Filling in this week for the column makes me feel like I am the #1 Waiver Add amongst the www.FakePigskin.com staff. All kidding aside, these are some guys you should be paying extra attention to. Do not forgot Atlanta and Miami have byes for Week 6 – be sure to adjust your rosters accordingly.
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Quarterbacks
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MUST ADD
Geno Smith, New York Jets
Owned in 5.0% of ESPN Leagues
Week 5 Stats: 199 Passing Yards, 3 TD’s/0 INT’s
Two of the last three weeks have produced 24 and 21 point efforts, for the rapidly improving rookie. A 147.7 QB Rating on Monday Night Football, on the road no less, is not a fluke.
Brandon Weeden, Cleveland Browns
Owned in 1.1% of ESPN Leagues
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Week 5 Stats: 197 Passing Yards, 1 TD/0 INT’s
With Brian Hoyer out for the season after suffering a knee injury, Weeden regains the starters role in Cleveland. Do not forget: he is only 1 year removed from being a First Round pick, and he has Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron to throw to.
AVOID
Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Things are a mess in Florida right now, and Glennon has been thrown into the fire. Will learn on the job the rest of the way, but you do not need to be around for the growing pains.
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
The only way Foles will be on the field is if Michael Vick gets hurt. While that may be a good possibility, it is not worth a roster spot for someone who will not start.
Running Backs
MUST ADD
Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
Owned in 4.0% of ESPN Leagues
Week 5 Stats: 52 Rushing Yards, 4 Receptions for 31 Yards
The tide is turning in the desert. Ellington had the same number of snaps (30) as incumbent starter Rashard Mendenhall. Look for that trend to continue to increase in Ellington’s favor.
Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams
Owned in 1.2% of ESPN Leagues
Week 5 Stats: 78 Rushing Yards
While it may be a four man running back committee in St. Louis, Stacy might get the Rams share of the load moving forward. In his first extensive playing time, the rookie showed he can move the chains. I expect he will get more opportunities to test his consistency.
AVOID
Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns
As long as Willis McGahee is healthy and active, Ogbon’s role will continue to be diminished. Cleveland will continue to pass, but the Browns back has limited value at this point.
Chris Polk, Philadelphia Eagles
Garbage time can be deceiving, and do not be fooled by his minutes from Week 5. He remains as the third RB on the Eagles depth chart, and should remain off your roster.
Wide Receivers
MUST ADD
Austin Pettis, St. Louis Rams
Owned in 1.2% of ESPN Leagues
Week 5 Stats: 4 Receptions for 49 Yards, 2 TD’s
While the bigger names (Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, and Jared Cook) get your attention, Pettis continues to get Sam Bradford’s. He is quickly becoming the QB’s favorite target for a team capable of moving the ball and scoring.
Jerome Simpson, Minnesota Vikings
Owned in 4.3% of ESPN Leagues
Week 5 Stats: Bye
Out of 4 games played this season, Simpson has twice gone for 7 receptions in a game. Once for 140 yards receiving, and the other for 124 yards. That kind of production should not be available on Waivers. Not to mention, he has done it with two different QB’s.
AVOID
Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers
Currently losing out to veteran Ted Ginn for targets, and losing some of the appeal that made him a sleeper in recent years.
Austin Collie, New England Patriots
The wily veteran was brought into New England because every WR on the roster has an injury. However, they are not serious enough to limit playing time and Collie will not do much for you.
Tight Ends
MUST ADD
Garrett Graham, Houston Texans
Owned in 3.4% of ESPN Leagues
Week 5 Stats: 3 Receptions for 15 Yards
Matt Schaub is having all kinds of problems this season, but one thing remains: He likes to find his Tight Ends. With the news of Owen Daniels being out ‘several’ weeks with a fibula injury, Graham has tremendous appeal from this point forward.
Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders
Owned in 0.6% of ESPN Leagues
Week 5 Stats: 1 Reception for 5 Yards
No, this past week did not produce the kind of results I believe Rivera is capable of. He is however a breakout waiting to happen. He should continue to develop with QB Terrell Pryor and it is only a matter of time before it becomes consistent.
AVOID
Rob Housler, Arizona Cardinals
A pre-season favorite of many, Housler got off to a slow start with an ankle injury. Now healthier, and back on the field, he has remained cold due to the poor performance of Carson Palmer. Do not expect that to change anytime soon.
Zach Sudfeld, New York Jets
As much as I would love to see the Patriots get a taste of their own medicine (former Jets having success with Patriots), I do not think Sudfeld will amount to much in New York. Currently 4th on the teams TE depth chart, he has a big hill to climb to get onto the field.
Streamin’ Defenses
New York Jets (vs PIT)
Philadelphia Eagles (@ TB)
Oakland Raiders (@ KC)
Detroit Lions (@ CLE)
* While writing this, news of Julio Jones was learned. Harry Douglas is a good pick up, but not may available in your league. Drew Davis is a name to check out from the other Atlanta Wide Receivers.
* David Wilson will also miss the Thursday night game for the Giants. Although no starter has been named yet, look for newly re-signed Da’Rell Scott to get the call.
If you have any players you think should be mentioned, feel free to leave them in the comment section. Also, be sure to check out my weekly column “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda” every Wednesday on the www.FakePigskin.com. If you are on Twitter, add me @PeoplezPen. Good Luck in your leagues this week!
