A devastating Week 2 that saw key players Danny Woodhead, Adrian Peterson and others injured for a significant amount of time or the entire season is finally over. Thankfully, yours truly can help you identify players to target on waivers who can help you strengthen and/or heal your team. Something to keep in mind: the players I’m suggesting you target represent the best opportunity for long-term value for your team. If you’re in a pinch and need a short-term fix that *may* develop into a season-long solution, you should consider putting in claims for Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne, Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, Theo Riddick, and DeAndre Washington.
But if you want someone who could help your team for the entire year, you should really consider…
Dennis Pitta
In February 2014 the Ravens signed Pitta to a 5 year, $32 million contract. Unfortunately Pitta suffered a gruesome hip injury in 2014 and re-injured the same hip in 2015, so 2016 represents our first chance to see if he’s worth $6.4 million per year. So far so good – through two games he’s logged 12 catches for 141 yards. As we’ve discussed several times the Ravens’ wide receiver and running back corps are flush with talent but lack a true number one. Pitta, on the other hand, stands alone as the team’s stud tight end and could be the team’s most reliable receiving threat. I predict Pitta will be this year’s Gary Barnidge: he’ll be picked up and on more than 80% of rosters after this waiver cycle and will provide top 6 value at the tight end position the rest of the year. He’s worth the first spot on your waiver claim list.
Jamison Crowder
Don’t look now but through two games Crowder has 12 catches for 97 yards and a score. His 8 yards per catch make him primarily a volume threat in PPR leagues but he scored in week 1 and Kirk Cousins badly overthrew him on a wide open throw that would have been a touchdown last week. I believe by midseason or earlier the chances are high that he’ll be an every-week Flex start. Crowder’s a sneaky claim this week, and if you’re low on the waiver order this may be your last opportunity to snag him.
Shane Vereen
Rashad Jennings injured his left wrist on Sunday, so he’s questionable for this week’s tilt versus Washington. Even if Jennings is a go, backup Giants RB Shane Vereen warrants your attention and a spot on your roster as a potential Flex play. For the young season Vereen already has six catches (exactly three in weeks 1 and 2) and has also carried the ball 20 times for 80 yards. In larger PPR leagues that production is hard to come by at the Flex spot especially with all the injuries we’ve seen so far. At the very least he’s a must-add for Jennings owners.
Chargers D/ST
The Chargers’ defense has played lights out this year aside from a quarter and a half versus Kansas City in week 1. If you’re streaming defenses, you may wish to consider San Diego as they travel to Indianapolis this week. Granted, anytime you start a defense against Andrew Luck you’re taking a risk (unless that defense is Denver) but Luck’s had practically no time to throw, we don’t yet know the severity of Donte Moncrief’s shoulder injury and Frank Gore has had to scratch, claw, leap and channel Simone Biles to produce this year. San Diego could be primed for a score this weekend.
am. If you’re in a pinch and need a short-term fix that *may* develop into a season-long solution, you should consider putting in claims for Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne, Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, Theo Riddick, and DeAndre Washington.
Don’t look now but through two games Crowder has 12 catches for 97 yards and a score. His 8 yards per catch make him primarily a volume threat in PPR leagues but he scored in week 1 and Kirk Cousins badly overthrew him on a wide open throw that would have been a touchdown last week. I believe by midseason or earlier the chances are high that he’ll be an every-week Flex start. Crowder’s a sneaky claim this week, and if you’re low on the waiver order this may be your last opportunity to snag him.