Well at least the bye weeks are over. Everyone is back to full rosters for the duration and pickings are slim on the waiver wire at this point. If you’re still looking for an upgrade or too for the stretch run, I’ve listed a few players owned in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues that could help.
QB:
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Carson Palmer AZ (38%): It pains me to type this because I’ve been anti-Palmer ever since the Raiders got fleeced by the Bengals for a 1st & 2nd round pick, but the guy is playing good football right now. The Cardinals have no shortage of weapons on offense (Fitz, Floyd, Ellington, Housler) and Palmer is actually doing a decent job getting them the ball. I don’t know how long it’s going to last, frankly I can’t believe it’s even happening, but you might as well ride it while he’s hot. Just don’t cry to me when he turns back into a pumpkin.
Max FAAB: $10
Jay Cutler CHI (32%): He’s out for one more week, but once he comes back three of his last four match-ups are favorable (Dal, Phi, GB). As a team the Bears are struggling, but their offense has been solid lately (424 yards last week) and Cutler will have the job back as soon as he’s healthy enough.
Max FAAB: $5
RB:
Montee Ball DEN (50%): Knowshon Moreno left Foxboro on crutches Sunday night, so it’s possible Ball might have a stint as the #1 back in Denver’s high-powered offense. The chance alone is worth most of your remaining waiver cash.
Max FAAB: $25
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Dennis Johnson HOU (11%): Johnson took over for Ben Tate last week after Tate could only get 1 yard on 7 carries. Johnson did much better with 87 total yards on 15 touches. The Texans claim that Tate is still the guy, but they didn’t wait long to put in Johnson last week and with their season already in the crapper, it makes sense to see what they have in Johnson.
Max FAAB: $15
Brandon Bolden NE (6%): With both Ridley & Blount fumbling in the first half Sunday night, Bolden took over as the Pats primary running back the rest of the way. With Vereen more of a receiver than running back and Belichick notorious for benching fumblers, Bolden has a good shot to get 15-20 carries the next couple games.
Max FAAB: $15
Donald Brown IND (41%): Hopefully someone in your league dropped Brown out of frustration after his 1 carry last week. If so, pick him up. The Colts fell behind 27-3 in the first half last week, so the running game got scratched early on. The week before Brown out-carried T-Rich almost 2-1 and I think that will be the case the rest of year.
Max FAAB: $10
Bennie Cunningham STL (5%): With Zac Stacy possibly out with a concussion, Cunningham could be the Rams #1 RB next week. Cunningham gashed the Bears for 109 yards on only 13 carries last week and is averaging 6 YPC for the season. If Stacy is cleared to play, then Cunningham probably isn’t worth a roster spot so monitor Stacy’s health closely.
Max FAAB: $10