NFL Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Getting Your Team Playoff-Ready

Sam BradfordJustin Edmonds/Getty ImagesLike a bizarre scavenger hunt, if you’ve made it this far, congratulations. The fantasy landscape was a bumpy one in 2010, and for every undrafted waiver gem like Peyton Hillis, there were plenty of so-called drafted “studs” that fell flat, like Randy Moss and Brandon Marshall. The waiver wire helped unearth players like Hillis, Blount and Lloyd, and could conceivably help you win a fantasy championship if you are willing to do a little legwork and hope for the best. nfl jerseys
In my last “Hot Garbage” column of the year, I’m going to highlight players you should add for depth in the ever-important playoff games of Week 15 and 16... *TIP: Target NFC and AFC West Players: I mentioned “Go West, young man,” in earlier articles and podcasts and articles on the Pharmacy, and I haven’t changed my stance. Both divisions feature rather soft schedules for the playoff weeks (15/16), and everyone, I mean EVERYONE has a legit shot at winning their divisions. Factor in that no team (other than San Diego), has a legit defense, and that makes for tasty fantasy numbers in potential shootouts in those weeks. QBs: Sam Bradford, STL: I'm hard-pressed to ever recommend a rookie QB, but Bradford is special. Factor in that he throws the ball to a lot of different WRs every week, it makes him the most valuable fantasy player on their team, aside from Steven Jackson. If he’s not locked in as your backup, get him now. He has two home matchups in Weeks 15 and 16 vs. KC and SF respectively, and both teams struggle on the road. Legarrette BlountHarry How/Getty ImagesJosh Freeman, TB:The feisty Bucs have a lot of fight in them, and I imagine they’ll be in the mix for a playoff spot right down to the wire. When you consider they get both DET and SEA at HOME, well, what the hell are you waiting for?! RBs: Legarette Blount,TB:I’d like to thank one guy who dropped him in one of my leagues (thanks, Ryan!), because with my No. 2 RBs struggling a little, having the No. 1 RB in TB face the aforementioned Lions and Seahawks at home should heap hefty rewards. Darren McFadden, OAK:I know, I know, who the hell would drop Darren McFadden, RIGHT? In smaller leagues, after two less than stellar performances, some folks have. The savvy fantasy players are mortgaging their last waiver wires pennies to grab him, because he faces quite possibly the easiest fantasy schedule against the run you can imagine...Week 15 at home vs. DEN, and vs. INDY in Week 16. If by any minuscule chance he’s there, MORTGAGE THE FARM!*Monday Night Update 11/30: Brian Westbrook/SF: Former fantasy stud Brian Westbrook is the hot name today with news of Frank Gore quite possible being finished for the season with a fractured hip. Westbrook looked great in relief, racking up 136 yds/ 1TD and a stout 5.9 yds a carry. Granted it was against a sorry Arizona run defense, but if Westbrook can stay healthy and is in the very least, 80% of his former self, he should flourish with a mobile play-action QB like Troy Smith, and could be a genius add in PPR formats as well. Get in your waiver priority now, while the getting is good. WRs: Danario Alexander, STL:Former “Hot Garbage” star had “Turkey Bacon” written all over him, when he went down with a knee injury after showing Steelers jersey
some promise early in the season. The former Mizzou standout is an injury risk for sure, but with a soft schedule and big play potential, what have you got to lose? Stash him now and watch closely leading up to the playoffs. Danario AlexanderDilip Vishwanat/Getty ImagesSteve Johnson, BUF: Not since Ray Finkel, has one man had the bear the brunt of a hapless fan base. Steve Johnson’s inexplicable drop this past week cost his team a win against the overrated Pittsburgh Steelers. All is not lost though, If former “Flex Luthor” standount and “Hot Garbage” All-Star is on your WW, GET. HIM. NOW. The Bills defense is scrappy, but they still give up a ton of points, so with visits to MIA (Week 15), and hosting NE at home (Week 16), the Bills should have to produce a ton of points. The cerebral QB of the Bills, Ryan Fitzpatrick, loves him some Stevie Johnson, so he should be busy in potential blowouts. Jacoby Ford, OAK:From the Mike Wallace School of Speedy Wide Receivers who get Huge Separation. Ford has come up big twice now, and as stated earlier, the Raiders have a really easy schedule for Weeks 15 and 16. He may be hit-or-miss week to week, but like Mike Wallace before him, his upside is HUGE. TEs: Joel Dreesen, HOU: When a QB struggles, he looks to his TE. When that TE is oft injured (like Owen Daniels), he looks to his backup. In this case, it’s the reliable Joel Dreesen. Granted, week to week he can float you low double digit numbers, and if you’re like me and focus more on QB/WR/RB numbers, that’s just fine with me. The Texans face TENN and DEN in Weeks 15 and 16, which shape up to be nice matchups for Dreesen. Tony Moeaki/KC: The numbers weren’t huge, but he did score in a game where his services weren’t needed due to the Charles/Bowe juggernaut scoring machine. It is telling for two reasons though: Matt Cassel still looks his way in the red zone, and he finally appears healthy. With a trip to STL in Week 15 and TENN coming to KC in Week 16, there’s nothing scary about that schedule. Moeaki could get you those low double digits that are like water to parched football jersey
fantasy player in the desert that is tight end production this year. Jacoby FordEzra Shaw/Getty ImagesSitting On "Defense": Atlanta Falcons Granted, they’ve allowed some points this year, and aren’t a shutdown D, but with a trip to SEA and hosting a HUGE GAME vs. New Orleans (in their house, where they’re undefeated this year), I like their chances. Picker Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski, OAK:I take two things under consideration when choosing a playoff kicker: 1) Is the team struggling in the red zone? and 2), are the elements favorable? We’re talking late December here, and with two games at home, Seabass should be good vs. DEN and IND respectively.