Week 2: Waiver Wire Watch
When I first started this blog, I told some of my colleagues that they were more than welcome to use this space to post their own fantasy advice. As I've mentioned before, I am a big fan of getting different voices out there, since there are so many different opinions.
One of the first to send me something to post is Greg Boyce, who is 1-0 in my work league with the third highest point total. Greg graduated from Penn State and has been working on the sports desk at philly.com for the better part of a year.
Here is his advice on some potential waiver wire aquisitions at the wide receiver and tight end positions:
WIDE RECEIVERS
Davone Bess, MIA (Yahoo 55%, ESPN 42%)
Undrafted, not just in your league, but in the NFL as well, the Rainbow Warrior has shined with Chad Henne. In 2010, he had 11 games of five or more receptions and was 12th in the NFL in that category. On Monday night, in a pass-heavy game, Bess was targeted seven times and made five catches. Sure, Brandon Marshall hogs much of the attention and the elite receiver was hurt late in the game. Though Marshall looks good to go on Sunday, Bess is a PPR league owner's best kept secret.
Devery Henderson, NO (Yahoo 56%, ESPN 36%)
In Week One, Henderson had nine targets and six receptions and that was with a healthy Marques Colston. With the loss of Colston for a couple of weeks, Drew Brees will look to continue the explosive Saints offense with another name he has had success with in the past. Henderson has eight 100+ yard games with Brees and most of that damage came as a deep threat. In all but one of those eight games, Henderson has had a reception of 50 or more yards. Brees took two shots from the other side of midfield with Henderson against Green Bay.
Jerome Simpson, CIN (Yahoo 20%, ESPN 58%)
Simpson led all Bengals with nine targets. The good news is that when Andy Dalton was in, he connected with him on three of five passes including a 20-yard deep pass. But when Dalton got hurt and Bruce Gradkowski came in, he only hit Simpson once in four attempts. He did look for Simpson on two deep routes but failed to hit him. If Dalton is a go this week, Simpson could be a good addition. If not, I would still stash him away now.
Eric Decker, DEN (Yahoo 6%, ESPN 3%)
Eddie Royal, DEN (Yahoo 11%, ESPN 2%)
Eddie Royal has not been able to get back to the promise of a rookie campaign in which he had 91 receptions, 980 yards and five touchdowns. But he was behind only Brandon Lloyd with six targets so Kyle Orton favored him at some point. Royal only caught two of those balls.
Meanwhile, the other young receiver was favored late. With the Broncos trailing in the 4th quarter, Orton targeted Decker four times for four catches. It remains to be seen if Denver will pass 46 times all season, but if so, Decker could slide into the #2 WR spot.
Mohamed Massaquoi, CLE (Yahoo 8%, ESPN 2%)
I wouldn't put him into my add right now pile but he is definitely worth keeping an eye on. He was tied with Ben Watson among Browns receivers with seven targets. He only finished with three receptions for 77 yards, 56 of which came on one deep pass. Colt McCoy only threw deep to him one other time. Massaquoi also missed most of the preseason so he needs to get his legs under him. Let the two develop a rapport.
Seattle WRs - Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Mike Williams, Ben Obomanu (Only Williams is owned in over 40% of Yahoo and ESPN leagues)
Obomanu and Baldwin had six targets while Williams and Tate each finished with five. I don't trust Tarvaris Jackson as a quarterback but a #1 receiver is a #1 receiver. The question obviously is, "Who is it?" They signed Sidney Rice with the intention of him being the top guy but he isn't 100% and missed the first game. Even when he gets healthy, these guys have a chance to step up. Baldwin and Williams made the most of their opportunities, each making four receptions. Watch what happens this weekend before making a decision.
TIGHT ENDS
Aaron Hernandez, NE (Yahoo 83%, ESPN 57%)
It's a bit tougher for Yahoo! league owners because more people have realized the success Hernandez had Monday. But he is the biggest matchup problem on the Patriots with the varied ways he is lined up. Three of his seven receptions against Miami were ended by a tackle from a cornerback, three were by safeties and he had a touchdown reception. That doesn't mean he is getting covered by them on every play, but he is finding his way into open space and making opponents pay. He might lose red zone targets to the taller Rob Gronkowski (6-6 to Hernandez's 6-1) but he should be one of Tom Brady's top two targets otherwise.
Jermaine Gresham, CIN (Yahoo 22%, ESPN 13%)
I am clearly drinking the Kool-aid of Cincinnati after one week. Let's face it, we know a young quarterback can rely on a safety net of a reliable tight end. Jermaine Gresham is just that. In the Bengals first three drives, Gresham was targeted five times and made four receptions, more than any other Bengal player. He finished with six receptions on eight targets with both Dalton and Gradkowski under center. I am surprised that a young tight end who had 52 catches his rookie season went undrafted in many leagues. Buy into him now.
TE Lance Kendricks, STL (Yahoo 29%, ESPN 9%)
Matt Mullin has already gushed enough about this rookie tight end. He was targeted five times by Sam Bradford but only had one catch and two drops, one of which looked like it would be a sure touchdown. Not music to fantasy owners' ears to see a play like that. But Bradford won't be losing confidence in him if he keeps getting open.
Others to watch for
WR Arrelious Benn, TB (7 targets, 4 receptions – all short passes, just 27 yards)
WR Nate Washington, TEN (6 catches on 7 targets)
TE Fred Davis, WAS (5 catches on 6 targets)
Matt Mullin is a sports producer at philly.com. You can reach him by e-mail at mmullin@philly.com. Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin