Most waiver wire articles you read focus on position players. On the other hand, much of the action on the XN Sports League of Champions waiver wire has to do with kickers and defenses, along with the occasional tight end. If you want to know which kickers and defenses the paid fantasy experts are grabbing in their league and which ones you should grab in yours, take a look at this week’s moves in the XN staff league.
Fantasy Foundation (Rich Hribar) added Browns D/ST, dropped Texans D/ST
The Browns did nothing against the Steelers last week but will face a Jacksonville team that has given up more fantasy points to opposing defenses than any team except the Giants. Of course, they’ve only given up 24 points over the last three weeks so teams facing the Jags are no longer as appealing as they were early on.
Make It Wayne (Igor Derysh) added Benny Cunningham, dropped Scott Chandler
I was hoping Zac Stacy would be out for Sunday’s game but he’s been cleared so now I have to bank on Cunningham earning a legit role behind the Rams’ leading rusher. It’s not out of the question considering Cunningham put up 72 yards on just seven carries and an 18-yard reception against the Colts and followed it up with a 13 carry, 109 yard, one touchdown effort while spelling an injured Stacy last week.
Blurred Goal Lines (Tony Consiglio) added Patriots D/ST, dropped Bears D/ST
The Texans give up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses, most recently giving up 11 points to the Jags defense, so the Pats are a good streaming pick for Week 13.
Studfeldsville (Sal Stefanile) added Dolphins D/ST, dropped Mark Ingram
Miami will face a Jets offense that has been brutal over the last two weeks, giving up 19 fantasy points to the Bills and 16 to the Ravens. The Jets have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing defenses this year.
Fantasy Foundation (Rich Hribar) added Bills D/ST, dropped Michael Vick
Just in case he missed out on Cleveland, Rich also claimed the Bills defense. The Bills put up 19 fantasy points against the Jets in their last game and will face a Falcons offense that has given up 11+ points in four of their last five weeks and 16+ points in three of five.
Make It Wayne (Igor Derysh) added Ladarius Green, dropped Terrance Williams
Green has put up 25.5 fantasy points on seven receptions, 161 yards, and a touchdown over the last two weeks. I’m eager to see how the Chargers use him moving forward. Meanwhile, Terrance Williams has been lackluster and has just four catches for 33 yards over his last two weeks (counting the Thanksgiving game against the Raiders).
Studfeldsville (Sal Stefanile) added Justin Hunter, dropped Mychal Rivera
Hunter looked strong last week against the Raiders, catching six passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time this season that he has eclipsed two catches and 51 yards, however, so we’ll have to wait and see how the Titans use him moving forward.
Make It Wayne (Igor Derysh) added Adam Vinatieri, dropped Nick Folk
Vinatieri hasn’t been getting too many opportunities lately with the Colts in a funk but he was the best kicker available on the waiver wire and Nick Folk has seen his opportunities evaporate as Geno Smith has struggled mightily.
Studfeldsville (Sal Stefanile) added Steven Hauschka, dropped Justin Tucker
Haushka has put up 31 fantasy points over his last two games while the Saints have given up 17 fantasy points to kickers over their last two games.
Studfeldsville (Sal Stefanile) added Dennis Pitta, dropped Justin Hunter
With Dennis Pitta on the mend, Sal is going to take the chance that he slips right back in and performs at the level he did last year. Last season, Pitta caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns.
Keepin Heads Ringin (Michael Clifford) added Giants D/ST, dropped Raiders D/ST
The Giants defense has been much improved and are averaging 14.25 fantasy points per game over their last four weeks. They’ll face a struggling Redskins team that has allowed 24 fantasy points to the 49ers and the Eagles over their last two weeks.
