The Wire: Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15, 2008
As we head into the playoffs, there’s a pretty good chance that your team is already set and you are not in need of any desperation picks. Just in case though, here’s a look at the players to target on your league’s waiver wire this week. This list is ordered by the percentage of ESPN leagues in which the player is available, but even if you’re not a ESPN user, it’s a decent indication of how likely you are to find the player on waivers in your league. We also note here how strongly we feel about this pickup with three categories: Instant Starter, Grab ‘n’ Stash, or Desperation Pickup.
Tashard Choice, RB, Cowboys (13.0% owned, Desperation Pickup) – With Marion the Barbarian out with an injury, rookie Tashard Choice filled in pretty well, rushing for 88 yards and catching five passes for and additional 78 yards. If Barber misses another game, Choice could make for a decent RB or flex play this weekend against the Giants.
Deion Branch, WR, Seahawks (13.7% owned, Instant Starter) – Branch had two touchdowns against his old team, the Patriots, this past Sunday. While you shouldn’t expect those kind of touchdown numbers from week to week, it finally looks like he is healthy and can be productive for your fantasy team.
Tatum Bell, RB, Broncos (15.5% owned, Desperation Pickup) – Obviously we couldn’t have a Broncos running back last longer than a few weeks in the spotlight, so this week we’re moving on to Tatum Bell with Peyton Hillis suffering a season ending hamstring injury last weekend. Bell could split carries with Selvin Young, so you may want to wait and see what kind of numbers he can put up, but he’s worth the risk if you’re in dire straights at the position! (More …)
Chris, 
Shirley and 3 others are discussing. 
Shirley 10:02 pm on December 9, 2008 Permalink |
I made the playoffs and am thinking about picking up Davone Bess. I have Jerricho Cotchery, Steve Breaston, Lance Moore, Kevin Walter, and Amani Toomer. Should I drop any of them for Bess?
I also currently have the Ravens DST starting over the Cardinals DST. Should I drop the Cardinals to pick up one of the waiver defenses you mentioned? (Pats and ‘Hawks are still available) And if I do pick them up, should I start them over the Ravens? Even though the Steelers are a great offense, I’m not as worried about them as I am about their DST which could score a DTD.
And what do you think about picking up Shaun Hill? I have Romo and Thigpen on my team. Thigpen has decent matchups and even though most sites say that Romo will be fine because the last time he played the Giants, he threw for 200+ yards and 3 TDs. But that was when he had Marion Barber… Kyle Orton is also available.
Brandon 10:17 pm on December 9, 2008 Permalink |
@ Shirley: I don’t see the urgent need to drop any of your receivers to pick up Davone Bess at this point. He’s only found the endzone once this season and until he can do that on a more consistent basis, he’s probably not going to get you many more points than any of your other receivers. As for defenses, you probably should just start the Ravens, since they’re the top defense in the league right now (in terms of fantasy football), so unless your league starts two defenses, there’s really no need to worry about a second one. Finally, in terms of quarterbacks, Romo could have a rough go of it over the next two weeks against two of the best defenses in the league. Orton and Thigpen both make solid plays this week as they take on New Orleans and San Diego respectively…who are two of the worst pass defenses in the league. I’m leaning towards Orton in that case though, since he’s a little more battle tested and the Chargers actually played decently last week. Hope this helped!