Quarterbacks

QB Matthew Stafford, DET
By all means pick him up if you need QB help if Stafford was dropped during his knee injury. Stafford is a lot more appealing option than what may otherwise be left on your waiver wire. WR Calvin Johnson’s (knee) return would tremendously help Stafford’s cause.

QB Alex Smith, SF
He’s starting from here on out. While this is a run-first team, the 49ers have some nice weapons in TE Vernon Davis and WRs Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan. Smith needs to knock off the rust after not playing for a couple of years, so he’ll struggle at times.

QB Vince Young, TEN
Young is going to start for the Titans the rest of the way, so if you really need QB help, he’s at least going to play. There’s a chance that Young’s time on the bench helped him grasp what he needs to do to be an NFL QB, but that’s not very likely. Young can run, so if nothing else you could get some rushing yards and maybe an occasional short-yardage TD.

QB Chad Henne , MIA
Unless your league awards points for handoffs, don’t expect a lot out of Henne, who even has to share the handoffs because the Dolphins often run the “Wildcat” formation.

Running Backs

RB Ryan Moats, HOU
Moats will be targeted on every waiver wire in the country after going off on Sunday with 126 yards rushing and three TDs. Anyone showing signs of life at the RB position is going to interest owners at this point in the season, and Moats did much more than that. By all means if you get any chance at Moats, grab him. Given Steve Slaton’s fumbling issues, Moats may well be starting for the Texans the rest of the way. He’ll at least remain very active in the offense.

RB Jamaal Charles, KC
Charles is starting on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars and could very well see more playing time going forward. Though Larry Johnson’s suspension was cut to one game, it’s not clear what role he is going to have the rest of the season.

RB Mike Bell, NO
He runs very hard, but his fumble on Monday night is cause for concern. Still, if you can get Bell at this point in the season, by all means you should do so. The Saints move the ball down the field better than any other team, so Bell’s role as goal line back gives him nice value.

RB Correll Buckhalter, DEN
Buckhalter has played very well, in many cases, better than rookie Knowshon Moreno. If Buckhalter happened to get dropped after his injury and he’s still out there, he’s a nice pick up at this point.

RB Justin Fargas, OAK
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, but woe to him if he had to watch the Raiders. Fargas continues to outperform RB Michael Bush, which suggests that the Raiders have struggled with their drafts for about a decade, give or take. Fargas is a decent option, but he plays on a bad team that can get taken out of the running game early.

RB Laurence Maroney, NE
Maroney is the leading RB, though it’s by process of elimination at this point. Though the Patriots are still missing Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris, look for Maroney to share carries with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk.

RB Shonn Green, NYJ
After tearing it up in Week 7, Greene came back to earth with a thud in Week 8, managing just 18 yards on 8 carries. Green is going to get some touches, and he may be the goal line guy, but don’t expect big numbers out of him as long as Thomas Jones is around. He’s also on his bye this week.

RB Leonard Weaver, PHI
RB Brian Westbrook is hurt, and Weaver makes a much better goal line runner than rookie RB LeSean McCoy.

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, NE
The Patriots aren’t shy about spreading the ball around at the RB position, and Laurence Maroney has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Those two factors make Green-Ellis a decent waiver wire choice.

Wide Receivers

WR Hakeem Nicks, NYG
The Giants are not playing well right now, and in particular QB Eli Manning is struggling. That’s not Nicks’ fault. He’s clearly one of their best WRs, and if you still have a chance to snag him, you should do so immediately.

WR Jeremy Maclin, PHI
Maclin scored again on Sunday, and that can happen on any given week in this offense. He’s legit and if he’s still on your waiver wire, you are lucky. Grab him if you need WR help.

WR Michael Crabtree, SF
That Crabtree started so soon after joining the 49ers is either a testament to his talent, or a condemnation of the rest of the talent on the team. As in many cases in life, it’s probably a bit of both. Crabtree is getting chances, and that certainly makes him worth picking up if you need WR help.

WR Kevin Walter, HOU
Walter has been disappointing after his 2008 season, but that could very well change starting this week. With stud TE Owen Daniels out for the season with a knee injury, Walter is first in line to get Daniels’ pass targets. Walter had a great year in 2008, so we know he’s capable of putting up some nice numbers.

WR Laveranues Coles, CIN
Coles has been coming on in recent weeks, so if he got dropped last week during his bye, grab him if you get the chance. He can have a solid role in this offense going forward.

WR Austin Collie, IND
Collie has played very well, and WR Anthony Gonzalez is reportedly struggling to come back from his knee injury. Collie shouldn’t be on your waiver wire, so if he is, grab him. He’ll have a role the rest of the way, and it could be a significant one.

WR Malcolm Floyd, SD
The Chargers finally had enough of Chris Chambers, who just didn’t live up to expectations in San Diego. Floyd should be first in line to take advantage of the opportunity created by Chambers departure.

WR Johnny Knox, CHI
Knox continues to be active, so he’s still a nice option if you need WR depth. QB Jay Cutler spreads the ball around and the passing game has been quiet, but the dynamic Knox can score from anywhere on the field.

WR Lance Moore, NO
Moore’s still worth a roster spot, because QB Drew Brees spreads the ball out so much in the Saints passing game, which is the best in the NFL right now.

WR Mike Wallace, PIT
He’s past his bye and Wallace seems to be the big-play specialist for the Steelers.

WR Mohamed Massaquoi, CLE
He’s the default WR1, but don’t read too much into that. The QB play has been atrocious, and Massaquoi isn’t really WR1 material. He’s also on a bye this week, so don’t pick him up if you need help in Week 9.

Tight End

TE Spencer Havner GB
When a backup TE scored three TDs in two weeks, you don’t argue, you pick him up and hope for more of the same. He’s clearly a nice red zone option.

TE James Casey, HOU
Casey, an athletic rookie TE, has the best chance to serve as a pass target for QB Matt Schaub and is worth a shot.

TE Marcedes Lewis, JAC
Lewis is still a decent option if you need a bye Week TE.


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Article posted Nov. 3, 2009