Championship Week Pickups
With most fantasy owners re-acquainting themselves with family members this week, it's tempting to use Waiver Wired to look ahead to 2007. Coaches often use the final two weeks to look at young players in an extended tryout for a bigger role next season. But with 24 teams mathematically in playoff contention, next year is still a week away for most clubs.
There is eight months to write about next season anyhow and we're hoping you stick with Rotoworld for the most comprehensive off-season coverage on the web. With some wacky leagues still allowing waivers this week with the fantasy playoffs winding down, let's stick with the regular format at least one more time.
Quarterbacks Tim Rattay, Bucs - Jon Gruden knew the questions were going to come. If
Tim Rattay could lead the Bucs to four touchdowns against the Bears, why didn't he make the change sooner? Gruden sees Rattay in practice every day and knows the veteran isn't the future at quarterback in Tampa, but even he had to be surprised how competent the former 49er was against Chicago. He led the Bucs to three fourth quarter scores, including two plays over 40 yards.
Rattay is playing in an offense that has made other retread veterans (
Brad Johnson,
Brian Griese,
Rich Gannon) look great. He faces a sagging Cleveland secondary that made
Kyle Boller look like a Pro Bowler Sunday. As emergency options go, Rattay is an excellent one.
Recommendation: Best one-week pickup at quarterback
Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings - I watched the tape on Jackson's fourth quarter duty and he is the inverse of
Brad Johnson in every way possible. Raw, but with a canon for an arm, Jackson has a good chance to be Minnesota's starting quarterback in 2007. Brad Childress probably wouldn't have pulled Johnson if he wasn't ready for the move to permanent.
In my ridiculously deep dynasty league, I'm thinking of starting Jackson this week against the Packers over
Jon Kitna (vs. Chicago) just for the sheer absurdity of it. While it was garbage time, Jackson put up better stats in one quarter than Kitna did all Sunday against the same Packers.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deep or keeper leagues
Derek Anderson, Browns - The Browns have had some lame quarterback controversies over the years. Holcomb-Couch. Holcomb-Garcia. Kosar-Philcox. The impending
Derek Anderson/
Charlie Frye battle royale shows how far the franchise has to come.
By any measure possible,
Derek Anderson has showed more promise in his three starts than
Charlie Frye did the rest of this season. The accuracy needs work and Anderson needs to learn when to throw the ball away, but Anderson moved the ball consistently in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. When he's on, Anderson looks like he has all the tools necessary. Now he faces his first easy matchup of his career as a starter, assuming Frye can't get healthy in time for Week 16. Tampa is among the worst in the league at allowing fantasy points to quarterbacks. Judging by his first few games, 200 yards and a score or two is a low range of expectations.
Recommendation: One-week emergency option
Alex Smith, 49ers - He needed a confidence boost and got it against Seattle last Thursday night. With the Seahawks facing San Diego this week, San Francisco could be playing for a division title in Week 17 if they can beat Arizona this week. The Cardinals have cured slumps by
Marc Bulger,
Matt Hasselbeck, and
Jay Cutler the last three weeks.
Recommendation:Worth a look in 12-team leagues
J.P. Losman, Bills - Can't knock his development over the last month into an efficient, smaller version of
Ben Roethlisberger. Losman faces a hungry Titans secondary this week.
Recommendation:Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Running Backs Ron Dayne, Texans - He was our top pickup last week, but didn't think Dayne would be able to run straight at the Patriots. He's performed well in three straight games and should dominate carries against the Colts' light front seven. With a Week 16 matchup against the Colts, Dayne is a legitimate RB2 option. Because everyone feels safe trusting their season to Dayne, right?
Recommendation:Should be owned in all leagues
Vernand Morency, Packers - The Packers are working off a short week with a Thursday night game.
Ahman Green has been underwhelming in recent weeks and had 29 touches against the Lions. Morency scored twice in limited work against Detroit, and his outside speed may be a better option than Green against Minnesota. That said, he's still not a great fantasy play. But perhaps someone to stash if you play through Week 17.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deep leagues
Artose Pinner & Mewelde Moore, Vikings - If
Chester Taylor can't start on Thursday night, both Moore and Pinner would be passable emergency flex options against a struggling Packers rush defense. Moore caught five passes for 53 yards and a score against the Jets in Week 15.
Recommendation:Worth a look if Taylor sits out
Mike Bell, Broncos - Just in case he was dropped in your league and you need a flex option. Mike earned more work with his big day against Arizona and faces another fine matchup against the Bengals next week.
Recommendation:Should be owned in all leagues
Wide Receiver DJ Hackett, Seahawks - Whether he's starting or not, Hackett remains Seattle's most consistent receiver this season other than
Darrell Jackson. The Matchup against San Diego isn't a great one if Seattle can't protect
Matt Hasselbeck, but Hackett should be good for another solid PPR day.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Travis Taylor and Troy Williamson, Vikings -
Marcus Robinson apparently has replaced Williamson in the doghouse. With a Thursday night matchup against Detroit, both Taylor and Williamson are worth a look if you are desperately seeking a WR3. Their numbers picked up with
Tarvaris Jackson entered the lineup against the Jets.
Recommendation:Worth a look in deep leagues
Mike Williams, Lions - Detroit's leading receiver on Sunday! Maybe they are just showcasing Williams for a possible trade, but it's good to see he has a pulse. He's not an option against Chicago this week, but forward-thinking owners in deep dynasty leagues could stash him.
Recommendation: Worth a look in keeper leagues
Ronald Curry, Raiders - A solid WR3 if
Aaron Brooks is in the lineup. Curry is far less exciting if Oakland makes the curious move back to
Andrew Walter.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Brandon Marshall, Broncos - Instead of writing up waiver picks this week, I almost made lists of players who are auditioning for bigger roles in 2007 over the next two weeks. Marshall is near the top of the list even though Denver is squarely in the playoff race. His physical game makes him a logical replacement for
Rod Smith if he builds on his five-catch performance of Week 15.
Recommendation: Worth a look in keeper leagues
Tight End Tony Scheffler, Broncos - Hello 2007 "sleeper" list. Mike Shanahan did a good job getting Scheffler singled up against linebackers in Arizona. With another decent matchup this week (Cincy), Scheffler is a fine fantasy start for owners without a top-ten option. I'd still take
Vernon Davis over him.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars - Slowly becoming a more consistent option for
David Garrard. Lewis led the team with eight targets in Tennessee and almost had a big day if not for a drop and a TD overruled on a nice effort. Garrard also missed Lewis when he had beaten the defense deep. The Patriots don't cover tight ends particularly well, so Lewis is a decent option this week.
Recommendation:Worth a look in deep leagues
Alex Smith, Bucs - Like many Bucs, Smith was revived with the switch to
Tim Rattay. He caught five passes on seven targets and heads to Cleveland this week.
Recommendation:Worth a look in deep leagues