Waiver Wire Work: Week 8

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) – Randy Moss did play after all on Sunday and did produce, but it was Gabriel who shined the brightest on the day. He looks to be playing better and steadier than Jerry Porter right now.

Brandon Jones (Ten) – Jones had a nice game against the Cardinals going until suffering a concussion. It doesn’t sound like it is a long-term injury, and Drew Bennett will remain out for another week or so. Jones should continue to be a nice play.

Bobby Engram(Sea) – Engram is due back after the Seahawks’ week 8 bye. If he is out there, grab him. He and Darrell Jackson were the top receiving tandem in the league prior to their injuries.

Antonio Chatman (GB) – Chatman had a nice game this past weekend and now moves into the #2 slot in the offense following Robert Ferguson’s injury.

Az-Zahir Hakim (NO) – Hakim had another great outing for the Saints this Sunday. Joe Horn’s injury continues to nag and linger, so look for Hakim to continue to produce.

Amani Toomer (NYG) – Toomer comes off an outstanding game against Denver. Defenses are having to commit so much attention to Plaxico Burress that Toomer is able to get free.

Mike Williams (Det) – Jeff Garcia looks to be just the shot in the arm that the Lions needed on offense. Williams played well and the Lions lost Kevin Johnson to injury. Williams should continue to be the focal point of the passing game so long as the injuries and suspensions in the WR corps linger.

David Givens (NE) – Givens and the Patriots are back after their bye week.

Braylon Edwards (Cle) – Edwards was able to come back from an arm infection earlier than anticipated. Expect him to become more involved in the offense.

WR Pickups (Worth a Look)

Chris Henry (Cin) – Henry looked every bit the rookie against the tough Pittsburgh defense last weekend. He should resume his role as the #3 WR now that everyone is back in the fold.

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.

Reche Caldwell (SD) – With Eric Parker’s injuries continuing, Caldwell has pushed himself into the starting lineup. Look for him to keep Parker on the bench.

Marcus Robinson (Min) – He scored a touchdown and was the top wide receiver for the Vikings this past weekend. Keep an eye on the situation to see what develops as no WR has distinguished himself yet there.

Troy Williamson (Min) – Sunday was not a great day for the rookie, but he is still in the mix in Minnesota.

RB Pickups (Immediate)

Tony Fisher (GB) – Fisher is now the man in Green Bay after the team lost Ahman Green for the year. He was already a good third-down back, and now he will get to show off the rest of his RB skills.

Marion Barber III (Dal) – The rookie seems to have wrestled the starting RB job away from Anthony Thomas and Tyson Thompson in the absence of Julius Jones and has produced good numbers. Early word out of Dallas this week is that coach Parcells isn’t sure whether Jones will play this week or not. Barber would most likely get the start if Jones sits, and his production beyond that has probably warranted action even when Jones returns as the starter.

Antowain Smith (NO) – He should continue to get the carries and see the goal line work.

Aaron Stecker (NO) – Stecker has been serving as the third-down and change-of-pace back for the Saints but has been nicked up.

Chris Perry (Cin) – Perry was involved in the passing game this past weekend but had a tough time rushing. He still has good value in a points-per-reception league.

Patrick Pass (NE) – Pass is coming off of a bye week. Corey Dillon should be healthy enough to start now, but Pass should continue to see action in the passing game.

Ladell Betts (Was) – Betts almost broke the 100-yard barrier this past weekend against the 49ers. He won’t get to play them every weekend, but Betts is going to continue to see action the entire season.

Chester Taylor (Bal) – Taylor didn’t see the field much on Sunday but remains the most explosive back in the Ravens’ backfield.

Alvin Pearman (Jax) – Coming out of the bye week, he should continue to be involved in the passing game.

Greg Jones (Jax) – If Fred Taylor is nicked up, look for Jones to help carry the load for the Jags.

Frank Gore (SF) – Gore scored his first NFL TD this past weekend on an explosive run. Starter Kevan Barlow was injured in the game, and while it doesn’t look to be a long term injury, it should open the door for Gore to see more work.

Jerome Bettis (Pit) – It was another solid, workmanlike day for Bettis on Sunday. The TDs should be coming soon.

Tatum Bell (Den) – Bell was held in check against the Giants this past weekend but is always a threat to go the distance. He should continue to see carries in this offense.

Ricky Williams (Mia) – At least for now the team is sticking with Ricky and giving him touches. He has yet to produce, but that may not be far in the offing.

Travis Henry (Ten) – Henry is soon to be back in the fold, perhaps just in time to grab some carries from a somewhat ailing Chris Brown.

QB Pickups (Immediate)

Josh McCown (Ari) – It was a bad week for McCown, but it appears that Denny Green is going to stick with him … at least for now.

Mark Brunell (Wash) – He smoked the 49ers this past weekend and looks very impressive to date. If Brunell is still on the wire, he shouldn’t be.

Chris Simms (TB) – Griese is gone for the year and Simms is now the starter.

Kelly Holcomb (Buff) – He is steadily putting up decent numbers, and could be worth a bye-week start.

Jeff Garcia (Det) – Although not looking 100% yet, Garcia was a shot in the arm for the Lions. Expect his numbers to get better as he and his WR corps get healthier.

QB Pickups (Worth a look)

Kyle Boller (Bal) – Anthony Wright had another bad game. Boller should be plugged right back into the starting lineup once he is feeling healthy.

Kicker Pickups (Immediate)

Paul Edinger (Min) – The sidewinder bombed a 56-yard game-winning field goal this past weekend for the Vikings. The offense hasn’t gotten all the way back into the groove yet, which means Edinger should continue to get long field goal opportunities.

Josh Brown (Sea) – I’ve seen Brown float around on quite a few waiver wires. Brown has a solid leg as he too kicked a 50+ yard game-winner this past weekend. He should also continue to get lots of chances as this offense is moving the ball well.

Rob Bironas (Ten) – Bironas only recorded four points against Arizona, but connected on a 53-yarder in his only field goal attempt. He is looking more and more like a full-time fantasy starter.

TE Pickups (Immediate)

Heath Miller (Pit) – Miller is clicking very well in Pittsburgh’s offense right now. He is now an every-week play.

Ben Troupe/Erron Kinney (Ten) – The wide receiver corps continues to take hits. The WRs’ loss is the TEs’ gain.

Jerramy Stevens (Sea) – Stevens came through with yet another solid week, leading the Seahawks with 60 receiving yards.

Chris Cooley (Wash) – Cooley didn’t find the end zone in Washington’s 52-point outburst, but he remains a factor in Washington’s offense.

Desmond Clark (Chi) – Clark added four catches for 50 yards against a stingy Baltimore defense. He may be worth a bye-week flier.

Defensive Pickups (Immediate)

Detroit – The Lions turned in another solid performance this weekend against the Browns.

Arizona – This unit seems to be reenergized after the bye week. Look for the Cardinals to continue to create turnovers with their aggressive style.

 
Scott Houlding, known to forum regulars as MadScott, went a perfect three-for-three in the Cafe’s Sweet Sixteen contest in week 7.

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