Waiver Wire Work: Week 4

Welcome to the first week of Waiver Wire Work. Solid pickups from the wire during the season can make a huge difference to a fantasy football team, and turn a pretender into a contender overnight. With that in mind, here are some of the top candidates to check out on the waiver wire this week.

WR Pickups (Immediate)

Travis Taylor (Min) – Taylor appears to be the go-to guy in Nate Burleson’s absence. He should continue to prosper even when Burleson comes back.

Joey Galloway (TB) – While there’s no doubt that Michael Clayton is the #1 wide receiver in Tampa Bay, Joey is showing that he still has game. While he was shut out in week 2 by a very good Bills defense, which is understandable, he should continue to see his fair share of passes thrown his way.

Robert Ferguson (GB) – Javon Walker’s injury has opened the door for Ferguson to finally get the time on the field that he has wanted and so far, he is delivering. He should continue to produce solid numbers as this team has yet to establish a solid running game or show that they can stop anyone on defense.

Brandon Lloyd (SF) – Lloyd is starting to show some of the explosive playmaking ability that has teased the San Francisco faithful. He should continue to have an opportunity to show his talents in a decent passing game.

Arnaz Battle (SF) – Battle is probably a better play than Lloyd in a points-per-reception league. Battle and Lloyd are #1 and #1a as far as options to throw to in SF are concerned. To date, Battle has received more looks than Lloyd. Look for this trend to continue.

Terry Glenn (Dal) – Glenn and quarterback Drew Bledsoe seem to have rekindled the connection that they had years ago in New England. Glenn seems healthy for the first time in years and he’s showing it with his ability to get open on the deep ball.

Bobby Engram (Sea) – The undisputed #2 WR in Seattle, Engram has opened the year by catching 18 balls in three games. By year’s end he should see his share of TDs as well in this good offense.

Kevin Curtis (StL) – If this guy is still on your waiver wire, grab him now! Early indications on Isaac Bruce suggest that he will probably miss some time. Enter Kevin Curtis. He was already seeing a large number of looks in this offense and will now be lining up opposite Torry Holt. We all know what Mad Mike Martz likes to do: Pass! Pass! Pass!

WR Pickups (Worth a Look)

Amani Toomer (NYG) – A former 1,000-yard WR who has fallen off of the face of the earth until this last Sunday’s game against San Diego. He’s worth a look especially now that Eli Manning appears to be spreading his wings in this offense.

David Givens (NE) – Givens had a monster game for the Pats in Pittsburgh this weekend. It may signal that he is finally back and healthy, giving the Pats back a solid 1-2 punch at WR.

Greg Lewis (Phi) – He’s caught 15 balls to date for the Eagles and has established himself as the #2 WR opposite Terrell Owens. The trouble is, Lewis is the third or fourth receiving option on the team behind TO, Brian Westbrook, and possibly an emerging LJ Smith. He should still see is fair share of balls, though.

Reggie Williams (Jax) – If you thought that Jimmy Smith was the leading WR in Jacksonville so far this year, you’d be wrong. Williams has posted 13 catches on the year compared to 12 for Smith so far. It appears that Williams’ hard work in the off-season may be paying off for him. Keep an eye on him and his continued development.

Matt Jones (Jax) – The converted QB now playing WR is a phenomenal athlete. Every week he appears more and more comfortable at this position, and Byron Leftwich appears to be looking at him during critical times. Keep tabs on his progress, especially in the second half of the season.

Chris Henry (Cin) – He’s had four catches in each of last two games and appears to now have a stranglehold on the #3 WR spot in Cincinnati. Temper your expectations both because he is a rookie and because he is a #3 WR, but he could make a nice spot start if he continues his progress in the potent offense.

Samie Parker (KC) – The #2 WR in KC appears to be a game-breaker type. He caught the only TD of the night for the Chiefs on Monday and appears to be gaining rapport with Trent Green.

Braylon Edwards (Cle) – He’s starting to show the brilliance that made him the third overall pick this past draft. He appears to be getting more comfortable with the NFL game, and Trent Dilfer and the passing attack have been surprisingly good this year. This could spell big things down the road for Edwards.

RB Pickups (Immediate)

Mewelde Moore (Min) – Count your lucky stars if he is on the wire and quickly snap him up. He’s the flavor of the week in Minnesota. He definitely has the talent to be the guy in the Vikings’ backfield; it’s just a question of whether head coach Mike Tice will let him run.

Marcel Shipp (Ari) – Shipp appears to have taken over the starting RB role (at least for now) in this putrid running game. He’ll give you some yards but don’t expect a TD anytime soon.

RB Pickups (Worth a Look)

Frank Gore (SF) – The rookie is starting to see more and more work in the 49ers’ offense. Barlow’s hold on the starting job there seems tenuous at best. Gore has shown promise.

Derrick Blaylock (NYJ) – Curtis Martin may be more hurt than we know or he will let on. Blaylock may start to carry more of the load for this team to help Martin rest.

Duce Staley/Jerome Bettis (Pit) – These two are listed together because they seem to be in the same boat, playing second fiddle to “Fast” Willie Parker. As Staley gets healthier, he should see work as a third down back with Verron Haynes. Once Bettis is healthy, he should resume goal-line vulture duties.

Ron Dayne (Den) – It looks as if Tatum Bell is in Shanny’s doghouse. Dayne looked good playing in place of the banged-up Mike Anderson to close last week’s game. Keep your eyes open here as nothing is sewn up yet.

Lamar Gordon (Phi) – Gordon has proven himself as Brian Westbrook’s primary sub and backup. If Westbrook misses any time, expect Gordon to see the lion’s share of the work.

Travis Henry (Ten) – Okay, word is out that Henry will be suspended for four games. Depending on your league, Henry owners may decide to drop him. Chris Brown hasn’t exactly been the picture of good health during his NFL tenure, so grabbing Henry and holding him may prove to be a good decision once he is done serving his suspension.

Ricky Williams (Mia) – Williams is due back after the bye week. Ronnie Brown wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire up until this weekend, but his strong play against Carolina may have solidified his starting spot. At any rate, if you are RB-starved, Sticky is definitely worth a look. More than likely the Dolphins are merely showcasing him for a potential trade, so they will want him to produce.

QB Pickups (Immediate)

Steve McNair (Ten) – He may or may not have been drafted in your league, but if he’s there, snap him up. McNair has looked good so far this year and should continue to produce numbers for you all season long as this team is going to have to rely on its offensive production to win games.

Eli Manning (NYG) – Eli is finally showing signs of life and spreading his wings in this offense. He had a great game Sunday against the Chargers and has played pretty consistently so far this year. If you are in need of a QB, Eli could be your guy.

Brian Griese (TB) – Griese came through with another solid effort this week. With an improved running game this year, the passing attack has become more efficient and so has Griese.

Trent Dilfer (Cle) – Dilfer’s performance this season has been simply amazing. Cleveland comes into a tougher part of its schedule now, but if last week’s game against Indianapolis was any indication of how he will perform against better defensive teams, he’s a viable option.

Tim Rattay (SF) – Rattay has run both hot and cold this season. That being said, if you pick your spots to play him, he’s a valuable fantasy commodity. It finally appears that he has some decent offensive weapons.

Drew Bledsoe (Dal) – Another of the big surprises of the year, at this juncture it is doubtful whether Bledsoe is still available on the wire. If he is, you’d be hard pressed to find better. He has simply looked great so far this season.

Kicker Pickups (Immediate)

Neil Rackers (Ari) – Arizona’s offense is good enough to move it between the 20s at will, just not good enough to crack the end zone. Rackers has the leg to get it there from long distance as well. Words of caution though: monitor Kurt Warner’s injury status and how Josh McCown does in his stead.

Rian Lindell (Buf) – This team has an outstanding defense and a good run offense, but has so far lacked the consistent QB play to punch it in the end zone. No problem so far for Lindell who had another big game Sunday.

Rob Bironas (Ten) – The Titans have shown that they can move the ball up and down the field, they just haven’t quite been as efficient as they would like. Bironas has a very good leg and should continue to get his opportunities.

TE Pickups (Immediate)

Jermaine Wiggins (Min) – Wiggins again appears to be one of Daunte Culpepper’s favorite receivers in the field. A nice choice especially in a league that awards points for receptions.

Heath Miller (Pit) – He has shown what he can do when he gets the ball; the issue has been that he hasn’t been part of the game plan. I would look for him to become more involved as the season progresses.

Ben Troupe/Erron Kinney (Ten) – Steve McNair is back and so is his love of pass-catching tight ends. Tennessee is blessed with two fine TEs and both have done well in the offense. Troupe has caught a touchdown in two of the first three games this year, and Kinney leads the team with 14 receptions.

Jerramy Stevens (Sea) – Even with Shaun Alexander, Darrell Jackson, and Bobby Engram on the field, Stevens has seen his fair share of balls. Look for this to continue as he begins to live up to some of his untapped potential.

Dallas Clark (Ind) – There was finally a Clark sighting this weekend in Indianapolois. He’s been out until this week when he caught two passes, and many disgruntled owners have probably already dropped him to the wire. Look for Peyton Manning and Co. to get cooking as the Colts have a fairly easy next four games on the schedule. Clark should be a part of that.

Courtney Anderson (Oak) – From a great week 1 to a no-show in week 2, back to fantasy stud week 3. Anderson seems to be gaining the trust of Kerry Collins and is beginning to emerge as a serious fantasy threat.

Defensive Pickups (Immediate)

Cincinnati – This unit is making plays. Pair that with a talented offense that can move the ball enough to give the defenders ample rest and you’ve got a nice combination of factors that are making for a very nice defense.

Miami - It looks like the Dolphins can stop the run again which means they are able to pressure QBs and force turnovers. If the offense can give them a break, which they seem to able to do so far this year, this defense could return to its status of a few years ago.

New York Jets – The Jets looked very solid at home in a week 3 loss to the Jaguars, creating havoc and causing turnovers. Don’t write them off just yet.

Minnesota – To date, this unit has yet to play up to preseason hype. On Sunday, they harassed New Orleans into several turnovers and general chaos prevailed. If this unit gels and Daunte Culpepper stops turning the ball over making for a short field to defend, this defense may end up being downright nasty.

Tennessee – They get after people, that’s for sure. Pressure has been the name of the game in Tennessee so far this year. The talent is a bit thin on the team but they do look like a decent bye-week choice.

 
Scott Houlding, known to forum regulars as MadScott, set the pace in this year’s Lucky Ladders contest by winning week 1. He’s currently in fifth place, just 14 points out of the lead.

Questions or comments for Scott? Post your thoughts in the Cafe’s forums!