Walking The Waiver Wire - Week 11

Last week we focused on bye week replacements over bold moves.  That is our focus again this week as there aren't any "must haves" out there waiting for you.  BUT - a good bye week replacement is worth his weight in gold and can save your Super Bowl.

RUNNING BACKS

Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Sims got 10 touches in his Bucs debut last week and didn't do a heck of a lot with them.  He managed 23 yards on 8 attempts and caught 2 passes for 17 yards.  What we do know is that the Bucs are actively looking to trade Doug Martin next year and Sims got the same number of touches as Bobby Rainey.  Sims only played 32% of the snaps but I believe that was more a function of not having an NFL game under his belt.  He fumbled once which is a concern but as I mentioned last week, Lovie Smith needs to find out what he has in Sims before season end.  Expect the opportunity to tilt in Sims' favor over the coming weeks.

Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions (6% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Riddick didn't blow anyone away last week but he proved he could exist in a backfield with Reggie Bush and Joique Bell.  He only had 3 carries for which he did not manage a single yard, but he caught 2 passes - one for a touchdown.  This is an actual text from an actual reader on Sunday:  "Need to pick two of Andre Williams, Peyton Hillis and Theo Riddick.  Any thoughts?"  My answer:  "You can't go right with any of them."  At least Riddick scored a TD, which made him relevant.  Look at Riddick as a ridiculous bye week option or look at him as an RB stash for when Bush eventually leaves games due to injury.  Either one will pay off.  In the two weeks Bush was out Riddick had a 13-149-2 line.  He won't run the ball but in PPR leagues he could be a decent option.

C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos (11% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

It seems as if everyone is going RBBC these days.  In Denver, it is more of a necessity rather than a strategy.  Anderson picked up for the injured Ronnie Hillman last week and turned 17 touches into 173 yards and a touchdown.  The Broncos announced that Hillman will remain out for the next two weeks.  Montee Ball returns but expect the Broncs to ease him back in the lineup with limited touches.  That makes C.J. a great play for this week and a lottery pick for the rest of the season.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles (28% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

It isn't a coincidence that Matthews had his best day as a pro in Mark Sanchez's first start.  The two of them played together on the second unit the entire training camp.  Sanchez will look for the slot WR more than Foles did and Matthews turned that into a 7-138-2 line against Carolina last week.  Nobody said rookie WRs can't deliver.  Ask Sammy Watkins, or Mike Evans, or Kelvin Benjamin or ... you get the idea.

Cecil Shorts III, Jacksonville Jaguars (41% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

One man's trash is another man's treasure.  Shorts - heavily owned at the beginning of the season - was dropped due to injury and disappointment.  However, with last weeks Waiver Wire gem Allen Robinson out for the season with a foot injury, Shorts gets a fresh look as the Jags #1 option.  He put up a 5-119-0 line against the Cowboys in London last weekend and has had no less than 7 targets the last five weeks including 16 targets against the Titans in week 6.  Is it Shorts weather again in Jacksonville?

QUARTERBACKS

Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles (45% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Chip Kelly's plug and play offense is turning Sanchez into a fantasy stud!  Remember last year when Michael Vick went down with an injury and Nick Foles stepped in without missing a beat.  Well - here we go again!  Sanchez delivered in his first start with 332 yards, 2 TDs and 0 interceptions.  AND NO BUTT FUMBLES!  As much as we make fun of Mark Sanchez, let's remember he did lead the Jets to multiple AFC Championship games.  He is a viable QB1 for the rest of the season.

WATCH LIST

MICHAEL VICK (12%), ISAIAH CROWELL (15%), KYLE RUDOLPH (30%), MARTAVIUS BRYANT (now up to 63% - GO GET HIM!!  NOW!!)

That is the Waiver Wire for this week.  Be smart during your byes.  The depth - as evidenced - by the texts I received - is lacking.  One false move and ... I don't even want to think about it BUT one great move ... can win you the championship.  Hope you win all your match-ups this week.  As always please comment below or hit me on Twitter @iambradstrong.