The NFL season is in full swing, along with that comes the bye weeks that can wreak havoc on your fantasy squad. Many owners have been left short with the bye weeks, so we at Fantasy Football Brothers would like to do what we can to hopefully help you out in your time of need.
Last week I wrote an article called the “droppables” in which I put myself out on a limb and my editor forced me to put a disclaimer for the very reason of looking like a fool. Week 5 has come and gone and as I look back on the article, I see a couple of names that stand out, for example Jamal Lewis(117 yards rushing), Jeremy Maclin(6 rec.,142 yards,2 TD’s) and Miles Austin(10 rec.,250 yards,2 TD’s). While these guys had career days, it is nice to know they have officially made it off the “droppable” list.
Back to the point of this article and the picking up of players off your waiver wire which might include the three above mentioned players. The recommended pickups this week to help you out are:
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QUARTERBACK
Marc Bulger-St. Louis Rams-He looked good in his limited action going 7 for 7 passing for 88 yards and a TD against Minnesota. In week 6 he faces the Jacksonville Jaguars and we look for him to have a “nice” week. One thing is the Rams will be playing from behind alot, so Bulger will have the chance to put up good yardage numbers.
Josh Johnson-Tampa Bay Buccaneers-This kid threw the ball 50 times last week against Minnesota. He finished the game with 240 yards and 2 TD’s, but threw three INT’s. Johnson throws a nice ball, if you haven’t seen him play he is pretty impressive for a guy only making his second start last week. He has a nice matchup against Carolina in week 6.
Matt Cassel-Kansas City Chiefs-If Matt Cassel is on your waivers, which he shouldn’t be, go pick him up and start him if you have a quarterback on a bye week. He is finally starting to look comfortable in Todd Haley’s offense and as he continues to build a rapport with Dwayne Bowe the numbers will come. Last week he had 253 yards passing with 2 TD’s. In week 6 he faces the Washington Redskins.
Daunte Culpepper-Detroit Lions-He had a nice week last week, throwing for 282 yards with 1 TD and only 1 INT. Culpepper would be a solid option if the status of Calvin Johnson wasn’t so up in the air. Detroit will face the Green Bay Packers next week, continue to monitor Megatron’s health as well as the health of Matthew Stafford if you are this desperate for a QB.
RUNNING BACK
Michael Bush-Oakland Raiders-Bush was outperforming Darren Mcadden when he was healthy and if he is still on your waiver wire we recommend that you go get him. The Raiders still look to establish the pass through the run so Bush will get his carries.
Justin Fargas-Oakland Raiders-Fargas has been waiver wire material all year, but with the injury to Darren McFadden he is somewhat fantasy relevant. The fact that Michael Bush had 12 carries last week and Fargas had 11 tells us that the Raiders aren’t ready to hand the keys to Bush yet.
Tashard Choice-Dallas Cowboys-If Choice is still on your waiver wire by some sort of miracle, go get him immediately. He is the best back in Dallas and the sooner that Wade Phillips realizes that, the better the Cowboys will be. Choice is a threat in the running and passing game and isn’t made of “glass” like the other Dallas backs.
Jamal Lewis-Cleveland Browns-I know he was on the droppable list and the fact that the Cleveland Browns just discarded Jerome Harrison like yesterday’s newspaper is why they are the Browns. Lewis is a pickup because the Browns gave him 31 carries in week 5, so you know they are going to feed him the rock.
Justin Forsett-Seattle Seahawks-If Forsett was picked up and dropped in your league I would take a chance and pick him up again. The reason being Juluis Jones always seems to slide as the season goes on and Forsett always looks like the fresher back. I would recommend him as a stash and save.
Sammy Morris-New England Patriots-He has taken over the running game in New England and with Fred Taylor out he will continue to get the most carries as well as the goal-line carries. He is also a receiving threat and Bill Belichick likes him because he picks up the blitzes well and protects Mr. Brady.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Mike Wallace-Pittsburgh Steelers-Wallace has a firm grasp on the third receiver job in Pittsburgh and he is a burner. He had two catches for 52 yards and a TD last week against the Lions and if you watched the game and saw him blow by the corner on his TD reception you would have already picked him up.
Dennis Northcutt-Detroit Lions-If Calvin Johnson misses any time, Northcutt steps in and should be somewhat productive as the Lions will be throwing the ball often as they will more than likely be behind. Last week against Minnesota he had 5 receptions for 70 yards and a TD. Monitor Megatron’s knee situation. This is a wait and see.
Miles Austin-Dallas Cowboys-I had him on the droppable list and he goes out and has a career day. This tells me two thing, either he read my article or the number one receiver in front of him was out with bruised ribs. I’ll say it was scenarion number two which is why he had 10 receptions for 250 yards and 2 TD’s. I am still not sold and I wonder where his value lies when Roy E. Williams comes back. This is a situation where there are not enough football’s to go around in Big D.
Donnie Avery-St. Louis Rams-He might be on your waiver wire if someone got tired of waiting for him to produce. I think he rushed himself back from his injury and now he is finally healthy. He is a number one receiver on a horrible team, but hey, someone has to catch the ball in St. Louis and the Rams will be playing from behind alot this season.
Hakeem Nicks-New York Giants-If he is still on your waiver wire go pick him up because he will eventually take Marion Manningham’s job. If you are in a dynasty league he is a must get. Nicks was targeted six times last week against the Raiders and ended up with 4 receptions for 49 yards and 1 TD.
Jeremy Maclin-Philadelphia Eagles-He came up big in week 5 and had 6 receptions for 142 yards and 2 TD’s. This might of been his coming out party and with the oft-injured Kevin Curtis he makes a solid number two for the Eagles and a solid number three for your fantasy squad. Dynasty leaguers go get him.
Muhsin Muhammad-Carolina Panthers-What you say this guy had 5 receptions for 39 yards in week 5 with no TD’s. Look further and you see a guy that was targeted ten times by QB Jake Delhomme. He is a matchup guy and a good bye week filler.
Chris Henry-Cincinnati Bengals-If someone gave up on him in your league because he has been outperformed by Andre Caldwell, give him another shot as he went for 3 receptions and 92 yards. The only concern is that a long of 73 was included in that 92 yards. If you erase that it would put him at 2 receptions for 19 yards. Tread lightly.
Josh Morgan-San Francisco 49ers-Morgan had 4 receptions for 78 yards and 0 TD’s, but he was targeted nine times in what was a blowout at Candlestick Park at the hands of the Falcons. Morgan is quietly improving and goes unnoticed because he plays for a run first offense. Take a wait and see approach.
Torry Holt-Jacksonville Jaguars-Holt went for 7 receptions for 95 yards and 0 TD’s and was targeted 11 times by David Garrard against the Seattle Seahawks. While these numbers might be skewed with the absence of Mike Sims-Walker, it also shows Garrard trusts him and will probably look his way more often.
Jabar Gaffney-Denver Broncos-Gaffney has developed into a very good third wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. He is familiar with the system and was targeted by QB Kyle Orton eight times against New England and ended up with 6 receptions for 61 yards.
Austin Collie-Indianapolis Colts-Collie came up big against the Tennessee Titans and had 8 receptions for 97 yards and 2 TD’s. I wonder about his playing time when Anthony Gonzalez comes back, but there is no doubt QB Peyton Manning likes throwing to the youngster from BYU. If you are in a dynasty league he is a pickup, in a redraft league I think he is a stash and see.
TIGHT ENDS
Heath Miller-Pittsburgh Steelers-If by any chance he is still there there are two things you need to do. The first is go pick him up now, the second is leave me your email so I can be in your league next year. QB Ben Roethlisberger is making Miller into the second coming of Dallas Clark.
Visanthe Shiancoe-Minnesota Vikings-Many were frustrated with Shiancoe’s scattered production and dropped him. Unfortunately, that is the way it is for most TE’s in the NFL. He is still a viable option in the Vikings offense and he should be on your roster if you are in need of a TE.
That’s the recommended waiver wire pickups for week 6. Be on the lookout for our rankings and projections throughout the week.