You aren’t going to find many gems on the waiver wire nine weeks into the fantasy football season. However, a rare injury or bye week here and there could change a player’s fortunes. Some interesting things happened last week which finally put some players on the fantasy football radar. While some of these pickups are only good for a one-week band aid, some of these pickups could actually make a difference in the playoffs when you need an edge most. I have given you at least one stud every week, take a chance on one of these guys this week and cash in on Week 10.
[adinserter block=”1″]Josh Freeman – It all comes down to your needs here. If you have two reliable quarterbacks on your bench, keep on moving. If you need a spark at quarterback or maybe you have Matt Schaub on a bye this week, Freeman isn’t a bad play. Mark Sanchez and Matt Ryan have shown that it takes a few weeks for defenses get a grip on rookie quarterbacks. The Bucs also play the Miami Dolphins this week who give up over 25% more fantasy football points to quarterbacks than the NFL average. Finally, you will have some football teams looking past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Josh Freeman nay be able to take some teams off guard with an early lead. I don’t expect a Matt Ryan-like rookie season out of Freeman, yet he’s off to a great start.
Ladell Betts – Quite honestly, I am surprised that he is still available in all of my fantasy leagues. With Clinton Portis’ age and injury history, I think Portis owners did a bad job of handcuffing him. Well, their mistake is your gain. He is going to go fast (especially for owners with running backs on a bye week), but you have a shot at him. Portis’ status is still up in the air for this week. Yet, even if he plays he is going to be in a time share with Betts getting the majority of the work. Don’t let the Denver Broncos record fool you, they can be run on. Rashard Mendenhall exploited them on the right side all game on Monday Night Football. Pick up Betts and start him this week if you need some help at running back.
Steve Breaston – This is a recommendation for those of you in keeper leagues. The relationship between Anquan Boldin and the Arizona Cardinals hit rock bottom this week. Boldin was benched due to injury, yet claims he didn’t find out until he arrived at the stadium. Breaston had double digits this week in the Arizona Cardinals’ rout of the Chicago Bears. Boldin has one year left on his deal, and it is likely that the Cards will deal him in the off season. Breaston is a great player to stash away on your bench if you have room for next season, or hold on to him this year in case the Boldin situation continues to sour.
Jacoby Jones – Everyone expected Kevin Walter to step up due to Owen Daniels’ injury, yet it was Jacoby Jones that stepped up on Sunday. Matt Schaub looked more and more comfortable as the game went on with Jones. He only got four receptions, but there is a tremendous upside here in Jones. The Houston Texans and Matt Schaub are going to throw for almost 300 yards every week so Jones will get his chances. Teams will double Andre Johnson or look to defend Steve Slaton split out wide and leave Jones open. The Texans play some poor passing defenses coming up. I’d grab him if you have a spot and roll the dice if you are desperate for a flex play or second wide receiver.
[adinserter block=”2″]Brandon Pettigrew – Pettigrew had his first touchdown of the season this past weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. The Detroit Lions have a tremendous schedule for tight ends coming up. As a matter of a fact, they only play one team with negative numbers against tight ends throughout the rest of the season. The Lions play the Minnesota Vikings this weekend who are awful against tight ends. The following week, the Lions play the Cleveland Browns who give up almost 30% more points to tight ends than the average. If that isn’t convincing enough, check out the final three games of the Lions schedule. The Lions play Arizona in Week 14, San Francisco in Week 15, and Chicago in Week 16. Most fantasy football playoffs run Weeks 14 and 15. The Cardinals and the 49ers give up over 29% more fantasy points a piece to tight ends. Grab Pettigrew because if you don’t, you may get burnt by your opponent in the playoffs.
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