Four Interesting Waiver Wire Pickups for Week Six
By Bruce Matson
Four Interesting Waiver Wire Pickups for Week Six
Oct 11, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws the ball in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
In most leagues the initial waiver wire run for the week has already taken place. If you missed out on the player that you wanted and you still need to plug a hole on your team, then you are in a difficult position of filtering through the “scraps” on the waiver wire. I’m going to pick a not-so obvious player from each position that you can consider picking up this week. These players will more than likely be on your waiver wire and will have a chance to produce some fantasy points this week for your team. If for some reason the player isn’t on waivers for you to pick up, then you can contact me on Twitter @bmatz08 and I can help with your selections!
Next: Which quarterback should you pick up off waivers?
Oct 11, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) drops to throw a pass during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars (Sun 1:00 PM vs Houston Texans)
Bortles is passing for 260-yards per game and he’s passing for an average of two touchdowns per game. He is getting about two fantasy points a week rushing. Even though he is ranked eighth in the league in passing yards, he is more than likely free to grab off your waiver wire. The long-time stigma of Jacksonville having multiple losing seasons seeped into their player’s fantasy value. The thing we need to take into consideration is that Bortles is developing and he’s in a good position to be a reliable contributor in fantasy.
Houston’s defense is allowing 233 yards per game while defending the pass. Their defense isn’t weak, but they are capable of allowing fantasy production. Bortles has two young talented wide receivers to throw to in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Robinson is a big, physical receiver who is tough to match up against.
Bortles is capable of providing decent fantasy production this week. I can see him passing for around 250 yards and a couple touchdowns. He has an elevated floor with his rushing ability, and his passing volume (38 attempts a game) is enough limit the risk of him becoming a bust.
Next: Which running back should you pick up off waivers?
Oct 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs for extra yardage after making a reception against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Detroit, 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back
Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions (Sun 1:00 PM vs. Chicago Bears)
He’s not on the radar of a lot of fantasy owners as he is owned in only 22 percent of Yahoo leagues. He’s not a safe play, but there’s never a “safe” play on the waiver wire this late in the week. We have to take what’s given to us. Riddick earns his money with his receiving abilities. He is averaging six receptions a game and he’s currently ranking third on the team in targets with 36. He’s been consistent as he’s been utilized as a receiving threat every game this season. The coaching staff is increasing their confidence in him by giving him more opportunities each week.
The Bears are one of the top teams in the league against the pass allowing just 185.8 yards per game. The Bears were behind in a few games causing the opposition to do away with the pass which skews this stat-line. Riddick will be able to get open against this defense, and he’s going to be used as a check down option.
Opportunities could dissipate if Detroit builds up a large lead early in the game. Game-flow could cause the Lions to run the ball, which could kill any chances of him being a decent fantasy option. That means he’s not 100 percent bullet proof. Still, this late in the week you have to take what you can get. That means you have to take chances.
Next: Which wide receiver should you snag off the waiver wire?
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) makes a catch as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Kenneth Acker (20) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The play was later recalled for a penalty. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receiver
Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals (Sun 1:00 PM vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
Floyd is off to a dismal start to the season with only eight catches for 104 yards. He hasn’t been involved much in the passing game considering that he has only been targeted 17 times. He’s still very talented and he has the ability to produce when given the opportunity. He’s only owned in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues because most owners have given up on him. His production is going to come sporadically. There’s not enough targets to go around in Arizona, but Floyd is good enough to blow up on a limited amount of targets. He’s far from a safe play. Players that are plucked off waivers late in the week are generally not a lock to blow up for your fantasy team. If that were the case they would have been picked up during the first round of waivers during the beginning of the week.
Previously, I mentioned that Floyd’s production is going to come sporadically, meaning we have to guess correctly on his match ups in order for us to maximize his fantasy value. This is easier said than done. Pittsburgh is a good match up for Floyd. They have allowed on average 274 yards passing a game. Pittsburgh’s defense is going to be hyper-focused on shutting down Larry Fitzgerald, which could open some match up opportunities for Floyd. There’s a chance that Floyd could hit this week for a couple catches and a touchdown.
Next: Which Tight End should you pick up off of Waivers?
Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gilmore (80) cannot catch the ball in the end zone in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Tight End
Crockett Gilmore, Baltimore Ravens (Sun 4:25 PM vs. San Francisco 49ers)
More than likely if he was owned in your league he was dropped. He is only owned in 10% of Yahoo leagues. There’s a very good chance that he’s going to be back this week, so make sure to double check his status before putting him in your lineup. During the first three weeks of the season, he caught ten passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
The 49ers don’t present a glorious match up for Gilmore. The thing that makes him really appealing is that he doesn’t have much competition for targets and Joe Flacco has built a rapport with him. He’s going to get targets if he’s playing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a couple catches and a touchdown against the 49ers.
Reach out to me on Twitter @bmatz08 for free 24/7 fantasy advice.