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Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL’s Midseason Fantasy Rankings

Time again to take a look at how the fantasy rankings have shaken out with another quarter of the season in the books.

Now at the midway point in the NFL schedule fantasy owners are getting a better idea of which players are for real and which may have been fantasy mirages . After the first four weeks we showed you the top-10 fantasy players at each position; This time, we give you the top 12.

The rankings below are for a standard-scoring, non-PPR league. Standard scoring in this case means the following for the offensive positions: six points for all touchdowns, one point per 25 yards passing, one point per 10 yards rushing/receiving, -2 points per turnover.

Top 12 Quarterbacks

Imagine how good Aaron Rodgers could be, or how good the Packers could be, if the Green Bay offensive line could give him some protection … Matt Schaub had a strong first half but has to deal with the loss of Owen Daniels now … Brett Favre continues his meteoric rise up the QB rankings, but can the old man sustain this pace in the second half? … Tony Romo is kind of sneaky in here; He was almost written-off by most of the public after the early part of 2009.

Top 12 Running Backs

No one is surprised to see Peterson, Jones-Drew and Johnson at the top of the rankings …Ray Rice has become a fantasy stud , he is a must-start every week going forward regardless of match-up…Thomas Jones continues to get it done, despite all the offseason talk about him being done as a valuable fantasy commodity…Poor Steven Jackson. Dude has one touchdown to his credit in St. Louis and still tears it up. If only he played for a better team.

Top 12 Wide Receivers

Hello Vincent Jackson, welcome to the No. 2 wide receiver ranking in fantasy football. I am slightly surprised…Wow, what a difference a few games have made for Miles Austin… No one should be surprised to see a Green Bay receiver in the top 12, but I think many would be surprised that it is not Greg Jennings after all the preseason love…DeSean Jackson continues to score really, really long touchdowns.

Top 12 Tight Ends

Daniels was having a phenomenal season for both the Texans and his fantasy owners…How good has Davis been for the 49ers and now for Alex Smith?…Heath Miller, much to my surprise, is having a great fantasy season…Shiancoe had a good season last year for fantasy owners, so it is no surprise to see him in the top 12 especially with Brett Favre at quarterback…Where, oh where, has Jason Witten gone?

Top 12 Defenses/Special Teams

The Saints—that is right, the New Orleans Saints—are the best fantasy defense at midseason. Soak it in, Saints’ fans…A few other unusual suspects continue to linger among the best starting Ds in the league (Broncos, Bills, 49ers, Bengals)…Speaking of the Bills, how that unit remains in the top-12 despite all the injuries they have suffered is beyond me.

Top 12 Kickers

Any big surprises here? Kickers are kickers, after all.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Three Emerging Running-Backs-by-Committee

RBBC.

No fantasy football acronym has caused so much frustration among fantasy owners in recent years than the one for running-back-by-committee. What a dirty four-letter acronym it is.

Fantasy owners averted the early RBBC’s at almost any cost. But as more NFL teams began to employ the tactic—it is a copycat league, after all—fantasy owners were forced to accept the RBBC.

And, to be fair, it has been pretty lucrative.

Because of the rampant RBBCs across the league, quality running backs run deep. Fantasy drafts this summer had one of the deepest talent-rich classes of running backs in recent memory.

Hard to complain about an abundance of running backs if you play fantasy football.

Not all running-backs-by-committee are assembled in the offseason, training camps and/or preseason games, however. Sometimes it takes an in-season opportunity for a RBBC to crop up, like the three below did in week eight.

 

Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats, and Chris Brown, Texans

Slaton and Brown became a familiar tandem for fantasy owners earlier this season, but Moats decided to crash the party —hard—with a three-touchdown performance last Sunday.

So what happens now in Houston?

Slaton likely will get the rock back as the starter until he coughs it up again. He simply is too talented and explosive not to be on the field. Houston can get away with that against Buffalo, but not against teams like Indianapolis.

Brown should see goal-line and short-yardage duties per the usual. Moats deserves some playing time after his display in Buffalo, but it is going to take an injury or continued fumble-itis for Moats to become fantasy trustworthy.

 

Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris, Lions

Smith continues to deal with injury issues . It may not be fair to question his durability given that he runs behind the Lions’ offensive line, but his bumps and bruises have opened the door for the veteran Morris.

Sure, it was against St. Louis, but Morris had a better day on the ground (14 carries, 63 yards) than Smith (16 for 45). Smith is too talented in the receiving game to see less time on the field than Morris, but Morris likely will see more time in the rotation in an effort to shield Smith from some hits.

 

Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, Eagles

It took a 66-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for McCoy to deliver a solid fantasy performance in Westbrook’s stead on Sunday against the Giants.

But his near-insignificance in the game was not necessarily a result of his ineptitude but that of the Giants’ secondary. Donovan McNabb took to the skies early and often, throwing for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

McCoy is too talented not to see the field at this point. If the Eagles are going to keep Westbrook healthy for the playoff push, McCoy should start to see more touches per game even when Westy returns to the starting lineup.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Austin Collie Makes His Move Among the NFL’s Rookies

Rookie wide receivers have taken over a majority of the weekly Rookie Report rankings.

There are three receivers in this week’s top five and plenty on the cusp trying to make their way into the elite group of rookies. Usually, wide receivers take the longest to become a factor in the NFL out of college—but not this season.

Last year was the year of the running back, save Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson, and this year has been the year for wide receivers to shine.

Alas, a running back remains at the top of the rookie rankings.

1. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos — Moreno is still the No. 1 running back of the rookie class, now coming out of his team’s bye week. The Broncos are 6-0 and he should be well-rested for a run at a division title and The Hazean’s Fantasy Rookie of the Year award.

2. Austin Collie, WR, Colts — Collie has been consistent the past few weeks, and leads rookie receivers in catches. He also is tied for first in receiving touchdowns. Collie is the same type of receiver as Anthony Gonzalez and I believe he still will see plenty of action when Gonzalez returns.

3. Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings — Harvin had an average day as a receiver against Pittsburgh, but again he had a big contribution to the team. Harvin has proven to be a excellent kick returner by returning yet another kickoff for a touchdown last weekend.

4. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants — Nicks found the endzone again against the Cardinals. It was a little flukey, but a touchdown nonetheless. Nicks is a desirable big-play receiver, and Eli Manning can throw the ball up and watch Nicks go up and get it. Nicks is making Eli forget all about that other big target he used to throw to at receiver.

5. Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets — Sanchez beat up on the Raiders just like he was supposed to. He did not throw for too many yards, but he did have two total touchdowns and a hot dog. The next quarterback to play the Raiders has to one-up Sanchez by eating a hot dog in the pocket or something.

Coming soon: Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers. Look out, fellow rookie receivers, for Crabtree already is on your heels.

Last Week’s Rookie Report Rankings:

1. Knowshon Moreno
2. Percy Harvin
3. Hakeem Nicks
4. Mark Sanchez
5. Austin Collie

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

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