Working the Wire- Week 9
-Hoover26 November 3
As we round the halfway point of the season, coaches and fantasy owners alike are looking for someone to jumpstart their team just in time for the home stretch. On the surface, it may look difficult to find a diamond in the endless rough of free agency. But don’t worry, there’s gold in that there waiver wire, and these guys are ready to shine.
Jeremy Langford- 3.7% Owned
Taken in the fourth round of this year’s draft, the Bears former backup is being vaulted into the starting role after Matt Forte’s injury. Langford rushed for almost 3,000 yards in three seasons playing at Michigan State, and has scored a pair of touchdowns already this year. However, this will be the first time that we will see what Langford can do as an NFL feature back. With Jay Cutler struggling so far this year, the 2-5 Bears might lean a bit on Langford to produce big yards on big touches. If Langford can show that he deserves carries, he could be a fantasy breakout. I would take a chance on him, his outrageously low ownership percentage gives you an opportunity to grab him before he explodes.
DeAngelo Williams- 28.4% Owned
One of my favorite players, DeAngelo Williams is set to take back the lead role he had at the beginning of the year. First, it was due to Le’Veon Bell’s suspension, now it’s due to Bell’s injury. Williams rushed for 214 yards in the first two games of the season, and was in the top two in offensive snap percentage (footballoutsiders.com). When Bell came back, Williams took a back seat, but now that Bell has been added to the list of star running backs with major injuries, Williams looks to continue his great performance. We all know how great Williams can be. He rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2008 (and had twenty total touchdowns), despite sharing the Panthers backfield with then-rookie Jonathan Stewart. DeAngelo Williams is going to be a tremendous start for the remainder of the year, so adding him now might help push your team to the playoffs.
Kamar Aiken- 20.6% Owned
While Aiken might not have been the feature receiver in the Baltimore system, he certainly has shown plenty of upside. With Joe Flacco spreading the ball around (eleven players with at least ten targets), Aiken put up surprising numbers in the first half of the year. Now, with top receiver Steve Smith Sr. out for the year, Aiken takes over the role of lead dog. With the Ravens heading into a bye week, Aiken’s ownership percentage dropped 8.5% (espn.com). Personally, I can’t understand that. Joe Flacco is on pace for over 4,000 yards, and with no Steve Smith, he has to throw to somebody! Aiken has the talent and athleticism he needs to take advantage of the opportunity (4.45 forty, broke strength records at UCF). Adding Aiken is a great move, one that I would make as soon as possible.
Jacob Tamme- 5.8% Owned
On one of the most efficient teams in the NFL (footballoutsiders.com), with the best performing running back in the NFL (Devonta Freeman), tight end Jacob Tamme is the 6-2 Falcons hidden man. He had ten receptions for over a hundred yards and a touchdown last week against the Bucs. While Devonta Freeman was leading the league in rushing, and Julio Jones was leading the league in receiving yards, Tamme was sneakily acquiring 369 yards and a touchdown on 11.5 yards per reception. With Matt Ryan throwing the ball very well, and opposing defenses worried about Freeman and Jones, Tamme could fly under the radar and amass some good fantasy numbers. While it may be a risk to pick up Tamme, I say it’s a risk worth taking.
Kyle Rudolph- 15.5% Owned
The Vikings’ former Pro Bowl tight end has dealt with injuries in the past few seasons, and hasn’t had much fantasy success since his nine TDs in 2012. Finally, Rudolph is healthy, and ready to again be the red-zone target he was in the past. He has grabbed three touchdowns so far this year, and is using his 6’5” frame to bully defenders. Rudolph might once again be a touchdown machine, with Teddy Bridgewater gaining experience as an NFL quarterback. Rudolph’s floor might be lower than other waiver wire picks, but his ceiling is sky high.
Vernon Davis- 15.5% Owned
Vernon Davis started this season so slow, fantasy owners pretty much forgot he existed. However, he is now a newly minted Denver Bronco. With Peyton Manning’s history of great fantasy tight ends, Davis’ production should make a big jump as the new Denver starter. As far as the 29.1% of ESPN fantasy owners who have Owen Daniels go, their tight end’s already paltry performance is set to drop even more. Davis’ career has a shot to be revived by the tight end machine, Peyton Manning. He also has a chance to revive your fantasy team.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense- 24.7% Owned
The Steelers Defense was not very highly touted coming into this year, from a fantasy standpoint. However, Pittsburgh has greatly surpassed their expectations, as they are knocking on the door of the top ten (espn.com). They have passed the Cowboys, Texans and Bills defense in fantasy points (all three were in the top five defenses drafted), despite being 22nd on the list of highest drafted defenses. The Steelers look primed to continue their defensive play, and are a defense that anyone can plug and play for big points.
Jeremy Langford- 3.7% Owned
Taken in the fourth round of this year’s draft, the Bears former backup is being vaulted into the starting role after Matt Forte’s injury. Langford rushed for almost 3,000 yards in three seasons playing at Michigan State, and has scored a pair of touchdowns already this year. However, this will be the first time that we will see what Langford can do as an NFL feature back. With Jay Cutler struggling so far this year, the 2-5 Bears might lean a bit on Langford to produce big yards on big touches. If Langford can show that he deserves carries, he could be a fantasy breakout. I would take a chance on him, his outrageously low ownership percentage gives you an opportunity to grab him before he explodes.
DeAngelo Williams- 28.4% Owned
One of my favorite players, DeAngelo Williams is set to take back the lead role he had at the beginning of the year. First, it was due to Le’Veon Bell’s suspension, now it’s due to Bell’s injury. Williams rushed for 214 yards in the first two games of the season, and was in the top two in offensive snap percentage (footballoutsiders.com). When Bell came back, Williams took a back seat, but now that Bell has been added to the list of star running backs with major injuries, Williams looks to continue his great performance. We all know how great Williams can be. He rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2008 (and had twenty total touchdowns), despite sharing the Panthers backfield with then-rookie Jonathan Stewart. DeAngelo Williams is going to be a tremendous start for the remainder of the year, so adding him now might help push your team to the playoffs.
Kamar Aiken- 20.6% Owned
While Aiken might not have been the feature receiver in the Baltimore system, he certainly has shown plenty of upside. With Joe Flacco spreading the ball around (eleven players with at least ten targets), Aiken put up surprising numbers in the first half of the year. Now, with top receiver Steve Smith Sr. out for the year, Aiken takes over the role of lead dog. With the Ravens heading into a bye week, Aiken’s ownership percentage dropped 8.5% (espn.com). Personally, I can’t understand that. Joe Flacco is on pace for over 4,000 yards, and with no Steve Smith, he has to throw to somebody! Aiken has the talent and athleticism he needs to take advantage of the opportunity (4.45 forty, broke strength records at UCF). Adding Aiken is a great move, one that I would make as soon as possible.
Jacob Tamme- 5.8% Owned
On one of the most efficient teams in the NFL (footballoutsiders.com), with the best performing running back in the NFL (Devonta Freeman), tight end Jacob Tamme is the 6-2 Falcons hidden man. He had ten receptions for over a hundred yards and a touchdown last week against the Bucs. While Devonta Freeman was leading the league in rushing, and Julio Jones was leading the league in receiving yards, Tamme was sneakily acquiring 369 yards and a touchdown on 11.5 yards per reception. With Matt Ryan throwing the ball very well, and opposing defenses worried about Freeman and Jones, Tamme could fly under the radar and amass some good fantasy numbers. While it may be a risk to pick up Tamme, I say it’s a risk worth taking.
Kyle Rudolph- 15.5% Owned
The Vikings’ former Pro Bowl tight end has dealt with injuries in the past few seasons, and hasn’t had much fantasy success since his nine TDs in 2012. Finally, Rudolph is healthy, and ready to again be the red-zone target he was in the past. He has grabbed three touchdowns so far this year, and is using his 6’5” frame to bully defenders. Rudolph might once again be a touchdown machine, with Teddy Bridgewater gaining experience as an NFL quarterback. Rudolph’s floor might be lower than other waiver wire picks, but his ceiling is sky high.
Vernon Davis- 15.5% Owned
Vernon Davis started this season so slow, fantasy owners pretty much forgot he existed. However, he is now a newly minted Denver Bronco. With Peyton Manning’s history of great fantasy tight ends, Davis’ production should make a big jump as the new Denver starter. As far as the 29.1% of ESPN fantasy owners who have Owen Daniels go, their tight end’s already paltry performance is set to drop even more. Davis’ career has a shot to be revived by the tight end machine, Peyton Manning. He also has a chance to revive your fantasy team.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense- 24.7% Owned
The Steelers Defense was not very highly touted coming into this year, from a fantasy standpoint. However, Pittsburgh has greatly surpassed their expectations, as they are knocking on the door of the top ten (espn.com). They have passed the Cowboys, Texans and Bills defense in fantasy points (all three were in the top five defenses drafted), despite being 22nd on the list of highest drafted defenses. The Steelers look primed to continue their defensive play, and are a defense that anyone can plug and play for big points.