Before we dive into quarterback waiver wire options in 2-QB fantasy football leagues for Week 7, it seems worth going over the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback situation briefly.
When Eagles’ Head Coach Chip Kelly spoke last week about whether or not Nick Foles would have a shot at retaining the starting quarterback job for the Eagles, regardless of Michael Vick’s health, he said that, “If Nick goes out there and goes 100-for-100 and throws 27 touchdown passes, then yeah.”
While Foles didn’t go 100 for 100, he did have an efficient and productive day in leading the Eagles to a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The final stat line for Foles in Week 6 saw him go 22 of 31 for 296 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also added one touchdown on the ground. In standard scoring leagues Foles scored 30.04 fantasy points, which was good enough for QB2 on the week.
What we saw Foles do against a Buccaneers defense which hasn’t been all that friendly to opposing quarterbacks was impressive, and proved why he was the number one fantasy quarterback handcuff in 2-QB fantasy football leagues. The Vick show in Philadelphia is one that has potential to score on every drive, but one that has had its share of stumbling blocks, such as red zone touchdown scoring efficiency.
If Vick were to miss another week, Foles would be a safe start, and if for whatever reason he’s still on the waiver wire of your 2-QB league you have to pick him up. Kelly hasn’t indicated that Foles will be the starter longterm, even if Vick is healthy, only saying that they’ll “evaluate everything”, and “watch the film, see what we did good, see what we did bad then see where we are, see where Mike is.”
Owning Vick in 2-QB leagues had the potential to be a roller coaster ride this year, and you currently have a front row seat, but hopefully you insured yourself with a puke bag, in the form of Foles.
Chad Henne
It might not have been the garbage time performance we were looking for out of Henne on Sunday versus the Denver Broncos, and even though he didn’t throw a touchdown, he still put up over 300 yards of passing offense.
If that volume can continue this week versus a San Diego Chargers defense allowing the second most points to opposing quarterbacks then Henne will once again make for a viable QB2 streaming option.
It’s already been announced that Henne will be starting for the Jaguars in Week 7, and if your 2-QB league continues to neglect Henne on the waiver wire this is the week to give him a new home and welcome him to your roster.
Thaddeus Lewis
I declared Lewis as nothing more than a QB4 last week, and a guy to stash on your bench in a wait-and-see move. We waited and we saw, and what we saw versus the Cincinnati Bengals was promising enough that Lewis should be owned in 2-QB leagues. No quarterback in standard scoring leagues scored more fantasy points against the Bengals this year than Lewis did in Week 6, and that’s something to build on.
Lewis’ availability in 2-QB leagues is an entirely different matter, and a mild foot sprain diagnosis is also somewhat concerning. There’s no official word as to what Lewis’ status will be this week against Miami, but Bills’ Head Coach Doug Marrone said he feels, “good about him [Lewis] being able to play Sunday.” Consider Lewis day-to-day for now, and have him on your roster while you wait to find out his playing status.
In a corresponding move to Lewis’ injury, the Bills signed ‘The World’s Most Highly Paid Back-Up QB’ Matt Flynn this week, but he’s not worth a roster spot in 2-QB leagues.
Drew Stanton
It might seem I have an agenda versus Carson Palmer, but that’s far from it. I just look at all the quarterback situations in the NFL, hoping to pinpoint potential down the road quarterback starters that could be of use to 2-QBers. The only reason Stanton keeps making the ‘2-QB Waiver Wire Future Planning’ series is because Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals offense still hasn’t been able to put it all together.
While Palmer wasn’t given good field position to start the game versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, which led to two early first quarter interceptions, there’s still something a little off with the Cardinals’ offense. Palmer was able to right the ship the rest of the game though, and wound up as the 14th highest scoring fantasy quarterback in standard scoring leagues. Palmer’s Week 6 showing was his best since Week 1.
There’s hasn’t been any quarterback controversy talk in Arizona, like there was in Tampa Bay with Josh Freeman, but if Palmer continues turning the ball over, and the Cardinals go on a losing streak, the calls for Drew Stanton might start.
A Week 7 match-up versus the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night doesn’t bode well for Palmer, who is second in the league in interceptions with 11, and the Seahawks are tied for the second most interceptions at nine. If you own Palmer in 2-QB leagues you might want to keep an eye on Stanton in your 2-QB league’s waiver wire.
Josh Freeman
There’s a possibility that Freeman starts this week for the Minnesota Vikings against the New York Giants, and if that’s the case it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the 2-QB world to start Freeman. The Giants are giving up an average of 24.16 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, third highest in the league. While it might be tough to start Freeman, who has been learning a new offense, the situation and opponent couldn’t be better. Freeman’s more than likely owned in most 2-QB leagues but it doesn’t hurt to check the waiver wire, just in case he’s still there.
T.J. Yates/Case Keenum
The forward thinking Schaub owner in 2-QB leagues would have pre-emptively picked up T.J. Yates from the waiver wire last week. Depending on how Schaub performed versus the Rams in Week 6, they would have either picked up a potential starting quarterback, or dropped him without a worry.
While Schaub didn’t flame out in Week 5, he was forced to leave the game with a lower leg injury, and his replacement, Yates, filled in by throwing two interceptions, one of them being a pick-six. It was a day to forget for Yates, but in real life, and in fantasy, where he finished the week with negative 0.08 fantasy points.
If choosing between Yates, and third string undrafted second-year quarterback Case Keenum, leaning on the side of Keenum might be the way to go. The Texans have seen what Yates can do, and it hasn’t been anything that has made the team fall in love with Yates, and deem him a better talent than Keenum.
Texans’ Head Coach Gary Kubiak has made it know that both Yates and Keenum will be preparing to start this week in case Schaub is a no-go, and Keenum might be a better option for the Texans in their match-up versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
The most mobile quarterback on the team is Keenum, and while going up against a defense that has been unforgiving to quarterbacks this season, the Chiefs have given up fantasy points to mobile quarterbacks. Three quarterbacks (Michael Vick, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Terrelle Pryor) have gained at least 50 yards rushing versus the Chiefs, and that could be one factor that gives Keenum the edge over Yates.
It’s hard being a Schaub owner in 2-QB leagues right now, and if you find yourself without any clear cut replacement option, taking a flier on Keenum over Yates is one option. Also, between the two, Keenum is probably the one available in your league, as Yates could already be rostered.
*Stats used in this article from FantasyData.com, Yahoo! Fantasy Sports, and ESPN.com
