Working the Waiver Wire - Week 9

This week is difficult because there were some big performances from unowned players, but very few that I'm buying. There are only really four guys I can recommend adding now. The other adds would be very speculative.

1) Donald Brown (IND RB)
Brown is available in 2/3 of leagues. He carried the ball 15 times for 50 yards, and added 3 catches for 47 yards. Brown lost goal line carries to Javarris James and only averaged 3.3 yards per carry, so you may not be excited about putting Brown into your starting lineup. But a feature back on a top offense is at least worth owning. There's still no indication of when Joe Addai will return. Brown gets Cincinnati this week (who just gave up a huge game to Mendenhall), then New England (who just gave up a huge game to Peyton Hillis), and then San Diego (who just gave up a huge game to Arian Foster). Of course, Brown is not as talented as Mendenhall, Hillis, or Foster, but he could have great flex value in the next few weeks. 


2) Mike Goodson (CAR RB)
JStew suffered a concussion which could easily cost him this week's game. In replacement duty, Tyrell Sutton stepped in but also left with an injury. Finally, DeAngelo Williams may try to hurry back this week, though he still has not returned to practice. Thus, it is looking like the 4th string RB, Mike Goodson, will be the only healthy back to face Tampa Bay this week. You'd think at least one of these backs will return soon, but for a one week play, you good do a lot worse than Goodson against the Bucs. On Sunday, Goodson carried the ball 9 times for 29 yards, and added 3 catches for 18 yards.

3) James Jones (GB WR)
A week after a goose egg performance with a plethora of awful drops, James Jones stepped up big time against the Cowboys. The San Jose State alum had 8 catches for 123 yards and a very impressive TD catch. Jones' targets and snaps will be dependent on Donald Driver's injury so monitor Driver's health. But after this performance, Jones may have earned an increased role even if Driver is fully healthy. The Packers have a bye this week, but Jones makes for a high upside, albeit risky, pickup.

4) Nate Burleson (DET WR)
With Calvin Johnson stuck on "Revis Island," Burleson had 7 catches for 113 yards and a TD. It's hard to know what to make of this situation because there's been little consistency in the passing game. Burleson missed some time, and  Stafford missed most of the season, and now he's injured. Shaun Hill played well in Stafford's absence and should be healthy enough to fill in once again for Stafford this week against the Bills. Burleson has the talent to make an impact, and Megatron will continue to see all the coverage, opening things up for Burleson. I'd like to see another good game to ensure this wasn't a fluke before saying he's a must-add, but if you want to beat the rush, grab Burleson now.

These lottery tickets may be worth a look, but don't drop anyone good for them.

1) Javarris James (IND RB)
James could be picked up in deep leagues because he could get a crack at a few more goal line carries. James, Edgerin's cousin, converted two attempts for TDs against Philly. 

2) Seyi Ajirotutu (SD WR)
Wow. Phil Rivers could deliver fantasy goodness even with a pop warner team catching his passes. The Chargers' receiving corps is ravished with injuries, so Ajirotutu stepped up with 4 catches for 111 yards and a TD. Here's the problem: The Bolts have a bye this week, and then Gates should return, possibly with Malcolm Floyd, Buster Davis, and Legadu Naanee. Then Vincent Jackson returns in week twelve. So the best case scenario is that most of the injured receivers aren't ready by week eleven and Ajirotutu gets one more shot at significant targets. In other words, I'm not rushing to pick him up.

3) Jacoby Ford (OAK WR)
Ford won this incredible game for the Raiders. He ran back a TD on the very first play of the second half and added a bunch of critical receptions down the stretch. In the end, the rookie had 6 catches for 148 yards (and the return TD). Like Ajirotutu, however, Ford has a bye this week and then Louis Murphy and Zach Miller may be back. I'd probably rather have Ford because his receiving group isn't quite as crowded, or talented, so Ford could have earned himself a role in this offense for the rest of the season.

4) Bernard Berrian (MIN WR)
Berrian has been a non-factor all season. Berrian's chemistry with Brett Favre has been about as ugly as the pics Favre texted. But Berrian finally stepped up Sunday with 9 catches for 89 yards. This could be a turning point for Berrian, but I'm betting it was a fluke. Plus Sidney Rice should be back soon, at which point Berrian won't get the targets to be ownable.

Of course, if you're in one of the 25% of leagues where Aaron Hernandez or Jacob Tamme is still available, they should be your top priority this week. And not just if you're desperate for a TE. If you have a guy like Chris Cooley, I'd say you could drop him for Tamme, who's a legit top 5 TE the rest of the way.