RADIO
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A wild Week 8 in the NFL saw some of the most explosive performances of the 2014 season, particularly at the wide receiver position. However, if you are not one of the fortunate owners of Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, or Jeremy Maclin, then you may need some help off the waiver wire.
Below I will take a look at some Week 9 wide receiver waiver wire pickups and sleepers, based on their current ownership numbers and fantasy outlooks.
Each week of the fantasy football season, I’ll also give you a bonus player to avoid (usually someone who might be a popular pickup that I disagree with).
Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR)
Brandon LaFell (NE) - Owned in 40% of Fleaflicker leagues
The Patriots haven’t had a legitimate sideline threat since Randy Moss, and while I’m not saying LaFell is even in the same ballpark as “The Freak”, he has been incredibly valuable in Tom Brady’s rejuvenated aerial attack. LaFell pulled in all 11 of his targets for 124 yards and a TD in the Week 8 drubbing of Chicago, and while I don’t think there will be that much volume on a weekly basis, I think he is seriously challenging Julian Edelman for the role of second banana to Gronk. LaFell has put up three 20+ point PPR performances in his last five games, so it’s not like it’s completely hit-or-miss either. I like LaFell as a top 25 WR for the rest of the season.
Baller Move: Add in all PPR leagues/deep standard leagues
Martavis Bryant (PIT) - Owned in 7% of Fleaflicker leagues
I’m not one to buy into rookies, but hear me out on Bryant. We probably won’t see six touchdowns from Big Ben again this season, but he does seem to have things running on all cylinders. Pair that with the fact that Bryant is a 6’4” matchup nightmare, and you’ve got the makings for a pretty great sleeper down the stretch. In Week 8, Bryant scored both of his touchdowns winning one-on-one battles in the endzone, proving that he can be a veritable red zone threat. The Steelers have been particularly abhorrent inside the 20s this season, and Bryant could end up being the compliment to Antonio Brown when the Steelers get in close. I smell a breakout, and you don’t want to be on the outside looking in when it happens.
Baller Move: Add in all PPR leagues/deep standard leagues
Allen Robinson (JAX) - Owned in 20% of Fleaflicker leagues
I advised adding Robinson last week, and those who listened to me were handsomely rewarded. Robinson once again led the Jaguars in targets with 10, and cashed five of those in for 82 yards and a long touchdown. Listen, I know the Jaguars as a whole are just… just awful. But Bortles is the future and he is going to keep throwing it around whether you like it or not. Robinson has proven to be his most consistent target, and while I don’t foresee any 30-point explosions out of him at any point, I think he’s a lock for 8-15 points every week in most PPR formats.
Baller Move: Add in all PPR/deep standard leagues
Mike Evans (TB) - Owned in 50% of Fleaflicker leagues
So the Bucs are pretty much in rebuild mode, as they’re shopping V-Jax and Doug Martin daily. I stand firmly in the camp of those who think Mike Evans is the only reason anyone even considers Johnny Manziel an NFL talent, and it certainly hasn’t taken him much time at all to acclimate to the pros. Evans is averaging more than seven targets a game over his last four contests, and this is with V-Jax on the roster. I think this guy is a must-own in any 12-team or deeper league, and he is flirting with weekly FLEX status. He is absolutely worth adding in any and all keeper leagues, as this guy has top 10 potential for years to come.
Baller Move: Add in all PPR leagues/deep standard leagues
Other Waiver Wire Wide Receivers to Consider
Davante Adams (GB) - Owned in 15% of Fleaflicker leagues
Adams is firmly entrenched as the WR3 for the Packers, which means he's a very solid WR3 in most leagues. His ownership percentage of 15% is very low, as Aaron Rodgers is capable of supporting the fantasy value of at least 3 receivers. Adams played 68-of-71 snaps in week 8 vs. the Saints, racking up 7 catches for 75 yards, and although he only had 1 catch in each of weeks 5 and 7, he still managed to score a TD in both those games. He's either getting into the endzone, or hauling in a plethora of catches.
John Brown (ARZ) - Owned in 15% of Fleaflicker leagues
Talented rookie John Brown continues to impress when given opportunities. This week he had a highlight reel TD grab to win the game, and accrued 22.9 PPR points (5 catches, 10 targets, 119 yards, TD). He may not have games like this every week, but he has nice upside in the Carson Palmer led passing attack, and should be a waiver wire stash at minimum with FLEX/WR3 potential.
Andre Holmes (OAK) - Owned in 31% of Fleaflicker leagues
After a down Week 7 (which followed a big Week 6), Holmes had a very nice Week 8 hauling in 5-of-7 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. Holmes has been pretty steady for the Raiders and is a serviceable WR3 in deeper leagues, but for next week against the Seahawks legion of boom defense, it's best to leave him on the bench if you have better options.
Doug Baldwin (SEA) - Owned in 55% of Fleaflicker leagues
Since the departure of Percy Harvin, Baldwin has emerged as Russell Wilson's primary wide receiver. After putting up 25.30 PPR points last week, he reeled in 6 catches on 8 targets this week, good for 12.20 points. He will continue to be a WR3 with upside in both PPR and standard leagues.
Andrew Hawkins (CLE) - Owned in 44% Of Fleaflicker leagues
"Baby Hawk" continues to be a PPR factor after taking a couple of weeks off with slow games. After racking up 17 PPR points last week, he busted out with another 7 catch performance on 9 targets, with 88 yards and a TD. He will continue to be the primary receiving target, especially if Jordan Cameron continues to miss time, and is a viable WR3 in PPR leagues.
Wide Receiver To Avoid (Bonus)
Donte Moncrief (IND) - Owned in 5% of Fleaflicker leagues
With Reggie Wayne out with an elbow injury, somebody had to catch passes besides T.Y. Hilton (in theory, anyway). That person was the dynamic rookie Moncrief, who grabbed seven balls on 12 targets for 113 yards and a score. It hasn’t even been 24 hours and I’ve already seen many people throw the word “breakout” around in regards to Moncrief’s performance. While impressive, I think that those numbers are largely circumstantial. This game was the definition of a shootout, and while the Indy offense is pass-heavy, Luck won’t throw for 400 yards every game. More importantly, there is no way Moncrief sees 12 targets in any other game this season with Wayne and Hilton healthy. In the red zone there are even more mouths to feed, as Luck has a penchant for finding his tight ends and Ahmad Bradshaw for scores. Moncrief is a talented player, but not worth the waiver pickup in the long haul.
