The final preseason games are over. Most drafts are over. Final roster cuts are being made. More injuries have occurred. This seems like a good time to get our first look at the best waiver wire pick-ups of the preseason.
Every position and every team has had some interesting twists and turns over the preseason’s four games. So let’s go around the league and take a look at each team’s standouts and potential waiver fodder, plus Watch-list candidates.
–NFC North–
Chicago Bears:
Nobody in Bears camp this year has really flown under-the-radar enough to consider waiver wire grabs. As expected WRs Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu have snagged the #2 and #3 receiving slots. The IDP players are all as anticipated. The one potential question mark is that of much maligned TE, Greg Olsen. No one is as yet quite sure how he will fair in Mike Martz's offense, and there are rumors he could be traded. Keep in mind, Olsen has the skills to be a top 5 TE, so depending on how things play out he could be a huge sleeper this year. If you have room on your bench he could be a nice grab. Otherwise I would simply watch-list him for now.
Detroit Lions:
Much like the Bears, there were few standout surprises this summer. WR Nate Burleson has sewn up the #2 WR slot, and is still not getting much fantasy love on a team with a huge passing game. If you need depth at WR he's a strong waiver grab. Other than that, the Lions fantasy notables are all on the radar.
Green Bay Packers:
The Pack end the preseason with few surprises. The big camp battle was for the WR3 slot. It seems my sleeper pick, James Jones has won the gig, and is worth a late pick or bench slot. Don't discount Jordy Nelson yet though. Keep him on your watch list. Brandon Jackson is a definite handcuff to Ryan Grant who strikes me as fragile. For IDP players, the name to know is DB rookie Morgan Burnett.
Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings wasted no time today in trading away RB Darius Reynaud and back-up QB, Sage Rosenfels. Both were shipped to the New York Giant's today. I still think the Giants could turn around and trade Sage for Matt Leinart, but that's for another column. The area of interest with the Vikes is at wide receiver. The team signed former Raider/Packer and oft-injured Javon Walker, and though the stats show him looking good, he may not make the 53-man roster. He is clearly rusty. Meanwhile the team also picked up former Dolphin Greg Camarillo who has already make a connection with Brett Favre. Barring the team signing another receiver (say T.J. Houshmanzadeh) I believe Camarillo will beat out Greg Lewis for the WR3 slot. He has sure hands (he had 50 recptions with no drops, in 2009). He should be a worthwhile pick-up in PPR leagues.
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