This season will long be remembered for the “year of the back up” especially at the quarterback position. Because of the nature of the physicality at running back, every year is a year for back ups! Here are this week’s Waiver Wire Pickups; none of which are owned in more than 28% of leagues as of Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. We’re getting close to playoff time in fantasy, so tweak now before the season is over.
1. Rishard Matthews-WR-Dolphins- 5% Owned- Miami faces a Chargers team this week that gives up the 7th most fantasy points to wide receivers. Matthews had 11 receptions last Sunday, good for 120 yards and two touchdowns and has become QB Ryan Tannehill’s favorite receiver.
#86 WR Rishard Matthews scores against Tampa Bay on a 19 yard touchdown throw from Ryan Tannehill on MNF. Photo:AP Photo/Brian Blanco
2. Carson Palmer-QB-Cardinals- 28% Owned- Over the last two weeks, Palmer has thrown for 413 yards, with 4 touchdowns and only two interceptions. His quarterback rating over those games is 104.1. The Cardinals will go up against the lowly Jaguars this week, who have given up the 4th most fantasy points to QBs this season.
3. Brian Leonard-RB-Bucs- 7% Owned- After Mike James went down early in the first quarter on Monday Night, Leonard came in and had 22 touches. His O-line didn’t open up too many holes for the veteran ex-Ram back, but he’ll get the bulk of the carries again this Sunday. Use him as a Flex play and as a RB3 until he shows a jump in his productivity.
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick-QB-Titans- 2% Owned- With Jake Locker (foot) getting injured in last week’s game (and out for the remainder of the season), Fitzpatrick came off the bench and orchestrated two touchdown drives including one rushing touchdown of his own. His problem is, and has always been, turnovers. Use him in two QB leagues or very deep leagues only.
5. Bills-DST- 23% Owned- Very quietly, the Bills have put together some serviceable numbers on defense. They are tied for the most interceptions (13) in the league and have the 2nd most sacks (33) just three behind the first-place K.C. Chiefs. They are home this week against the Jets who have a quarterback (Geno Smith) who has been sacked 30 times this season and has thrown 13 picks (2 against the Bills back on Sept. 22).
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) during the last month’s game in New Orleans. The Bills are currently 2nd in the league in sacks (Bill Haber/AP)
6. John Carlson-TE-Vikings- 2% Owned- With the Vikings number one starting TE Kyle Rudolph out for 4-6 weeks, Carlson had a team high seven receptions last week for 98 yards and two touchdowns. We don’t think he will do that every Sunday going forward, but if you are in need of a TE2, we do recommend Carlson.
FANTASY FURNACE 
How can you say Rishard Matthews has become Tannehill’s favorite receiver after one game? Matthews only had 10 receptions going into Sunday’s game. He had no lt recorded more than 42 yards in any one game this season. I think it’s safe to say that Matthew’s performance against the worst team in football is an aberration.
LikeLike
When Brandon Gibson (now on IR) went down, Matthews became more valuable to Tannehill because as a slot receiver, he’s the closest to Tannehill who seldom has the time to throw downfield as the O-line cannot protect him. Before Brandon Gibson got injured a couple of weeks ago, Tannehill had thrown three touchdown passes to him vs the Patriots & the Bills. We think that Matthews ‘could’ now be THAT receiver for Tannehill. Just our hunch…
LikeLike
Gibson had 1 reception for 4 yards, and a touchdown against the Patriots. That is hardly fantasy relevant. Gibson has put up more than 7 points once all season, so THAT guy is pedestrian, at best. If you value your fantasy team, then don’t pick up Matthew’s.
LikeLike
He only had 1 reception in the Patriots game because he was carted off the field with a torn left patellar tendon early in the 1st quarter.
We never said that Matthews will turn into the second coming of Jerry Rice; we’re only suggesting as a slot receiver (like Welker was to Brady), Tannehill could better utilize him on quick slants because he gets sacked so frequently. He is a strong WR3 going forward…nothing more.
LikeLike
Would you pick up John Carlson over Delanie Walker going into Week 12 if both are free agents? Looking for a little friendly advice!
LikeLike
Walker goes up against the Colts who give up the 12th fewest fantasy points to TE’s while coming off his best game of the season last week. Carlson will face the Seahawks AT Seattle and although he will get the start in place of Rudolph, that’s a tough place to play as you know. We would lean towards Delaine Walker with the choice you gave us. Good luck!
LikeLike