As the season rolls on there are plenty of new faces each week in the ranks of running backs and wide receivers. Quarterbacks and tight ends are another story. The pickings are getting slim for anything but matchup based plays. There are a few left that should be able to help almost regardless of matchup, but move fast if you plan to grab them.
Week 8 Recommendations Results (Standard League Scoring) Quarterbacks:
· Jameis Winston TB – 16-32 180 yards 2 touchdowns 3 carries 16 yards 18 Fantasy Points
· Ryan Fitzpatrick NYJ – 16-34 228 yards 1 touchdown 4 carries 13 yards 16 Fantasy Points
· Alex Smith KC – 9-19 127 yards 1 touchdown 10 Fantasy Points
Week 8 Recommendations Results (Standard League Scoring) Tight Ends:
· Cameron Brate TB – 3 receptions 22 yards 1 touchdown 8 Fantasy Points
· C.J. Fiedorowicz HOU – 5 receptions 43 yards 1 touchdown 10 Fantasy Points
· (Stash) Ladarius Green PIT – Bye Week
Winston was a bit of a mess, but still put up 18 fantasy points. He bears watching but is worth a start in the right situation. The Jets rode Forte to victory and Fitzpatrick was kind enough to not turn the ball over. Leave Fitz out of lineups for the foreseeable future. The vicious Colts defense…I can’t finish that sentence. Either way, Alex Smith was knocked out of Sunday’s game before he could put up decent stats.
Brate saved his fantasy performance with a touchdown catch. Fiedorowicz continues to be productive to the point that he is nearly an every week starter at tight end. Ladarius Green is still an intriguing stash, especially since Roethlisberger is practicing this week.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Picks – Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill MIA 15.7% owned
Week nine will see the Jets bring their lackluster pass defense to South Beach. Jay Ajayi has been on a tear for the Dolphins, but the Jets are fairly adept at defending the run. That should leave Tannehill throwing a decent number of passes. At one time that was a scary thought with Darrelle Revis patrolling, but the ghost of Revis past is no match for pro receivers this year. The Dolphins should put up a crooked number on the Jets in this one and Tannehill will likely go over 20 fantasy points. The follow up game in week 10 features a Chargers defense that is also no good versus the pass. Grab Tannehill as a bye week fill in or two week starter.
The rest of the waiver wire picks
Josh McCown CLE 2.3% owned
The Browns have their starting quarterback in play once again and McCown enjoyed a big week against the Jets. The defense will be tougher when Dallas comes to town in week 9, but the Browns may have Corey Coleman back as well. With Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman, defenses will be left exposed often enough for McCown to do some damage. If he can stay healthy (he can’t by the way), then McCown is a nice sleeper qb ROS.
Don’t Bother
Tony Romo DAL 7.9% owned
The Cowboys coaching staff can blame conditioning for a week or two, but Romo is not getting his job back. Dak Prescott looks every bit the franchise quarterback and Romo may be done in Dallas. The only reason to stash Romo is in the hope that he gets traded to a team where he can start.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Picks – Tight End
Eric Ebron DET 28.3% owned
This pick is not a reflection of his immediate value. The Lions have a putrid matchup with the Vikings and then a bye. Ebron will be lucky to put up 4 points against that Vikes defense, so don’t start him right away. It is, however, a time that he is available in many leagues. Ebron has more appealing matchups down the stretch such as Jacksonville, New Orleans and Chicago. For teams struggling at tight end, he may be a solid answer soon.
Julius Thomas JAX 57.7% owned
Thomas is a bit above the 50 percent mark that I tend to shoot for, but he is out there in a lot of leagues. The Jaguars offense is not what it was last year, but garbage time scoring chances still abound. Thomas is a reliable red zone target and Bortles desperately needs to get on track. This may mean that he will play to the strengths of the passing game more with Robinson and Thomas playing larger roles. Grab Julius if he is on the wire in your league.
Double, Triple…Quadruple Down
C.J. Fiedorowicz HOU 13% owned
Although he won’t be playing next week, this is still a player that is criminally underowned. He has made at least 4 catches in every game from week 4 on. Along with that, he has scored touchdowns in 3 of the last 5 games and faces the Jags, Raiders and Chargers after the bye. Not to mention the fact that his opponents in the first two weeks of the fantasy football playoffs are the Colts and Jaguars. If you don’t have Gronkowski, Reed, Olsen etc or you do have a spot on your bench, go get this guy.
