For Real, Just Playin: Waiver Wire Targets Week 15

Being a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association of America, you'd think you'd get a quality fantasy article out of me every now and then, right?

Well, to all those who are wondering, here you go. In such a crucial week, the right waiver wire pickups can make or break your season. Let's break it down position by position, so you can find the right guy for your roster.

Quarterback

For Real: Sage Rosenfels (QB-Hou)

My dad is a huge Washington Redskins fan, and Rosenfels used to be the third string quarterback for the Skins, behind then-starter Mark Brunell and backup Jason Campbell. Boy, he has turned into a prolific quarterback. The once-joke quarterback out of Iowa State has turned in quite a few quality performances in relief of starting QB Matt Schaub, and he faces a below-average Broncos secondary next week. He could churn out a pretty decent performance, so why not take a chance on him if you need a spot starter for Week 15.

Just Playin': Luke McCown (QB-TB)

Luke has had some good games this season, and looks to be a perfect fit in Tampa Bay's system. But QB Jeff Garcia should return next week, and McCown will move to the bench. Geez, how many McCowns are relegated to the bench in a single season? I've completely lost count!


Running Back

For Real: Darius Walker (RB-Hou), Samkon Gado (RB-Mia)

What's this? Two Houston players "for real"? Boy, times have changed. But Darius Walker is the new starting running back in Houston, after the incumbent Ron Dayne got injured again yesterday. He is a worthy waiver wire pickup, as whoever starts at RB for Houston will get that cushy Denver run defense next week.

Another thing about Walker...would never imagine he'd get a starting gig before his former teammate, Brady Quinn. Whatever happened to that guy, anyway?

Gado actually turned in a pretty decent game against the Bills, posting 53 yards on 12 carries, with 2 TDs. If Jesse Chatman has to miss any more time, Gado could post some numbers worthy of using in a flex position.

Just Playin': Fred Jackson (RB-Buf)

Call it a mulligan if you want. Fred Jackson was relegated to the bench after it was announced shortly before gametime yesterday that Marshawn Lynch was going to start for Buffalo. Jackson responded with a great game anyway...he posted 115 yards on 15 carries.

Two things about this performance: the Bills were facing the Dolphins, who fell out of it early, and Lynch still got the majority of the carries. There is no time share in Buffalo, as Lynch will get the ball in much closer matchups. Avoid Jackson, and I'd even go as far to say he's a safe drop, if theres someone else out on the wire.


Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

For Real: Anthony Gonzalez (WR-Ind), Jabar Gaffney (WR-NE)

Anthony Gonzalez and Jabar Gaffney both play on high powered offenses centered around great quarterbacks, and so the question is not whether or not they are capable of producing, it is simply a matter of when. Gonzalez is the safer option of the two, seeing that he is the number 2/3 option on the Colts with Marvin Harrison out. Gaffney, on the other hand, plays on the stacked NE offense, who use a wide array of players and spread the ball out frequently. Both are worthy pickups, but be prepared for Lee Evans-like spikes in production. In other words, they could post 20 fantasy points one week and 2 points the next.

They are still worth rostering, when all is said and done.

Just Playin': Jerheme Urban (WR-Ari), Derek Hagan (WR-Mia), Mark Clayton (WR-Bal)

On the flip side, these guys had great receiving days yesterday, but I have questions over each of them. Urban came out of nowhere to produce like Bryant Johnson was supposed to, and he is still too risky to use in a regular lineup. Hagan plays on the Miami offense, and though they will have to throw a lot since they will be playing from behind, the talented Hagan is also too risky to put in your lineup and use in such a crucial week. Clayton was the beneficiary of some game-out-of-hand throwing as well, as the Baltimore team absolutely got murdered by the Colts yesterday. Not to mention, most of those stats he put up were against the Colt's second team defense.

Hope this article provides a good outline for who to target on the waiver wire! If I left anyone out, be sure to respond and get the word out to your fellow owners. On second thought, maybe you should keep quiet!