Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire, Week Two

QUARTERBACK: Matt Hasselbeck put up big numbers against Baltimore, and has a very good receiver in Kenny Britt. With the likes of Donovan McNabb and Matt Cassel still on rosters, he is worth swapping out for a bye week play. If you are looking for a matchup start, see what shakes out in Philadelphia. Jason Campbell had a big game throwing to Denarius Moore, and when Jacoby Ford, he will have plenty of big play potential plus Darren McFadden as a backfield outlet. If Michael Vick can’t go and you are desperate, Mike Kafka has a decent matchup against the Giants, who allowed almost 8 yards per pass to Rex Grossman and Sam Bradford. Jacksonville hasn’t announced it yet, but they may decide to go to Blaine Gabbert after benching Luke McCown last week. I think he’s more of a monitor situation unless you are in a start 2 QB league.

RUNNING BACK: Jamaal Charles’ knee injury was the big loss in week 2. The problem with looking for value is that the offense has been so horrible that there’s not a whole lot of upside. Dexter McCluster will take some of Charles’ touches, but not all, as the team will also go to Le’Ron McClain and Thomas Jones. McCluster is the pick here, because of his receptions and use as a slot receiver also. I would project him to average about 8 rushes and 4 receptions a game, and about 60 yards from scrimmage per game with a handful of TD’s (note: he may be listed as a wide receiver depending on your league). DeMarco Murray could get more touches with Felix Jones being limited with a shoulder injury.

WIDE RECEIVER: Denarius Moore was the talk of camp in Oakland, then had a breakout game against Buffalo with Jacoby Ford out. The opportunity is there, and if there is any rookie WR that will come out of nowhere to put up Mike Williams numbers, it is Moore. Even when Ford returns, he will crack the lineup ahead of Heyward-Bey. I also mentioned Eric Decker and David Nelson last week, and they are still pickups as they are likely available. Jerome Simpson is another potential pickup in Cincinnati with Andy Dalton playing well.

TIGHT END: I’ll beat a broken drum here, but you want Fred Davis. He was only owned in about 25% of leagues after last week. He is ahead of Chris Cooley and has been very productive for two straight weeks. Jermaine Gresham is also available in more than half the leagues out there.

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS: Matchup plays for teams likely available on the waiver wire are Arizona at Seattle, Cincinnati vs San Francisco at home, and Oakland vs. NY Jets at home.

My pickup priority this week, among players available in at least 50% of all leagues:

Denarius Moore, Oakland WR
Fred Davis, Washington TE
Dexter McCluster, Kansas City RB/WR
Eric Decker, Denver WR
David Nelson, Buffalo WR
Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati TE
DeMarco Murray, Dallas RB
Jacquizz Rodgers, Atlanta RB
Jason Campbell, Oakland QB
Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee QB

[photo via Getty]