Week 4 Waiver Picking

QUARTERBACKS

Eli Manning (vs. Atlanta)

Looks like the Manning parents can go ahead and stop telling friends that Eli is the adopted child. He’s getting more comfortable in this offense (it only took 5 preseason matches and a pair of regular-season games to figure it out). For all you Brady owners… time to make the switch. The Atlanta Falcons matchup at home is not super, but it’s not bad either.

Blake Bortles (vs. Pittsburgh)

This is less about Bortles’ successes as a rookie QB, and more about the fact that Pittsburgh made Mike Glennon look pretty good this past week. Bortles is not stellar yet, (although for you Jacksonville fans – there’s a glimmer of hope here) but I see him showing up here and finding the endzone a few times.

Desperation Pick-Up: Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. Dallas)

Against Dallas, I’d grab him and start him. You don’t feel good about it though.

Avoid! – Tom Brady (vs. Cincinnati)

Little-owned quarterbacks with more fantasy points than Tom Brady through 4 games: Jake Locker, Derek Carr, Brian Hoyer, Geno Smith, EJ Manuel, Andy Dalton, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Tannehill, Alex Smith, Joe Flacco. Every one of those QB’s is owned in less than 10% of leagues (and most are owned in less than 5%).

WIDE RECEIVERS

Eddie Royal (vs NYJ)

Complete homer here for a former Hokie, but Eddie Royal resurrects himself every year. In this case, he’s frustrated Keenan Allen owners who thought they were getting a top-15 wideout. The Jets secondary stinks, and Phillip Rivers loves to toss to Royal near the endzone.

Brian Quick (@ Philadelphia)

After a week of rest, Quick’s ready to head to Philadelphia to continue his breakout fantasy year. I fully expect Philadelphia Defense to have a great game here, but Quick’s sheer volume of targets combined with his open-space ability lead me to believe he finds the endzone this week.

Desperation Pick-Up: Marvin Jones (@ New England)

10 touchdowns last year, although 4 came in one game. Jones will be back (albeit likely on a snap count) and will eat into Sanu’s production. Because Jones is a better receiver than Sanu, and because of his talent for finding the endzone, you can grab him as an intriguing play this week. Andy Dalton is going to carve into the limping Patriots defense this week.

Avoid! – Larry Fitzgerald (@ Denver)

Michael Floyd is here, and Michael Floyd is the receiver to own in Arizona. Larry Fitzgerald is not doing much, mainly because he’s operating as a decoy for Floyd and rookie John Brown. Trade him if you can.

RUNNING BACKS (aka Slim Pickin’s)

Antone Smith (@ NYG)

With 2 touchdowns in 2 weeks, and finding open space every week, I’d grab Antone Smith. Of all the backs in Atlanta, he’s the most likely to go off every week. I think Matt Ryan will be airing it out more often than not, but Smith has a good matchup this week against the Giants. All he’s got to do it get the touches.

Jerick McKinnon (@ Green Bay)

This past weekend was Jerick McKinnon’s coming out party, but I don’t think he’ll hit anything more than low RB2 or Flex status until he becomes a more polished runner. The Vikings will stick with Asiata for now, but McKinnon is going to get weekly touches and will have a chance to explode on any of them.

Desperation Pick-Up: Andre Williams (vs. Atlanta)

Atlanta’s run defense is porous, and Rashad Jennings will need to take a break at some point. Andre Williams could break a long one here on third-down and change-of-pace work.

Avoid: Ravens Running Backs (@ Indianapolis)

With the impending return of Bernard Pierce and the clear time split between Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro, I can’t see anyone starting a Ravens back with any sort of confidence. Each one has a chance to do well in a good matchup, but which one are you going to trust? Avoid until the split becomes cleaner.

TIGHT ENDS

Larry Donnell (@ Atlanta)

This one’s a no-brainer after last week. The Giant’s offense requires a lot short-yardage check downs, and Donnell is a huge endzone target. He’s a must-start from here on out.

Garrett Graham (@ Dallas)

Dallas is giving up the most points to opposing tight ends in the league, and Garrett Graham is A) a tight end and B) one of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s favorite targets. I like all the Texan’s pass-catchers here, but Graham has the highest chance to score.

Desperation Pick-Up: Heath Miller

Did I mention I like Heath Miller? Look to his production last week, then look to his matchup this week. He’s playing the Jags. Point, Aim, Start.

Avoid: Antonio Gates

Gates scored big in Week 2, and scored nothing else in any of the other 3 weeks. He’s got a halfway decent matchup against the Jets, but I think Phillip Rivers looks elsewhere for catches. (See: Eddie Royal).

Defense/Special Teams

Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Jacksonville)

This one’s easy. I like Bortles, but the rest of Jacksonville is just not good. Even though the Steelers gave up points to Mike Glennon, I think they return home looking to save face from the embarrassing loss to Tampa Bay. Bortles scores a bit, but so does the Steelers’ D/ST.

Philadelphia Eagles (vs. St. Louis)

The Eagles D/ST scored 3 times against the 49ers, bringing the total touchdowns from the Philadelphia defense up to 5 through 4 games. St. Louis has given two touchdowns to opposing defenses this season, across 3 games. Do the math.

Desperation Pick: Kansas City Chiefs (@ San Francisco)

San Francisco gave up 3 defensive touchdowns last week, and Kansas City’s defense looked great against the Patriots on Monday Night Football. I think you could do worse this week.

Avoid: New Orleans Saints (vs. Tampa Bay)

You’d think Tampa Bay would be a good thing for the Saints D/ST. It’s not. Nothing’s good for the Saint’s defense. Don’t pick-up, don’t stream, don’t touch. This is quite possibly the most overrated defense in the league.

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