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Week 2 fantasy football waiver wire pickups |
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By
Nick Caron
BringTheBlitz.com
09/11/07 at 06:58AM |
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Quarterbacks
Houston may be on the upswing in 2007 with new quarterback Matt Schaub. Matt Schaub, HOU
The Texans surprised a few people this week by defeating Larry Johnson’s Kansas City Chiefs. The defense played well, but it was Schaub’s 16/22, 225 yard performance on offense that got the Texans some points in week one. Andre Johnson was Schaub’s favorite target, catching 7 passes for 142 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown reception. The Chiefs are not a very good pass defense, so fantasy owners should still be a bit weary, but the Texans showed everyone that they will be stretching the field a lot more in 2007 than they have in the past. The nice thing about the Texans’ passing game is that if (and when) they fall behind teams like Indianapolis in the next few weeks; they will be more likely to throw the ball around.
Jake Delhomme, CAR
Just one year removed from being considered one of the up-and-coming quarterbacks in the NFL, many fantasy owners opted to stay away from Carolina’s Jake Delhomme in 2007 and he went undrafted in many smaller fantasy leagues. Delhomme had a dreadful 2006 campaign, riddled with injuries to himself, his offensive line, and his top receiver, Steve Smith. Week one, however, was a great bounce-back for Delhomme and the Carolina offense. While the Panthers’ running game put up over 180 total yards, the passing game was clicking as well. Delhomme went 18/27 for 201 yards, 0 interceptions, and 3 touchdowns, including a 68-yard bomb to Steve Smith. St. Louis’ pass defense can be dreadful at times, but Delhomme did look good in week one and should definitely be given strong consideration if he is still sitting in your free agency pool.
Running Backs
Chris Brown, TEN
The Tennessee running game was a major question mark coming into week one. Other than Vince Young, who was going to be running the ball? Well, Jeff Fischer answered that question very quickly, but rather undecidedly as he decided to give Chris Brown 19 carries and LenDale White 18 carries. While White ran for 66 yards, Brown was able to embarrass the Jaguars for 175 yards. In 2006, the Jaguars ranked 4th in the NFL in rushing yards against, averaging just 91 yards against them – but the Titans shattered that by running the ball for 282 yards in week one. If Chris Brown can get this many carries in the upcoming weeks, he could be primed for a huge stretch. The Titans play the Colts, Saints, Falcons, Buccaneers, Texans, and Raiders over their next 6 games – all of whom have a recent history of struggling against the run.
Derrick Ward, NYG
The injury to Brandon Jacobs gave backup Derrick Ward a chance to prove his worth. On just 17 total touches, Ward had 117 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. Though he is a downgrade in terms of fantasy value from Brandon Jacobs, he will be the starter and should get the bulk of the carries for the Giants until Jacobs returns. One thing to pay attention to with the Giants this week is the health of quarterback Eli Manning. If Manning is unable to play, as it seems he will be, backup quarterback Jared Lorenzen will be shoved into the starting role. Without Manning, Ward’s fantasy value takes a hit due to defenders being much more likely to attack the run. Even without Manning, Jacobs should be out for 3-5 weeks, and Ward could be a decent bye-week fill-in if you do not currently have one.
LaMont Jordan, OAK
The 2006 season was not good to the Oakland Raiders, and it certainly was not good to LaMont Jordan. After coming off of a 1,500 total-yard, 11 touchdown season in ’05; Jordan had just over 500 total yards and 2 touchdowns in ’06… But it was a bounce-back game in week one for Jordan that has us once again eyeing the Raiders running back. Jordan touched the ball 24 times this week for 159 yards and 1 touchdown against the Lions. Despite the Raiders losing the game, their offense looked a lot better than they have in the recent past. Jordan’s health is still a question mark, but his role in this offense should make him a decent fantasy pickup. The Raiders do face a few good defenses in the upcoming weeks; but the nice thing about Jordan is that it looks like the Raiders are going back to using him much more in the passing game – something that he was very effective with in 2005. The Raiders host the Browns in week 3 and Jordan could be poised to have a big day.
Wide Receivers
Ronald Curry, OAK
The second Raider on this list is wide receiver Ronald Curry. Curry has been talked up by Raiders fans and analysts since he joined the team in 2002; but he has never played enough to earn himself any sort of fantasy consideration. That changed in week one when the former 7th round draft pick hauled in all 10 passes that were thrown to him for 133 yards and a touchdown. Josh McCown looked Curry’s way early and often and the two of them looked to be very much in tune to one another. The Raiders did sign rookie QB JaMarcus Russell on Monday, so it is possible that Russell will be pushed into the starting role at some point; but whether it’s McCown, Russell, or even Culpepper; all three of them have strong enough arms to get the ball deep to Curry. The Raiders are likely going to have to air the ball out this season to stay in games, so it is very likely that this one be the last 100-yard game that Curry has in 2007.
Wes Welker, NE
While it was Randy Moss that stole the show in week one, another new Patriots receiver also had a pretty good game. Former Dolphin Wes Welker caught 6 passes for 61 yards and one touchdown against the Jets. Brady looked Welker’s way 9 times and Welker made the most of the passes that were catchable. Tom Brady likes to spread the ball around and Randy Moss will be keyed in on by opposing defenses over the next few weeks, so that could leave room for Wes Welker to continue to put up some decent fantasy statistics.
Santonio Holmes, PIT
After a disappointing 2006 campaign, the Steelers returned to the forefront in the AFC by destroying the Cleveland Browns in week one. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers, including the team’s 2006 first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes. Holmes caught just two passes, but turned them into 55 yards and a touchdown. Better yet, Roethlisberger has publicly said that he plans to throw the ball deep more often this season – something that separates Holmes from all other Steelers receivers. In addition to this, the Steelers’ upcoming schedule is hardly daunting. Over the next three weeks, the Steelers will face Buffalo, San Francisco, and Arizona. If you are in need of a solid No. 2 or a very good No. 3 wide receiver over the next few weeks, look at Holmes.
Brandon Marshall, DEN
Another second-year wide receiver that is poised to break out this season is Denver’s Brandon Marshall. With Rod Smith feeling the effects of aging, Marshall has been given a starting spot opposite Javon Walker. While it was Javon Walker who went over 100 yards, it was Brandon Marshall who made fantasy owners happy with 52 yards and the team’s only touchdown. Marshall’s immediate upcoming schedule is tough with games against Oakland and Jacksonville, but he gets a break in the next few games as he goes up against Indianapolis and San Diego. The middle of his season is also particularly soft with games against Green Bay, Detroit, Kansas City, and Tennessee. Marshall is player you want to play the match-up with, so don’t expect him to be an every-week starter; but he could be a good bye-week fill-in, an injury replacement, or just a guy to have on your bench to prevent him from being on your opponent’s team.
Tight Ends
Heath Miller, PIT
It was rather surprising to see, but two of the top-5 tight ends in fantasy football this week came from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rookie Matt Spaeth pulled in the first pass of his career, a 5-yard touchdown from Roethlisberger; but it was Heath Miller who was getting the majority of the looks from Big Ben. Roethlisberger threw four times to Miller, who caught all four of them for 35 yards and a touchdown. Miller was not perceived to be a top tight end by many fantasy owners, so it is possible that he is still on your waiver wire. If you’re in need of a tight end, Miller could be the kind of guy who pulls in 30-50 yards per week and as much as 6-8 touchdowns this season.
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