Tuesday, October 2, 2012

TheFFBI's Most Wanted: Week 5 Waiver Wire Pick Ups

Just a reminder, you can check the previous weeks most wanted articles for more ideas on who to pick up.  You should also sign up for the email list to the right of this column, to be notified when new articles are posted.

 

Running Backs

  1. Jackie Battle SD - It appears that Battle's opportunity arose as a punishment to Ryan Mathews, for fumbling last week.  Battle is an average to poor NFL RB, but opportunity always trumps skill in fantasy football.  If Mathews fumbles again, or gets injured, Battle has value.
  2. Brandon Bolden NE - Bolden, a rookie from Mississippi, has a hold of the back up running back spot in NE.  Bolden has received goal line carries for TDs in each of the last two weeks, and rushed 137 yards at 8.6 YPC against Buffalo.  Shane Vereen is just getting healthy, so there is a chance that he doesn't hold on to this job for long.  Bolden is worth a stash and might be a viable bye week fill in against good match ups.
  3. Joquie Bell Det - Kevin Smith has inexplicably vanished from the Lion's game plan.  Bell has picked up the role that we all thought Smith would be playing.  Bell, a 2nd year player from Wayne State, runs hard, pass blocks well, and caught 6 passes for 72 yards last week. 
  4. LeGarrette Blount TB - With rookie Doug Martin struggling, its possible we could see Blount getting more and more of the workload.  Blount is two years removed from a great season, and as evidenced by his TD last week, he could turn into the goal line back.  Blount should be owned, especially if you are a Doug Martin owner.
  5. Ronnie Hillman Den - The Denver Broncos drafted Hillman with the 67th overall pick last year to be the future of their running game.  Hillman has great hands and appears to be working his way into the 3rd down back role, while trying to improve on his pass blocking.  Hillman is arguably the most talented RB on Denver's roster, and could get his shot if McGahee goes down.
 

Wide Receivers

  1. Brian Hartline Mia - Hopefully you followed my advice two weeks ago, and picked up Hartline then.  Everyone has seen his 245 yard game and will make him the number one waiver wire pick up this week.  Hartline's sure hands, decent speed, and good route running make him the number one option in an improving Miami passing game.  This was his best game, maybe of his career, but he will be featured going forward.
  2. Andre Roberts Ari - Roberts has scored in 3 of the 4 games this year, and has never scored less than 5 fantasy points.  Kevin Kolb was looking to Roberts quite a bit this last weekend, and Roberts was used as more than just a deep threat.  Arizona could have possibly found their compliment to Fitzgerald.  Roberts is a WR3/bye week flex at the moment.
  3. James Jones GB - With Greg Jennings groin injury lingering, James Jones has become a prominent piece of the GB passing attack.  He will be a good bye week fill in guy while Jennings is out, and a play if your desperate guy when Jennings is healthy
  4. Domenik Hixon NYG - Lost in the praise for Barden and Brown in last week's game, was the fact that Hixon was higher on the depth chart than Barden and that he also missed last week's game.  Hixon has sen significant playing time in the past, and Eli trust him.  With Hakeem Nicks injury possibly lingering all season, I like Hixon over Barden going forward. 
  5. Jerome Simpson Min - Simpson looked good in his debut last week.  He is a starting WR on a run first offense, but I like his talent and he should benefit from defenses scheming to take Percy Harvin out of the game.
  6. Kendall Wright Ten - I don't love the Titan's passing game, but I think Wright is the most talented receiver they have, outside of the hobbled Kenny Britt.  It remains to be seen who Matt Hasselbeck will favor, but I like Wright, and there is a chance he is on your waiver wire.
  7. Nate Burleson Det - The Lions passing game is in a slump.  I think things will get fixed as the season goes along.  From what we've seen so far, Burleson looks like the other Lions WR you want, as opposed to Titus Young.  I don't think Burleson will be a great player going forward, but he is a guy that can fill in on a bye week.

Kickers

  1. Greg Zuerlein - GZ is an a new name to the stable of kickers to choose from.  This rookie will more than likely break the 63 yard field goal record before he retires.  He is also accurate, and is racking up some big fantasy numbers so far.  If he's out there, I would grab him.  The Rams offense is just good enough to get into GZ range, but isn't great at scoring.  This is also a reminder to not just be satisfied with whatever your kicker is giving you.  Check the waiver wire each week and see who is putting up points, and throw out under performing kickers.


If you have any questions about other pick ups for other positions, or questions about who to drop, I can answer your questions in the comments, email theFFBI@gmail.com, or find me on twitter @theFFBI.  Thank you for the support and interest in TheFFBI.


Sunday, September 30, 2012

Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings

Regretfully, I won't be able to write commentary for all of my rankings this week.  Time was very limited this week, with one of my best friends getting married Friday.  I will be writing extra content next week.   With a quarter of the season in the books, after this weekend,  we will have a much better idea of what most teams are.

Quarterbacks

  1. Aaron Rodgers home vs No
  2. Tom Brady @ Buf
  3. Robert Griffin III @ TB
  4. Matt Ryan home vs Car
  5. Drew Brees @ GB
  6. Peyton Manning home vs Oak
  7. Eli Manning @ Phi
  8. Michael Vick home vs NYG
  9. Cam Newton @ Atl
  10. Philip Rivers @ KC
  11. Christian Ponder @ Det
  12. Mathew Stafford home vs Min
  13. Ryan Fitzpatrick home vs NE
  14. Matt Schaub @ Ten
  15. Andy Dalton @ Jac
  16. Tony Romo home vs Chi
  17. Carson Palmer @ Den
  18. Josh Freeman home vs Wsh
  19. Alex Smith @ NYJ
  20. Matt Cassel home vs SD

Running Backs

  1. Maurice Jones-Drew home vs Cin
  2. Arian Foster home vs Ten
  3. LeSean McCoy home vs NYG
  4. Darren McFadden @ Den
  5. Jamaal Charles home vs SD
  6. Marshawn Lynch home vs StL
  7. Doug Martin home vs Wsh
  8. Adrian Peterson @ Det
  9. DeMarco Murray home vs Chi
  10. BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ Jac
  11. Michael Turner home vs Car
  12. Cedric Benson home vs NO
  13. Mikel Leshoure home vs Min
  14. Frank Gore @ NYJ
  15. Ryan Mathews @ KC
  16. Stevan Ridley @ Buf
  17. Reggie Bush @ Ari
  18. Darren Sproles @ GB
  19. Alfred Morris @ TB
  20. Fred Jackson home vs NE
  21. Willis McGahee home vs Oak
  22. Michael Bush @ Dal
  23. Ryan Williams home vs Mia
  24. Ahmad Bradshaw @ Phi
  25. Andre Brown @ Phi
  26. Tashard Choice home vs NE
  27. Matt Forte @ Dal
  28. Jonathan Stewart @ Atl 
  29. Steven Jackson/Daryl Richardson home vs Sea - Which ever one gets the start.
  30. Jacquizz Rodgers home vs Car 
  31. Chris Johnson @ Hou
  32. Ben Tate home vs Ten
  33. Shonn Greene home vs SF
  34. Daniel Thomas @ Ari
  35. Pierre Thomas @ GB

Wide Receivers

  1. Calvin Johnson home vs Min
  2. A.J. Green @ Jac
  3. Roddy White home vs Car
  4. Percy Harvin @ Det
  5. Julio Jones home vs Car
  6. Andre Johnson home vs Ten
  7. Victor Cruz @ Phi
  8. Brandon Lloyd @ Buf
  9. Greg Jennings home vs NO
  10. Wes Welker @ Buf
  11. Steve Johnson home vs NE
  12. Vincent Jackson home vs Wsh
  13. Jordy Nelson home vs NO
  14. Demaryius Thomas home vs Oak
  15. Steve Smith @ Atl
  16. Desean Jackson home vs NYG
  17. Eric Decker home vs Oak
  18. Dwayne Bowe home vs SD
  19. Miles Austin home vs Chi
  20. Larry Fitzgerald home vs Mia
  21. Jeremy Maclin home vs NYG
  22. Dez Bryant home vs Chi
  23. Brandon Marshall @ Dal
  24. Malcom Floyd @ KC
  25. Denarious Moore @ Den
  26. Andrew Hawkins @ Jac
  27. Danny Amendola home vs Sea
  28. Santonio Holmes home vs SF
  29. Kenny Brit @ Hou
  30. Lance Moore @ GB
  31. Michael Crabtree @ NYJ
  32. Marques Colston @ GB
  33. Nate Burleson home vs Min
  34. Brandon LaFell @ Atl
  35. Mike Williams home vs Wsh
  36. Jerome Simpson @ Det
  37. Leonard Hankerson @ TB
  38. Nate Washington @ Hou
  39. Titus Young home vs Min
  40. Ramses Barden @ Phi

Tight Ends

  1. Jimmy Graham @ GB
  2. Rob Gronkowski @ Buf
  3. Vernon Davis @ NYJ
  4. Tony Gonzalez home vs Car
  5. Martellus Bennet @ Phi
  6. Jermichael Finley home vs NO
  7. Antonio Gates @ KC
  8. Brandon Pettigrew home vs Min
  9. Kyle Rudolph @ Det
  10. Owen Daniels home vs Ten
  11. Fred Davis @ TB
  12. Brent Celek home vs NYG
  13. Jason Witten home vs Chi
  14. Greg Olsen @ Atl
  15. Jacob Tamme home vs Oak
  16. Jared Cook @ Hou
  17. Marcedes Lewis home vs Cin
  18. Scott Chandler home vs NE
  19. Jermaine Gresham @ Jac
  20. Dallas Clark home vs Wsh

Defenses

  1. Arizona Cardinals home vs Mia
  2. Seattle Seahawks @ StL
  3. San Francisco 49ers @ NYJ
  4. Houston Texans home vs Ten
  5. Green Bay Packers home vs NO
  6. Atlanta Falcons home vs Car
  7. Chicago Bears @ Dal
  8. Dallas Cowboys home vs Chi
  9. Philadelphia Eagles home vs NYG
  10. New York Jets home vs SF
  11. New York Giants @ Phi
  12. Miami Dolphins @ Ari
  13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers home vs Wsh
  14. Detroit Lions home vs Min
  15. New England Patriots @ Buf
  16. Minnesota Vikings @ Det
  17. San Diego Chargers @ KC
  18. St. Louis Rams home vs Sea
  19. Buffalo Bills home vs NE
  20. Kansas City Chiefs home vs SD

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

TheFFBI's Most Wanted: Week 4 Waiver Wire Pick Ups

Quarterbacks

  1. Christian Ponder Min - These three QBs should be owned, but I'm writing about them just in case they are out there in your league.  Ponder has looked the part of a veteran QB.  He is completing over 70% of his passes and has 5 TDs on the year. Things will also improve next week with the addition of another deep threat at WR, with Jerome Simpson returning.  He is in the 8-12 conversation at QB going forward.
  2. Andy Dalton Cin - Dalton is currently 6th in fantasy scoring.  Part of this is the product of good match ups, but this is also a passing attack that has talent.  Dalton is throwing to one of the best WRs in the league, in A.J. Green, and has some other emerging WRs, like my man crush Andrew Hawkins.
  3. Ryan Fitzpatrick Buf - Fitzpatrick is currently 12th among QBs in fantasy scoring, and is above big names such as; Cam Newton, Michael Vick, Mathew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, and Philip Rivers.  Chan Gailey is an unheralded offensive mind with the weapons to put Fitzpatrick in position to succeed.  Buffalo also has a very underrated O line. 

 

Running Backs

  1.  Ryan Williams Ari - Williams was drafted in most leagues, but check to make sure he wasn't dropped after two lackluster performances in weeks 1 and 2.  Williams looked good running the ball after Beanie Wells left with an injury.  Wells has come out and said that he has a turf toe injury.  This is an injury that can linger and affect a player all season long.  This coupled with Williams skills, may be enough to win him the starting job for the rest for the season.
  2. Rashard Mendenhall Pit - Mendenhall should be back after Pittsburgh's week 4 bye. If he is on your waiver wire he should be picked up.  I would temper my expectations for Mendenhall though.  Sure, he has great upside and could quickly round back into form.  I didn't like what I saw from Mendenhall last year, even when he was healthy. Mendenhall is coming off of a week 17 ACL tear and his O line is still awful.  I expect Redman, Dwyer, and Mendenhall to all share the load.
  3. Tashard Choice Buf - Yes, Spiller went down to an injury and Choice is 3rd on the depth chart and could be in line for a start.  Everyone will rush out to get this guy, but I'm not wasting a high priority waiver or spending much in a FAAB.  Fred Jackson could possibly be back this week and Spiller is only expected to miss 1 to 2 games.  Choice will more than likely only get one start in week 4.  That said, I expect Choice to do well if he gets the start next week and Chan Gailey is familiar with Choice from when he coached him at Georgia Tech.
  4. Daniel Thomas Mia - Reggie Bush's injury doesn't appear serious, and he is expected to start next week.  This injury is a good reminder that Bush isn't a paragon of perfect health. Also, Thomas did get a goal line carry when Bush was still in the game.  If Bush goes down it looks like Thomas will be the guy.
  5. Lamar Miller Mia - I like Miller more than Bush, from a skills standpoint.   It looks as if Miller would just be a change of pace/3rd down RB if Bush were to miss time.
  6. Bilal Powell NYJ - When Powell was playing back in Louisville, I thought he had the skills to be a decent NFL RB.  He looks better running the ball than Shonn Greene does at the moment, and there is a chance that the Jets make a move to the younger back.  I like Powell as a stash and hope he gets more playing time.
     
 

Wide Receivers

  1. Denarious Moore Oak - Moore is the best deep threat in the Raider's passing arsenal.  Palmer is throwing a ton, and now that Moore is healthy he should continue to see a high number of targets.
  2. Jerome Simpson Min - Simpson returns from a 4 game suspension this week.  He has elite physical skills and could be a great compliment opposite Percy Harvin.  I liked what I saw from Simpson in the pre-season and what he did in Cincinnati last season.  As long as he isn't getting bricks of bubble kush mailed to his house, he should be a solid WR3.
  3. T.Y. Hilton Ind - Hilton, the rookie from Florida International, made some noise in the pre-season and in week 3.  He did the most with his 8 targets, and caught 4 catches for 113 yards and a TD.  He and Donnie Avery, who i talked about last week, are in competition for targets behind Reggie Wayne.  (EDIT)  Myth1n on Reddit had a good point that Hilton is on a bye this week, you can probably wait a week to stash him, if you need other roster spots this week.
  4. Kevin Ogletree Dal - Check to see if someone dropped him after a disappointing week 2.  Miles Austin left with a rib injury, but it doesn't appear to be too serious.  Miles Austin has dealt with numerous injuries in the past, and Ogletree could be one play away from seeing double digit targets.
  5. Jeremy Kerley NYJ - Trusting any Jet's receiver, outside of Santonio Holmes, will be tough this season.  Kerley is a WR to keep an eye on and stash if you have room.  He is making big plays every week, and there could be a point in which you trust him.


If you have any questions about other players, or who to drop, you can comment below, email me at theffbi@gmail.com, or hit me up on twitter @theFFBI.