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Week 14 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
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Contributed by:
Jared Dang
Last Updated: Dec 06, 2011 11:19 AM |
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Pickups of the Week
Ricky Williams, RB, Ravens (38.7 percent owned in standard ESPN 10-Man Leagues)Week 13 stats: 16 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
As bad as the Browns are at defending the run, the Colts are even worse. Williams could see plenty of garbage time carries in this one and he might be able to duplicate his production in week 16 when he faces the Browns at home.
Devin Aromashodu, WR, Vikings (0.2 percent)Week 13 stats: 6 rec, 90 yards, 15 targets
Michael Jenkins’ season ending injury allows Aromashodu to enter the starting lineup as Christian Ponder’s #2 target. There is a reason why his 15 targets were the most on the team and 6 more than Percy Harvin. Aromashodu is talented and could easily put up similar numbers against a Suh-less Lions defense next week. He has disappointed long enough.
Marion Barber, RB, Bears (17.3 percent)Week 13 stats: 14 carries, 44 yards
Opposing defenses are stacking the box against him just daring Caleb Hanie to throw the ball. This offense just reached St. Louis Rams levels of suck, which doesn’t bode well for Barber. Nevertheless, he does have the #1 job all to himself and Von Miller is still recovering from torn ligaments in his thumb. If Toby Gerhart can find success against Denver, so can Barber.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders (29.5 percent)Week 13 stats: 3 rec, 23 yards, 1 TD, 8 Targets
Heyward-Bey benefited from Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford’s absences in the lineup on Sunday and only Denarius Moore is expected to return next week. Moore’s return would leave Chaz Schilens (6 rec, 89 yards) as the odd man out, even though Schilens led all Raiders receivers in yardage on Sunday. Carson Palmer has targeted Heyward-Bey a total of 18 targets the last two weeks and keep in mind the Packers D/ST gives up the 6th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Sneaky play here.
Nate Burleson, WR, Lions (19.5 percent)Week 13 stats: 5 rec, 93 yards, 8 Targets
Take out a loan against your 401k and bet on Calvin Johnson scoring a touchdown this week. Just do it. Don’t even talk to a financial advisor, he doesn’t have s*** on me. Injuries to Antoine Winfield, Chris Cook (not injured, but suspended for assaulting people), Husain Abdullah and Tyrell Johnson have left the Vikings secondary looking thinner than a Victoria's Secret Fashion shoot. Burleson has totaled at least 80 yards or a touchdown in the last three weeks and with Minnesota triple and quadruple teaming Johnson (only way they can stop him), Burleson will end up producing quality stats one way or another. Matter of fact, Titus Young (3.1 percent) should too.
Seahawks D/ST (16.0 percent)
They face a Bradford-less Rams offense at home. Yes please.
Broncos D/ST (11.5 percent)
There’s an unwashed empty half-gallon carton of milk sitting on my desk right now. It just sits there taking up space, probably because I let it sit there and I’m too lazy to wash or recycle it. For the past two months it has collected and created all sorts of bacteria. I’m not sure what dead people smell like, but I’m pretty sure it’s not worse than a whiff from that carton. Every single person I’ve shared the smell with has either started dry-heaving immediately sustained a headache. My friend Scott Kellenberger was able to sniff it multiple times. Sometimes I worry about that kid. I tell you all this because the Bears offense stinks worse than that milk carton. It doesn’t get worse than 3 points against a rancid Kansas City defense. Ok, 0 points is worse, no need to be an internet smart-ass. Even if Von Miller doesn’t return on Sunday, the Broncos will have no problems shutting down Caleb Hanie and Marion Barber.
Tennessee D/ST (17.2 percent)
Pick them up for their week 15 and week 16 matchups against Indianapolis and Jacksonville. Sure, Dan Orlovsky threw 3 touchdowns on Sunday, but keep in mind the Patriots pass defense gives up more points than any other defense. The Titans are nowhere near that awful. Keep in mind this is also not a recommendation for fantasy owners to play the Titans D/ST against the Saints in week 14.
Speaking of Defenses
With the waivers picked clean at the end of the year, adding defenses with a favorable matchup is probably the best shot for fantasy owners to increase their point production. Now is the time to pick up defenses that will help win future playoff match-ups, especially if your current defense is trash. Fantasy owners would be wise to pick up defenses playing Indianapolis, St. Louis, Chicago, Arizona, Jacksonville or Kansas City in the next few weeks.
Tier 1: Must Play Fantasy D/ST Opponents
| Team | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 |
| Indianapolis | Baltimore | Tennessee | Houston | Jacksonville |
| St. Louis | Seattle | Cincinnati | Pittsburgh | San Francisco |
| Chicago | Denver | Seattle | Green Bay | Minnesota |
Tier 2: Almost Must Play Fantasy D/ST Opponents
| Kansas City | New York Jets | Green Bay | Oakland | Denver |
| Jacksonville | Tampa Bay | Atlanta | Tennessee | Indianapolis |
| Arizona | San Francisco | Cleveland | Cincinnati | Seattle |
*Teams Bolded are owned in <60% of leagues.
Given this list, there are few defenses that are better than the Seahawks and the Titans over the next few weeks.
Deeper League, Desperate Plays
Kevin Walter, WR, Texans (13.1 percent)
Week 13 stats: 1 rec, 12 yards, 4 Targets
Odds are Andre Johnson will miss a week or two, meaning either Walter or Jacoby Jones (8.2 percent owned) will have to step up in his place. One of these receivers could end up with a very productive game against a Cincinnati pass defense that ranks amongst the league’s worst ever since losing CB Leon Hall. Odds are it is Walter, who out-targeted Jones 4 to 2.
Brad Smith, WR, Bills (0.2 percent)
Week 12 stats: 4 rec, 77 yards, 1 TD 7 Targets
Week 13 stats: 7 rec, 72 yards, 10 Targets
Someone in the front office must have told Bills coach Chan Gailey the Bills aren’t paying Smith $15 million to run the wildcat. Smith’s 10 targets on Sunday led all Bills receivers. Fantasy owners could do worse at the flex.
Week 13 stats: 1 rec, 12 yards, 4 Targets
Odds are Andre Johnson will miss a week or two, meaning either Walter or Jacoby Jones (8.2 percent owned) will have to step up in his place. One of these receivers could end up with a very productive game against a Cincinnati pass defense that ranks amongst the league’s worst ever since losing CB Leon Hall. Odds are it is Walter, who out-targeted Jones 4 to 2.
Brad Smith, WR, Bills (0.2 percent)
Week 12 stats: 4 rec, 77 yards, 1 TD 7 Targets
Week 13 stats: 7 rec, 72 yards, 10 Targets
Someone in the front office must have told Bills coach Chan Gailey the Bills aren’t paying Smith $15 million to run the wildcat. Smith’s 10 targets on Sunday led all Bills receivers. Fantasy owners could do worse at the flex.
How Are They Still Available?
Rex Grossman, QB, Redskins (8.5 percent)
Week 11 stats: 25-38, 289 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 Rushing TD
Week 12 stats: 26-38, 314 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Week 13 stats: 19-46, 221 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
Yeah 47.5 quarterback ratings happen against the Jets pass defense, but they don’t happen against the Patriots who just let Dan Orlovsky throw for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fun fact: Rex Grossman’s 47.5 quarterback rating was only 7.9 points better than Kyle Orton’s who earned a 39.6 passer rating on his one and only passing play in which he threw an incompletion and dislocated an index finger.
Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings (32.3 percent)
Week 12 stats: 17 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 19 yards
Week 13 stats: 21 carries, 91 yards, 8 rec, 42 yards
A Suh-less Lions defense is still good, but not good enough to stop Gerhart from racking up decent yardage.
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers (57.0 percent)
Week 10 stats: 5 rec, 86 yards, 6 Targets
Week 12 stats: 4 rec, 81 yards, 6 Targets
Week 13 stats: 2 rec, 67 yards, 1 Punt Return TD
43 percent of ESPN leagues have no idea what they are doing.
Carson Palmer, QB, Raiders (58.0 percent)
Week 11 stats: 17-23, 164 yards, 1 TD
Week 12 stats: 21-37, 301 yards, 1 INT
Week 13 stats: 20-41, 273 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Palmer will be playing catch-up against the Packers (27th against the QB) like every other team has this year and might even get Denarius Moore back.
Santana Moss, WR, Redskins (59.3 percent)
Week 13 stats: 5 rec, 42 yards, 12 Targets
Disregard previous production, Acquire favorable fantasy football matchups. Fred Davis’ suspension will lead to more targets for Moss and he should be in for a big game against a Patriots defense that gives up the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Jabar Gaffney (0 yards, 3 targets) or David Anderson (2 rec, 21 yards, 6 targets) should also be in for a productive day. If you had to choose between the two, take Gaffney.
C.J. Spiller, RB/WR, Bills (78.1 percent)
Week 12 stats: 19 carries, 55 yards, 3 rec, 15 yards
Week 13 stats: 14 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Eligible as a RB or a WR (at least in ESPN leagues), Spiller faces a middle of the road San Diego run defense next week, which makes him a low-end #2 RB or high end #2 WR, whatever you prefer.
Roy Helu, RB, Redskins (80.2 percent)
Week 12 stats: 23 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD, 7 rec, 54 yards
Week 13 stat: 23 carries, 100 yards
Helu just ran through two top-10 run defenses in the Seahawks in week 12 and the Jets in week 13. He is legit. Not one other player ran the ball for the Redskins in week 13. That’s unheard of for a Mike Shanahan-coached team.
Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets (83.5 percent)
Week 11 stats: 24-40, 252 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Week 12 stats: 17-35, 180 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Week 13 stats: 19-32, 165 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTS
America’s most accepted pedophile is by no means a must-start, but as the #10 fantasy QB, he should at least be owned in every league right?
Ben Tate, RB, Texans (84.2 percent)
Week 10 stats: 13 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
Week 12 stats: 5 carries, 26 yards
Week 13 stats: 11 carries, 41 yards
Carolina (ranked 32 against opposing RBs) and Indianapolis (ranked 30th) await in weeks 15 and 16.
Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos (85.8 percent)
Week 11 stats: 9-20, 104 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 8 carries, 68 yards, 1 rushing TD
Week 12 stats: 9-18, 143 yards, 1 TD, 22 carries, 67 yards
Week 13 stats: 10-15, 202 yards, 2 TDs, 4 carries, 13 yards, 2-PT conversion
Fantasy owners know what they are getting a solid, consistently slightly above-average quarterback, with the upside to go off any week. His week 15 and 16 matchups are quite favorable with the Patriots (32nd in fantasy points allowed to QBs) and the Bills (26th) on deck.
Week 11 stats: 25-38, 289 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 Rushing TD
Week 12 stats: 26-38, 314 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Week 13 stats: 19-46, 221 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
Yeah 47.5 quarterback ratings happen against the Jets pass defense, but they don’t happen against the Patriots who just let Dan Orlovsky throw for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fun fact: Rex Grossman’s 47.5 quarterback rating was only 7.9 points better than Kyle Orton’s who earned a 39.6 passer rating on his one and only passing play in which he threw an incompletion and dislocated an index finger.
Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings (32.3 percent)
Week 12 stats: 17 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 19 yards
Week 13 stats: 21 carries, 91 yards, 8 rec, 42 yards
A Suh-less Lions defense is still good, but not good enough to stop Gerhart from racking up decent yardage.
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers (57.0 percent)
Week 10 stats: 5 rec, 86 yards, 6 Targets
Week 12 stats: 4 rec, 81 yards, 6 Targets
Week 13 stats: 2 rec, 67 yards, 1 Punt Return TD
43 percent of ESPN leagues have no idea what they are doing.
Carson Palmer, QB, Raiders (58.0 percent)
Week 11 stats: 17-23, 164 yards, 1 TD
Week 12 stats: 21-37, 301 yards, 1 INT
Week 13 stats: 20-41, 273 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Palmer will be playing catch-up against the Packers (27th against the QB) like every other team has this year and might even get Denarius Moore back.
Santana Moss, WR, Redskins (59.3 percent)
Week 13 stats: 5 rec, 42 yards, 12 Targets
Disregard previous production, Acquire favorable fantasy football matchups. Fred Davis’ suspension will lead to more targets for Moss and he should be in for a big game against a Patriots defense that gives up the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Jabar Gaffney (0 yards, 3 targets) or David Anderson (2 rec, 21 yards, 6 targets) should also be in for a productive day. If you had to choose between the two, take Gaffney.
C.J. Spiller, RB/WR, Bills (78.1 percent)
Week 12 stats: 19 carries, 55 yards, 3 rec, 15 yards
Week 13 stats: 14 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Eligible as a RB or a WR (at least in ESPN leagues), Spiller faces a middle of the road San Diego run defense next week, which makes him a low-end #2 RB or high end #2 WR, whatever you prefer.
Roy Helu, RB, Redskins (80.2 percent)
Week 12 stats: 23 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD, 7 rec, 54 yards
Week 13 stat: 23 carries, 100 yards
Helu just ran through two top-10 run defenses in the Seahawks in week 12 and the Jets in week 13. He is legit. Not one other player ran the ball for the Redskins in week 13. That’s unheard of for a Mike Shanahan-coached team.
Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets (83.5 percent)
Week 11 stats: 24-40, 252 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Week 12 stats: 17-35, 180 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Week 13 stats: 19-32, 165 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTS
America’s most accepted pedophile is by no means a must-start, but as the #10 fantasy QB, he should at least be owned in every league right?
Ben Tate, RB, Texans (84.2 percent)
Week 10 stats: 13 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
Week 12 stats: 5 carries, 26 yards
Week 13 stats: 11 carries, 41 yards
Carolina (ranked 32 against opposing RBs) and Indianapolis (ranked 30th) await in weeks 15 and 16.
Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos (85.8 percent)
Week 11 stats: 9-20, 104 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 8 carries, 68 yards, 1 rushing TD
Week 12 stats: 9-18, 143 yards, 1 TD, 22 carries, 67 yards
Week 13 stats: 10-15, 202 yards, 2 TDs, 4 carries, 13 yards, 2-PT conversion
Fantasy owners know what they are getting a solid, consistently slightly above-average quarterback, with the upside to go off any week. His week 15 and 16 matchups are quite favorable with the Patriots (32nd in fantasy points allowed to QBs) and the Bills (26th) on deck.
You're Dead to Me, Kinda
(Players who you might not necessarily want to drop, but should if there are more worthy waiver wire prospects available. Some of these guys are good players, but that should not stop you from dropping them for guys with more upside, especially if all they do is ride your bench. Either drop them or trade them, but your bench should be full of high upside players. For example, I'm not saying you should drop Jermichael Finley, but if a player like Roy Helu is available and your team could use a running back, then the right decision would be to drop Finley assuming you can't trade him first.)
New to the list: Matt Forte :(
In no particular order: Jahvid Best, Nate Washington, Sidney Rice, Daniel Thomas, Fred Jackson, Fred Davis, Greg Olsen, Jay Cutler, Miles Austin (If you cant trade him first), Felix Jones, Matt Schaub, Mike Tolbert, Owen Daniels, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Peyton Hillis, Joe Flacco, Brandon Pettigrew, Ryan Fitzpatrick, James Starks, Knowshon Moreno, Deion Branch, Ryan Torain, Dallas Clark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Dustin Keller, Jermichael Finley, Reggie Wayne, Ryan Grant, Joseph Addai, Robert Meachem, Lance Moore, Matt Hasselbeck, Marcedes Lewis, Johnny Knox, Roy Williams, Kevin Kolb, Chad Ochocinco, Malcom Floyd, Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster, Danny Woodhead, Donald Driver, Matt Cassel, Austin Collie, Kellen Winslow, Lee Evans, Donovan McNabb, Sam Bradford, Hines Ward (forever and always), Zach Miller, Cadillac Williams, Jerome Harrison, and Devin Hester.
Off the list is Shonn Greene, Pierre Garcon and Ricky Williams.
In no particular order: Jahvid Best, Nate Washington, Sidney Rice, Daniel Thomas, Fred Jackson, Fred Davis, Greg Olsen, Jay Cutler, Miles Austin (If you cant trade him first), Felix Jones, Matt Schaub, Mike Tolbert, Owen Daniels, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Peyton Hillis, Joe Flacco, Brandon Pettigrew, Ryan Fitzpatrick, James Starks, Knowshon Moreno, Deion Branch, Ryan Torain, Dallas Clark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Dustin Keller, Jermichael Finley, Reggie Wayne, Ryan Grant, Joseph Addai, Robert Meachem, Lance Moore, Matt Hasselbeck, Marcedes Lewis, Johnny Knox, Roy Williams, Kevin Kolb, Chad Ochocinco, Malcom Floyd, Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster, Danny Woodhead, Donald Driver, Matt Cassel, Austin Collie, Kellen Winslow, Lee Evans, Donovan McNabb, Sam Bradford, Hines Ward (forever and always), Zach Miller, Cadillac Williams, Jerome Harrison, and Devin Hester.
Off the list is Shonn Greene, Pierre Garcon and Ricky Williams.
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