So now your only way to acquire players for your team is via your league’s waiver wire/ free agent list. Which players should you be looking to pick up? And who can you dump to make room for your new guys? Here is a list of players to add and players to drop:
Dominic Rhodes, Colts – Joseph Addai’s nightmarish season has gotten scarier with word he will miss the next 2-to-4 weeks with a hamstring tear that has left his fantasy owners hamstrung. This makes longtime veteran Rhodes the starting ball carrier in Indianapolis. Now do not expect Rhodes to roll out some 100-yard, multi-TD games. He is a step slower than he used to be and is running behind an inconsistent, injury-ravaged offensive line. Plus, Indianapolis will have two tough road games at Green Bay and Tennessee where Rhodes might have trouble finding running room. But stumbling upon a starting tailback is extremely valuable this time of season, so Rhodes has to be scooped up. Look for 55 yards and a touchdown trip from him this week against the Packers. Add him!
Pierre Thomas, Saints – Thomas is no longer playing the role of inside runner to Reggie Bush’s outside runner in New Orleans’ ground game. Deuce McAllister has carried the ball 39 times over the Saints’ past three contests, while Thomas has had just four carries and no receptions during that span. Thomas is now just a third-string running back, and third-string backs are about as helpful in fantasy football as second-string kickers. Drop him!
Jeff Garcia, Buccaneers – The Brian Griese era might already be over in Tampa Bay – for now. Notorious quarterback lover/hater Jon Gruden is back to hating on Griese and loving on Garcia. After a turnover-free, 173-yard, one-TD performance against an above-average Carolina Panthers defense, Garcia is slated to start again this week. Coach Gruden is famous for flip-flopping on his quarterback choices from week-to-week, so Garcia might not remain in the catbird seat for long, but you might as well enjoy him while you can. If he is lucky enough to start the next three weeks he would face Seattle (27th in NFL in total defense), Dallas (down two top cornerbacks) and Kansas City (30th in total defense). Add him!
Ted Ginn, Dolphins – When reserve running back Patrick Cobbs racks up more yards and touchdowns in one game than you have all season, you stink. This is the case for Ginn, who has been so invisible this year we have to wonder if he is a figment of our imaginations. Miami has yet to find a role for Ginn in its indefensible "Wildcat" offense, an offensive set that you would think would be ideal for him considering his skills. Ginn only has 16 receptions for 129 yards and zero touchdowns in five games. Drop him!
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bengals – Carson Palmer is visiting with baseball doctors concerning his ailing elbow. Can a trip to Dr. James Andrews be far behind? Sounds like Palmer could be a out a while longer, and Fitzpatrick looked a little more comfortable running Cincinnati’s offense this past weekend. Granted, Fitzy is no Palmer, and he is not even an average quarterback. But starting quarterbacks do not grow on trees for fantasy owners, and you never know when one might put together a 300-yard game when you need it most like during a bye week. Pick him!
Patrick Crayton, Cowboys – With all the injuries they have and all the holes on their roster to fill, the Dallas Cowboys decided at the trading deadline that their biggest problem was at one of their healthier and more productive positions, wide receiver. Dallas traded three draft picks for "the other" Roy Williams, which means Crayton will be demoted to No. 3 receiver once Williams learns the playbook. Crayton has had touchdown grabs in back-to-back weeks, but now that he is the fifth option in the passing attack behind Williams, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Marion Barber, his numbers are going to crash worse than any stock. Drop him!
