Waiver Wire Work: Week 7

Welcome to another 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)

Doug Gabriel (Oak) – Gabriel was the biggest beneficiary from the loss of Randy Moss this past weekend, turning in a very solid performance. If Moss misses any time, look for Gabriel to see more than his share of passes thrown his way.

Brandon Jones (Ten) – Jones made several garbage-time catches last week, but also got a bunch of looks. With Drew Bennett possibly out for a couple of weeks, look for Jones to prosper in the offense.

Joe Jurevicius(Sea) – No Bobby Engram, no Darrell Jackson, no problem for Joe. Another strong game from him.

Justin McCareins (NYJ) – McCareins had his first career 100-yard game this past weekend and seems to be a favorite of quarterback Vinny Testaverde.

David Givens (NE) – Givens had a big week against the Broncos. The Patriots are off this week but with the running game hurting, he’s a solid pickup.

Antonio Bryant (Cle) – It was a tough week for the Browns offense. He’s still a very viable #3 WR depending on the opponent.

Robert Ferguson (GB) – Ferguson and the Packers are coming back after the bye. Brett Favre’s been as hot as anyone in the league recently.

Chris Henry (Cin) – A hard week for Henry. With TJ Houshmandzedah scheduled to come back, his numbers may actually increase.

WR Pickups (Worth a Look)

Keary Colbert (Car) – Colbert has had 50 receiving yards in two of his last three games. The Panthers are on a bye week, but keep an eye on Colbert.

Amani Toomer (NYG) – Eli Manning and the entire offense struggled against the Cowboys this past weekend. The offense needs to roll better before Toomer becomes more viable.

Mike Williams (Det) – The entire passing offense is just not very good right now. Keep an eye on him, though, if Jeff Garcia takes the reigns.

Eric Parker (SD) – He got hurt this past weekend so exercise caution with him for now. That offense looks strong though.

Antonio Chatman (GB) – Coming off the bye week with a hot QB.

Az-Zahir Hakim (NO) – With Joe Horn still ailing, Hakim produced another strong outing. If Horn is still banged up, look for Hakim to continue to produce.

Samie Parker (KC) – He caught some passes against a stingy Washington defense this past weekend.

Troy Williamson (Min) – It was an off day for the entire offense in Chicago. Look for him to get some looks against the poor Packers defense.

RB Pickups (Immediate)

Antowain Smith (NO) – Had a nice day with yardage and two TDs.

Aaron Stecker (NO) – He had more yards than Smith but no TDs. He should see his share of those at some point.

Chris Perry (Cin) – After a very solid outing for Perry this past weekend, it’s looking more and more like the Bengals plan on using both RBs extensively.

Patrick Pass (NE) – Pass had an outstanding day subbing for the Patriots this past Sunday. If Dillon misses more time, he’s a viable start.

Tony Fisher (GB) – He’ll see many looks even with a healthy Ahman Green.

Ladell Betts (Wash) – Betts has quitely continued to get 10 plus touches a game throughout the season so far. Joe Gibbs himself has said that he prefers Betts’ running style to that of Clinton Portis, but Portis is more of a home run threat. Look for Betts to continue to see his share of opportunities even with a healthy Portis.

Chester Taylor (Balt) – Taylor had another solid week alongside jamal Lewis. This situation looks very similar to Cinncinati’s.

Alvin Pearman (Jax) – Pearman got plenty of opportunities this past weekend without Fred Taylor in the lineup.

Greg Jones (Jax) – Jones had a huge day against the Steelers in the absence of Fred Taylor. It looks as if he will be the primary backup to Taylor after that performance.

Frank Gore (SF) – The team seems committed to youth after having shipped out Tim Rattay. Perhaps Kevan Barlow is next?

Cedric Houston (NYJ) – Curtis Martin had his best game of the year for the Jets, but Houston should still get touches as the season wears on.

Jerome Bettis (Pit) – Despite an uninspiring day against a tough Jacksonville team this past weekend, he’ll still be getting lots of carries.

Tatum Bell (Den) – Once again, Bell exploded for a long run and a score. Head Coach Mike Shannahan has indicated that as long as the rotation is working, he isn’t going to change it, so look for Bell to continue his solid production.

Lamar Gordon (Phi) – The Eagles are last in rushing offense in the NFL. Look for that to change somewhat when the Eagles come back from the bye week, and expect Gordon to play an active role in reversing that trend.

Jarrett Payton (Ten) – Chris Brown ran well this last weekend; Payton is still the primary backup.

Ricky Williams (Mia) – It was a tough day for Ricky in his first game back. Looking beyond the box score, he did have a nice run that was called back. He looks like he will continue to get many looks in this offense.

Travis Henry (Ten) – Henry is officially gone now for three more weeks after being suspended for a substance abuse violation. If he is out there and you are desparate, he may be worth stashing on your bench.

QB Pickups (Immediate)

Josh McCown (Ari) – McCown is back after the bye week and ready to face a very suspect Tennessee secondary at home. Grab him now if he’s out there. McCown is entering the realm of the every-week starters.

Mark Brunell (Wash) – Brunell smoked the Chiefs for three TDs this past Sunday. He now has to be considered an every-week start. There are very few hotter QBs right now, and he just may be on your waiver wire.

Chris Simms (TB) – Although I don’t believe it has been officially confirmed yet, it appears that Brian Griese is lost for the year with a knee injury. Enter strong-armed Simms. He could be deadly in this offense if Cadillac Williams comes back healthy after the bye week and Joey Galloway continues to roll back the clock.

Trent Dilfer (Cle) – Dilfer struggled through a tough day against what is still a good Baltimore defense. Depending on the matchup, he’s a good bye-week start.

Gus Frerotte (Mia) – It was a tough week for Frerotte, but he still manages to be a good bye-week filler.

Kelly Holcomb (Buff) – I’d like to see one more week of Holcomb before he climbs the list, but he looked in control against the Dolphins.

QB Pickups (Worth a look)

Jeff Garcia (Det) – Joey Harrington and the Lions could soon part ways. As soon as Garcia is healthy enough, don’t be surprised to see him take the reigns of that offense.

Kyle Boller (Bal) – While he certainly wasn’t lighting the world on fire prior to his injury, he should certainly be an upgrade over Anthony Wright. He may be worth a flier.

Kicker Pickups (Immediate)

Jay Feely (NYG) – Feely had yet another very strong outing for the Giants. Take caution that the elements later in the year in New York may make him less reliable.

Todd Peterson (Atl) – Peterson once again produced for Atlanta this past weekend.

Nate Kaeding (SD) – The whole offense in San Diego is hot right now.

Rob Bironas (Ten) – Bironas had another very solid week. He is looking more and more like a full-time fantasy starter.

TE Pickups (Immediate)

Heath Miller (Pit) – The rookie is really coming into his own now. He should continue to prosper.

Ben Troupe/Erron Kinney (Ten) – With Drew Bennett out, these two are sure to see more passes their way.

Courtney Anderson (Oak) – He should help pick up the slack left by Moss’ injury.

Jerramy Stevens (Sea) – Stevens should continue to see looks with Jackson and Engram unavailable.

Chris Cooley (Wash) – Grab him now. He is an every-week starter and is on fire.

Defensive Pickups (Immediate)

Detroit – You can’t argue with two defensive TDs last week. The defense is playing very well for the Lions.

Tennessee – They do bring the heat. The Titans put up seven sacks this past weekend which leads to turnovers as well. If you need a filler defense, this may be the team that you are looking for.

 
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 12th place, just two points out of the top ten.

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