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Playing the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 9 is a dicey proposition. Luckily due to the rash of NFL injuries there are more starter options than usual on the wire. But finding starters for next week isn’t the only reason to play the wire. It is time to start looking ahead at some great pickups for your upcoming fantasy playoff run.

Over the next few weeks I will offer up some waiver wire picks to not only enhance your fantasy football lineup now, but give you a huge boost in the playoffs. There are some great matchups in Weeks 12-16 that you can capitalize on through the fantasy waiver wire. Last year’s Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson owners will tell you that your fantasy beasts in the regular season doesn’t always come out snarling when you need them most in the playoffs.

Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans – Fantasy stud Kenny Britt is expected to miss “extended time” according to the Titans which opens up plenty of opportunities for Nate Washington. I always loved Washington in Pittsburgh, yet unfortunately he has been overshadowed in Tennessee by Britt. Washington will stretch the field and will give some defensive backs nightmares in coming weeks. He has a bye this week but comes back with one of the best wide receiver schedules for the rest of the season. He will be playing the stretch against some of the worst passing defenses in football. He is a must grab and a must start beginning in Week 10.

Mario Manningham, New York Giants – Mario Manningham is the latest Giants wide receiver to get hot. Manningham comes off the bye and has a great stretch of games against poor passing defenses from Week 9-Week 14. The only problem with Giants wide receivers is that as fast as one can get hot, he can get cold due with the way Eli Manning spreads the ball around. Manningham has a touchdown in each of his last two games and double digits. I am always nervous about starting Giants receivers but the risk is worth the reward if you need help at wide receiver.

Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins – If you need a quarterback or have an open roster spot you need to grab Donovan McNabb. He was cut (and quickly picked up) in two of my leagues so I presume he may be available. Here is the deal on McNabb. Yes Mike Shanahan is losing confidence in him but McNabb will at least get another start or two. McNabb was pulled in Baltimore two seasons ago and responded by playing out of his mind for the rest of the season. Oh and his next game back is in two weeks at home against his old team on Monday night in front of a national television audience. FYI – McNabb’s next game after the Baltimore benching was a national game on Thursday night at home against the same Arizona Cardinals that went to the Super Bowl, and he played out of his mind scoring 4 touchdowns. I love a big bounce back game and some sweet matchups come playoff time.

Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints – I can’t believe how available in Week 8 that Lance Moore is. Like the Giants, the Saints spread the ball around so it is tough to rely week to week on any Saints receivers. However, for every dud that Lance Moore will give you he will give you another double digit week to make up for it. It is possible coming off the win over the Steelers that the Saints offense have turned things around. Reggie Bush is coming back which will open up opportunities for Moore. He has tremendous matchups against the Cowboys, Bengals, and Rams in the playoffs. If you need some help at receiver, you could do a lot worse than Lance Moore.

Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins – I recommend Ricky Williams for the future so keep that in mind. Ricky and the Dolphins have some tremendous matchups in the fantasy football championship weeks. The Dolphins are at home against the Bills in Week 15 and the Lions in Week 16 which is probably your title game. Ricky has been getting goal line opportunities and should get some decent opportunities in those weeks. The Dolphins will likely be playing for a playoff spot so expect the team to put their foot on the throats of the Bills and Lions in those weeks. Remember, I am not telling you to pick him up and play him now. But if you have the space, pick him up and stash him for the playoffs before someone else does.

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