Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 9: Titus Young Explodes, and Time To Speculate on Ronnie Hillman
By Jason Lisk
It’s also a good week to begin speculating for the end of the season and the playoffs at the running back positions. I highlighted some guys at the end of last week, both those who would be good injury replacement options if they get an opportunity, and platoon situations to look for.
QUARTERBACKS
Pickings are somewhat slim this week at the quarterback position if you are in need of desperation help. Sam Bradford and Alex Smith are on bye weeks and are not fall back options. There are a couple of backup situations where the player could start that you should take a small flier on.
Deeper: Rumors are swirling about Nick Foles replacing Michael Vick, but nothing is confirmed. Whoever starts at quarterback will play against the Saints defense, so if it is Foles, he’ll move into a potential starting role based on matchup, obviously still risky. If you have Brady, though, and have, say, Ryan Fitzpatrick (Houston) or Christian Ponder (Seattle) it’s a move you might consider.
The other one is Matt Moore if Ryan Tannehill misses a game. Getting a game against the Colts isn’t the worst of matchups, and Moore showed last year he could have some value.
RUNNING BACKS
The matchup plays for running back this week are mostly already going to be on rosters, though monitoring Ben Tate’s situation may be of value. The Bills are allowing the most points to fantasy running backs, so if Tate can’t go, Justin Forsett may be a guy that gets 10-12 touches behind Arian Foster with a fantastic matchup. Forsett is likely available everywhere.
Shallow: Well, if you’ve made it through bye weeks, start making those speculative adds. Kendall Hunter should not be available in nearly half the leagues out there. LeGarrette Blount has been the subject of a few stray trade rumors, and since the deadline has been pushed to Thursday, he may be worth a one week flier if available to see if anything materializes.
Deep: Peyton Hillis was back on Sunday and as the second part of a committee in Kansas City could have value on Thursday night. The injury has kept him out of the mix until now. Joique Bell is Detroit’s third down back as well as getting platooned in other situations. The Lions get Jacksonville so Bell will be a flex option this week in the RB27-32 range. Jacquizz Rodgers is a good speculative add.
Deeper: Time to add Ronnie Hillman, as Denver’s schedule lightens up quite a bit, and if the Broncos are playing with the lead, you can expect them to keep McGahee fresh by spelling him with Hillman.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Shallow: Titus Young of course should be picked up after his big performance with Burleson out. Darrius Heyward-Bey is also available in about 40% of leagues, and scored a touchdown against Kansas City. This week’s matchup is fantastic, going against Tampa.
Deep: Brandon LaFell has been a disappointment in recent weeks, and the schedule has been tough, but it opens up in a big way against Washington, so LaFell should become a flex option. Donnie Avery is another matchup play against Miami in a game the Colts will have to throw heavily.
Deeper: Chris Givens has been a deep threat for a month now, as he’s had over 50 yards receiving each of the last four games and kicked in a touchdown. I actually used him with success this last week as my last flex. The Rams are on a bye, though, so he would be a luxury stash.
Ryan Broyles added another touchdown moving into a larger role in Detroit with Burleson’s injury. Cecil Shorts is a guy to monitor as well, as the opportunity in Jacksonville is there, and he has outperformed Blackmon in recent weeks.
TIGHT END
Shallow: Dennis Pitta is now available in about half the leagues, so if he is, go ahead and add him.
Deep: Brandon Myers of Oakland continues to be a value. He hasn’t caught a touchdown (yet) but is averaging over 4 catches a game. He’ll be targeted in the Tampa matchup as well.
Deeper: Anthony Fasano caught a touchdown last week and is a desperation start. Logan Paulsen had over 40 yards replacing Fred Davis and gets to go against Carolina.
KICKER
Matt Prater would be a guy to add based on Denver’s upcoming schedule if you are looking for a spark.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Detroit going against Jacksonville or San Diego hosting the error prone Chiefs on Thursday night would be my matchup move of the week among teams likely on your free agent list.
[photo via US Presswire]