2008 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Award (RBs, TEs, DEFs)

In the first part of the waiver wire recap, we looked at the top quarterbacks, wide receivers and kickers that were plucked out of free agency by astute fantasy owners.

In this second part, we’re going to take a look at the top running backs, tight ends and defenses that helped fantasy owners win their leagues this 2008 season.

Without further ado here, is the second part of the waiver wire recap.

--------------------

RUNNING BACKS

DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers)

Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams was drafted in many leagues, but in the first four games of the season, he rushed for a combined 201 yards and had no touchdowns.

With rookie Jonathan Stewart sharing carries with him, Williams was then dropped by many fantasy owners into the free agency pool.

In week five, Williams broke out for 132 yards and two touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs. It appeared a fluke at first as he gained just 27 yards the following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But, Williams went on to record double-digit fantasy performances in the final 10 games of the season and had two four-touchdown games. Williams finished the season with 273 attempts for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns.

--------------------

Steve Slaton (Houston Texans)

Despite a prolific college career at West Virginia, Houston Texans rookie Steve Slaton was one of the less heralded running backs in the NFL Draft.

He was considered too small, but the Texans took him knowing he would be a perfect fit in their offense as Slaton ran behind similar zone-blocking schemes as a Mountaineer.

Slaton managed just 43 yards in the first week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but then busted out for 242 yards and three touchdowns the next three weeks against the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.

Slaton recorded 11 double-digit fantasy performances on the season and had four 100-yard games in the final seven weeks.

He finished the season with 1,282 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 268 attempts. He also had 50 receptions for 377 yards and a touchdown.

--------------------

Kevin Smith (Detroit Lions)

Detroit Lions rookie Kevin Smith was drafted in some leagues because he was considered to be the team’s only option at running back. The team brought in Rudi Johnson, but he had just 76 attempts on the season.

Smith was the only guy at running back for the Lions and played well after some early season struggles. In the team’s first five games, Smith averaged just 8.4 attempts a game.

Once he started getting regular carries, he began to flourish. He finished with nine double-digit fantasy performances, including three straight to finish out the season.

Overall, Smith rushed for 976 yards and eight touchdowns on 238 attempts. He also caught 39 passes for 286 yards.

--------------------

Le’Ron McClain (Baltimore Ravens)

Willis McGahee was the Baltimore Ravens running back that was drafted in every fantasy league, but it was Le’Ron McClain who led the team in rushing.

McGahee battled injuries and inconsistent play throughout most of the season, opening the door for McClain.

McClain opened the season with four consecutive double-digit performances, including a two-touchdown game against the Cleveland Browns in week three. McClain only had one 100-yard game, but that didn’t matter with the way he scored touchdowns.

He had eight games with at least one touchdown, four of them coming in the final six weeks. Overall, McClain finished the season with 902 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 232 carries. He added 19 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown.

--------------------

Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints)

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas started the season buried on the depth chart behind Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker.

Injuries to all three of those backs allowed Thomas to take over in week 11 against Kansas City.

In that game against the Chiefs, Thomas rushed 16 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, starting a streak of strong games to finish out the season.

Following that game, he had five more double-digit fantasy performances before being held out in week 17 because of injury.

Thomas finished with 625 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 129 attempts and also had 31 catches for 284 yards and three touchdowns.

--------------------

TIGHT ENDS

Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings)

In a year in which not many tight ends scored a lot of fantasy points, finding the right one outside the draft proved difficult. However, Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe was that player.

Shiancoe never caught more than seven passes in a game and only broke 100 yards once, but with seven touchdowns, he was a top five tight end.

In week 16, when most leagues were finishing their championship rounds, Shiancoe caught seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the season with 42 receptions for 596 yards and seven touchdowns.

--------------------

John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks)

Seattle Seahawks rookie John Carlson was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise bad team.

Carlson was known more as a blocking tight end coming into the league but established himself as a good pass-catcher as well as he opened the season with 10 receptions for 130 yards in the first two weeks.

Carlson only broke 100 yards once, but he scored three touchdowns in the final six weeks. He ended the season with 55 receptions for 627 yards and five touchdowns.

--------------------

Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins)

Miami Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano came to the team in a trade from the Dallas Cowboys, where he was stuck behind All-Pro Jason Witten.

Finally given the chance to play regularly, Fasano rose to the occasion. He opened the season with eight catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in the first week against the New York Jets.

He never broke 100 yards in a game, but he had four touchdowns in the final four weeks of the season. He finished with 34 receptions for 454 yards and seven touchdowns.

--------------------

DEFENSES

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts defense struggled without safety Bob Sanders in the lineup but started playing well upon his return.

The Colts finished the season ranked seventh in points allowed, 11th in total yards allowed, sixth in passing yards allowed and 24th in rushing yards allowed.

What also stuck out about the Indianapolis defense was how well it played down the stretch. In the final five weeks, the Colts forced five interceptions, recovered four fumbles and had two defensive touchdowns in recording four double-digit fantasy performances.  

--------------------

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins defense wasn’t considered as a fantasy option entering this season, especially after trading away their best player in defensive end Jason Taylor.

But new head coach Tony Sparano had this unit ready to go this season, and it was led by linebacker Joey Porter. Porter had an incredible season as he racked up 18 sacks.

The Dolphins had six double-digit fantasy performances and ended the season ranked ninth in points allowed, 15th in total yards allowed, 25th in passing yards allowed and 10th in rushing yards allowed.  

--------------------

Atlanta Falcons

Given how bad the Atlanta Falcons were last year it’s no surprise the defense wasn’t considered a fantasy option entering this season.

But, new head coach Mike Smith came from a defensive background having served as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Falcons had just one double-digit fantasy performance in the first eight weeks of the season but finished with four in the final nine games.

Atlanta was 20th or worse in rushing yards allowed, passing yards allowed and total yards allowed, but were 11th in points allowed. 

--------------------

For more fantasy football insight and advice, click the link below...

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football