Welcome to week 11. Hopefully you are still in the hunt and just need to grab that one guy who’s going to take you to the promised land. Let’s see if there are any dudes in here who might be able to do that.
Quarterbacks
Matt Leinart: Duuuuude, this guy has been lackluster to say the least. But he gets the keys to a tank with the wheels of Arian Foster and Ben Tate and the “something that represents an awesome wide receiver” in Andre Johnson. So anyhoo, the Texans will use Leinart as a “game manager” and with AJ, Owen Daniels and Arian Foster taking dump off passes 80 yards for touchdowns Leinart should be a capable backup with some upside if he doesn’t screw up too bad.
John Skelton: With Cassel and Schaub going down it’s going to be hard to find viable backups with good upside and that’s what John Skelton has turned into. He has a big arm and Larry Fitzgerald. That’s enough right there.
Running Backs
Kevin Smith: After getting thrown off an airplane for being too fat not that long ago you’d think that Smith would be out of shape, but he must be doing ok to be signed by the Lions. This pickup could easily be in vain, but it also has quite a bit of upside. Jahvid Best has no time table for a return and really all we know is he hasn’t been cleared to play. We have to go on as if he’s not going to return (while holding him unfortunately). Smith has had multiple injuries, but is still just 24 and had ability to spare when he was healthy. He saw a little work against the Bears (4 carries, 19 yards – 2 receptions, 10 yards) and has impressed the coaching staff. I like him a lot for a speculative, high upside add.
Kendall Hunter: Frank Gore sat out most of their last game and Hunter got in for a score. It looks like Gore will be available next week but we know for a fact that Gore is hurting and the Niners are strong up front and are good at keeping the score close so they are able to run more than most teams. Also with the Niners out to such a large lead in their division there’s a very good chance Gore will be rested even if he doesn’t injure himself further.
Taiwan Jones: Jones has an amazing amount of talent and if given the opportunity could be very useful and really he doesn’t need that much opportunity to break a long run for a touchdown. If Darren McFadden comes back full go this week Jones won’t have enough opportunities, but I don’t see McFadden being able to go this week.
Lance Ball: It looks like Willis McGahee will be able to go this Thursday, but Knowshon Moreno is done for the season and Lance Ball is the new backup. Ball is only worth consideration in deep leagues, but under John Fox the run is the fun.
Wide Receivers
Denarius Moore: He’s most likely gone, but if not he’s your #1 waiver wire claim this week. Jacoby Ford will most likely be out this week and Moore will be a top 10 play against Minnesota.
Earl Bennett: The guy doesn’t drop passes and I think Jay Cutler likes that about him. In his last 2 games he’s had 11 targets and caught all 11 for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Vincent Brown: We saw what he could do last week and there’s a good chance Malcom Floyd will be out again this week. Floyd is a drop at this point with Brown gaining ground and it’s hard not to believe he’d be on the field more even when Floyd returns.
Laurent Robinson: He was gobbled up last week, but I’m sure he’s floating around in some shallow leagues. Dez Bryant will be the receiver getting the most safety help and Robinson will continue to have his opportunities. Don’t expect 2 touchdowns each week, but you know.
Damian Williams: Williams looks to be the #1 guy in Tennessee from here on out. They have plenty of viable receivers for the Titans, but Williams is getting plenty of red zone targets.
Steve Smith: He had a whopping 10 targets last week with Jeremy Maclin out for much of the game. If Maclin can’t go this week he’ll most likely get a lot of playing time again.
Harry Douglas: If Julio Jones is out Douglas is worth a filler play. His huge game last week was nice but don’t look for a repeat performance.
Chad Ochocinco: Hey, Tom Brady and the Pats have a nice schedule to end the season and it doesn’t look like Ocho is going anywhere. He’s worth a gamble.
Jericho Cotchery: It looks like he has taken over for Hines Ward. He’ll be behind Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace, but his TD potential as a fill in is pretty good.
Tight Ends
Ed Dickson: He had a huge game in Seattle, but much of it was the product of the way Seattle’s defense was playing the pass and taking away the outside receivers. If Dennis Pitta wasn’t there I’d be all over Ed this week, but those two go back in forth each week as far as targets and production. He’s worth a grab if you are strapped on the chance that this is the start of him being the main guy.
