My Playbook

Monday, November 10, 2014

Waiver Wire Week 11

Heading into the home stretch for the 2014 fantasy season. It seems like it has gone by so fast. Just the other day we were all cramming our heads with all the information we could to draft our teams as best we could. Now we are just weeks away from the fantasy playoffs. Lets take a look at the guys you might add to your roster this week to bolster your squad for upcoming battle.

RB 
CJ Anderson (DEN) got the bulk of the work in week 10 after Ronnie Hillman went down with a foot
Image source: sbnation.com
injury. The news on Monday morning is that Hillman will miss 2 weeks with a foot sprain. Bring on the cloudy situation in the Denver backfield. Anderson has been in and out of favor with the Broncos this season. With Montee Ball inactive in week 10, still out with the groin injury that has sidelined him the past few weeks, Anderson got 90 yards on 13 carries and caught 4 balls for 73 yards, including a 51 yard touchdown catch. The water is murky on the Denver running back situation with the impending return of Ball, and the hot and cold attitude of the Broncos on Anderson. I would add Anderson and hope some clarity comes during the week. Trying to add him and Montee Ball is the smart play if you want to own the Denver backfield.

Damien Williams (MIA) was the recipient of the most carries for the Dolphins on Sunday. Even with Lamar Miller active, he did not see much work after spraining his AC joint in his shoulder. The Dolphins had a tough run match up last week against the Lions, and it doesn't get a lot easier moving forward. Williams had the best average on his runs, going for 4.9 yards per carry. Confounding the situation is the fact that there were reports on Monday that the Dolphins were adding LaMichael James to their active roster. Given the unclear situation and the bad schedule coming up, I would avoid the Dolphins backfield altogether.

Image source: northjersey.com
Rashad Jennings (NYG) is a good addition if he was dropped in your leagues. The Giants run game has been terrible with Andre Williams. Since taking over for Jennings, Williams has a high water mark of 66 rushing yards. He has done nothing to keep the job when Jennings gets back. The schedule for the Giants breaks nicely as we head into the fantasy playoffs, and if Jennings is unowned, snatch him up.

QB 

Drew Stanton (ARI) is a decent addition for very deep leagues and 2 quarterback leagues. With Carson Palmer out for the season, this is now Stanton's job. A daunting task for the Cardinals quarterback awaits, facing the Seahawks twice, the Lions, and the Chiefs the rest of this season. Temper expectations, but if you are playing match ups, he will play Atlanta in week 13 if you need a quick boost to win a playoff spot. Week 15 will also provide a good match up against the Rams, albeit in St. Louis. 

Image source: espn.go.com
Michael Vick (NYJ) didn't wow you through the air, or on the ground, but if you are in trouble at the quarterback position, Vick likely has the higher upside of the available quarterbacks in your deep or 2 quarterback leagues. Vick has the chance of big rushing numbers every week for the Jets. His ceiling is very high, and conversely, his floor is very low. I would say that in case of emergency, break glass. The next two match ups for the Jets see them play good defenses in Buffalo and Miami. The next two games which start the fantasy playoffs see much easier tasks playing at Minnesota and at Tennessee. Vick may provide you a boost in the first weeks of your playoffs.

WR 

Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG) should be owned in every fantasy league in the galaxy. Beckham announced his presence with authority this week, beating Richard Sherman deep on more than one play. Beckham is a talented reciever and has a role carved out for him in the Giants offense for the rest of the season with the absence of Victor Cruz. Odell is only owned in 57.5% of ESPN fantasy leagues, snatch him up if he isn't in yours.

Image source: bigstory.ap.org
Jarvis Landry (MIA) has been a decent PPR play in recent weeks averaging 5 catches a week over his last 5 games. Landry so far has not been a flashy play with huge upside, but he has been pretty consistent. If you are missing a usually solid player, or just want to add some consistent play to your bench just in case, Landry is a solid addition.

John Brown (ARI) is one of the best stories of the season. A small receiver who has had some big numbers in games this season. Brown, and now quarterback for the Cardinals, Drew Stanton have had chemistry so far when they have been on the field together. Brown has both caught long bombs for scores, and underneath passes a la Wes Welker. Brown has 5 scores on the season, and if you are picking up Stanton, you may consider adding brown to double up on the scoring.

Image source: independentmail.com
Martavis Bryant (PIT) is only owned in 60.4% of ESPN leagues. Martavis Bryant has only caught 6
touchdowns in his 4 games for the Steelers. Yes his touchdown rate may be unsustainable, but with Antonio Brown on the opposite side, he is unlikely to get double coverage. Bryant has both the ability to catch short passes, and the long ball, as evidenced by his 80 yard touchdown in week 10. A big receiver who has tons of speed and skill, Bryant may be the guy that wins you a championship. If he is unowned, go get him.

TE 

Image source: raiderstribune.com
Mychal Rivera (OAK) has averaged 7 catches over his last 3 games, and is averaging a score in each. Rivera is the Raiders best red zone target, and has found some good consistency in the last few weeks in some good match ups. Coming down the stretch games against Kansas City, St. Louis, and San Francisco provide some solid opportunities for Rivera to score for your fantasy team. If your tight end has been under performing, Rivera may be the shot in the arm you need to bring home the trophy.

Charles Clay (MIA) is a boom or bust guy for a PPR league. In his last 5 games he has 7, 5, 1, 4, 3 catches per week. Clay has scored in two of those games, but is mainly an emergency outlet for Ryan Tannehill. If you are desperate at the tight end spot, and there isn't much out there, Clay might be worth a look.

Image source: zimbio.com
Kyle Rudolph (MIN) should be making his return soon. Rudolph was highly touted this preseason with
Norv Turner taking over the offensive coordinator spot for the Vikings. The early season injury for Rudolph likely led to many of his owners dropping him. If you have a hole in your tight end spot in your weekly lineup, Rudolph should be returning to the field soon. I would consider him a speculative add at this point in the season, but one that could help a starved fantasy owner in the quagmire that has been tight end this season.

That brings us to the finish on this weeks waiver wire adds. One suggestion I would have this late in the year is to only fill glaring holes or add depth for injured guys if you are not cutting a better player or one with more upside to take a flyer on these players. Your roster should be fairly well set, barring injuries, at this late date in the season. Good luck this week!