The Waiver Wire is Your Friend

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Your draft is done. You’ve got THE squad. You’re going to win it all. Maybe so, but don’t forget that you’re only one or two injuries away from not making the playoffs. Depth is the key to fantasy football. It’s awesome to have Randy Moss and Terrell Owens as your starting wide receivers, but when one goes down, what good is having Jerome Pathon on your bench? You’ve got to scour the waiver wire for a fill-in. Get those reserves now before the season starts to make your life a whole lot easier.

1. Stacey Mack, RB, Houston Texans – I can’t believe after all the talk I’ve seen on fantasy football websites that this guy is still not remaining undrafted in many leagues. Don’t forget what he did as a goal-line and fill-in back in Jacksonville. As the featured back on a team with a decent offensive line, he should be a 1000+ yard rusher.

2. Marcel Shipp, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Shipp had over 1200 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in limited starts last year. If Emmitt Smith’s yards/carry ratio starts to slip further (it’s already eroding), Shipp will get the call. He’s a talented young back.

3. Thomas Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Bucaneers – I know, I know, he’s always been terrible. But this pre-season, with a fresh start on a strong team, he’s shown flashes of brilliance. Although Michael Pittman started ahead of him in Arizona, Jones may very well be on his way to unseating him down in Tampa Bay. If he gets the nod, it may already be too late to pick him up. If you’ve got an extra roster spot (I know things are tight, but I try to always have one), take a chance.

4. Todd Pinkston, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – Again, I don’t think I can tell everyone often enough: Pinkston has spent the entire off-season working out and working with Donovan McNabb. He is still a beanpole, but he’s the go-to guy in Philadelphia. He’s on the waiver wire in 80% of my leagues, and he will produce very good numbers this year.

5. Eddie Kennison, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Why oh why do people ignore this guy? He tore it up at the end of last year, he’s fast as the wind, and he’s playing for Dick Vermiel, the only coach who ever had any success with him. He’ll be the number one receiver in one of the most explosive offenses in all of the NFL.

6. Quincy Morgan, WR, Cleveland Browns – Morgan had almost 1000 receiving yards last year and had to split his catches with three other quality wideouts. He’s Kelly Holcomb’s favorite target, and he’ll light defenses up this year as the Browns are going to have to play catch-up a lot thanks to their dismal defense.

7. Daniel Graham, TE, New England Patriots – I know he was in my first overachiever list, but Graham still isn’t being drafted. Pick him up and land yourself a top five TE without drafting one.

8. Billy Miller, TE, Houston Texans – He put up better numbers in 2002 than 75% of all tight ends, yet I see him available in all of my eleven leagues except one. MADNESS! He’ll only improve on his 600+ yards and three touchdowns from last season. It’s only his second year in the league, and most tight ends and wide receivers don’t blossom until year three. He’s an exception.

9. Jed Weaver, TE, San Fransisco 49ers – A former Dolphin, Jed Weaver is someone I am very familiar with. With Eric Johnson out for the year, he now has a chance to step into the spotlight. Although he only gained 75 yards last year, he caught three touchdowns. Look for him to boost his TD numbers tremendously.

10. John Hall, K, Washington Redskins – Everyone ignores kickers. Pro football players and fantasy players alike. And that’s fine until he misses the game winner wide right, blowing it for you and your fantasy team. Washington’s offense will be much more explosive this year, and Hall should nail down some very good fantasy points each week.

11. Paul Edinger, K, Chicago Bears – The Bears, as a team, are in a nosedive from which they will only start to recover next year. In the meantime, their ineffective offense will mean a lot of opportunities for the strong-legged Edinger. He’ll post very solid numbers this year, and will hit a lot of those high-point long kicks. Don’t draft a kicker; draft a sleeper WR and trade him in a two man deal, then pick up Edinger.

12. Buffalo Bills, DEF – I know they were HORRIBLE last year. But when you look at all of the acquisitions on defense, they’ll really step it up in 2003. Trust me, they’re the sleeper defense of the year.

13. Dallas Cowboys, DEF – They went from a sleeper two years ago, to a bust last year, to a sleeper again this season. Bill Parcells is going to kick them into shape whether they like it or not. And you’ll like having them on your team.

Bonus Pick that will be a top 10 WR in next year’s drafts: Antonio Bryant. As a rookie, he posted 700+ yards in an offense that was terrible. He’ll get close to 1100 this year, and he’ll be a target in the red zone because of his athleticism. Watch out. He’s going to be a monster.

 
Trent Vaughn has written a number of articles for Fantasy Football Cafe. He is currently working on his third film script, and starting another company. All this plus eleven fantasy football teams keeps him awfully busy.