With a huge injury to Aaron Rodgers and four teams on a bye, the XN Sports fantasy analysts scrambled to the waiver wire to get their lineup through another week. From speculating on quarterback futures to desperation pickups of defenses and kickers, it was a busy week for the XNers. Let’s take a look at what you favorite fantasy writers are up to in their league and some pickups to consider in your own.
4th and Goal (Neil Parker) added Doug Baldwin, dropped Tyler Eifert
With Sidney Rice out, Baldwin saw 10 targets on Sunday and is likely to see an increased workload the rest of the way. We’ll see how Percy Harvin’s return affects that, though. Meanwhile, Eifert hasn’t seen more than four targets in over a month.
Blurred Goal Lines (Tony Consiglio) added Rashad Jennings, dropped Ted Ginn Jr.
Darren McFadden is once again on the sidelines which means Jennings is likely to start against the Giants this week. He ran 15 times for 102 yards and a touchdown and added seven catches on 10 targets for 74 yards through the air last week so there’s a ton of potential here, if only for one week or so. Ginn has seen four or fewer targets in five of his eight games and is just to unreliable to trust.
Make It Wayne (Igor Derysh) added Seneca Wallace, dropped Mike Williams
With Tom Brady and Jason Campbell on a bye and Matt Schaub no longer the starter in Houston, I desperately needed a quarterback and luckily one fell to me. It’s hard to get excited about this move but anything Seneca can do is better than an empty lineup slot.
Fifty Shades of Cats (Felipe Melecio) added Matt Flynn, dropped Joseph Randle
Flynn is getting a workout in Green Bay so there’s a chance this guy eventually gets another start this year. With Aaron Rodgers out as long as six weeks and Seneca short of impressive, it’s anyone’s job to win right now. Except Tim Tebow.
Stufeldsville (Salvatore Stefanile) added Scott Tolzien, dropped Dennis Pitta
Like Felipe, Sal is looking for the next QB in the Green Bay carousel and Scott Tolzien, just signed off the practice squad, is a decent bet. Meanwhile, Dennis Pitta could be closer to returning but with Jordan Cameron and Tim Wright, Sal isn’t exactly desperate for tight end help.
Keepin Heads Ringin (Michael Clifford) added Bills D/ST, dropped Jets D/ST
The Bills have a strong front seven and will face a Steelers team giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to defenses this season. Pittsburgh has allowed 10+ fantasy points to Tennessee, Cincy, Chicago, Oakland, and New England this year.
Make It Wayne (Igor Derysh) added Justin Tucker, dropped Kai Forbath
Tucker has been my kicker most of the season and he’s been solid with five 8+ point games. The Bengals have allowed 22 fantasy points to kickers over the last two weeks so I’ll go back to Tucker again. Forbath missed two of his three attempts last week and, after Thursday’s game against the Vikings, still only has seven field goals this season in six games.
Fifty Shades of Cats (Felipe Melecio) added Mario Manningham, dropped Austin Pettis
Manningham is on his way back but it remains to be seen how fantasy relevant he will actually be. Last season, he only caught 42 passes for 449 yards and a touchdown over 12 games. Even the Niners’ top receiver Anquan Boldin only has 343 yards and one touchdown since Week 2.
Fantasy Foundation (Rich Hribar) added Dolphins D/ST, dropped Cowboys D/ST
The Dolphins put up 22 fantasy points last week against the Bengals but Mike Glennon and Tampa have held their own against Seattle and Carolina over the last two weeks so we’ll see if Rich’s Miami bet pays off.
Fantasy Foundation (Rich Hribar) added Garrett Hartley, dropped Stephen Gostkowski
The Saints will likely utilize Hartley a lot but the ‘Boys have kept opposing kickers to a combined 15 points over the last three weeks.
Fantasy Foundation (Rich Hribar) added Kendall Hunter, dropped Kyle Rudolph
A true Niners fan, Rich goes right back to Hunter a week after dropping him even though he’s only put up double-digit points once this season. If anything happens to Frank Gore though, Rich will be more ready than anyone.
My Buddy and Me (Dave Major) added Donald Brown, dropped Nick Novak
Brown has certainly seen an uptick in opportunities with Trent Richardson perpetually struggling but isn’t startable unless he can steal away more touches from TRich.
Keepin Heads Ringin (Michael Clifford) added Dan Carpenter, dropped Greg Zuerlin
The Steelers have given up 9+ points to kickers in six of their eight games this season so Carpenter has a decent shot to put up some numbers.
Brykno Rhinos (Bryan Knowles) added Shaun Suisham, dropped Ronnie Hillman
Similarly, the Bills have allowed 8+ points to kickers in seven of their nine games this year and Suisham looks like a lock.
Derwood #Degenerates (C.D. Carter) added Broncos D/ST, dropped Saints D/ST
This is an interesting one since the Chargers have only allowed double-digit points to an opposing defense once this season and six or fewer points in three straight games. Despite their holes, the Denver D has put up double-digit fantasy points in five of their eight games this season so the potential is there.
Derwood #Degenerates (C.D. Carter) added David Akers, dropped Graham Gano
The Bears have given up 8+ points to kickers in six of their eight games this season so Akers has a chance to pick his production up.
Blurred Goal Lines (Tony Consiglio) added Steelers D/ST, dropped Eagles D/ST
The Bills have allowed 33 fantasy points to opposing defenses over the last two weeks and at least seven points in seven straight games so the Steelers D has a good chance to see double-digit points this week.
