Week 7 NFL Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Get 'em or Don't Sweat 'em

Ryan Lester

Oct 18, 2010

There were some unusual heroes on Sunday. There always are. Let’s take a look at them and see if they are worthy of your fantasy rosters.

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs
I recommended him as a guy to grab before the free agents lock because if he did well against Houston, he’d be a hot commodity (click to see the article). With Jacksonville and Buffalo on the horizon, he’s a decent option. Well, he did do well, completing 20 of 29 passes for 201 yards and 3 TDs. He finally got on the same page with Dwayne Bowe. If you listened to my pre-game advice, great. If not, he’s a nice fill-in the next two weeks.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

TOP NEWS

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
The pressure was on Smith, and he responded by throwing a couple of TD passes to beat the Raiders. His completion percentage was not desirable (48.4 percent), but he did the job. He plays Carolina next week, which makes him an intriguing bye week play, but his job is still unstable.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em (unless you need a bye week replacement)

Running Backs

Danny Woodhead, New England Patriots
Can you rely on him every week? Probably not, but the Patriots are going to figure out creative ways to get him the ball. He’s had added value in PPR leagues but makes a solid depth option in standard formats as well.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

Chris Ivory, New Orleans Saints
Ivory exploited Tampa’s defense for 158 yards on the ground. He added 17 receiving yards. With Pierre Thomas’ return undetermined, it appears Ivory is a good option in the short term. Oh, and he plays Cleveland next week.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

Derrick Ward, Houston Texans
He scored for the third straight week but only had three carries. He’s worth stashing as Arian Foster insurance, but you can’t play him.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Wide Receivers

Mike Williams, Seattle Seahawks
Williams was targeted 15 times in Seattle’s game against the Bears. He caught 10 of the passes for 123 yards. That’s a performance you can build upon.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

Patrick Crayton, San Diego Chargers
Crayton caught six of his seven targets for 117 yards. He hadn’t been very productive before this outburst. I’d like to see him do it again before I add him.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Danario Alexander, St. Louis Rams
Alexander exploded on the scene graduating from the practice squad because of Mark Clayton’s injury and going for 72 yards and a score on four catches. I’d like to see how he does when teams get a chance to watch the tape.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Deion Branch, New England Patriots
It’s like he never left. Nine catches for 98 yards and a score. You know what you have to do.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions
Burleson had six catches for 50 yards and a score. It was his second straight game with at least 50 yards and a TD. They go on bye next week so I can see passing on him, but he’s looking like a decent bench WR option.
Ruling: Get ‘em (but you can possibly wait until next week)

Michael Jenkins, Atlanta Falcons
In his first game of the year, he went for 99 yards on five catches. He’s still behind Roddy White, Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez on the food chain.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints
Meachem caught four passes for 71 yards and a score. It was his second straight week with a score. Go ahead and pick him up.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

Tight Ends

Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins
He scored a crucial TD, and has had three solid weeks in a row, but there are other TE options I’d rather have.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Benjamin Watson, Cleveland Browns
Watson had a great week catching six passes for 88 yards and a score. He’s been a pleasant surprise and is a solid TE option.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben is back. That means Heath Miller is back. His two catches for 50 yards and a score is evidence.
Ruling: Get ‘em.

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