Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 3: Look to Rams' Pead for Help
By Jason Lisk
A slow week leaves you with few options, but if you can stomach starting the Rams’ backup against San Francisco, it might be worth a shot on Thursday night. San Francisco will be without Aldon Smith and has not been very good at stopping opponent backs this year (31st in RB points allowed). Daryl Richardson is questionable after re-injuring his foot, and on a short week the prudent move would be to rest him.
That leaves Isaiah Pead, who could not beat out Richardson in the preseason but now gets an opportunity to shine in a prime time game. It’s certainly a risk, but at least presents upside that he will likely get an opportunity against a defense that has not lived up to its reputation so far in 2013.
QUARTERBACKS
If Ben Roethlisberger is out there (available in 40%) of leagues, then this is the week to jump on him. The Steelers go against a fellow winless team in Minnesota, who just allowed Brian Hoyer to make plays against them and throw for over 300 yards. Le’Veon Bell is back as well, so the offense should get a boost.
For other matchup plays, watch the injury situation in Oakland. If Terrelle Pryor is going to play, then he is a sneaky start against the Washington defense. If he is out, then Matt Flynn won’t be any more startable than he is this week. That still may be “not startable”, but he is in the conversation in two QB leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
If you miss out on Pead, the duo of Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling are still both available in about half of all leagues and are flex options against the Patriots.
Kendall Hunter is worth a look if you are speculating for the future. He’s still coming back from his injury, but this could be a situation where his touches increase in the next few weeks.
If you need a matchup based one-time play this week, go with Marcel Reece as the Raiders get the Washington Redskins and Reece should see some action with a favorable matchup as a receiver and runner backing up McFadden.
WIDE RECEIVERS
It’s time to pull the trigger on Aaron Dobson in New England, as the young receiver has worked into the rotation. He has a good matchup, and while Kenbrell Thompkins had two touchdowns, Dobson had 7 catches in the game against Tampa Bay. This is the type of matchup against Atlanta where the offense will have to be more aggressive, and Dobson could be the beneficiary.
Ryan Broyles is going to be a hot target with Nate Burleson’s injury. I just wonder if they will make another move there with some trade targets among teams that could be sellers at the receiver position. In the short term, though, Broyles is an attractive play, though the matchups over the next four weeks are not on the favorable side.
Marlon Brown only had two catches, but it was a game that developed into a conservative game plan playing with the lead against Houston. This week’s matchup against Buffalo is very favorable. Brown could be the beneficiary of some big plays.
Santonio Holmes was persona non grata, but has returned. If you pick him up, recognize this is not the best week to start him, against the Titans’ corners.
TIGHT ENDS
Heath Miller is back, and he has a very favorable matchup this week against Minnesota, in the bottom three in defending tight ends so far, after getting torched by both Martellus Bennett and Jordan Cameron. He is your pick up and start.
Coby Fleener should be on rosters now that my man crush Dwayne Allen was officially put on IR with the hip injury.
DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS
Kansas City‘s defense is for real and gets the Giants at home. You want whoever plays Jacksonville. This week, that is Indianapolis. I also like the Tennessee Titans and their aggressive man defenders going against the NY Jets.
TOP RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Isaiah Pead
2. Aaron Dobson
3. Ryan Broyles
4. Marlon Brown
5. Heath Miller
6. Jason Snelling
7. Jacquizz Rodgers
8. Ben Roethlisberger