Not all champions are born, some get made. The waiver wire is the place where the smart proactive fantasy owner’s can uncover hidden gems. Every year a couple of guys go undrafted only to emerge as the season progresses to lead fantasy team’s to their league’s title. Steve Slaton did it last year and Ryan Grant the year before him. It happens every year and will certainly happen again this year. Each week we will release a list of players who have significant fantasy value but are not owned in most leagues. These guy’s can be picked up off your leagues waiver wire and either plugged into your starting lineup or used to provide your team with depth. Depending on your league size and scoring format some of these players will hold more value than others. Some of the players mentioned will have no significant fantasy value in smaller leagues, but may become fantasy relevant later in the season. Use this list as a tool to stay ahead of your league’s waiver wire. I also recommend using us as your fantasy advisers. If you don’t know what to do or just need advice regarding trades, waivers or starting and sitting players, ask us a question. We’re here to help and it’s FREE. Don’t get left behind as others move forward.
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco – BAL – QB
The Ravens let Flacco throw 43 times on Sunday! He turned it into 307 yards and 3 td’s. He also ran 5 times for 18 yards. Flacco is worth a roster spot in all formats.
David Garrard – JAC – QB
Garrard regularly finishes in the top 12 in scoring for quarterbacks. He is a consistent and safe QB option that should be owned in all leagues.
Shaun Hill – SFO – QB
Shaun Hill is sneaky good. He knows how to manage a game and can make plays when called upon. He makes a good #2 QB and solid bye week fill in.
Chad Pennington – MIA – QB
Although Miami’s passing attack looked anemic on Sunday, Pennington is unowned in far too many leagues. He is worth a roster spot as a safe low end QB1.
Mark Sanchez – NYJ – QB
Sanchez has “IT”. Call it moxy or grit. The kid can play. He is fun to watch and knows what to do with the ball in his hands. He make plays and is worth a look in deeper leagues.
Kerry Collins – TEN – QB
Collins is a solid game manager who doesn’t make many mistakes. The Titans receivers finally look like they have something to offer in the passing game. If it continues then Collins makes a good QB2 and bye week fill in.
Kyle Orton – DEN – QB
Give it time. Orton will be valuable in deeper leagues as soon as he get’s on the same page with Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall.
Running Backs
Cadillac Williams – TAM – RB
So much for a 2-2-1 split. Cadillac and Derrick Ward split carries almost down the middle with Graham being the odd man out. He didn’t look as sharp as Ward but managed 97 yards on only 13 carries with a TD. He is unowned in too many leagues and makes a low end RB2 or flex play as long as he’s splitting carries.
Willis McGahee – BAL – RB
McGahee received the goal line carry late in the game and appears to have established himself in that role. Overall he had 10 carries for 44 yards and added 4 catches for 31 yards and another TD. He should be owned in all leagues.
Mike Bell – NOR – RB
Bell should be owned in all leagues and especially by Pierre Thomas owners. He carried 28 times for 143 yards against a brutal Detroit team.
Michael Bush – OAK – RB
Bush looked good against the Chargers. He should see about 10-14 touches a game and the goal line work. That warrants a roster spot.
Correll Buckhalter – DEN – RB
Buckhalter got the start and looked better than rookie Knowshon Moreno. He managed 48 yards on only 8 carries and added 2 catches for 11 yards. Denver used four different backs throughout the game so I’d recommend staying away from the situation if you can.
Mewelde Moore – PIT – RB
Moore didn’t do much in terms of posting numbers. He was however the most effective back for the Steelers Thursday night. If you own Willie Parker or have the roster space he could be worth a pick.
LeRon McClain – BAL – RB
McClain had 42 total yards on 9 touches. He did score on a one yard run but appears to be on the verge of losing goal line touches to McGahee.
Ladell Betts – WAS – RB
Betts will be on the field for third downs and 2 minute situations. Portis owner’s should strongly consider picking him up.
Edgerrin James – SEA – RB
Edge had 11 carries but managed only 30 yards. He got the work when the game was out of reach and he didn’t look like he was in “football shape”. The touches could indicate what his role will probably be.
James Davis – CLE – RB
The Cleveland offense looked bad against a solid defense. Although he only gained 9 yards on 7 touches we feel it’s just a matter of time before he takes the starting job from Jamal Lewis.
Glen Coffee – SFO – RB
Gore will be the focal point of the offense but Coffee is the clear number 2 and worth a roster spot.
Tight Ends
Dustin Keller – NYJ – TE
Keller is more than just a check down option for Sanchez. The Jet’s will split him out wide and line him up in the slot. You don’t do that with check down options, you do that with play makers. Keller had 4 grabs for 94 yards and has developed a good chemistry with Sanchez. He is unowned in far too many leagues and will make a decent TE1.
John Carlson – SEA – TE
Carlson caught 6 balls for 95 yards and 2 TD’s. He has developed a solid chemistry with QB Matt Hasselbeck and will make a solid weekly option. He could very well finish in the top 7 for the position. You need to make room for this guy on your team.
Kevin Boss – NYG – TE
Boss caught 3 balls for 62 yards. He has developed a good relationship with Eli and makes a for a consistent low end TE1 in deeper leagues.
Jeremy Shockey – NOR – TE
Brees tossed 6 TD’s against Detroit and 2 of them went to Shockey. He could be a red zone beast for the Saints this year. However, since the Saints do such a good job of spreading the ball around you should temper expectations.
Brent Celek – PHI – TE
Celek is going to be a big part of the Eagle’s red zone package. He caught 6 balls for 37 yards and a TD. With McNabb likely missing week 2 Celek’s value takes a hit. He is worth a pick up in PPR leagues.
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN – TE
Brett Favre loves his tight ends and Shiancoe has the skill’s to be a weapon in the Viking’s offense. As soon as Favre regains some of his arm strength and gets more comfortable with his WR’s then the middle of the field will open up for the tight end. He should become a weekly option.
Heath Miller – PIT – TE
Miller caught 8 passes for 64 yards. Big Ben found the former 1st round pick open underneath when the Titan’s started shifting there safeties towards Holmes and Ward. The Steelers might have to throw more than they would like this year and Miller could become an option.
Vernon Davis – SFO – TE
The former 1st pick is looking to shed the bust label. He had 5rec. and 40yds against the Cards and was split out wide on several occasions. It’s a long shot but he could become the 49ers best receiver.
Benjamin Watson – NEP – TE
Another former 1st round pick helped the Pat’s sneak past the Bill’s on Monday night. After a terrible pre-season, Watson was able to put together a very good opening game. He had 6rec. for 77 yards and 2 TD’s. If Brady continues to look his way then Watson could find himself open all day with Wes Welker and Randy Moss demanding so much attention.
Wide Receivers
Percy Harvin – MIN – WR
The rookie was lined up all over the field against the Brown’s. He had 2 carries for 22 yards and led all Vikes in receiving with 36 yards on 3 catches and a TD. Like all the Viking’s skill players not named Adrian Peterson, Harvin could become a solid WR 3-4 as Brett Favre becomes more comfortable with the offense.
Mark Clayton – BAL – WR
Clayton was questionable going into Sunday’s tilt against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury. Not only did he play but he played well. He had 5 rec. for 77 yards and a TD. He also had 1 carry for 9 yards showing that the injured hamstring could be behind him. Clayton could finally become a solid option. If he stays off the injury report he could become a WR 3-4. He is worth a roster spot in all formats.
Antwaan Randle El – WAS – WR
The Skin’s looked over matched against the Giants. QB Jason Campbell was unable to get the ball down the field electing to hit Randle El and TE Chris Cooley underneath and on crossing patterns. Randle El had 7 rec. for 98 yards and was Campbell’s favorite target. He is worth a roster spot in all formats.
Patrick Crayton – DAL – WR
Crayton led all Dallas receivers with 135 yards on 4 receptions. 80 of those yards came on one play, but he showed why he started over Miles Austin. If he can finally put it all together, he could become a solid WR3. He should be owned in most formats and all deeper leagues.
Nate Burleson – SEA – WR
Burleson is the #2 WR on what will be a much improved Seattle team. The Ram’s are going to make alot of teams look good so you should keep your expectations in check. Burleson will make a weekly play as a WR 3 in deeper leagues and should be owned in all formats.
Miles Austin – DAL – WR
Austin is the third WR in Dallas, but displayed the big play ability that had us so high on him throughout the pre-season. He caught 4 ball for a team high 135 yards including a 80 yard TD. He is worth a look in all formats and should be owned in deeper leagues.
Steve Smith – NYG – WR
Smith caught 6 passes for 80 yards and was the most consistent Giant’s wide out. He should be owned in all formats.
Michael Jenkins – ATL – WR
Jenkins caught 4 balls for 41 yards and was open on several deep routes. Matt Ryan misfired on several deep balls that could have resulted in a much better passing game for the Falcons. Jenkins is worth a look and should be owned in deeper leagues.
Sidney Rice – MIN – WR
Rice is entering his third season. Favre looked for him on a fade route in the end zone that could indicate his potential this season. Rice is a good down field blocker so he will start on the outside opposite Bernard Berrian. He is worth a roster in deeper leagues.
Josh Morgan – SFO – WR
Morgan was the 49er’s best receiver before disappearing in the second half. We will monitor the situation to see what happened with the speedster. Crabtree is not close to signing so Morgan could become a top option for Hill. He should be owned in deeper leagues.
Devery Henderson – NOR – WR
Henderson has always shown his big play ability in small bursts. He has been to inconsistent to warrant a roster spot in years past. He was the leading wide out on Sunday for the Saints and showed a consistency not typical of the LSU product. Keep an eye on him and see if his targets continue. He had 5rec. for 103 yards and a TD.
Mark Bradley – KAN – WR
Bradley was the clear #2 wide out for the Chiefs and led the team in targets. With Matt Cassel due back this week I would wait and see what his role will be. He is worth a look in deeper leagues. The Chief’s are going to throw this year and Dwayne Bowe will see alot of double coverage.
Kenny Britt – TEN – WR
The rookie picked up were he left off in the pre-season. Against the Steelers he had 4 catches for 85 yards running crisp routes and showing good concentration. He is worth a look in most formats but should be owned in deeper leagues.
Chansi Stuckey – NYJ – WR
Stuckey is the #2 wide out for the Jets. He caught a deep TD on a broken coverage but displayed his big play ability. He is worth a look in deeper leagues.
Robert Meachem – NOR – WR
Meachem caught only 2 balls, but one was a 39 yard TD. He will be an inconsistent weekly option that should only be considered in deeper leagues.
Mario Manningham – NYG – WR
Mario caught 3 balls for 58 yards and a TD. He was used out of the slot and was open underneath on several occasions. He could be a valuable WR 4 and is worth a look in deeper leagues.
Austin Collie – IND – WR
Collie should rotate with Garcon as long as Gonzalez is out. I think he is a better option than Garcon.
Pierre Garcon – IND – WR
With Anthony Gonzalez out Garcon should see an increase in targets.
Laurent Robinson – STL – WR
Robinson led a bad Rams team in yards with 87 on 5 receptions. He is worth a look in deeper leagues but that’s it.
Be on the lookout for our Week 2 Rankings as they will be dropping soon.
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