With a six-team bye week upon us, the XN Sports writers scrambled to the waiver wire to fill their many, many lineup holes. It was the busiest waiver wire week yet so let’s take a look at who the XNers are picking up this week and who they’re willing to drop to get them.
Coconut Pete (Tom Fitzgerald) added Mike James, dropped Kyle Rudolph
With Doug Martin out for a couple of weeks to several years (2-to-8 weeks, to be exact), James is a no-brainer. Tampa didn’t lean on him too much on Thursday but he ran 10 times for 39 yards and caught four passes for 25 yards against a very tough Carolina defense. Things aren’t going to get any easier with the Seahawks up next.
Studfeldsville (Salvatore Stefanile) added Josh McCown, dropped Jared Cook
McCown figures to be the starter in Chicago with Jay Cutler out with a groin tear and as a starter, he’s immediately ownable in 2QB leagues. While he’s far from an exciting pickup, he looked solid as he completed 14-of-20 pass attempts for a touchdown and no interceptions after coming in when Cutler went down on Sunday. With the Packers and Lions up next, he could be a decent play in 2QB leagues. Meanwhile, Jared Cook hasn’t put up more than 6.5 FPS since Week 1 and looks to be very droppable.
Make It Wayne (Igor Derysh) added Darrius Heyward-Bey, dropped Jacoby Jones
While I like Jones, Heyward-Bey figures to have plenty of upside with Reggie Wayne hitting the IR. With just T.Y. Hilton and LaVon Brazill left, I like DHB’s chances of getting a ton of looks from Andrew Luck.
Derwood #Degenerates (C.D. Carter) added Kellen Clemens, dropped Brian Hoyer
Clemens may be the Rams starter at quarterback with Sam Bradford out for the season, though the Rams seem intent on replacing him as quickly as possible with anyone with a pulse. Even Brett Favre.
The Winter Classics (Chris Blanchard) added Jeff Cumberland, dropped Nate Washington
With Chris’ starter Garrett Graham on a bye week, he’ll take a chance on Cumberland against the Cincy defense. Cumberland had a big day against Atlanta in Week 5 but has put up just 12.5 FPS in two weeks since. Washington hasn’t been the same over the last three weeks, putting up 4.5 FPS, 1.5, and 7.5.
Fifty Shades of Cats (Felipe Melecio) added Marvin Jones, dropped Cowboys D/ST
Jones has been huge, putting up 30 FPS over his last two games. Of course, Jones hasn’t practiced this week and could very well miss this Sunday’s game against the Jets but he may have long term value.
Fantasy Foundation (Rich Hribar) added Kendall Hunter, dropped Tyler Eifert
Rich owns Vernon Davis so he won’t miss Eifert too much and, with Trent Richardson and Ben Tate on a bye, he needs Hunter for his flex spot. Eifert has only had one game with more than 7.5 FPS this season either way.
Keepin Heads Ringing (Michael Clifford) added Jeremy Kerley, dropped Miles Austin
Kerley has come on strong in Santonio Holmes’ absence, putting up 19 FPS against the Pats on Sunday. Meanwhile, Miles Austin hasn’t put up a single point since Week 3 and is expected to miss yet another game on Sunday.
Blurred Goal Lines (Tony Consiglio) added Eagles D/ST, dropped Dolphins D/ST
Getting the Eagles against the Giants’ turnover machine isn’t the worst idea and the Philly defense put up nine fantasy points last time they faced the Giants but they did surrender 36 points so this week will really test if the Eagles D is ever startable.
Coconut Pete (Tom Fitzgerald) added Brandon Bolden, dropped BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BJGE has only had one week with more than 8.5 FPS and, against the Jets, doesn’t figure to do much. Bolden has a solid game on Sunday against the Jets, thanks to a touchdown run, but has been banged up all week.
Make It Waye (Igor Derysh) added Kai Forbath, dropped Justin Tucker
With Justin Tucker on a bye, I’ll take my chances on Forbath facing the Broncos at Denver.
Derwood #Degenerates (C.D. Carter) added Saints D/ST, dropped Giants D/ST
The Saints look like a great streamer against a Thad Lewis-led Buffalo offense while the Giants were only a solid play against the terrible Josh Freeman-led Vikings offense.
Fantasy Foundation (Rich Hribar) added Steelers D/ST, dropped Ravens D/ST
The Steelers defense hasn’t seen much fantasy relevance this year, putting up more than four fantasy points just once this year. Of course, Oakland has given up 20+ FPS to defenses in two of their last three games so this could be their chance.
Derwood #Degenerates (C.D. Carter) added Jay Feely, dropped Billy Cundiff
Feely has put up eight or more fantasy points in three of the last four weeks and has a good-looking matchup against a rough Falcons defense.
Coconut Pete (Tom Fitzgerald) added Tavon Austin, dropped Matt Cassel
With Matt Cassel finding himself behind Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman, it’s definitely time to cut him loose. Picking up Tavon is an interesting move since he hasn’t surpassed 4.5 FPS in four straight weeks and just lost his starting quarterback. Maybe Tom is betting that the 5-foot-8 Austin ends up behind center for the Rams.
Make It Wayne (Igor Derysh) added Jason Campbell, dropped Montee Ball
I’ve been looking to drop Ball for a while but have missed out on countless waiver wire claims. With Campbell getting the starting nod in Cleveland, I’ll stash him on my bench just in case.
Studfeldsville (Salvatore Stefanile) added Dennis Pitta, dropped Michael Cox
Pitta is still far away from returning but he has a good chance to come back this season, perhaps in time for the fantasy playoffs.
Brykno Rhinos (Bryan Knowles) added Eddie Royal, dropped Reggie Wayne
Bryan just hasn’t had any luck this week, now losing Reggie Wayne. Royal is coming off a big game against Jacksonville but it was his first game with more than 5.5 FPS since Week 2.
Brykno Rhinos (Bryan Knowles) added Matt Bryant, dropped Adam Vinatieri
With Vinatieri on a bye, Bryan will take a chance on Bryant, although he has only surpassed seven fantasy points twice this season.
Coconut Pete (Tom Fitzgerald) added Mike Tolbert, dropped Brandon Bolden
Tom didn’t keep Bolden very long, opting for Mike Tolbert coming off a solid game against the Rams. The move paid off as Tolbert gave Tom a strong 13 FPS effort against the Bucs. We’ll see if Tolbert still has value when Jonathan Stewart returns.
Keepin Heads Ringin (Michael Clifford) added Jets D/ST, dropped Chargers D/ST
With the Chargers on a bye, Michael will take a chance on the Jets against the Bengals. That’s an interesting move since the Bengals have allowed just six fantasy points to opposing defenses over the last two weeks.
