Fantasy Football: Don't Waste Your Time on Texans' Ryan Moats

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Let another owner make the mistake of claiming Ryan Moats off of waivers. Sure, he had a monstrous day racking up 126 rushing yards and three TDs, but this is not a sign of things to come for the journeyman running back.

First, let's be logical: Do you really believe Moats will repeat this performance? An owner making the claim on Moats is making the claim a week too late. 

Not to say anyone should have seen this coming. Moats has shown flashes; a 59-yard run as a member of the Eagles in 2005 comes to mind. But Moats is what he is: a journeyman backup type.

Every year, a player will have a breakout-type game, he will be the hot waiver pickup, and he will never be heard from again. Moats is this year's version. Slaton is still the man there and was this week's victim of a coach sending a message. Moats performed well, but Coach Kubiak knows he needs Slaton if his team is to go anywhere.

The smart fantasy owner will use Moats as a smokescreen. Every other owner in your league will put a claim on him. Use that knowledge to your advantage. 

While everyone in my two leagues focuses on Moats, I will be scouring the wire for other talent.  

Remember, the claim will pass through all other owners first. As such, Moats will be run as Claim No. 1 by every other team, and you gain the advantage. This is a good time to pick up a top defensive matchup or a top kicker sitting on the wires.

For instance, one of my leagues is very shallow. It is a 12-team league, but you only have four bench spots and the waivers are where the action is at. 

Stephen Gostkowski was dropped Sunday morning, as he had a bye week. I will be taking advantage of that mistake. I will be buying low on Willie Parker, Donald Brown, and Maurice Morris hoping one of them will pan out. 

In my second league, which is much deeper, while other owners waste their time putting a claim on Moats, I will again be targetting Maurice Morris and buying low on high-end potential players like Kenny Britt and Dustin Keller.

Good luck!

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