Waiver Wire Week 9

By Scott Houlding

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)

Courtney Roby (Ten) – Injuries to the WR position have decimated the Titans’ roster. Roby, one of the few healthy bodies left, turned in a very solid game for the Titans this past weekend. He should continue to produce this week.

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 fine game last week against Cincinnati. Grab him if you can because he’ll be solid until Ferguson is back.

Amani Toomer (NYG) – Toomer didn’t have a big statistical day this past weekend but still got his fair share of looks in the blowout win. Look for his numbers to increase.

David Givens (NE) – Givens received the most looks last week of the Patriots WRs. He should continue to put up strong numbers.

Bryant Johnson (Ari) – Anquan Boldin’s injury looks to not be as severe as originally thought. At any rate, if Boldin misses time, Johnson should take his place.

Marcus Robinson (Min) – It looks like Robinson is going on his yearly three-week tear. He seems – at least for now – to be the #1 guy on the Vikings team. He makes a solid pickup even without Daunte Culpepper.

WR Pickups (Worth a Look)

Ernest Wilford – (Jax) – After Reggie Williams got banged up, Wilford responded with a 100-yard day and a touchdown for the Jags. No one seems to want to step forward for this team yet; maybe Wilford will.

Keary Colbert (Car) – Colbert had an okay day in the win over Minnesota. How long can Steve Smith be the only WR for the Panthers, though?

Eric Parker (SD) – The team seemed to lose confidence in Reche Caldwell after a fumble and Eric Parker took over and produced well.

RB Pickups (Immediate)

Tony Fisher (GB) – Fisher had a very respectable game this past weekend for the Packers. Especially in a points-per-reception league, Fisher should continue to produce well.

Marion Barber III (Dal) – Wow! Barber had a fantastic game this past weekend for the Cowboys, running for over 100 yards and scoring two TDs. He seems to be keeping the spot warm for Julius Jones, but coach Parcells has been heaping more praise on Barber than is typically his style. Whether it’s a motivational ploy or not to get Jones back shall be seen, but Barber is a solid handcuff at worst and a possible starter in the best case.

Chris Perry (Cin) – Perry continues to garner touches in the passing game and running the ball.

Cedric Benson (Chi) – Benson was sighted last weekend for the Bears. The starting job seems to be firmly in Thomas Jones’ hands, but he has gotten nicked up lately, so keep an eye on Benson.

Chester Taylor (Bal) – Taylor continues to outshine Jamal Lewis. If they would just give him more time.

Alvin Pearman (Jax) – Pearman ripped off a nice run and continues his strong play as the third down back.

Duce Staley (Pit) – He’s been inactive so far this season. You’ve got to think that Bill Cowher is going to start getting him on the field in the second half of the year going into the playoffs.

Ricky Williams (Mia) – Ricky had his first decent outing since he’s been back. Perhaps he’s rounding into better form.

Travis Henry (Ten) – Henry got no work in his first game back, but you have to think that coach Fisher will want to keep Chris Brown fresh by giving Henry some carries.

QB Pickups (Immediate)

Brad Johnson (Min) – Daunte Culpepper is out for the year and possibly into next season with a severe knee injury. This is now Johnson’s team. He’s been more than capable in the past; let’s see what he’s got left in the tank.

Chris Simms (TB) – It was a slow start for Simms against the 49ers, but he finished with decent numbers. He should continue to get better.

Kelly Holcomb (Buff) – Holcomb put up a nice game against New England this past weekend. He’s on a bye this week but looks to be pretty comfortable in that offense.

Jeff Garcia (Det) – Joey Harrington’s replacemnt is not putting up big numbers yet, but he also doesn’t have much in the way of healthy WR talent.

QB Pickups (Worth a look)

Kyle Boller (Bal) – Boller should be back this week.

Kicker Pickups (Immediate)

Lawrence Tynes (KC) – He has been awesome so far this year, hitting everything in sight the last few weeks.

Josh Brown (Sea) – Coming off of the bye week.

Olindo Mare (Mia) – It looked like Mare rolled back the clock to a few years back this past weekend as he made four of five field goal attempts.

TE Pickups (Immediate)

Heath Miller (Pit) – If he’s still available, hurry and grab him. He looks to be the Steeler’s top red zone target.

Erron Kinney (Ten) – Kinney has done nothing but produce this year. Now with Ben Troupe hurt as well as the WR corps injuries, Kinney looks solid.

Jerramy Stevens (Sea) – The Seahawks are coming off a bye week.

Defensive Pickups (Immediate)