Hot Garbage Waiver Wire (with Thinkers & Stinkers and Flex Luthor of Week 6!)

First BYE Week is in the books, and fantasy teams look to add depth to their respective championship benches. Zero in on the waiver wire targets that can help you win week to week, and look ahead to your fantasy playoffs...

 

HOT GARBAGE 

(I narrow the playing field so you don't have to sift through the wannabees...)

Andy Dalton/QB/CIN:YES, the Ginger Superman has arrived! He's put up solid numbers, and faces a KC defense in week 6 that made Curtis Painter look like Dan Marino. He has a week 7 bye, but faces Seattle and Tennessee in weeks 8/9, making for some tasty matchups. You could do worse if needy at the QB position.

Steve Breaston/WR/KC: Many will clamor for the breakout performance of Jackie Battle 19/119, but the Chiefs will play from behind this year. The Colts are a hot mess on defense, and Battle's numbers were inflated. When crunch time reared it's ugly head, the Chiefs had to throw. Going forward, Breaston has some upside in a pretty anemic offense that will likely play from behind most of the year, and his two TDs shows that he'll be targeted late.

Delone Carter/RB/INDY: With the hamstring injury to Joseph Addai, Carter has an opportunity to shine, even though the under performing Donald Brown appeared to show some life, Carter is the back to own in Indy.

Aaron Hernandez/TE/NE: Despite his battles with in-game aggrivation of injuries, I've been a long proponent of Hernandez being a trusted cog in the wheel of the high powered offense. While others rush furiously to the waiver wire for Deion Branch. Quietly make a play for Aaron Hernandez...you won't be sorry. FWIW, he outpaced Rob Gronkwoski in PPR leagues, 5/56 to 4/31.

 

COLD TRASH:

(These are mirage type players that are not likely to hold much value going forward...)

Ben Roethlisberger/QB/PITT: Big Ben exploded this week, & suprisingly not on the tramp stamp of some drunken co-ed. I mentioned last week that I thought his OL would get him decapitated, and nothing has changed. After a huge game this week.......now is the time to sell high.

Victor Cruz/WR/NYG:Is there a bigger B.S. play than the one Cruz bobbled late in the game vs SEA? While Manningham is sputtering, it's hard to trust this offense week to week in the passing game. Again, take advantage of inflated values off deep plays. You can get real PPR value for Cruz via trade, instead of just "Devery Henderson" type work. Make a move now and flip this G-Man. 

Deangelo Williams/RB/CAR: Aside from one big play against a historically bad run defense in New Orleans, DWill had a pedestrian day overall. Sell high on decidedly skewed numbers, on a team (CAR) that has to throw a ton week to week.

Joel Dreesen/TE/HOU: Take what the defense gives you. While the Raiders snatched a win with heavy hearts from the Houston Texans, some of you misguidedly ran to the WW to grab Joel Dreesen. Not so fast. Dreesen is benefiting from the "Andre Johnson Effect." Essentially, the loss of AJ for a few weeks puts the ball in hands of those who are not worthy. Owen Daniels is still a PPR stud, and a clearly trusted component in this offense. Avoid the short term temptation and look elsewhere.

 

Thinkers & Stinkers

Thinkers: Those of you who started the upstart SF defense. They quietly abused the TB offense, without much fanfare. Get a jump on this talented young defense while they are still available in your respective leagues.

Stinkers: Jim Caldwell. As my fellow mug, Ryan Forbes cited, the Colts offense got too conservative. Took the ball out of Curtis Painter's hands, allowed the Chiefs back into the game, and eventually cost them a win (much to the joy of fellow mug, Forbes). You sir, are no Tony Dungy.

Thinkers: Jim Harbaugh. The "New Car Smell" HC of the Niners has faith in Alex Smith, unlike many (myself included), and it paid off in spades. The NFC "Breast" upstarts are making hay out West, and solid play from Smith is a big reason. Our guy Forbes is a big believer in the trust of Smith, via Harbaugh. WTF not, right?

Stinkers: Those who believed in Bill Belichick and the burgeoning talent of Stevan Ridley. What have we learned, kids? Make little of your opportunities, (like Ridley) and Belichick will ride the hot hand, ie., BJGE. It's unfortunate, because the Jets come to play vs NE, but Benny Ellis is no bitch. He made the most of his reps.

 

"FLEX LUTHOR" Start of the Week 6

Tim Hightower/RB/WAS - Yeah, I know, I don't love the guy, but figuring out the Mike Shanihanigans backfield is like waiting for a move by Bobby Fischer. You're not quite sure, but you have to think one move ahead. My take? The Ryan Torain Train stalls in the station after the bye week. Hightower gets healthy, and is effective in the passing game, limiting Torain's effectiveness. The Philly defense is a sieve, so why not roll the dice on an effective 3rd down back after a week's rest?