The tournament is here. No margin forever, no excuses. Win, or go home. Of course, you’re starting your studs at this critical stage of the season, but for owners still seeking that desperation plug-in for the final weeks will be fortunate to learn that there is some talent still dangling out on the wire in a number of leagues. As we’ve been doing the last couple of week’s we’ll rank a number of enticing options on the wire as if we were drafting today for the rest of the season. Go get em!
Working the Waiver Wire
Jay Cutler and Josh McCown
The quarterback desperate catch a break as the Bears set to face off with a soft Cowboys’ secondary on Monday night. We won’t likely know who’s starting until later in the week, so you may have to add both widely available quarterbacks early in the week. Regardless, whoever is throwing to Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey, Martellus Bennet and Matt Forte will have the surrounding talent to put up points in a must win for Chicago.
Donald Brown
Finally the nominal starter, Brown rallied down the stretch in Week 13 to put together a solid all around game (64 yards and a score). It’s not going to be as easy in Week 14, however, against a stout Bengals D.
Ace Sanders
The slight rookie is seeing more and more opportunities in the Jags offense as they attempt to manufacture touches for him in the open field. he’s got 20 receptions on 26 targets over the past three weeks.
Brandon Lafell
Lafell reeled in another touchdown as Steve Smith had his hands full with Darelle Revis. He’ll continue to be a WR3 down the stretch with Newton playing the best football of his career.
Carson Palmer
Playing at a high level with one of the most dynamic WR combos in the game, Palmer just needs to limit the turnovers to be successful.
Kenbrell Thompkins
Pushed past Aaron Dobson on the depth chart once again but it’s impossible to trust any pass catcher on that team not named Gronk.
Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson is letting his talent shine through, making plays on a regular basis in the return game and, now, on offense. It’s a boom or bust proposition.
Nate Burleson
Though he disappeared from the Lions Turkey Day game plan, the Eagles have struggled against slot receivers all year and Burleson has an opportunity to make a difference in PPR formats.
Michael Crabtree
Crabby got the start and played a healthy number of snaps in his return from an achillies injury. Still, he saw just four targets in the game and outside of an semi-impressive 60 yards catch-and-run, Crabtree did very little in the game. His burst is limited, his role is secondary. Gamble on Crabtree for Week 15 & 16 if you like, but we’re shying away from using him right now.
Ladarius Green
It’s hard not to buy into Green’s size and athleticism so as long as Philp Rivers is giving him looks, he makes a solid start.
Jared Cook
Cook will try to do his best Zach Ertz impression against Arizona in Week 14.
Delaine Walker (concussion)
We’ll have to keep an eye on his injury situation, but also keep an eye on that tasty Week 15 matchup against a Cardinals team that just got toasted for 97 yards and three scores by the Philadelphia Eagles tight ends on Sunday.
Mike Tolbert
He’ll snag some passes for PPR owners and a goal line score is always in play.
Heath Miller
Miller continues to be involved in theoffense and fell just shy of a TD on Thanksgiving. We’ll take eight catches for 86 yards and 25 targets over the past three weeks.
Brandon Myers
Three straight games with a TD will get you in the conversation, Myers needs Eli to play well to succeed…. a risky proposition.
Jonathan Stewart
Deangelo’s injury has opened the door for Stewart, to do nothing.
Rob Housler
Housler continues to become more and more involved in the Cardinals’ underrated offense.
Robert Woods
The Bills are finally getting healthy and Woods’ flashed plenty of ability
Marquis Goodwin
Goodwin’s big play ability is flier-worthy.