Waiver Wire Pickups and The Dump List for Week 4

Pickups

David Nelson, WR, BUF – He should have been picked up already, but he hasn’t been in the vast majority of leagues. Let’s face it, he is the real deal. He will catch a lot of balls for owners in PPR leagues and in this suddenly explosive Bills offense, he will rack up plenty of yardage and TD’s too. GO GET HIM OFF WAIVERS RIGHT NOW.  After beating New England to sit alone at 3-0 atop the AFC East, people will not be dismissing the Bills as a fluke anymore.

Torrey Smith, WR, BAL – Smith caught his first three NFL passes early on in the first quarter. All of them were TDs.  What a breakout, complete surprise performance here from Smith.  He has to be owned in every league because he might just push past Lee Evans on the depth chart and the Ravens have been dying for a receiver to break out and take over games.  If they think Smith might be that guy, he will get a chance to prove it.

Stevan Ridley, RB, NE – Ridley was the most productive rusher for the Patriots in the shootout in Buffalo. He has 7 touches to BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ 9 and out rushed him 44 yards to 16. Let’s be realistic, at best we are hoping that the rookie gets moved into the rotation and helps to destroy the value of Law Firm and Woodhead. However if you have a bench spot open, go pick him up.  He is likely to touch the ball some more and if he remains more productive than Green-Ellis, he could become a viable flex play by the end of the year.

Nate Washington, WR, TEN – Who is going to step up and fill in for Britt now? Well, Washington has been with the team a bit and has  had some chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck this season. Washington is immediately the most fantasy-relevant player on the Titans and he is probably a decent flex play in PPR formats without Britt on the field.

Alfonso Smith, RB, ARI – I thought that Chester Taylor was going to get the work with Beanie Wells and LeRod Stephens-Howling out for this game on Sunday. I was wrong and it was Smith that saw the lion’s share of the carries.  It is a pretty safe bet that Wells misses some time again later this season and I would say that Smith will be the every down guy even if Stephens-Howling is active.

Victor Cruz, WR, NYG – Manningham is going to come back and he will get his #2 job back opposite Nicks. But the Giants are still thin at receiver and Cruz is likely to jump up and play in the slot now. I am not big on Manning and do not think Cruz will be overly successful at this point but if the Giants can keep on the right track, Cruz just may end up being a good bye-week plugin.

Dump List

Jacoby Jones, WR, HOU – Walter is back and Jones is banged up. He won’t be productive enough from #3 on the depth chart at receiver so you do not need to hold him any longer.

Deion Branch, WR, NE – I think we know what your going to get from Branch and that is a lot of bad games and few great ones.  Unfortunately, this makes him VERY scary to start any given week and really only allows him to post numbers on your bench.  If your in a 10-team league, go ahead and get someone else.

Carnell Williams, RB, STL – He ran well against the Ravens this week, but Steven Jackson came back and will take the lead role back.

Braylon Edwards, WR, SF – I am surprised to see that he is still owned in 40% of leagues. This should not be. The 9ers offense does not feature a vertical passing attack and has a mediocre at best QB. I expect Edwards to be slow to return from surgery and even when he is 100% he will not be overly productive with Alex Smith at QB.

Jerome Harrison, RB, DET – Best has been doing well and Maurice Morris seems to be the primary guy. Go get Ridley instead of holding Harrison another week.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, PIT – The Steelers offensive line is a mess and they were barely able to beat the Colts without Peyton Manning on Sunday night. Sanders has not been able to get much going this season and he definitely wont be able to be even remotely consistent this season.