Week 9 – Fantasy Waiver Wire Pick Ups

As all us fantasy nerds know, picking up guys on the waiver wire is a crap shoot.  You’re a triage doctor (yes, we equate managing a fantasy football team with performing emergency medical procedures) trying to stop the bleeding so your patient can live another day.  Or (perhaps a more appropriate analogy) you need a slump buster, a quick hit to get your team back in the game.  Either way, it’s a temporary, stop-gap measure.  The name of the game is to find someone who can give you double-digit points, and it’s always hit or miss.  However, loyal readers of The Machine are rewarded with more hits than misses.

Last week, we hit on two of our waiver wire picks ups.  What Terrelle Pryor didn’t do in the air (88/0/2) he certainly made up for it on the ground, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown, including this record-breaking 93 yard run: 

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Brandon Boldin also posted double-digit numbers, rushing for a touchdown in the Pats come from behind win agaist Miami.  Sure, we struck out (big time) with Chris Ivory and Jerome Kerley (we knew recommending Jets players was a bad idea) but we hope you found a spot on your roster for Andre Brown (if not, get him now).

Anyway, on to his weeks’ waiver wire pick-ups.

Dexter could be your savior.  If you're a Blackmon owner, get him now.

Dexter could be your savior. If you’re a Blackmon owner, get him now.

Dexter McCluster, WR Kansas City (% owned in Yahoo Fantasy League, 18%)

Is your team in desperate need of a WR, either because of a bye week or because Justin Blackmon can’t put down the pipe?  Well Dexter’s your answer.  Frankly, The Machine is shocked that Dexter is only owned in 18% of leagues.  That is guaranteed to double by next week.  Dexter is quickly becoming Alex “Captain Checkdown” Smith’s favorite target.  After starting the season slow, Dexter has turned it on lately, posting consecutive double-digit performances, including a solid 20+ point game last week, going 7/67/1 and leading the team with 10 targets. 

With Dwayne Bowe a complete failure, and Alex Smith unable to throw the ball more than 10 yards, Dexter is the number one receiving option in Kansas City.  We like his chances this week against a Buffalo D that is vulnerable to the underneath throws.

Jake, when healthy, has put up surprisingly solid numbers.

Jake, when healthy, has put up surprisingly solid numbers.

Jake Locker, QB Tennessee (36%)

The Machine was shocked to see that Jake is still available in over 60% of leagues.  Clearly, he hasn’t reached everyday starter status, and injuries have only allowed him to only play 5 games so far, but he’s definitely worth a spot on your bench, and, if you need a qb this week, Jake the Snake has a great matchup against St. Louis.  Jake has proven to be turnover resistant, throwing only 1 int all year, compared with 9 total tds (8 passing, 1 rushing).  All in 5 games.  In his last start 2 weeks ago, Jake had a breakout game and went 326/2/1 against a tough 49ers D.  We like his chances against the Rams this week.  He’s also got the ability to pick up points on the ground, and is worth a start if you need a qb this week.

With Jake under center, Nate's in line for a big game.

With Jake under center, Nate’s in line for a big game.

Nate Washington, WR Tennessee (40%)

No one is happier to see Jake back on the field than Nate Washington.  In 5 games with Jake behind center, Nasty Nate’s averaged double-digit fantasy numbers, 4.4/78.  In the 2 games without Jake, he’s averaged single digits, 2/22.5.  Not surprisingly, his 2 tds this year have come from Jake.  Needless to say, Nate should be able to reach double-digit numbers this week. 

Always a hit or miss, but we like Moore's chances against the Jets.

Always a hit or miss, but we like Moore’s chances against the Jets.

Lance Moore, WR New Orleans (40%)

Caution:  starting any Saints receiver not named Graham is a risk.  They are all boom or bust, including Moore, who’s been beset by the injury bug and has only played in 4 games so far.  After a 4 week absence, Moore was back on the field and posted a respectable 3/34/1.  While the yardage total was low, Moore had more targets than Graham (4 to 3) and Brees likes to use him in the redzone.  Also, Moore was tied for 1st in receptions.  The only problem there is that he was tied with 5 other players.  That’s the problem with starting any receiver not named Graham.  And while we also like Kenny Stills (although he’s now owned in 70% (verify) of leagues so probably not an option for you at this point) we like Moore’s shiftiness as a slot receiver against the Jets, who historically are not good matching up against slot receivers.  This, in our humble/expert opinion, gives Moore the edge over Stills this week. 

Because of Moore’s (and every receiver not named Graham’s) boom or bust tendencies, there are other WRs out there we like (Dexter or Nate).  But if they’re gone, or you just like rolling the dice, Lance is your guy.

Coby should see his targets increase.

Coby should see an increase in targets.

Coby Fleener, TE, Indy (46%)

If you’re a Julius Thomas or Vernon Davis owner looking for a replacement this week, or perhaps stuck with a TE that has been putting up inconsistent numbers (Kyle Rudolph) Coby Fleener provides an attractive option for you.  With Reggie Wayne out for the year, Andrew Luck will need someone else to throw the ball to.  And while that means DHB should get more touches, he is wildly inconsistent (and our sources tell us nursing a hamstring injury – verify).  This puts Fleener, Andrew’s college roommate and safety valve, at the top of our list to see an increased workload in Indy’s offense. 

Can Terrelle deliver another solid performance.  We think so.

Can Terrelle deliver another solid performance? We think so.

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Oakland (54%)

Hmmm, last week Terrelle was only owned in 35% of leagues, and now he’s up to over half.  We wonder what could have let to that dramatic uptick in ownership?  Well, expect to see that number rise.  Terrelle has a great matchup this week, at home, against a porous Eagles D.  Look for Terrelle to approach 100 yards on the ground again.

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