Football
Dr. Stat's Waiver Prescription: Week 6
By Dr. Stat at rootzoo.com
Oct 8, 2008 - 2:22:17 PM

It's hard to believe that we're already approaching Week 6 of the NFL season, which means the fantasy football regular season is almost halfway over. Here are some of the best options sitting on the waiver wire that can help you survive this week and beyond. NFL teams with byes this week include Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Buffalo and Kansas City.

QUARTERBACK

  David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars

Over the last several weeks, Garrard has played dramatically better than he did at the start of the season, including a 200 yard/1 TD/0 TO effort against the Steelers on Sunday night. He completed higher than 70% of his passes in two of the last three games and hasn't turned the ball over in either of the last two. In the coming weeks, he faces Denver, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit, three of which are mere playgrounds for opposing quarterbacks. Garrard is not going to throw for Drew Brees' yardage or Kurt Warner's touchdowns, but he's consistent and you could do much worse as a bye week fill for Roethlisberger.

Watch List: Brian Griese's elbow injury and poor play could force Jon Gruden to have to start Jeff Garcia this week. I'm just not sure that both Gruden's and Garcia's egos can both fit inside the same stadium. Good think the Bucs don't play in a dome.

RUNNING BACK

  Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders

I was shocked to discover that Fargas is available in a large percentage of leagues out there. After missing three weeks with a groin injury, he's returned to practice and is expected to play on Sunday. He'll go right back to sharing rushing duties with Darren McFadden and could very well be the Raiders' featured back until McFadden's turf toe recovers. I'll be clear here; there is absolutely NO way Fargas should go to waste in your league, just sitting there on free agency.

  Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mr. Dunn is an ageless wonder. At 33 years old and playing in his 12th NFL season, Dunn continues to stay healthy, find a way to get carries and produce. He's durable, hasn't missed a game since 2003 and is averaging 5.1 YPC on 53 carries this season. While he does split touches with Earnest Graham, he's received double-digit carries and has caught at least three passes in three of the last four weeks. As long as the timeshare in Tampa Bay continues, Dunn is worth owning as a RB3, flex-play or bye week fill.

Watch List: It's hard for me to recommend picking up Cedric Benson and keep a straight face while doing so, but he could see a significant role in the coming weeks if Chris Perry doesn't step things up. Correll Buckhalter will start this week if Westbrook's fractured ribs keep him out. Kevin Faulk was Bill Belichick's pet in Week 5, getting two goal-line carries for scores.

WIDE RECEIVER

  Mike Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

If this is a new name to you, Walker was a 2007 third round pick out of UCF. He's 6'2"/208 and has playmaking ability. After registering one catch through the first three weeks, he's caught 11 passes for 153 yards in the last two games. He was targeted nine times on Sunday and should continue to emerge as one of 2008's breakout receivers, as Matt Jones has been the only other reliable target in Jacksonville. One note here: Walker sprained a medial collateral ligament on Sunday, so his status for Week 6 is not yet known.

  Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks

Yes, I am aware that I featured Engram last week, along with his teammate Deion Branch. Branch didn't even last a full game and is out indefinitely with a bruised heel. Meanwhile, Engram caught eight passes for 61 yards and was one of few Seattle bright spots in Sunday's blasting by the Giants. Engram may be 36, but he's coming off a 94 catch/1,147 yard season. He's healthy and is Matt Hasselbeck's main target, which makes him a must-own in practically all leagues, especially those that count PPR.

Watch List: Kevin Curtis is one week closer to returning, but might not play until after the Eagles' Week 7 bye. Darrell Jackson could start in place of Eddie Royal this week.

TIGHT END

  Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears

Olsen would be more widely owned in fantasy leagues if Desmond Clark wasn't around. While he has just 13 catches on 17 targets through five weeks, I really like Olsen this week against Atlanta. The Falcons are 22nd against the pass and have given up touchdowns to opposing tight ends in three of five games (Casey FitzSimmons, John Gilmore and Donald Lee). Kyle Orton is playing like he's forgotten that he's a Bears' QB and Chicago is running the ball well, which opens up the passing game. The Bears didn't draft the 6'5", 252 pounder out of Miami at the end of the first round in 2007 just to block, so it's only a matter of time before Olsen becomes more involved in the offense.

Watch List: Ben Watson played the majority of the Patriots' offensive snaps on Sunday and caught two passes for 11 yards. He's a solid red zone threat when he's healthy, but Matt Cassel has to find a way to get him more involved. If you play in a deep league and own Tony Gonzalez, give Watson a look this week. Daniel Graham will be the Broncos' top pass-catching tight end while Tony Scheffler is out for this week and possibly longer.

DEF/ST

  Washington Redskins

This is, without a doubt, an obvious matchup play. The Rams are dead last in the league in scoring, at 10.8 PPG, and are averaging 84 rushing YPG and 162.8 passing YPG. The Redskins are ninth against the run and 20th against the pass, have forced seven turvovers and should have Shawn Springs back this week. Springs did an excellent job containing Terrell Owens in Week 4 and will match up against Torry Holt this week. Between the Rams' offensive line issues, the organizational chaos that has defined St. Louis this season and Steven Jackson averaging just 67.3 YPG, there are plenty of reasons to have faith in the Redskins defense this week.

KICKER

  Jason Elam, Atlanta Falcons

Elam is 11-11 on field goal attempts this season and has scored 45 points, proving he can still kick at 38 years old. I recommend Elam beyond just this week's game against Chicago, because he won't be affected much, if any, by weather for the remainder of the season. He kicks in a dome when the Falcons are home, and four of Atlanta's five remaining road games are in either domes (New Orleans, Minnesota) or warm climates (Oakland, San Diego). The other game is at Philadelphia, which is in Week 8. Any time you can have an accurate kicker that plays no outdoor games in November or December, it's an all-around win in the fantasy realm.

About the author:
Dr. Stat is a resident writer at rootzoo.com and covers all ends of fantasy sports.  He always puts out the best list of fantasy baseball player rankings and fantasy basketball player rankings. 


© Copyright 2008 by Dime-Co.Com