Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 11: Hunter, Ware & Ball

Also, last week, you may have missed the post on quarterback matchups for the playoffs. I will dive into the running backs later this week.

QUARTERBACKS

Matt Leinart and Tyler Palko are both now going to be starting, though the more intriguing pickup might be John Skelton, who is getting the ball to Fitzgerald in Arizona. Palko has the number one matchup going against New England, but I cannot recommend him in anything other than a start 2 QB league as a low end option. Leinart is on a bye, and then plays Jacksonville. While Houston has a favorable schedule, it’s not a good passing one. The only matchup where Leinart could be considered is against Indianapolis in week 16. The Cardinals may go back to Kolb soon, but Skelton may make that a more difficult choice.

This week’s matchup starts among 2nd quarterbacks are Josh Freeman (vs. Green Bay), Carson Palmer (vs. Minnesota) and Mark Sanchez (at Denver).

RUNNING BACKS

Last week, I recommended Kendall Hunter in case of injury. We don’t know how serious Frank Gore’s injury is, but he is a must-start if Gore is out for any games. DJ Ware got as many looks as Brandon Jacobs with Ahmad Bradshaw out, and if Bradshaw is ruled out again, Ware becomes a start against the much better matchup this week at home against Philly.

Lance Ball had previously been a pass catching fullback, but with Moreno’s injury, will now get more carries. If the Broncos are going to run it 80% of the time, then multiple backs will get enough carries to be useful. Add in McGahee being limited, and Ball could get a fair amount of work again this week.

Your other matchup start is to watch the Detroit situation. Carolina is allowing the most fantasy points to running backs, and Chris Johnson just added to that. If you are desperate, give Maurice Morris a matchup start if Best is out again.

WIDE RECEIVER

Denarius Moore had some big games early, then disappeared. He came back with a vengeance as Palmer looked to him after Jacoby Ford got hurt again. I held him, but he is available in over half the leagues and is an immediate matchup start against the Vikings’ struggling secondary. According to the CBS statistics, I was one of 10% of teams to own Damian Williams last week, and with only 4% who started and benefitted from his big start. Williams will be inconsistent but is still worth a look as Tennessee lacks options in front of him, and Hasselbeck ins playing well.

Donald Jones is back for Buffalo, and the Bills have a much better matchup at Miami. Braylon Edwards and the 49ers get into the NFC West portion of the schedule now, and he could provide spot starts. If you are desperate, while I would avoid Palko, and suspect he may turn the ball over, either Jonathan BAldwin or Steve Breaston provide a matchup start.

TIGHT END

I’ve probably mentioned him several times, but with A.J. Green’s status up in the air, Jermaine Gresham is a tight end to have. Ed Dickson also had a big game, while Ben Watson has a favorable matchup (Jags have a good pass defense, but 2nd most in TE points allowed) if you need someone to replace Jimmy Graham or Owen Daniels this week.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Jacksonville vs. Cleveland; New England vs. Kansas City

OVERALL

Top Ten Picks, among guys owned in less than 60% of CBS leagues:

Kendall Hunter, RB, San Francisco
Denarius Moore, WR, Oakland
Lance Ball, RB, Denver
D.J. Ware, RB, NY Giants
Damian Williams, WR, Tennessee
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Cincinnati
Ed Dickson, TE, Baltimore
Maurice Morris, RB, Detroit
Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco
Braylon Edwards, WR, San Francisco

[photo via Getty]