The Fantasy Football 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

We finally come to the last of the bye weeks, and the last 4 teams have their byes Week 10: Cincinnati, Dallas (for whom the bye week couldn’t come at a better time), Tampa Bay, and Washington.  Unless you’re in a league that’s so competitive that team owners speculate on players with bye weeks, I’d avoid picking up anyone from any of these teams this week.

Here’s a list of players who are probably on a roster in your league and will need to be replaced because of the bye week if they’re in a starting lineup:

Quarterbacks

Jeff Garcia, Jason Campbell

Running Backs

Marion Barber, Earnest Graham, Clinton Portis

Wide Receivers

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, Antonio Bryant, Santana Moss

Tight Ends

Alex Smith, Chris Cooley (I’m assuming Jason Witten was already out of your starting lineup last week)

Kickers

Shayne Graham, Nick Folk, Steve Suisham

Defenses

Dallas, Tampa Bay, Washington

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

Sage Rosenfels (ST), Rex Grossman (ST), Shaun Hill (SPEC), Matt Hasselbeck (SPEC), Tyler Thigpen (SPEC), Joe Flacco (SPEC), Brady Quinn (SPEC), JaMarcus Russell (SPEC),

Running Backs

Jamaal Charles (LT), Ray Rice (LT), Kevin Smith (LT), Kevin Faulk (SPEC), Fred Jackson (SPEC),  Michael Bush (SPEC), Ahmad Bradshaw (SPEC), Lamont Jordan (SPEC), Kenny Watson (SPEC), Selvin Young (SPEC), Ryan Torain (SPEC)

Wide Receivers

Michael Jenkins (LT), Reggie Williams (ST), Rashied Davis (SPEC), Steve Smith (SPEC), Chansi Stuckey (SPEC), Demetrius Williams (SPEC), Shaun McDonald (SPEC), Mike Furrey (SPEC),

Tight Ends

Robert Royal (LT), David Martin (LT), Desmond Clark (ST), Dustin Keller (SPEC)

Kickers

Neil Rackers (LT), Mason Crosby (LT), Jay Feely (LT), John Kasay (LT), Dan Carpenter (SPEC), Joe Nedney (SPEC)

Defenses

Indianapolis (LT), NY Jets (LT)

Until next time,

The Sherpa