The Fantasy Football Sherpa

Hi everyone,

Here are the latest batch of players who’ve had their preseason projections updated:

• Sam Aiken (WR, NE) - added to database (moved up depth chart)     
• Richard Angulo (TE, Jac) - removed from database (cut)
• Devin Aromashodu (WR, Chi) - added to database (moved up depth chart)    
• Todd Bauman (QB, Jac) - removed from database (cut)
• Michael Bennett (RB, SD) - added to database (moved up depth chart)  
• Troy Bergeron (WR, Atl)  - removed from database (cut) 
• Lorenzo Booker (RB, Phi)  - removed from database (cut)
• Marty Booker (WR, Atl) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Brian Brohm (QB, GB) - removed from database (cut)
• Thomas Brown (RB, Atl) - removed from database (cut)
• Matt Bryant (K, TB) - removed from database (cut)
• Eldra Buckley (RB, Phi) - added to database (moved up depth chart)
• Aveion Cason (RB, Det) - removed from database (cut)
• Keary Colbert (WR, Det) - removed from database (cut)
• Daunte Culpepper (QB, Det) - revised projections downward (moved down depth chart)
• Ronald Curry (WR, StL) - removed from database (cut)
• Tony Curtis (TE, Phi) - added to database (signed)
• Chris Davis (WR, Ten) - removed from database (cut)
• Carey Davis (RB, Pit) - removed from database (cut)
• Jason Davis (RB, NYJ) - added to database (signed)
• Jeff Dugan (RB, Min) - added to database (moved up depth chart)
• Julian Edelman (WR, NE) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Dominique Edison (WR, Ten) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Yamon Figurs (WR, Det) - added to database (signed)
• Arian Foster (RB, Hou) - removed from database (cut)
• Sam Gado (RB, StL) - revised projections upward (moved up depth chart)
• Quinton Ganther (RB, Ten) - removed from database (cut)
• Brandon Gibson (WR, Phi) - added to database (moved up depth chart)
• Earnest Graham (RB, TB) - projections revised downward (moved down depth chart) 
• Cortez Hankton (WR, TB) - removed from database (cut)
• Marcus Henry (WR, NYJ) - removed from database (cut)
• Noah Herron (RB, Cle) - removed from database (cut)
• Kareem Higgins (RB, TB) - removed from database (cut)
• Nate Hughes (WR, Jac) - added to database (moved up depth chart)
• Chad Jackson (WR, Den) - removed from database (moved up depth chart)
• Darnell Jenkins (WR, Hou) - removed from database (cut)
• Ian Johnson (RB, Min) - removed from database (cut)
• Taurus Johnson (WR, KC) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Mark Jones (WR, Ten) - removed from database (cut)
• Aaron Kelly (WR, Atl) - removed from database (cut)
• Jordan Kent (WR, Sea) - removed from database (cut) 
• John Kuhn (RB, GB) - added to database (moved up depth chart)
• Keon Lattimore (RB, Dal) - removed from database (cut)
• Jamall Lee (RB, Car) - removed from database (cut)
• Byron Leftwich (QB, TB) - revised projections upward (named starting QB)
• Ashley Lelie (WR, KC) - removed from database (cut)
• Greg Lewis (WR, NE) - removed from database (cut) 
• Brandon Lloyd (WR, Den) - added to database (moved up depth chart)
• Kregg Lumpkin (RB, GB) - removed from database (cut)
• Dicky Lyons (WR, Atl) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Ruvell Martin (WR, GB) - removed from database (cut)
• Justin McCareins (WR, Ten) - removed from database (cut)
• Luke McCown (QB, Jac) - acquired in trade from TB
• Marcus Monk (WR, Car) - removed from database (cut)
• Devin Moore (RB, Sea) - removed from database (cut)
• Mike Nugent (K, TB) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Jake O`Connell (TE, KC) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Chris Ogbonnaya (RB, StL) - removed from database (cut)
• Kevin Ogletree (WR, Dal) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• David Patten (WR, Cle) - removed from database (cut)
• Alvin Pearman (RB, Jac) - removed from database (cut)
• Antonio Pittman (RB, StL) - removed from database (cut)
• Brandon Rideau (WR, Chi) - removed from database (cut)
• Ryne Robinson (WR, Car) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Dantrell Savage (RB, KC) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Matt Schobel (TE, Phi) - removed from database (cut)
• Kory Sheets (RB, Jac) - removed from database (cut)
• Antone Smith (RB, Det) - removed from database (cut)
• Terrell Smith (RB, Det) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Matthew Stafford (QB, Det) - revised projections upward (named starting QB)
• Isaiah Stanback (WR, Dal) - removed from database (cut)
• John Standeford (WR, Det) - removed from database (cut)
• Frank Summers (RB, Pit) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Tyrell Sutton (RB, Car) - added to database (signed) 
• Brett Swain (WR, GB) - added to database (moved up depth chart) 
• Marcus Thigpen (RB, Phi) - removed from database (cut)
• Tiquan Underwood (WR, Jac) - removed from database (cut)
• Josh Vaughan (RB, TB) - removed from database (cut)
• Justin Vincent (RB, Pit) - removed from database (cut)
• Derrick Ward (RB, TB) - projections revised downward (moved down depth chart)
• Chauncey Washington (RB, Jac) - removed from database (cut)
• Ernest Wilford (TE, Jac) - added to database (moved up depth chart)
• Cadillac Williams (RB, TB) - revised projections upward (moved up depth chart)
• Jarvarris Williams (RB, KC) - removed from database (cut)
• Danny Woodhead (RB, NYJ) - removed from database (cut)

Please let me know if you see any moves I may have missed, and I’ll be happy to update the database.

More updates to come as developments warrant.

Until next time,

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Fantasy Football Sherpa’s blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Congratulations to those who qualified for or advanced in their league’s playoffs as a result of the Week 14 games!  Now the fun begins.  Perhaps your team suffered an untimely injury last weekend (e.g. - Peyton Hillis).  Perhaps your team is heavily dependent on a star Running Back whose health is questionable (e.g. - Brandon Jacobs, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore).  Perhaps Matt Jones was starting at Wide Receiver for your team.  Perhaps you were relying on Gus Frerotte at Quarterback - well, maybe not (if so, it’s highly unlikely you’d be reading this) . . .

Whether due to injury, a poor matchup, or simply to block an opponent from snagging a player for their upcoming matchup with your team, for those whose league rules permit roster adjustments during playoff weeks, it’s crucial to optimize your matchups on a weekly basis.  Lose at this point, and your fantasy football season is likely over.  You don’t want to have to listen to leaguemates discuss fantasy football playoffs that no longer include you.

Here’s a list of recommended free agent/waiver wire pickups who may be available in your league.  I’ll no longer divide recommendations into Short Term, Long Term, and Speculative pickups - at this point, any player I list is recommended based solely on their next matchup (warning - this will make the lists much shorter than they’ve been in previous weeks).

Quarterbacks

Seneca Wallace, Daunte Culpepper.

Running Backs

Jamaal Charles, Ahmard Hall.

Wide Receivers

Bobby Engram, Brandon Jones, Brandon Stokley, Ike Hilliard, Steve Smith (NYG), Hank Baskett, Henry Douglas, Jordy Nelson.

Tight Ends

Donald Lee, Desmond Clark, Marcedes Lewis, Jerramy Stevens, David Martin.

Kickers

Josh Brown, Robbie Gould, Connor Barth, Dan Carpenter.

Defenses

Seattle, St. Louis.

Admittedly, we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel here in many cases, but frankly, there are far fewer viable options to choose from  at the end of the season if you’re taking just a one-week view.

Until next time,

The Sherpa

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

Most fantasy football leagues have just one or two weeks left in their regular season.  At this point your team falls into one of three categories:  (1) those that have already clinched playoff berths, (2) those that are still in contention for playoff berths, and (3) those that must relish the opportunity to play spoiler the rest of the season.  No matter which group your team falls into, there’s still plenty of motivation to continue to scour your league’s free agent pool for late-season pickups.

Week 12 was relatively kind to fantasy team owners from an injury perspective - Dolphins’ WR Greg Camarillo and Browns’ QB Brady Quinn are out with season-ending injuries, but chances are you weren’t relying too heavily on either of them (especially Quinn).  The Redskins also cut former league MVP RB Shaun Alexander yesterday, but if you were relying on him to lead you to the fantasy promised land this season, then this blog probably won’t help you much.

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

Shaun Hill (LT), JaMarcus Russell (LT), Kerry Collins (ST), Ryan Fitzpatrick (SPEC), Daunte Culpepper (SPEC), Derek Anderson (SPEC)

Running Backs

Patrick Cobbs (SPEC), Jamaal Charles (SPEC), T.J. Duckett (SPEC), Kenneth Darby (SPEC)

Wide Receivers

Davonne Bess (LT), Brandon Jones (ST), Justin Gage (ST), Michael Jenkins (ST), Bobby Wade (SPEC), Steve Smith (SPEC), Shaun McDonald (SPEC), Amani Toomer (SPEC), Ike Hilliard (SPEC), Jabar Gaffney (SPEC), Reggie Williams (SPEC).

Tight Ends

David Martin (LT), Billy Miller (SPEC), Heath Miller (SPEC).

Kickers

Ryan Longwell (LT), Jay Feely (LT), Josh Brown (LT), Robbie Gould (LT), Garrett Hartley (LT), Connor Barth (LT), Nick Folk (ST), Phil Dawson (SPEC), Neil Rackers (SPEC), Shaun Suisham (SPEC), Jeff Reed (SPEC), Joe Nedney (SPEC).

Defenses

Dallas (ST), Kansas City (ST), Denver (ST), Washington (SPEC)

Until next time,

The Sherpa

With the bye weeks now receding in the distance, there’s no reason (unless your rosters are frozen before your league’s playoffs start) to carry backups at Tight End, Kicker, or Defense.  You’re much better off speculating on a high-upside Quarterback, Running Back, or Wide Receiver.  Fortunately, options may still be available at each of these key positions.

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), or as speculation plays (SPEC).  Short term recommendations are players who should help fantasy owners in the next few weeks (due to injuries, benchings, suspensions, favorable schedules, etc.) but who will probably drop in value again later in the season.  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 in the short run (barring injuries, benchings, suspensions, etc.) but may have value later this season or in future seasons (for those in Keeper leagues).

Quarterbacks

Shaun Hill (LT), Kerry Collins (ST), Ryan Fitzpatrick (SPEC), Daunte Culpepper (SPEC)

Running Backs

Patrick Cobbs (SPEC), Ahman Green (SPEC), Jamaal Charles (SPEC), T.J. Duckett (SPEC).

Wide Receivers

Bobby Wade (LT), Steve Smith (SPEC), Shaun McDonald (SPEC), Amani Toomer (SPEC), Brandon Jones (SPEC), Justin Gage (SPEC).

Tight Ends

Dustin Keller (LT), Marcedes Lewis (ST), Donald Lee (SPEC), David Martin (SPEC), Desmond Clark (SPEC).

Kickers

Mason Crosby (LT), Ryan Longwell (LT), Jay Feely (LT), Joe Nedney (LT), Josh Brown (LT), Robbie Gould (LT), Garrett Hartley (LT), Connor Barth (LT), Matt Stover (LT), Dan Carpenter (LT), Olindo Mare (LT), Phil Dawson (ST), Jason Hanson (SPEC), Sebastian Janikowski (SPEC).

Defenses

Dallas (ST), Kansas City (ST), Denver (ST), Washington (SPEC)

Until next time,

The Sherpa

The bye weeks are finally behind us - hurray!  While this may decrease the demand somewhat for week-to-week waiver wire pickups, there are still several important reasons to remain vigilant, if not active:  (1) there’s always the potential that players currently on waivers may improve your team’s starting lineup or your depth, (2) injuries (current or potential) are always a concern, and (3) the team that gets you into your fantasy league’s playoffs isn’t necessarily the same team that will allow you to win your league’s championship - matchups matter! (aka - the Sherpa’s Golden Rule)

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), or as speculation plays (SPEC).  Short term recommendations are players who should help fantasy owners in the next few weeks (due to injuries, benchings, suspensions, favorable schedules, etc.) but who will probably drop in value again later in the season.  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 in the short run (barring injuries, benchings, suspensions, etc.) but may have value later this season or in future seasons (for those in Keeper leagues).

Quarterbacks

Matt Hasselbeck (LT), Jeff Garcia (LT), Ryan Fitzpatrick (LT), Rex Grossman (ST), Shaun Hill (SPEC), Kerry Collins (SPEC), Daunte Culpepper (SPEC), Drew Stanton (SPEC).

Running Backs

Michael Bush (SPEC), Dantrell Savage (SPEC), Ahman Green (SPEC), Jerome Harrison (SPEC).

Wide Receivers

Bobby Wade (LT), Bobby Engram (LT), Mark Bradley (SPEC), Mark Clayton (SPEC), Reggie Williams (SPEC), Brandon Stokley (SPEC), Steve Smith (SPEC), Shaun McDonald (SPEC), Jerry Porter (SPEC), Chris Henry (SPEC), Chansi Stuckey (SPEC), Amani Toomer (SPEC), Brandon Jones (SPEC), Malcom Floyd (SPEC), Justin Gage (SPEC), Koren Robinson (SPEC), Jerheme Urban (SPEC), Josh Morgan (SPEC), Jordy Nelson (SPEC).

Tight Ends

Alex Smith (LT), Todd Heap (LT), Robert Royal (SPEC), David Martin (SPEC), Desmond Clark (SPEC).

Kickers

Neil Rackers (LT), Jay Feely (LT), Ryan Longwell (LT), Nick Folk (LT), Garrett Hartley (LT), Dan Carpenter (SPEC), Joe Nedney (SPEC), Josh Brown (SPEC), Olindo Mare (SPEC), Jeff Reed (SPEC).

Defenses

Dallas (LT), Washington (SPEC), Cleveland (SPEC)

Until next time,

The Sherpa