Waiver Wednesday: The Hot 8
It's playoff time in most fantasy leagues and that means the season has become all about one thing and one thing only: SURVIVAL.
It doesn't have to be pretty and it isn't going to happen by all of your regular starters all doing well for 3-4 weeks in a row. To win a championship you are going to have to think outside of the box. Take calculated risks with both your roster moves and your starting lineups. There are many factors at this point in the season that aren't a concern in October or November. Weather, injuries, fatigue, rest for playoffs, perfect seasons, personal records and future considerations all play a part in what the remaining weeks will shape up like.
But don't worry. If you are reading this article chances are you also follow my daily blog on Fantasy Football Search I'll be here every step of the way to give you all the information you need to make the right decisions and secure your championship. Together we'll finish off this season in style and bring home the bling.
1) Jason Avant -- WR -- Eagles -- Yeah, I like him this much. Avant is without question Donovan McNabb's most trusted target especially anywhere near the endzone. I understand DeSean Jackson is coming back from his concussion this week and Jeremy Maclin is doing well also but to me Avant is very close to being an automatic starter. I'd easily start him over Maclin the rest of the way and for those of us needing help at the WR spot this is a huge value. Avant will score in at least 2 of the remaining weeks of this season and accumulate a decent amount of catches and yards in the process.
2) Jerome Harrison -- RB -- Browns -- I have been recommending both Chris Jennings and Harrison for a couple of weeks now and a couple of things surprise me. First is how many fantasy teams still owned Harrison (25%) despite him not being anywhere close to a factor of late and being deactivated for a game just 2 weeks ago. I am also surprised by Mangini's use of Harrison and not Jennings in the red zone last week against the Chargers. Now, I must tell you that Jennings is suffering from a shoulder injury and that I do not expect Harrison to be in at the goal line on a regular basis either. But, in PPR leagues Harrison is a very solid player providing Mangini keeps using him as the primary RB for the Browns. If so, Harrison will touch the ball 20+ times a game and with his elusiveness and breakaway speed this could give any fantasy team that push it needs to get over the championship hump.
3) Brady Quinn -- QB -- Browns -- Before you start ripping me for all of these Browns players let me say that championships are rarely won with studs anymore. NFL teams rest many of their key players down the stretch and even the most minor of injuries become reason for less touches in any given game. You must be prepared to go to war with players you wouldn't have touched a few weeks ago. That is the fantasy football world we live in today. Therefore, a hot hand like that of Brady Quinn could be of real service to someone in need of a QB or in leagues where you start 2 QB's per week. Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Jake Delhomme, Matt Stafford, Matt Schaub, Tom Brady, Mark Sanchez and Matt Hasselbeck are all dealing with injuries that will or could result in missing one start or more. Combine that with teams resting QB's such as Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees and the changing weather patterns in certain cities and finding a starting QB could be real difficult all of a sudden. Quinn is playing real well right now and with purpose. It also doesn't hurt that he plays some of the worse defenses in the league in the final weeks of the regular season too.
4) Quinton Ganther -- RB -- Redskins -- Forget about Rock Cartwright. Cartwright is a fullback who is good in short yardage situations but isn't the answer as far as a feature RB solution for the Redskins. Ganther has been getting a good amount of carries and based on his performance is in line to receive plenty more going forward. What impresses me most about Ganther is his first step or cut after getting the ball. He seems to have great vision in how his blockers are setting up and makes a quick move toward where the room will be and hits the hold hard. I think Ganther may have a great game in week 14 against the Raiders and will rack up a ton of fantasy points. Don't get cute and start him ahead of Ray Rice or something like that but if you don't have a solid option and need some big points consider playing Ganther this week and shooting for the stars.
5) Chaz Schilens -- RB -- Raiders -- Louis Murphy had an amazing week last week for the Raiders but what got lost in the shuffle is the solid performance of Schilens. He is finally running with some burst and is confident enough in his leg to make aggressive breaks and go up for balls the way only a select few NFL WR's can. Now that the Raiders have a mediocre passing game it opens up the offense for much more fantasy opportunities than at any other point in the past 2 seasons. Schilens has incredible skills and he'll give some fantasy team a boost down the stretch.
6) Garrett Hartley -- K -- Saints -- An under the radar move that was made last Sunday was the Saints awarding Hartley the placekicking duties over John Carney. Carney had been the Saints kicker all season since Hartley had been suspended for the first four games due to the NFL's drug policy. Hartley is an above average kicker who kicks for the NFL's best offense. Fantasy points will follow and based on New Orleans schedule the rest of the way he could honestly kick 12-15 field goals and a ton of extra points. This is an instant upgrade for your kicker spot no matter who else you had before.
7) Devin Thomas -- WR -- Redskins -- I am not ready to say that I trust Thomas entirely yet but I have long been a believe of his talent. Thomas has elite WR skills but unfortunately also carries with him an elite WR's brashness and sense of entitlement. The Redskins need some playmakers on offense and Jason Campbell is finally airing it out and trusting his young WR's to make the plays they are capable of making. Campbell has been playing good ball lately and if last week was any indication it could finally payoff for Devin Thomas.
8) Ryan Moats -- RB -- Texans -- Like Jerome Harrison, Moats was one of the hottest waiver pickups this season after his 23-126 yards and 3 TD performance against the Bills. Steve Slaton won the job back just 2 weeks later and then even Chris Brown was seeing more carries than Moats. But with Slaton now out for the season with a neck injury, there is no doubt in my mind that Moats becomes the lead ball carrier for the Texans the rest of the way. He is a perfect fit for the one-cut zone blocking system that the Texans employ and has good speed as well as hands. Remember, Moats was originally drafted to be Brian Westbrook's replacement in Philadelphia but never got much of a chance to prove himself. I think Moats racks up at least 1 big game probably either this week against the Seahawks or next week against the lowly Rams. He is very startable in either matchup as either a low RB2 or flex player.
That is The Hot 8 for week 14. What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree?
Leave your comments below or email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com
It doesn't have to be pretty and it isn't going to happen by all of your regular starters all doing well for 3-4 weeks in a row. To win a championship you are going to have to think outside of the box. Take calculated risks with both your roster moves and your starting lineups. There are many factors at this point in the season that aren't a concern in October or November. Weather, injuries, fatigue, rest for playoffs, perfect seasons, personal records and future considerations all play a part in what the remaining weeks will shape up like.
But don't worry. If you are reading this article chances are you also follow my daily blog on Fantasy Football Search I'll be here every step of the way to give you all the information you need to make the right decisions and secure your championship. Together we'll finish off this season in style and bring home the bling.
1) Jason Avant -- WR -- Eagles -- Yeah, I like him this much. Avant is without question Donovan McNabb's most trusted target especially anywhere near the endzone. I understand DeSean Jackson is coming back from his concussion this week and Jeremy Maclin is doing well also but to me Avant is very close to being an automatic starter. I'd easily start him over Maclin the rest of the way and for those of us needing help at the WR spot this is a huge value. Avant will score in at least 2 of the remaining weeks of this season and accumulate a decent amount of catches and yards in the process.
2) Jerome Harrison -- RB -- Browns -- I have been recommending both Chris Jennings and Harrison for a couple of weeks now and a couple of things surprise me. First is how many fantasy teams still owned Harrison (25%) despite him not being anywhere close to a factor of late and being deactivated for a game just 2 weeks ago. I am also surprised by Mangini's use of Harrison and not Jennings in the red zone last week against the Chargers. Now, I must tell you that Jennings is suffering from a shoulder injury and that I do not expect Harrison to be in at the goal line on a regular basis either. But, in PPR leagues Harrison is a very solid player providing Mangini keeps using him as the primary RB for the Browns. If so, Harrison will touch the ball 20+ times a game and with his elusiveness and breakaway speed this could give any fantasy team that push it needs to get over the championship hump.
3) Brady Quinn -- QB -- Browns -- Before you start ripping me for all of these Browns players let me say that championships are rarely won with studs anymore. NFL teams rest many of their key players down the stretch and even the most minor of injuries become reason for less touches in any given game. You must be prepared to go to war with players you wouldn't have touched a few weeks ago. That is the fantasy football world we live in today. Therefore, a hot hand like that of Brady Quinn could be of real service to someone in need of a QB or in leagues where you start 2 QB's per week. Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Jake Delhomme, Matt Stafford, Matt Schaub, Tom Brady, Mark Sanchez and Matt Hasselbeck are all dealing with injuries that will or could result in missing one start or more. Combine that with teams resting QB's such as Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees and the changing weather patterns in certain cities and finding a starting QB could be real difficult all of a sudden. Quinn is playing real well right now and with purpose. It also doesn't hurt that he plays some of the worse defenses in the league in the final weeks of the regular season too.
4) Quinton Ganther -- RB -- Redskins -- Forget about Rock Cartwright. Cartwright is a fullback who is good in short yardage situations but isn't the answer as far as a feature RB solution for the Redskins. Ganther has been getting a good amount of carries and based on his performance is in line to receive plenty more going forward. What impresses me most about Ganther is his first step or cut after getting the ball. He seems to have great vision in how his blockers are setting up and makes a quick move toward where the room will be and hits the hold hard. I think Ganther may have a great game in week 14 against the Raiders and will rack up a ton of fantasy points. Don't get cute and start him ahead of Ray Rice or something like that but if you don't have a solid option and need some big points consider playing Ganther this week and shooting for the stars.
5) Chaz Schilens -- RB -- Raiders -- Louis Murphy had an amazing week last week for the Raiders but what got lost in the shuffle is the solid performance of Schilens. He is finally running with some burst and is confident enough in his leg to make aggressive breaks and go up for balls the way only a select few NFL WR's can. Now that the Raiders have a mediocre passing game it opens up the offense for much more fantasy opportunities than at any other point in the past 2 seasons. Schilens has incredible skills and he'll give some fantasy team a boost down the stretch.
6) Garrett Hartley -- K -- Saints -- An under the radar move that was made last Sunday was the Saints awarding Hartley the placekicking duties over John Carney. Carney had been the Saints kicker all season since Hartley had been suspended for the first four games due to the NFL's drug policy. Hartley is an above average kicker who kicks for the NFL's best offense. Fantasy points will follow and based on New Orleans schedule the rest of the way he could honestly kick 12-15 field goals and a ton of extra points. This is an instant upgrade for your kicker spot no matter who else you had before.
7) Devin Thomas -- WR -- Redskins -- I am not ready to say that I trust Thomas entirely yet but I have long been a believe of his talent. Thomas has elite WR skills but unfortunately also carries with him an elite WR's brashness and sense of entitlement. The Redskins need some playmakers on offense and Jason Campbell is finally airing it out and trusting his young WR's to make the plays they are capable of making. Campbell has been playing good ball lately and if last week was any indication it could finally payoff for Devin Thomas.
8) Ryan Moats -- RB -- Texans -- Like Jerome Harrison, Moats was one of the hottest waiver pickups this season after his 23-126 yards and 3 TD performance against the Bills. Steve Slaton won the job back just 2 weeks later and then even Chris Brown was seeing more carries than Moats. But with Slaton now out for the season with a neck injury, there is no doubt in my mind that Moats becomes the lead ball carrier for the Texans the rest of the way. He is a perfect fit for the one-cut zone blocking system that the Texans employ and has good speed as well as hands. Remember, Moats was originally drafted to be Brian Westbrook's replacement in Philadelphia but never got much of a chance to prove himself. I think Moats racks up at least 1 big game probably either this week against the Seahawks or next week against the lowly Rams. He is very startable in either matchup as either a low RB2 or flex player.
That is The Hot 8 for week 14. What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree?
Leave your comments below or email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com
posted by Jeff Mans at
9:48 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home