Waiver Wire Pickups and The Dump List for Week 9

Pickups

LeGarrette Blount, RB, TB – Blount had a big game this week with a soft match up against the Cardinals.  The Cards made a change at QB midway through the game and they were actually able to achieve some offensive production.  I liked Blount a lot in this game considering how inept the Cardinals offense has been over the past few weeks.  This game ended up being close, but by adding a dynamic running game to the mix, the Buccs were able to get a well-deserved win.  Look for Blount to stay the feature back for Tampa Bay and develop into a great RB 2 option.

Kevin Smith, RB, DET – Jahvid Best burst onto the scene at the very beginning of the regular season and since week 2 he has been average at best.  This past week Smith and Best split carries evenly (12 a piece)  Smith’s stock is rising.  Due to his increased involvement in the passing game and break away speed, I would rather own Best than Smith… but that will change soon given how long it has been since Best has found the end zone.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, OAK – The Raiders have been a surprise team this year so far.  Their biggest area of concern is at the WR position.  They really need someone to step up and prove to be a consistent threat (other than Zach Miller).  We can’t just assume Heyward-Bey is that guy after one game, but given his ability to make plays in a variety of ways (including a 30 yard run) he is the only WR on that team worth owning… just in case.

Nate Washington, WR, TEN – It is not yet known if Britt will miss any time yet, but since non-contact injuries have a tendency to cause a player to miss a few weeks (see Malcom Floyd) someone will need to pick up the slack at the WR position in Tennessee. This is def a double-edged sword though with Vince Young also leaving the game with an ankle injury, but Kerry Collins is one of the best backup QBs in the NFL and will keep the Titans offense afloat.

Mike Sims-Walker, WR, JAC - I wouldn’t go get him, but with how well David Garrard played this week… if you are in a deep format or are just simply a believer in Garrard, MSW and the Jaguars… then holding this receiver on your bench for a couple weeks to see if he rebounds isn’t a terrible idea.

Keiland Williams, RB, WAS – This is a very deep league suggestion only, given that Portis will be back before long and the RB situation in Washington will be a complete mess.  Williams is slowly finding his way into the Skins’ offense and is getting touches that we all thought where reserved for Torain.  Given how seemingly random the carries get shared under Mike Shanahan all three guys are own-able (in 14+ team leagues) until one of the backs in Washington wins over the coach.  My guess is Portis though.

Brandon Tate, WR, NE – After the emergence of Deion Branch in his first game back with the Patriots, it is very likely that whoever grabbed Tate bailed and re-released him.  This was a mistake!  If this happened in your league go grab him.  He has a gorgeous long TD catch this past week where he extended his route down the field and got open for Brady, who was under pressure.  Plays like this make a QB fall in love with their WR pretty quickly and the Pats need a deep threat.

Dump List

Tim Hightower, RB, ARI – With the Cardinals able to move the ball effectively this week and putting up 35 points, it was surprising to see Hightower get only two total touches.  LaRod Stephens-Howling was a surprise to take the 2nd most touches… but since it was only four you can’t add him yet.

Marion Barber, RB, DAL - With the Cowboys running game being entirely ineffective so far this season and Felix Jones being a dynamic player, I see no reason to hold onto Barber any longer.  He will be at best a goal line back the rest of the year and with Kitna at QB his chances from the one will be limited.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR – He has been really disappointing in his #2 role so far this year.  With DeAngelo Williams missing last week due to injury it was expected that Stewart would perform admirably in his absence… but that was incorrect.  He had 14 carries and only 30 yards rushing in a very disappointing outing. If he can’t produce as a lead back against the Rams… why would you bother to trust him when he returns to his #2 spot on the depth chart? Once we know Williams is back you can drop Stewart.

Patrick Crayton, WR, SF - He had a bad day this week in a good win for the Chargers who are trying to claw their way back into playoff contention.  With Vincent Jackson coming back soon and Malcom Floyd and Legadu Naanee coming back from injury soon, just bail on Crayton now.

Chris Ivory, RB, NO - Thomas and Bush are due to return this week, barring any setbacks in their recovery.  After a bad game statistically, in a tough win last night, Ivory is not worth a roster spot any more.

Ladell Betts, RB, NO - See Chris Ivory.

Eddie Royal, WR, DEN – Fantasy owners might not realize this given the numbers that Orton and Lloyd have been putting up… but the Broncos suck. After dropping to the 9ers in England this week the Broncos are now 2-6.  With the yearly Chargers resurgence in November and December the Broncos have eliminated themselves from the playoff race already and it is only a matter of time before the young-guns are allowed to take over.  Enter Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas.

Roy Williams, WR, DAL – Did you guys hear? Roy Williams isn’t that good!  After being one of the receivers that let a pass deflect off his hands and get intercepted this past week, it is apparent that he won’t be developing any trust with Kitna soon.  While Kitna may be an adequate back up… he will not be able to keep three receivers alive for fantasy owners.