1/4 of the NFL season is behind us....hard to believe! Still time to make a move if you are off to a slow start and if your one of the league leaders, don't sit by and let your roster go stale. No matter the state of your team, the waiver wire is not something to ignore. The Waiver Wire round up is going to take some of the hot names of the week and let you know if you should be adding them or not.
If you don't see someone on the list that you are looking at, feel free to list their name and ask for an opinion. Also, if you disagree , let's hear it! Differing opinion are more than welcomed!
Let's get to it:
Quarterbacks:
Alex Smith - Some have been a little slow to believe but make no mistake, Smith is a viable fantasy QB at last! Smith is on pace for 3800 yd, 28 TD season and he's also quietly adding nice rushing stats as well (at this pace he will have 600 for the year). Smith is likely owned in most leagues, but if he is not, he is a solid and consistent option to add.
ADD HIM!
Brian Hoyer - Brandon Weeden take a seat, it's the Hoyer show! Hoyer will likely get the ball the rest of the year in Cleveland, but should he occupy a roster spot on your team? If it is a small league, I would say hold off. But in 12 team or higher, I think he's worth a look purely from a quantity of opportunity standpoint. They will chuck it around when needed. I would not rush to start him, but with bye weeks starting and injuries starting to add up, he's a good guy to stash on the bench.
ADD HIM!
Matt Cassell - Here is another guy I expect to continue to get the ball....or at least he should. Cassel is just better than Ponder and gives them a better shot to win. That said, I don't think he will put up enough points on a consistent basis to warrant a spot on your fantasy team. Unless you are in a deep league where any starting QB is valuable, I'd keep him on the wire.
IGNORE HIM!
Runningbacks:
Rashad Jennings - So, it took a whole 4 weeks for McFadden to show his fragile status again. With a bum hamstring and his injury history I will be shocked if this does not linger for a few weeks. In that time, expect Jennings to carry the load. The health status of Marcel Reece should also be watched as if he is healthy, I could see him eating into his value some. Regardless, it's a starting RB for a couple weeks and McFadden owners are going to need one.
ADD HIM!
Andre Ellington - Mendenhall was horrible this week. How long to they stick with him? My gut tells me it won't be long. Ellington has not done a ton yet, but I think it's just a matter of time before he takes over as the primary back. Add him before his name gets hot.
ADD HIM!
LaGarette Blount - The NE backfield is a mess. Blount has led the team in rushing yards each of the last 2 weeks. Last week was highlighted by a 47 yard TD run. All of this would point to him being a good addition....sorry, not buying into it. I like Blount, but there seems to be no commitment to any one back in NE. I couldn't argue with those of you looking to add an end of the bench guy, but with no involvement in the passing game and duplicate skills set to Ridley I think he's a flavor of the week guy.
IGNORE HIM!
Roy Helu - Stash alert! Morris is not expected to miss time, but if he does after the bye week Helu would get a heavy workload. He has produced in past when given an opportunity. Not worth rushing out to add, but if you have an extra spot, take a look at him.
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM!
Wide Receivers:
Alshon Jeffery - Kid is starting to live up to the hype. I like him to continue to emerge as the season moves on. If he's still there, this is an easy add in my opinion. His ceiling is very high.
ADD HIM!
Nate Washington - I love this guy! He is always under the radar and always seems to exceed expectations when he's healthy. Looks like Nate is in for another nice run. with 2 100 yard games back to back he's definitely worth a spot on your team.
ADD HIM!
Jerrico Cotchery - Pittsburgh was forced to air it out and Cotchery benefited with a 100 yard game. This won't be the norm. Cotchery has never produced consistent results and I would not expect him to start now.
IGNORE HIM!
Robert Woods - I like the talent and the opportunities are there.....as a rookie you would expect him to pick up his consistency. If he is available, he is worth keeping an eye on but adding him with depend on the situation. I can't say he is a definite add, but don't loose sight of him either.
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM!
Tight End:
Garrett Graham - Boom or bust. He is dependent on the TE. If you are looking to fill a bye week, he's worh a short term add. I would not lock him into a roster spot long term. Due to this, going to keep an eye on him.
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM!
Health Miller - If your league has slept on his return....WAKE UP! He didn't sound alarms yesterday, but he continued his track back with 6 rec for 70 yards. he should be on a roster in any league format.
ADD HIM!
Brandon Pettigrew - Always expect more and get less with this guy....however, with Nate Burleson out he could get more looks. He was targeted 11 times and caught 7 balls for 54 yards. If you are in need of a TE, I would add him to see if this develops into something.
ADD HIM!
Defense:
St. Louis - They play Jacksonville week 5, nuff said!
ADD HIM!
If you don't see someone on the list that you are looking at, feel free to list their name and ask for an opinion. Also, if you disagree , let's hear it! Differing opinion are more than welcomed!
Let's get to it:
Quarterbacks:
Alex Smith - Some have been a little slow to believe but make no mistake, Smith is a viable fantasy QB at last! Smith is on pace for 3800 yd, 28 TD season and he's also quietly adding nice rushing stats as well (at this pace he will have 600 for the year). Smith is likely owned in most leagues, but if he is not, he is a solid and consistent option to add.
ADD HIM!
Brian Hoyer - Brandon Weeden take a seat, it's the Hoyer show! Hoyer will likely get the ball the rest of the year in Cleveland, but should he occupy a roster spot on your team? If it is a small league, I would say hold off. But in 12 team or higher, I think he's worth a look purely from a quantity of opportunity standpoint. They will chuck it around when needed. I would not rush to start him, but with bye weeks starting and injuries starting to add up, he's a good guy to stash on the bench.
ADD HIM!
Matt Cassell - Here is another guy I expect to continue to get the ball....or at least he should. Cassel is just better than Ponder and gives them a better shot to win. That said, I don't think he will put up enough points on a consistent basis to warrant a spot on your fantasy team. Unless you are in a deep league where any starting QB is valuable, I'd keep him on the wire.
IGNORE HIM!
Runningbacks:
Rashad Jennings - So, it took a whole 4 weeks for McFadden to show his fragile status again. With a bum hamstring and his injury history I will be shocked if this does not linger for a few weeks. In that time, expect Jennings to carry the load. The health status of Marcel Reece should also be watched as if he is healthy, I could see him eating into his value some. Regardless, it's a starting RB for a couple weeks and McFadden owners are going to need one.
ADD HIM!
Andre Ellington - Mendenhall was horrible this week. How long to they stick with him? My gut tells me it won't be long. Ellington has not done a ton yet, but I think it's just a matter of time before he takes over as the primary back. Add him before his name gets hot.
ADD HIM!
LaGarette Blount - The NE backfield is a mess. Blount has led the team in rushing yards each of the last 2 weeks. Last week was highlighted by a 47 yard TD run. All of this would point to him being a good addition....sorry, not buying into it. I like Blount, but there seems to be no commitment to any one back in NE. I couldn't argue with those of you looking to add an end of the bench guy, but with no involvement in the passing game and duplicate skills set to Ridley I think he's a flavor of the week guy.
IGNORE HIM!
Roy Helu - Stash alert! Morris is not expected to miss time, but if he does after the bye week Helu would get a heavy workload. He has produced in past when given an opportunity. Not worth rushing out to add, but if you have an extra spot, take a look at him.
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM!
Wide Receivers:
Alshon Jeffery - Kid is starting to live up to the hype. I like him to continue to emerge as the season moves on. If he's still there, this is an easy add in my opinion. His ceiling is very high.
ADD HIM!
Nate Washington - I love this guy! He is always under the radar and always seems to exceed expectations when he's healthy. Looks like Nate is in for another nice run. with 2 100 yard games back to back he's definitely worth a spot on your team.
ADD HIM!
Jerrico Cotchery - Pittsburgh was forced to air it out and Cotchery benefited with a 100 yard game. This won't be the norm. Cotchery has never produced consistent results and I would not expect him to start now.
IGNORE HIM!
Robert Woods - I like the talent and the opportunities are there.....as a rookie you would expect him to pick up his consistency. If he is available, he is worth keeping an eye on but adding him with depend on the situation. I can't say he is a definite add, but don't loose sight of him either.
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM!
Tight End:
Garrett Graham - Boom or bust. He is dependent on the TE. If you are looking to fill a bye week, he's worh a short term add. I would not lock him into a roster spot long term. Due to this, going to keep an eye on him.
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM!
Health Miller - If your league has slept on his return....WAKE UP! He didn't sound alarms yesterday, but he continued his track back with 6 rec for 70 yards. he should be on a roster in any league format.
ADD HIM!
Brandon Pettigrew - Always expect more and get less with this guy....however, with Nate Burleson out he could get more looks. He was targeted 11 times and caught 7 balls for 54 yards. If you are in need of a TE, I would add him to see if this develops into something.
ADD HIM!
Defense:
St. Louis - They play Jacksonville week 5, nuff said!
ADD HIM!
