The fantasy season is winding down, sadly, but that means the fantasy playoffs are starting up. It’s likely your league’s trade deadline has passed or is about to pass, and so too are waiver pickups. And, let’s face it, the pickings are pretty slim at this point. So rather than tout grabbing Bryce Brown after he went off Monday night, let’s look at some of the best waiver wire finds from the past 12 weeks.
QB:
Colin Kaepernick, SF – Only San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh is confused about who the future 49er quarterback is. The owners who took a chance on the athletic Kaepernick early on have been rewarded, down the stretch, when it matters most. Even if Alex Smith goes back under center, Kaepernick is the long-term QB in Frisco and has tremendous keeper value.
Russell Wilson, SEA – Boy were some fantasy experts (who shall remain nameless) wrong on Wilson. I admit to being one of the critics who was not buying into Wilson’s preseason success. I didn’t think he’d win the starting job, and definitely didn’t think he’d be this productive. So, for those who snagged Wilson off the waiver wire, I salute you. You now have a reasonably backup QB for the future, as Wilson isn’t quite at QB1 level, but nevertheless is a solid waiver wire find.
RB:
Alfred Morris, WAS – The one fantasy rule has always been, avoid Mike Shanahan’s running backs. So, when the Washington head coach started with his Shanahigans in the preseason, most people left Alfred Morris, the apparent golden child, undrafted. And who could blame them? But, Morris has managed to get the yeoman’s amount of carries and touches throughout the season. He was an early season waiver wire find, and can be counted as a RB2 every week.
Mikel Leshoure, DET – Serving a two-game suspension, and with a resurgent Kevin Smith ahead, Leshoure slipped off draft lists and ended up on waiver wires. By week two, however, the savvy owner grabbed Leshoure, waited to make sure that Kevin Smith did in fact suck (and he does), and then acquired themselves a decent running back starter.
Marcel Reece, OAK – It was just a matter of time before Darren McFadden got hurt. But it seemed to be Taiwan Jones who was the heir apparent as the Run DMC handcuff. However, Jones has done nothing and it was Marcel Reece who became the waiver wire gem. In PPR formats, Reece has vaulted himself into top 12 running back. Not bad for a forgotten about player for a lousy team.
WR:
TY Hilton, IND – Hilton is one of the feel good stories of the year. He was taken in the third round by the Colts, but he was looked at as a special teams contributor and project receiver. However, Hilton has nearly 500 yards receiving and five TDs. He’s quickly developing a trust factor with Andrew Luck, and his value has yet to be maximized. Hilton is a superstar in waiting with a high ceiling.
Cecil Shorts, JAX – I was one year too early with my praise of Shorts. I saw the potential and knew how much the Jacksonville coaching staff thought of him. Once Blaine Gabbert yielded the quarterback reigns to Chad Henne, Shorts has become a viable fantasy wide receiver. He has 747 yards and 6 TD, in basically a half a season.
Mohamad Sanu, CIN – When he was drafted by the Bengals, I saw a lot of potential from Sanu. But he seemed to be untrusted by the Bengals coaching staff early in the season. Sanu even threw a touchdown in the Washington game. Since the bye week, Sanu has become a red zone target for the Bengals and has scored 5 receiving TDs.
TE:
Martellus Bennett, NYG – For years Bennett was stuck behind Jason Witten on the Dallas depth chart. Late in preseason, Bennett signed with the Giants. His talent was never questioned, and he just needed the right situation. And Bennett found that with Eli Manning. Bennett still lacks consistency and doesn’t have the gaudy numbers of other tight ends but his 455 yards and 3 TDs is enough to make him a worthy free agent grab this year, especially at a position like tight end.
Brandon Myers, OAK – Despite an 86-yard performance in week 2, most owners were late to picking up Brandon Myers. In week 6, Carson Palmer targeted him 10 times, and from that point, Myers became a waiver wire darling. He’s been targeted 73 times for 55 catches, 591 yards and 3 TDs. Not too shabby at all.
Follow Jimmy Dinsmore, The Fantasy Geek, on Twitter @fantasy_geek
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Fantasy Football
fantasy advice, week 13, waiver wire, best waiver wire pickups, 2012