Fantasy Football Waiver Worthy Week 10 Fallout: Ladell Betts and More

Let’s take a look at some players who are potentially on your waiver wire after Week 10 and determine if they are worth owning or not.

Beanie Wells —RB —Arizona Cardinals

His breakout has been a long time coming, rushing for 85 yards and a pair of touchdowns while adding two catches for 32 yards.  He still split carries, getting 16 rushes compared to Tim Hightower’s 10 (for 37 yards), but he’s finally getting fairly regular touches.  He’s had double-digit carries in four of the last five games, though the 16 mark is his career high.  Still, the more he becomes a fixture in the offense, the more usable he becomes.  While I wouldn’t recommend using him, outside of maybe FLEX formats, he is certainly worth stashing.  By the time the fantasy playoffs roll around, and he gets games against the Lions (Week 15) and Rams (Week 16), he could finally be the main back in Arizona. Verdict: Worth owning in all formats

Justin Forsett —RB —Seattle Seahawks

With Julius Jones out, Forsett ran rampant, picking up 123 yards and a touchdown (while adding five catches for 26 yards).  Even when Jones was active it was not like he was lighting up the stat sheet, failing to rush for more than 56 yards since Week Three (and only once over 36 yards).  Forsett has a chance to be the main back going forward, even when Jones returns from injury, which won’t be in Week 11 most likely.
Verdict: Worth owning in all formats

Donnie Avery —WR —St. Louis Rams

He’s the top receiver on his team, but what exactly does that say?  Yeah, he had a big day in Week 10 with two touchdowns, but to expect that from him very often would be a mistake.  Steven Jackson is the offense for that team, making everyone else a secondary (or tertiary) option.
Verdict: Only worth owning in the deepest of formats

Ladell Betts —RB —Washington Redskins

Clinton Portis will be the starter when healthy, but how long will that take to occur?  After seeing Brian Westbrook return from a concussion after sitting out two weeks, only to suffer another concussion, could cause the Redskins to be even more cautious.  He has also been hindered by injuries all year long, with the Redskins having nowhere to go currently sitting in last place of the NFC East.  It all adds up to Portis being out for at least another week, if not longer.
Verdict: Worth owning in all formats

Jason Avant —WR —Philadelphia Eagles

It was a huge game, with eight catches for 156 yards, but he’s the third receiver on his team, behind DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.  Heck, even Brent Celek gets more looks.  He was clearly the benefactor of a 55-attempt day for Donovan McNabb, something that is highly unlikely to be repeated.
Verdict: Don’t bother picking up

Jason Snelling —RB —Atlanta Falcons

The extent of Michael Turner’s injury is what will ultimately determine Snelling’s potential value.  At this point, it certainly appears that he is going to miss a few weeks (as evidenced by the signing of Aaron Stecker), meaning that putting in a claim for Snelling would certainly be an intelligent decision.  He may share carries with Jerious Norwood, but after getting 18 carries this past week, it would appear that it may be slanted in his favor.
Verdict: While not the best pick this week, he’s certainly worth grabbing if you are in need of a back

Robert Meachem —WR —New Orleans Saints

He had just one catch, though it did go for a touchdown, while picking up 71 yards between rushing and receiving.  Nice day, but there are just way too many weapons to even consider him.
Verdict: Not worth owning

Michael Bush —RB —Oakland Raiders

Does anyone actually know what is going on with this team?  He had a 55-yard game in Week One, but then had been between 10 and 37 yards up until Week 10 when he exploded for 119 yards.  Of course, that comes the week that Darren McFadden returns from injury.  Throw in the fact that they also have Justin Fargas in the mix, and you just can’t count on Bush getting consistent carries, let alone have another big day.
Verdict: Too much risk to own.

Bernard Scott - RB - Cincinnati Bengals

He had 13 carries replacing an injured Cedric Benson, showing that he would be the replacement option should Benson be forced to miss time.  With Benson’s injury said not to be serious, I’d much rather take a the gamble on some of the other options this week, especially since he managed just 2.5 yards per carry in Week 10.
Verdict: Don’t bother, considering the other backs available

What are your thoughts on these players?  Which would you grab?  Which would you avoid?

You can view some of our early Week 11 Rankings, such as:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers

This article is also featured on www.rotoprofessor.com/football