Week 14 free agent/waiver wire recommendations (12/2/08)
Welcome to “meaningful December football” - congrats to those of you who’ve already qualified for your league’s playoffs, and good luck to those who are still in contention and need a final victory this weekend to get your foot in the door. On the injury front there were several “big names” who went out with injuries this past weekend (both football-related and self-inflicted) - QBs Derek Anderson & Trent Edwards, and of course, WR Plaxico Burress. Anderson and Burress are both out for the season - actually, Burress’ career may very well be over - even in the NFL there isn’t much of a market for 34-year-old ex-cons, which is what Burress would be if he is convicted of illegal possession of a firearm and serves 3 years in prison. Still, chances are you weren’t relying heavily on any of the three at this point, so hopefully the impact on your fantasy team is minimal.
Just in case you need to add a player this week due to injury, suspension, or a bad matchup, here’s a list of recommended free agent/waiver wire pickups who may be available in your league. I’ll give an indication of whether I believe these players should be picked up for just the short term (ST), for the long term (LT) (i.e. - the rest of the season), or as speculation plays (SPEC). Short term recommendations are players who should help fantasy owners this week (due to injuries, benchings, suspensions, favorable schedules, etc.) but who will probably drop in value again in subsequent weeks. Long term recommendations are players who have the potential to help their owners’ fantasy teams for the remainder of the current season. Speculation plays are players who are unlikely to help your fantasy team this week (barring injuries, benchings, suspensions, etc.) but may have value later this season or in future seasons (for those in Keeper leagues).
Quarterbacks
Kyle Orton (LT), Daunte Culpepper (LT), Marc Bulger (LT), Kerry Collins (ST), JaMarcus Russell (SPEC), Ryan Fitzpatrick (SPEC), J.P. Losman (SPEC), Matt Schaub (SPEC).
Running Backs
Patrick Cobbs (SPEC), Jamaal Charles (SPEC), Tashard Choice (SPEC), Kenneth Darby (SPEC)
Wide Receivers
Davonne Bess (LT), Josh Reed (LT), Bobby Engram (LT), Shaun McDonald (LT), Bobby Wade (LT), Brandon Jones (ST), Justin Gage (ST), Brandon Stokley (ST), Malcom Floyd (ST), Steve Smith (SPEC), Amani Toomer (SPEC), Mark Clayton (SPEC), Reggie Williams (SPEC), Hank Baskett (SPEC).
Tight Ends
Donald Lee (LT), Heath Miller (ST), Billy Miller (SPEC), Daniel Graham (SPEC), Desmond Clark (SPEC), Marcedes Lewis (SPEC).
Kickers
Jay Feely (LT), Joe Nedney (LT), Josh Brown (LT), Robbie Gould (LT), Garrett Hartley (LT), Connor Barth (LT), Jason Hanson (LT), Dan Carpenter (LT).
Defenses
San Diego (LT), Dallas (ST), Washington (SPEC)
Until next time,
The Sherpa
Tags: Amani Toomer, Billy Miller, Bobby Engram, Bobby Wade, Brandon Jones, Brandon Stokley, Connor Barth, Dan Carpenter, Daniel Graham, Daunte Culpepper, Davonne Bess, Desmond Clark, Donald Lee, Garrett Hartley, Hank Baskett, Heath Miller, J.P. Losman, Jamaal Charles, JaMarcus Russell, Jason Hanson, Jay Feely, Joe Nedney, Josh Brown, Josh Reed, Justin Gage, Kenneth Darby, Kerry Collins, Kyle Orton, Malcom Floyd, Marc Bulger, Marcedes Lewis, Mark Clayton, Matt Schaub, Patrick Cobbs, Reggie Williams, Robbie Gould, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Shaun McDonald, Steve Smith, Tashard Choice