Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Wonders
Once again the NFL amazed in the first week of the 2014 season. All the talk and analyzing was thrown out the window as teams like Buffalo, Tennessee, and Miami all scored upset wins and made the experts look like the rest of us. One thing that isn’t getting as much attention as needed is the amount of serious injuries that occurred this week. As fantasy owners, we all fear the injury, but if your team survived, you can now find some real potential out on the waiver wire. On a weekly basis I will be offering fantasy players “Waiver Wire Wonders.” So without adieu, here is your week one version.
QB – Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
The QB looked solid in one of the NFL’s hardest places to play, Kansas City. He threw for 266 yards, two touchdowns, and ran six times for 14 yards. Locker looked like a confident, healthy player and may finally unlock that potential he showed last year before going down. Locker should be locked into two quarterback lineups and worth a strong look in 12 team leagues this week against the Cowboys.
RB – Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens
After Ray Rice’s release, Forsett should be added for all Rice owners as he looks to be the new starting running back for the Ravens. After Bernard Pierce’s early exit because of a fumble, Forsett looked good, slicing thought the Bengals defense to the tune of 70 yards (on just 11 carries) and a TD while also catching 5 passes for 14 yards. Forsett has never been a feature guy and is 29 years old, but he’s playing a Steelers team that got carved up by two rookies in week one. His outlook for the year is looking strong.
RB – James Starks, Green Bay Packers
Eddie Lacy owners are nervous, the first week saw two things you don’t want to see out of your RB1, ineffectiveness and an injury (concussion). It was hard for any one to look good against that Seattle team, but I liked what James Starks did. If Lacy is ruled out this week, then Starks is worth an add as a temporary fill in. If you’re a Lacy owner, he should already be on your bench.
WR – Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland Browns
Yes the pint-sized one, but you can’t look past the volume he received against the Steelers. Hawkins was targeted 10 times bringing in eight of them for 87 yards. If you’re in a PPR league, Hawkins is work an add, especially if Jordan Cameron misses any time. And don’t fear the potential return of Josh Gordon. His relentless draw of double teams will only give Hawkins favorable 1:1 match-ups and open field to work with. The Browns play the Saints in week two and will likely be playing catch up most of the game; all signs point up for the Bengal.
WR – Brian Quick, St. Louis Rams
It’s very hard to trust the Rams offensive players, but Quick was the lone bright spot for the team on Sunday. He also was their best receiver catching seven of his nine targets for 99 yards. The Rams will probably be playing catchup most of the season, which will only encourage the passing game, so Quick could become a nice PPR add.
TE – Niles Paul, Washington Redskins
Here is another add because of injury. After Jordan Reed went out with a hamstring injury, Paul turned in a career day catching four passes for 86 yards. I would say that if for some reason Jordan Reed was your starting tight end, Paul is worth a look as a waiver wire against the Eagles in week two. Don’t forget, former Bengals coordinator Jay Gruden is the pass-happy type and not one to veer away from his plans. Even when the situation calls for a run, this young head coach will stick to attacking opposing defenses through the air; all good news for the Redskins’ receiving options.
Check StripeHype.com every week for your fantasy Wavier Wire Wonders.