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Waiver Wire
Mike
Josh Gordon, WR, CLE
I’ve been watching Gordon in my CBS leagues through the scout team function for some time now. I like the young Browns team, especially with Richardson featured as the all-purpose back. Cleveland has no one else to catch the ball but Gordon, and Weeden isn’t a bad young QB. Although he did explode for his finest game this season against the Raiders, Gordon was easily a starting option in Weeks 5 and 6 before Week 13. He was also a good flex option more recently on Weeks 11 and 12 leading up to his big game Sunday. He’s a good receiver to own long-term in a dynasty format. I’d even start him in the playoffs.
Rich
Chris Givens, WR, STL
Givens is only owned in 24% of CBS leagues and he’s coming off an 11 catch, 92 yard game. Against SF, no less. In Week 12 against the Cards, he caught 5 balls for 115 yards and a TD. To say that his ownership numbers will spike dramatically in the next few days is an understatement. As you roll into the fantasy playoffs, you’ll want this guy as a flex option until he proves otherwise.
“Don’t Believe the Hype”
Mike
James Starks, RB, GB
The Packers offense is led by one of the best QB’s in football, Aaron Rogers. The discount double checks only adds to the legend. But he, Brady, and Brees are the top three QB’s this season to lead any team. The Packers aren’t winning as dominantly as the previous two seasons, and pundits are calling for the ground game to emerge. I don’t think the Packers have had a 100-yard rusher in, what, over the last 30 games? So Starks comes on for a not-so-good Alex Green and goes for 66 yards on 15 carries and 1 TD. People will try to project these stats over a full game and argue that Starks will go for 100 plus yards…..I doubt it. He’s had his chance prior and is no more than a back up RB, and won’t sustain running the way he did this past week going forward. Pass on him for the playoffs.
Rich
Brandon Myers, TE, OAK
I had Myers earlier in the year and he teased me for a couple of games I actually started him. Every time he’d string together a couple of decent (low double-digit) fantasy performances, he’d follow it with some stinkers. Then in Week 9 against Tampa, he caught 8 balls for 59 yards and a 2 TD’s. His ownership skyrocketed and those that stuck with him were rewarded with a big payday in Week 13 with 14 receptions for 130 yards and 1 TD. He’s nudged himself into the bottom end of the #1 TE’s but don’t expect 30+ fantasy points from him again. Your time and energy is better spent hoping they don’t make another Twilight movie your wife will drag you to.
Undervalued
Mike
Brandon Weeden, QB, CLE
Weeden wins no beauty pageants this year. As a rookie he falls in behind Luck and RGIII, who are franchise QB’s. He even falls behind Russell Wilson and Ryan Tannehill as keepers. But half of Weeden’s games are low-end #1 or high-end #2 stats. The other half are throw away games. He ranks right around 22nd in fantasy leagues. In deeper dynasty formats, he’s probably on your waiver wire. In deeper leagues, he’s rostered but I bet you could pry him away from an owner with ease after the season ends. Taking into account this is his rookie year on a ‘not so good’ but ‘up and coming’ Browns team, I think he has some value. His age of 29 is well past the typical age owners draft. I’d roster him as a cheap QB with upside next season.
Rich
Golden Tate, WR, SEA
Tate’s stats on the year are rock-solid with 35 receptions for 486 yards and 7 (seven!!) TD’s. And he’s been rolling lately with 3 of his last 4 games netting about 20 fantasy points for his owners. And get this . . . he’s only owned in 53% of CBS leagues and only started in 15%! Either there are a lot of guys out there running 4-team leagues with the neighborhood brats or this guy is tremendously undervalued. While I don’t doubt the former, I think the latter is the majority. He’ll be a great flex option for playoff teams looking to make a run this year.
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Who do you think is a top pick this week? Go ahead and drop a comment down below.
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