Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: 10 Best Options as the Pickings Get Slim

As the Fantasy Football season begins to wind down, many owners are scrambling for replacements at key positions.

Owners are looking to make a playoff surge in the coming weeks and with each passing hour, the waiver wire gets picked over by owners looking for their magic fix.

These 10 players are available in the majority of ESPN leagues and could provide the boost you're looking for.

Alex Smith

ESPN Percentage Owned: 15.1

Position/Team: QB/49ers

Alex Smith may have been tagged with the "game-manager" label this season but don't let that scare you away from picking him up.

He's not going to put up amazing numbers but he also won't turn the ball over. Smith has scored more points than some starters like Kevin Kolb and Matt Cassel. Who would've guessed that coming into this season?

Matt Hasselbeck

ESPN Percentage Owned: 53.1

Position/Team: QB/Titans

Matt Hasselbeck has been one of the more consistent QBs in the league this year. In a season that's seen Chris Johnson struggle, the Titans have had to depend on Hasselbeck more than they would've liked.

But that hasn't stopped Hasselbeck from scoring more points than some other big name QBs such as Matt Ryan, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman and Jay Cutler, among others.

Chris Ogbonnaya

ESPN Percentage Owned: 14.0

Position/Team: RB/Browns

Chris Ogbonnaya bounced back from a rough outing against the Texans by rushing for 90 yards against the Rams on Sunday.

Ogbonnaya doesn't have the best matchups going forward but with Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty suffering from the injury bug, he's the best option for a starting RB on the waiver wire.

Maurice Morris

ESPN Percentage Owned: 12.4

Position/Team: RB/Lions

Even though the Lions have been in a free-fall lately, Maurice Morris has performed admirably well.

He's rushed for 44, 58 and 50 yards the past three weeks and he never carried the ball more than 13 times in those games.

If the Lions can ever get ahead in a game and balance out their playcalling, Morris should put up good numbers.

Early Doucet

ESPN Percentage Owned: 18.6

Position/Team: WR/Cardinals

Nobody believes John Skelton can put up consistent numbers but Early Doucet doesn't seem to care if it's Skelton or Kevin Kolb under center.

Doucet has scored in three of the past four games and is the clear No. 2 receiver in the Cardinals passing game.

Torrey Smith

ESPN Percentage Owned: 51.7

Position/Team: WR/Ravens

Torrey Smith has seen his targets increase through the past few weeks and has become Joe Flacco's deep threat.

Smith isn't going to put up massive numbers every week but he has the ability to turn every reception into a big play. As long as Flacco keeps looking his way, Smith is bound to put up better numbers.

Antonio Brown

ESPN Percentage Owned: 54.0

Position/Team: WR/Steelers

As Hines Ward still recovers from his "stinger," Antonio Brown has emerged as a viable receiving option for Ben Roethlisberger.

Brown has scored double-digit fantasy points in three of the past four weeks and has favorable matchups for the next few weeks.

He's proven he can beat the Bengals DBs and will only play against two tough pass defenses the rest of the season in the Browns and 49ers.

Jake Ballard

ESPN Percentage Owned: 35.0

Position/Team: TE/Giants

Jake Ballard has been firmly established as a top red-zone target for Eli Manning.

Ballard had a relatively quiet day against the 49ers but don't let that scare you. He probably won't put up huge numbers with yards or receptions but he can "vulture" a TD or two when the Giants move close to the end-zone.

Brent Celek

ESPN Percentage Owned: 16.0

Position/Team: TE/Eagles

Brent Celek has put up solid numbers the past few weeks. He was second in targets on Sunday and has been a focal point in the Eagles' passing attack for the past month.

With DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin suffering from "discipline" and injury issues respectively, Celek appears to be the most stable option going forward.

Patriots D/ST

ESPN Percentage Owned: 54.1

I know most people have been scared off by the Patriots pass defense and they are right in being scared.

But take a look at their performance against the Jets on Sunday night in what many called a "must-win" situation. The defense finally stepped up and scored double-digit points for the first time all season.

Looking at the rest of their schedule, the Patriots don't face a threatening pass attack other than next week's game against the Eagles. And Michael Vick is playing hurt and has been turnover prone all season so even that game provides scoring opportunities for the Pats D.