Playing the Waiver Wire: Dual purpose
By Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow JameyFollow CBS Fantasy Football
It's the time of year when most Fantasy owners start thinking ahead to next season. Who will be good? What changes will take place? Who should I hold onto in my keeper league?
For those of you still alive in the Fantasy playoffs, our usual Waiver Wire additions are listed below. But for most Fantasy owners who are eliminated -- and probably still screaming at Brian Westbrook for his kneel down in front of the end zone -- here are some potential keepers who might be available to pick up.
Most of the players listed here aren't going to start on your Fantasy team to begin next season, but they could be valuable reserves at some point. So if your league still allows for transactions after you've been eliminated, here are some players to add who are available in the majority of leagues on CBSSports.com.
Remember, we're analyzing every player at quarterback, running back and wide receiver to help you with your keeper decisions (we looked at QBs last Friday). But these are some free agents who could still be out there to pick up heading into next year.
Quarterbacks
Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia
Owned: 1 percent
Comment: Donovan McNabb's status for next season is up in the air, so Kolb could enter 2008 as the potential starter for the Eagles. He didn't play at all this year, even when McNabb was hurt, but Kolb could be an eventual starting QB next season.
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| Matt Leinart had a rough 2007 season, but he still has the potential to be a star. (US Presswire) |
Owned: 6 percent
Comment: Even though in the quarterback keeper's article I said Leinart's not worth holding onto, but if you have a roster spot, grab him. He could still be the Cardinals starter next year, and getting the QB who throws to Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald isn't a bad idea.
Brady Quinn, Cleveland
Owned: 11 percent
Comment: Quinn didn't play at all this year, but if Derek Anderson leaves as a restricted free agent, we know the job will go to Quinn. He will eventually be the starter for the Browns, so it's a good idea in deep keeper leagues to add him now for the future.
JaMarcus Russell, Oakland
Owned: 12 percent
Comment: Russell is the future in Oakland, and the Raiders are starting to give him playing time now. He will eventually be the full-time starter next season, so that makes him a valuable commodity. At worst, he could enter next year as your No. 2 Fantasy QB.
Matt Schaub, Houston
Owned: 63 percent
Comment: Schaub showed flashes of greatness this year when he played with Andre Johnson, and he has a developing offense with Owen Daniels, Kevin Walter and eventually Jacoby Jones. He will finish this year hurt, which could help you in a keeper league since someone probably dropped him.
Others worth mentioning: Trent Edwards, John Beck and Aaron Rodgers
Running backs
Ronnie Brown, Miami
Owned: 13 percent
Comment: Before Brown hurt his knee he was the best RB in Fantasy. His status to start the season is unknown, but he could be ready by the first game. If he's still out there in your Fantasy league, even with the Dolphins potentially having the chance to draft Darren McFadden, grab Brown now and hold onto him just in case.
Michael Bush, Oakland
Owned: 5 percent
Comment: The Raiders clearly don't trust LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes, and it would be surprising to see both return next year. Justin Fargas is a free agent, so Bush could be the No. 1 RB for the Raiders next season. And before getting hurt at Louisville, Bush was a star, which he could be again in the NFL.
Chris Henry, Tennessee
Owned: 22 percent
Comment: Henry was expected to be the Titans starter this year before Chris Brown returned and LenDale White finally started playing well. White is expected to remain the starter next year, but look for Henry to play a significant role and could be valuable as a No. 3 Fantasy option.
Kenny Irons, Cincinnati
Owned: 1 percent
Comment: Irons was expected to be the backup to Rudi Johnson this year before getting hurt. We saw what Kenny Watson did when Johnson went down, and there's no guarantee Johnson will be the starter for the Bengals next year. Irons, who should be fine for the start of the season, could see plenty of playing time for the Bengals next year.
Darius Walker, Houston
Owned: 16 percent
Comment: Walker is worth adding now since the Texans might start looking at some of their younger talent. In his past two games, Walker has 29 carries for 112 yards. Ahman Green might never play for Houston again, and Ron Dayne is old and somewhat fragile, so Walker could enter next season with a chance to see extended playing time.
Leon Washington, New York Jets
Owned: 29 percent
Comment: Thomas Jones has been a failure in New York this season, so Washington could be the answer next year if the Jets go in a different direction with Jones. Washington did a fine job as the starter in 2006 when Curtis Martin and Cedric Houston were hurt. He could be a decent No. 3 Fantasy RB next year.
Michael Turner, San Diego
Owned: 53 percent
Comment: Turner is a free agent and will likely be playing elsewhere next season. Whether he is a starter or not remains to be seen, but he will definitely go somewhere to get more playing time. In keeper leagues, Turner is a must have at this point.
DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
Owned: 62 percent
Comment: At some point the Panthers are going to realize that Williams has more talent than DeShaun Foster. Maybe the new coach in Carolina, if there is one, will make Williams the starter and see how he does with 20-plus carries. In any case, the potential of such a move makes Williams a valuable commodity.
Others worth mentioning: Cedric Benson, Lorenzo Booker, Brandon Jackson, Brian Leonard, Cadillac Williams, Garrett Wolfe and DeShawn Wynn
Wide receivers
Arnaz Battle, San Francisco
Owned: 31 percent
Comment: Battle has proven to be the best wide receiver for the 49ers and should only improve with stable quarterback play next season. Battle is great in touchdown-only leagues and could be a decent No. 3 Fantasy option or flex player at times in 2008.
Ted Ginn Jr., Miami
Owned: 16 percent
Comment: The Dolphins drafted Ginn to be a playmaker on offense, and he will enter next season as a full-time starter. If the Dolphins can figure out their offense and get Ginn the ball, he could be worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy WR next year.
Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis
Owned: 57 percent
Comment: When the season started, Gonzalez was expected to be the No. 2 rookie WR in the NFL behind Calvin Johnson. After a slow start, Gonzalez is living up to the hype with his recent play. He will continue to be a large part of the Colts offense next year, especially if Marvin Harrison's injury lingers and Dallas Clark leaves as a free agent, so add Gonzalez immediately.
James Jones, Green Bay
Owned: 46 percent
Comment: Jones started off the season playing great but has cooled recently, especially once Koren Robinson returned from suspension. But playing another year with Brett Favre will certainly help Jones and Fantasy owners who plan on keeping him next year. If he's still out there, put him on your roster now.
Sidney Rice, Minnesota
Owned: 27 percent
Comment: If the Vikings don't make any changes to their receiving corps (although they definitely have to) then Rice will enter next season as the No. 1 option. That means he could have value as a No. 3 Fantasy WR because you have to anticipate Tarvaris Jackson getting better next season if he remains as the starting QB.
Reggie Williams, Jacksonville
Owned: 46 percent
Comment: Williams has proven to be a legitimate No. 2 Fantasy option with the play of David Garrard this year. Williams started the season in the Jaguars' doghouse but has emerged to be a solid wide receiver and someone worth adding to your list of keepers.
Others worth mentioning: Craig Davis, Dwayne Jarrett, Jacoby Jones, Laurent Robinson and Roydell Williams
Tight ends
Greg Olsen, Chicago
Owned: 56 percent
Comment: The offense in Chicago should be in line for an overhaul after this year, but you can expect Olsen to be a major part of the rebuilding process. He should be the starter next year ahead of Desmond Clark and has a chance to be a great tight end for Fantasy users down the road.
Tony Scheffler, Denver
Owned: 48 percent
Comment: Scheffler has emerged as a starting Fantasy TE now and should only get better playing with Jay Cutler in this offense. If he's still out there in a keeper league format, pick him up and hold onto him for next season.
Zach Miller, Oakland
Owned: 8 percent
Comment: Miller is expected to be the future in Oakland with JaMarcus Russell and Michael Bush. Look for Miller to be more of a factor going forward, and he has a chance to be one of the better tight ends in the NFL if given the chance with the Raiders.
Each Tuesday we will highlight players who might be available in your league and whether you should consider picking them up off waivers based on their recent performances. The players chosen are based on the percentage of ownership in CBSSports.com leagues.
Add 'Em
Samkon Gado, RB, Miami
Owned: 24 percent of leagues
Week 15: Had 18 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore.
Analysis: Gado has played well in place of an injured Jesse Chatman (ankle) and could start again this week at New England. It's not a great matchup, but Gado does have three touchdowns in two games. If you're looking for a decent No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option, Gado could be worth starting. But also don't be surprised if Chatman returns or the Dolphins give an extended look to Lorenzo Booker.
LaMont Jordan, RB, Oakland
Owned: 57 percent of leagues
Week 15: Did not play against Indianapolis.
Analysis: Justin Fargas is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, but it's unknown whether Jordan or Dominic Rhodes will get the starting nod. Jordan played well earlier this year, but Rhodes was the backup against the Colts when Fargas got hurt. Regardless of who it is, it makes sense to add Jordan now just in case.
Dominic Rhodes, RB, Oakland
Owned: 17 percent of leagues
Week 15: Had seven carries for 41 yards against Indianapolis.
Analysis: Like LaMont Jordan, it's unknown who will be the starter for the Raiders with Justin Fargas (knee) out. Coach Lane Kiffin hasn't decided even if both will split carries, but the safe move if you lost Fargas is to add Rhodes if he's available since he could be the starter next week at Jacksonville.
Avoid 'Em
Shaun Hill, QB, San Francisco
Owned: 1 percent of leagues
Week 15: Completed 21-of-28 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against Cincinnati.
Analysis: Hill played well against the Bengals and has two touchdowns and no interceptions in his past two outings. But it's still the 49ers offense, so don't expect Hill to light things up, especially this week. Tampa Bay's defense is much better than Cincinnati.
Matt Moore, QB, Carolina
Owned: 0 percent of leagues
Week 15: Completed 19-of-27 passes for 208 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions against Seattle.
Analysis: If you are in a dire situation at quarterback -- maybe you are worried about Tony Romo's thumb injury -- then Shaun Hill or Moore could be worth a look. Otherwise, these guys are nice stories but not worth adding in your Fantasy leagues. Moore should struggle this week against Dallas.
Ben Patrick, TE, Arizona
Owned: 0 percent of leagues
Week 15: Caught two passes for 17 yards and a touchdown at New Orleans.
Analysis: You might need a tight end this week due to Jeremy Shockey's injury, but I would add someone like Tony Scheffler before Patrick. He did a nice job replacing the injured Leonard Pope for the Cardinals, but Arizona TE Troy Bienemann also caught a touchdown. As long as Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are healthy and expected to play, keep Patrick and Bienemann on the waiver wire.
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