Waiver Wednesday: The Hot 8
Maybe it is just the leagues that I am playing in this year but it sure seems like people are doing their homework when it comes to waiver pickups this season. Judging by the CBS, ESPN & Yahoo numbers more and more just off the radar guys are already rostered by the time they become valuable. This is why I have always subscribed to two weeks and out theory, meaning most of my top waiver plays are guys who will be the hot names in a 2-4 week time span as opposed to the "right now" guys. Fantasy owners are getting smarter and more informed, so the really smart ones, like you who are reading this article, need to stay ahead of the curve. With that in mind I have focused this weeks Hot 8 on players who will likely be sought after names in a couple of weeks and whom now may appear just a bit outside most of the mainstream players radar.
GOOD RIGHT NOW
1) Mohammed Massaquoi -- WR -- Browns -- I am proud to see Massaquoi owned in 20% of fantasy leagues already. Obviously you guys recognized how well Massaquoi did while Derek Anderson was throwing him the ball in training camp and preseason games. This kid is a solid NFL prospect as he's got the size, speed and hands necessary to develop into something special. Without Braylon Edwards hanging over him any longer, Massaquoi can settle in as an every week starter and continue his development and his chemistry with Derek Anderson.
2) Hakeen Nicks -- WR -- Giants -- I am sorry to all of you who have been relying on Mario Manningham and his early season hot streak. But, Nicks is fully recovered from a foot sprain that briefly derailed him after really coming on strong at the end of camp. Nicks is a playmaker and has good height, speed and run after catch ability. He is someone who could one day be an All-Pro WR if he continues the same work ethic and dedication he did in his first professional training camp. This guy is getting ready to blast off so if he is available, grab him now and start rubbing it in the face of the poor sap who cut him for Manningham after week 2.
3) Brandon Pettigrew -- TE -- Lions -- Pettigrew is starting to become the go to guy in the Lions passing game. That is not to say he is better or more valuable than Calvin Johnson, heck no! But, with Megatron facing double and triple team coverage on nearly every snap, Pettigrew is working the middle of the field and finding holes in the defense. At this point he is a good bye week replacement TE who also has a ton of upside the more comfortable he becomes.
GETTING CLOSER
4) Shonn Greene -- RB -- Jets -- Greene saw his frist action of the season last week against the Saints and looked crisp out of the backfield. The Jets are high on this kid and want to work him in more as a short yardage and possible goalline back. The true upside comes when either Thomas Jones or Leon Washington gets injured which is a very safe bet and Greene then becomes a workhorse RB in New York. Greene is not an explosive RB, but he can pick up chunks of yardage and wear down the defense as well as score a fair amount of TD's in the process. The Jets offensive line is one of if not the best in the NFL and can create a good push against any defensive front and allow whoever is running behind them plenty of room to maneuver.
5) Ryan Moats -- RB -- Texans -- I know that Steve Slaton finally had a good game last week against the Raiders but if you watched the game like me you probably weren't impressed with Slaton's effort even if the final stat line looked beautiful. Moats got some mainstream carries during last weeks game and has been a standout in recent practices during the week. Moats is a good fit for the Texans one cut running system as he has the speed and vision to break long runs and get behind a defense. There is something wrong with Steve Slaton in that he just isn't running with the same urgency that he showed last season. Chris Brown is a non-factor as even when he is healthy he is an upright runner who often loses the football on big hits. Keep an eye on Moats carries in the coming weeks and if he continues getting carries he'll be worth adding to your roster.
6) Ruvel Martin -- WR -- Packers -- Both Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton are battling hamstring injuries and have missed practice this week. I mentioned in last weeks Hot 8 that Martin is probably the best WR on the Rams roster now that Laurent Robinson is out for the season. Martin is a big physical receiver who can make catches even in tight coverage and can be an asset to either Kyle Boller or Marc Bulger. Martin will eventually get more and more playing time and once he catches a TD pass or two he'll be a hot commodity on the waiver wire. He is worth taking a chance on even now if you have the roster space or in a week or two when he'll be more useful on a every week basis.
ONE WEEK WONDER
7) Miles Austin -- WR -- Cowboys -- There are conflicting reports on whether or not Roy Williams will be able to go for the Cowboys this week at Kansas City. I really doubt it as he has some cartilage damage to three ribs and is still in some pain days later. Miles Austin is a guy that I have been keeping my eye on this season even though he's done little since his long TD grab in week 1. Austin is the direct replacement for Roy Williams and frankly somebody who Tony Romo has a much better connection with. If Williams can't go this week, I wouldn't be afraid of plugging Austin in my lineup against a Chiefs defense who has no match for his downfield speed. This is one of those calls that can win you games and make a difference in your season providing you are in need of a spark and have no natural alternatives to play this week.
LOOKING AHEAD
8) Derek Anderson -- QB -- Browns -- I know it is a long ways away but with Anderson's solid performance against the Bengals last week it appears as though he will remain the Browns starter for the duration of the season. The Browns play at Kansas City and home against Oakland in weeks 15 & 16, the weeks of most fantasy playoffs and championship games. We all know that winter weather can and will play a role in who we start in these big fantasy playoff games. I think that Anderson can serve as a decent reserve QB for your team right now and that he is a good option if you should need him in the final and most important weeks of the season. My point is that you don't want to allow him to stay out there in free agency just in case one of your dorky league mates goes out and gets him and winds up starting him against you in the playoffs. Then you'll spend the next 9 months complaining that Derek Frickin' Anderson knocked you out of the playoffs. He is a capable QB and has a solid offensive line in front of him. There is some fantasy upside in Cleveland believe it or not and thus if you're planning on riding the Kurt Warner or Tom Brady train all the way to your championship game, give yourself an option just in case weather or other factors derail those plans.
That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com
GOOD RIGHT NOW
1) Mohammed Massaquoi -- WR -- Browns -- I am proud to see Massaquoi owned in 20% of fantasy leagues already. Obviously you guys recognized how well Massaquoi did while Derek Anderson was throwing him the ball in training camp and preseason games. This kid is a solid NFL prospect as he's got the size, speed and hands necessary to develop into something special. Without Braylon Edwards hanging over him any longer, Massaquoi can settle in as an every week starter and continue his development and his chemistry with Derek Anderson.
2) Hakeen Nicks -- WR -- Giants -- I am sorry to all of you who have been relying on Mario Manningham and his early season hot streak. But, Nicks is fully recovered from a foot sprain that briefly derailed him after really coming on strong at the end of camp. Nicks is a playmaker and has good height, speed and run after catch ability. He is someone who could one day be an All-Pro WR if he continues the same work ethic and dedication he did in his first professional training camp. This guy is getting ready to blast off so if he is available, grab him now and start rubbing it in the face of the poor sap who cut him for Manningham after week 2.
3) Brandon Pettigrew -- TE -- Lions -- Pettigrew is starting to become the go to guy in the Lions passing game. That is not to say he is better or more valuable than Calvin Johnson, heck no! But, with Megatron facing double and triple team coverage on nearly every snap, Pettigrew is working the middle of the field and finding holes in the defense. At this point he is a good bye week replacement TE who also has a ton of upside the more comfortable he becomes.
GETTING CLOSER
4) Shonn Greene -- RB -- Jets -- Greene saw his frist action of the season last week against the Saints and looked crisp out of the backfield. The Jets are high on this kid and want to work him in more as a short yardage and possible goalline back. The true upside comes when either Thomas Jones or Leon Washington gets injured which is a very safe bet and Greene then becomes a workhorse RB in New York. Greene is not an explosive RB, but he can pick up chunks of yardage and wear down the defense as well as score a fair amount of TD's in the process. The Jets offensive line is one of if not the best in the NFL and can create a good push against any defensive front and allow whoever is running behind them plenty of room to maneuver.
5) Ryan Moats -- RB -- Texans -- I know that Steve Slaton finally had a good game last week against the Raiders but if you watched the game like me you probably weren't impressed with Slaton's effort even if the final stat line looked beautiful. Moats got some mainstream carries during last weeks game and has been a standout in recent practices during the week. Moats is a good fit for the Texans one cut running system as he has the speed and vision to break long runs and get behind a defense. There is something wrong with Steve Slaton in that he just isn't running with the same urgency that he showed last season. Chris Brown is a non-factor as even when he is healthy he is an upright runner who often loses the football on big hits. Keep an eye on Moats carries in the coming weeks and if he continues getting carries he'll be worth adding to your roster.
6) Ruvel Martin -- WR -- Packers -- Both Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton are battling hamstring injuries and have missed practice this week. I mentioned in last weeks Hot 8 that Martin is probably the best WR on the Rams roster now that Laurent Robinson is out for the season. Martin is a big physical receiver who can make catches even in tight coverage and can be an asset to either Kyle Boller or Marc Bulger. Martin will eventually get more and more playing time and once he catches a TD pass or two he'll be a hot commodity on the waiver wire. He is worth taking a chance on even now if you have the roster space or in a week or two when he'll be more useful on a every week basis.
ONE WEEK WONDER
7) Miles Austin -- WR -- Cowboys -- There are conflicting reports on whether or not Roy Williams will be able to go for the Cowboys this week at Kansas City. I really doubt it as he has some cartilage damage to three ribs and is still in some pain days later. Miles Austin is a guy that I have been keeping my eye on this season even though he's done little since his long TD grab in week 1. Austin is the direct replacement for Roy Williams and frankly somebody who Tony Romo has a much better connection with. If Williams can't go this week, I wouldn't be afraid of plugging Austin in my lineup against a Chiefs defense who has no match for his downfield speed. This is one of those calls that can win you games and make a difference in your season providing you are in need of a spark and have no natural alternatives to play this week.
LOOKING AHEAD
8) Derek Anderson -- QB -- Browns -- I know it is a long ways away but with Anderson's solid performance against the Bengals last week it appears as though he will remain the Browns starter for the duration of the season. The Browns play at Kansas City and home against Oakland in weeks 15 & 16, the weeks of most fantasy playoffs and championship games. We all know that winter weather can and will play a role in who we start in these big fantasy playoff games. I think that Anderson can serve as a decent reserve QB for your team right now and that he is a good option if you should need him in the final and most important weeks of the season. My point is that you don't want to allow him to stay out there in free agency just in case one of your dorky league mates goes out and gets him and winds up starting him against you in the playoffs. Then you'll spend the next 9 months complaining that Derek Frickin' Anderson knocked you out of the playoffs. He is a capable QB and has a solid offensive line in front of him. There is some fantasy upside in Cleveland believe it or not and thus if you're planning on riding the Kurt Warner or Tom Brady train all the way to your championship game, give yourself an option just in case weather or other factors derail those plans.
That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com
posted by Jeff Mans at
8:32 PM
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