Gridiron Experts

Hot Waiver Wire Pick Ups

Injuries and player performances open up doors for a new gem to earn their way onto your roster every week. Players like Alex Smith and Vince Young have performed well enough in the past two weeks to either offer bye week fill-in services, or land a permanent gig on your bench.

Check out this week’s new hot pick-ups, all of which are available in no less than 50% of fantasy football leagues:

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers

We wouldn’t keep promoting the guy if there wasn’t reason to. He’s had some issues against the Colts and Titans the past two weeks, and has thrown at least one interception (three last week) in every game since taking over for Shaun Hill against the Texans, but he’s still solid enough to warrant a roster spot in most leagues.

With 470+ passing yards and three scores in his last two games, Alex Smith can still provide you with some decent numbers, especially going up against a Chicago Bears’ pass defense that allowed five Kurt Warner touchdowns in Week Nine.

Currently available in 79% of leagues.

Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Wells still isn’t the official starter, but he is officially getting enough grind to help you out if you’re in a jam at RB this week. Wells toted the ball 13 times for 72 yards in Week Nine, and while he only has one touchdown on the season, his solid involvement in the past four games (47 carries) should tempt you to add him to your roster.

Currently available in 54% of leagues.

Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets

Many teams cut Greene loose after a sub-par 18-yard effort against the Miami Dolphins in Week Eight, while an impending bye week in Week Nine didn’t help his chances to survive panicky roster cuts. Still, Greene has 27 touches for 150+ yards and two scores in his last two games, and will surely be involved in the ground game going forward, especially with a nice match-up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10.

Currently available in 66% of leagues.

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders

McFadden hasn’t lived up to the hype through his first 17 games, but injuries and a lack of help from the passing game have attributed to that. McFadden is due back from injury as early as this week, and regardless of how solid Justin Fargas has been playing, head coach Tom Cable will be hard-pressed not to throw him back in the starting line-up. Regardless, McFadden is too talented to not be owned going forward.

Currently available in 69% of leagues.

Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

At the time of this article, Wallace and the Steelers haven’t faced the Denver Broncos on MNF yet, but there’s still no reason good enough that he’s not owned in the majority of leagues. He’s Big Ben’s third option in the passing game, and that is in no way a bad thing, as he’s tallied 50+ yards in each of his last three games, and has caught a touchdown pass during that stretch.

Currently available in 62% of leagues.

Chris Chambers, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

We mildly promoted Chambers last week, suggesting the age old idea that one team’s trash is another’s treasure. Boy, did that ring true in Week Nine. Chambers had a smashing debut, making the most of his three receptions, as he totaled 70 yards and two touchdowns, including a nice 54-yard score. Chambers should be Matt Cassel’s second option going forward, and has instant WR3 value.

Currently available in 79% of leagues.

Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers

It’s hard to stop at just two potential tight end gems when the position is so weak this year. Finley has been battling injuries and has missed the past two weeks, but his production in the four games prior to getting hurt (16 catches, 220+ yards, one TD) is too good to ignore. Monitor his status this week, but only add him if he’s a healthy go for Green Bay’s match-up with the Dallas Cowboys.

Currently available in 89% of leagues.

Cincinnati Bengals Defense

The Bengals have been playing extremely well on defense of late, shutting down opponent’s passing attacks, and doing a solid job against the run as well. They have allowed just 17 combined points in their last two contests, and have given up more than 20 points just twice all season.

Currently available in 66% of leagues.

Tennessee Titans Defense

Call me crazy, but Vince Young playing good, controlled football, and Chris Johnson dominating in the rush offense is really helping to get this Titans defense back on their feet. Their run defense has gotten gashed a bit by Maurice Jones-Drew and Frank Gore the past two weeks, but they’ve also recorded five interceptions and eight sacks over that span. They aren’t an elite defense by any means, but they certainly aren’t playing like they were 0-6 two weeks ago, either.

Currently available in 69% of leagues.

The Wild Card: Lance Long, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

After hauling in two receptions for 12 yards in Week Eight, Long broke onto the scene with a stellar performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, tallying eight grabs for 74 yards. In PPR leagues, he could easily develop into a Wes Welker-type, as Matt Cassel loves to rely on his slot receiver. The only problem is, until Long came around, he didn’t have one. With Chambers also stepping up, it appears, at least for now, that Cassel has some nice weapons at his disposal, and Long could benefit the rest of the way.

Currently available in 99% of leagues.

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