Waiver Hawk Week 9
Each week I will predict NEXT week’s hot waiver wire pickups so you can snag them before they become a hot commodity. I will continue to focus mainly on running backs and wide receivers because that is where your bread is buttered in fantasy football. The players are listed in order of relevance, and it is up to you to decide on which one is valuable enough to fit in a league your size. Make sure you don’t miss this article each week to become the waiver hawk in your league.
This Weeks Pickups
Ryan Moats RB, Houston Texans (52%)
Yes I know this is really this week’s pickup. Does it help to know that I was close to mentioning Moats last week? The reason I have Moats on here now is that opinions of Moats are very mixed this week and this could be taken advantage of to a certain extent. I am not 100% buying into Moats being an every week starter. But, this late in the year it is rare you can find a RB with as much upside as Moats. We know the Texans have a potent offense that provides a high likelihood of touchdowns. We also know that the Texans zone blocking scheme is very similar to the scheme Moats ran at Louisiana Tech. There is a reason that almost all of the experts were fooled by Slaton’s productivity last year. That reason is the Texans have almost as much as a plug and play situation at the RB position as the New Orleans Saints. Whoever is starting at RB in New Orleans or Houston they have top 15 RB potential. Also, it is week 9 and people have shown what they can do and some are being demoted for their lack of contributions. Slaton has 7 fumbles in 8 weeks. For reference, the leading fumbler in 2008 had 9 for the whole season. It is at minimum a RBBC with Moats and Slaton and right now you have to believe Moats will get the carries between the twenties. If you have to trade or drop say a Torry Holt, Jamal Lewis or someone similar for him I would. Yes buy Ryan Moats, even at his value now.
Jamaal Charles RB, Kansas City Chiefs (38%)
Charles picks a great time to take over at RB for the Kansas City Chiefs. Charles gets a bye week to heal and work with the first team. He also gets a chance to scheme against the Jacksonville Jaguars defense that allowed 228 rush yards last week. Chris Johnson took advantage of his speed to run all over Jacksonville. Charles doesn’t lack in speed himself and should run hard to prove he has a spot in the future of this offense.
James Jones WR, Green Bay Packers (3%)
James continues to get more playing time as Finley is injured. Finley looks to miss the game again this week. Driver also has missed some practice time this week with a stinger. As recent as the Minnesota game, Jones was on the field for 82% of the snaps and lined up all over the field and was targeted 5 times. I have said it before and will say it again; a WR3 in a great offense has more upside than many WR1 or WR2s in a poor offense. Look for Jones if you need help even this week as they take on a weak pass defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Malcolm Floyd(19%), Legedu Naanee(0%) WR, San Diego Chargers
I don’t love these two. They are at best the 3rd and 4th receiving options on their own team. But this is a pass heavy offense and should be involved in some barn burners in the future and both could have some big games in the future. I mention both because in my mind Floyd and Naanee will become a similar tandem to Garcon and Collie. Naanee is not being talked about but should see as many or more looks than Floyd. Floyd will be the big play threat similar to Garcon. His size gives him great “jump ball” catch ability.
These guys should be owned in more leagues
Tashard Choice RB, Dallas Cowboys (34%)
Chester Taylor RB, Minnesota Vikings (19%)
Jerome Harrison RB, Cleveland Browns (11%)
Mewelde Moore RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (6%)
LenDale White RB, Tennessee Titans (30%)
Sammie Stroughter WR, Tampa Buccaneers (3%)
Biggest movers from past articles:
The first percentatge is where I talked them up. The second percentage number is the highest percentage the players were owned.
Austin Collie WR, Indianapolis Colts (7%) (70%)
Carnell Williams, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22%) (65%)
Fred Jackson, RB Buffalo Bills (49%) (85%)
Correll Buckhalter RB, Denver Broncos (22%) (42%)
Laurent Robinson WR, St. Louis Rams (5%) (23%)
Johnny Knox WR, Chicago Bears (1%) (69%)
Mario Manningham (9%) (88%), Steve Smith (28%) (93%) WR, New York Giants
Tashard Choice RB, Dallas Cowboys (10%) (46%)
Jerome Harrison RB, Cleveland Browns (2%) (38%)
Pierre Garcon WR, Indianapolis Colts (8%) (69%)
Mike Sims-Walker WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (25%) (85%)
Miles Austin WR, Dallas Cowboys (18%) (94%)
Jermichael Finley TE, Green Bay Packers (8%)(27%)
Hakeem Nicks WR, New York Giants (13%)(76%)
Mohammad Massaquoi WR, Cleveland Browns (0%) (24%)