The Waiver Wire pickups from week 9 were good with Nate Burleson, but definitely lacked some depth with the poor offense of the Carolina Panthers in Brandon LaFell. When I look forward to week 10, I start to look down the stretch at the fantasy football playoffs and pick up those 1 or 2 players that will be the key to a championship. Here are the waiver wire pickups for week 10.
Waiver Wire: Mike Goodson - With DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Matt Moore and almost every other player banged up for the Panthers, Mike Goodson will be seeing all the carries that would have gone to the first two guys. He has 9 carries for 29 yards and caught 3 passes for 18 yards in the loss to the Saints, but if those top 2 guys are not healthy he is the man at the moment. Mike is more of a 3rd down back and on a horrible offense however he does face Arizona, Tampa and Seattle in the up coming weeks, all of which are in the top 5 for points allowed to RB.
Waiver Wire: Mike Thomas - The Jaguars will be facing one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL next week in Houston. If you saw what the Chargers did on Sunday versus the Texans, it will be no different when the Jaguars play them in week 10. Thomas caught 4 passes for 41 yards versus the Cowboys in week 8 and I see him as a very good WR replacement for potential byes in week 10.
Waiver Wire: Sidney Rice - Before the Cardinals game on Sunday, Sidney Rice was seen jogging around and testing out his surgically repaired hip. Even though reports say he is still a few weeks away from returning to action, I think this would be a very good time to go and pick him up for your playoff stretch run. If it’s any consolation, Rice caught 4 TD in the last 4 weeks of the regular season last year and at this point you could do a lot worse with Brett Favre as your quarterback.
Waiver Wire Watch: Stephen McGee/Tony Pike -
To say Jon Kitna has had a rough start to his 2010 season since Tony Romo went down with an injury is a serious understatement. In case you were wondering who the quarterback behind Kitna is, it’s 4th round pick out of Texas A&M, Stephen McGee. He has yet to throw a single pass in his NFL career, but definitely could be of some fantasy relevance down the stretch if Wade Phillips decides to completely throw in the towel and go with the youth movement.
When it comes to the Carolina Panthers, I usually wouldn’t tell you to pick up anyone, but today it seems I am telling you to pick up two members of that team. With Matt Moore sidelined with his 3rd injury of the year and Jimmy Clausen looking desperately lost every week on the field, it seems like time to go with the former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike. Coach John Fox is in the last year of his deal and will be desperate to find wins down the stretch; so, do not be shocked if he benches Moore and Clausen and like Wade Phillips, goes with the youth movement.
Waiver Wire Replacement Players [Return Yards League]:
Larod Stephens-Howling- With Chris “Beanie” Wells hobbled at the moment with a knee injury and Tim Hightower taking the role of the fumble monster; LSH seems to be the player most in need for touches for Whisenhunt.
Stefan Logan- Logan was recently named NFC special teams player of the month, and is a good option for fantasy owners in this spot because the Lions give up points and put Logan in a good position to rack up return yards.
Brad Smith- The wildcat extraordinaire for the New York Jets; Smith is a good option because of his mild workload in the offense mixed with his special teams return yards. Smith has surpassed the 100-yard mark three times this year and proves to be a solid weapon for the Jets,
Leon Washington- Speaking of the Jets, Leon Washington [former Jet], who has been the special teams guru for the Seahawks all season is a great option in fantasy need because of his flexibility all over the field. Washington is currently the kick and punt returner for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks and he has recently said that will not change.
Michael Spurlock- I know, I know, it’s a week to late; but still Michael Spurlock is a good kick return option, but do not expect the madness he gave us in week 9.
Waiver Wire updates we Sent Out Yesterday to Our Subscribers During the Games
Jacoby Ford (WR) had a 94-yard kickoff return TD and caught six passes for 148 yards. Ford could emerge as the Raiders' top receiver after the Week 10 bye.
James Jones (WR) is tearing up the Dallas secondary and has 8 catches for for 123 yards and a TD. After this performance I don't see Donald Driver starting again for the Green Bay packers.
Willis McGahee (RB) has now scored a TD in four straight games. If you need a RB for a bye week look no further he might be your best option if the waiver wire is thin. Fred Jackson also has a nice matchup next week against Detroit. Post your waiver wire options in the forum for further bye week help.
