Now a hallowed tradition in Rotoworld's Waiver Wired series, Week 17 brings us the fourth annual waiver awards (for the past three years, click on "Archives" above). To better prepare for the 2011 season, it's fitting that we take a step back and examine the highlights of 2010. It's with that spirit that we bring you this year's award winners.
Readers seeking actual Waiver adds for this week should scroll to the last page of the article for an abbreviated list.
Editor's Note: Did your fantasy season end in Week 16? Check out Rotoworld's weekly fantasy football game, with cash prizes: at http://snapdraft.rotoworld.com/ Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who know matchups and value.
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Quarterbacks
The "Waiver Wired MVP" Award, the "Successful Hype Train" Award, and the "Outhouse to the Penthouse" Award
All go to … Michael Vick, Eagles - Way back in Week 1, before the season started, Vick was recommended as the ideal roster stash because he was the player most likely to become a "weekly asset" if given the opportunity. By Week 2, it was clear that Vick had regained the electric playmaking ability so evident early in his career. I urged all quarterback-needy owners to eschew Brandon Jackson and "pounce on" a difference-making Vick instead.
How valuable has Vick been? Non-scientific evidence suggests the majority of his owners are in the Week 16 finals, perhaps still hanging on for Tuesday night's results. The numbers back it up, too. Vick's 29.7 fantasy points per week are 4.7 more than second-place Aaron Rodgers' 25.0. Even better, Vick has averaged an NFL-best 33.8 points over the past four weeks and 36.1 in the playoff Weeks of 14 and 15. The "experts" won't deviate from a running back at No. 1 overall next season, but it's going to be hard to pass on Vick. In 14 games to everyone else's 15, Vick and Kevin Kolb have combined for 408.5 fantasy points. The next closest is Rodgers is at 350.2. No fantasy position has been more valuable this season than Philly's quarterback.
The "Still Better Than Alex Smith" Award
Goes to … Shaun Hill, Lions - Something to keep in mind for your 2011 draft: Lions QBs have totaled 322.8 fantasy points this season, good for seventh in the league and ahead of Eli Manning, Matt Schaub, and Joe Flacco. The majority of those points come from Hill, who has topped 20 fantasy points in seven of the eight games he has started and finished. A mainstay on Waiver Wired this year, Hill made the list nine times -- including this week.
The "Hoisted with His Own Petard" Award
Goes to … Kyle Orton, Broncos - This award was originally named for Kurt Warner, who was widely available in Week 1 of a 2008 season in which he finished fourth in fantasy points. Warner carried fantasy owners all year only to stumble in the snow at Foxboro during the fantasy playoffs. Orton faced a similar fate in 2010, carrying fantasy teams as a QB1 after going undrafted in half of all CBSSports.com leagues. Once Orton's dream playoff scheduled rolled around, though, he faceplanted with his two worst games of the season in Weeks 13 and 14.
The "Chan Gailey Miracle Worker" Award
Goes to … Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills - Chan Gailey, the patron saint of mediocre mobile quarterbacks, once breathed fantasy life into the careers of Kordell Stewart, Jay Fiedler, and Tyler Thigpen. After Trent Edwards predictably struggled the first two weeks of the season, Gailey began tinkering with new toy Fitzpatrick in a spread offense. The results? Fitzpatrick finished as a top-12 quarterback the rest of the way while notching 23 touchdowns in what had been a defunct offense.
The "Billy Volek" Award
Goes to … Tim Tebow, Broncos - For lack of a better option. It's hallowed Rotoworld tradition that there must be a "Billy Volek" award winner even if this year's hot late-season waiver pickups have fallen flat during the fantasy playoffs. Owners with the foresight -- and onions -- to gamble on Tebow, meanwhile, have been rewarded with impressive performances in his first two starts. Tebow's 24.7 points in Week 15 were seventh in the league, as were his 28.1 points in Week 16.
Running Backs
The "Where Was His Hype Train?" Award
Goes to … Peyton Hillis, Browns - The Albino Rhino was a recommended pickup in Weeks 1 and 2, but who saw his second-place fantasy finish coming? Though he failed to score in the fantasy playoffs, Hillis piled up 13 touchdowns in the first 12 games of the season while finishing fourth among running backs with 60 receptions.
The "What Took So Long, Raheem" Award
Goes to … LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers - After seeing the Cadillac running on fumes early in the season, Blount made the waiver list four times from Weeks 4-8. Citing pass protection issues, the Bucs coaching staff held off on making the switch until mid-season. The rookie averaged 93.2 yards per game the rest of the way, leaving fantasy owners and Bucs fans wondering what could have been?
The "Saboteur Has Struck" Award
Goes to … Brandon Jackson, Packers - How many fantasy owners blew their waiver budget on Jackson when Ryan Grant went down for the season? Better yet, how many owners went for Jackson over Michael Vick and Peyton Hillis back in Week 2? While B-Jax managed to remain a flex option for much of the season, he ended up sabotaging the seasons of many a wide-eyed believer.
The "Voodoo Doll" Award
Goes to … Tashard Choice, Cowboys - I didn't even own Choice until the fantasy playoffs started, but it feels like I spent the entire season sticking pins into a Marion Barber voodoo doll. Arguably the best all-around back in Dallas the past three seasons, Choice made the waiver list seven times only to be foiled by Barber at every turn.
The "Biggest Tease" Award
Goes to … James Starks, Packers - The sixth-round rookie ended up all hype and no substance. Starks made the waiver list as a flier from Weeks 5-7 in anticipation of his activation from the PUP list. Finally returning late in the season, Starks re-emerged as a hot waiver pickup after an 18-carry performance in Week 13. After a disappointing follow-up performance, Starks spent the past two weeks as a healthy scratch.
The "Woodhead & Bernstein" Award - How about a hand for the Patriots backfield? BenJarvus Green-Ellis a/k/a "Lawfirm" or "Boston Legal" was freely available early in the season, as was Danny Woodhead after Kevin Faulk went down. The two undrafted backs have combined for 304 carries, 1,456 yards (4.8 YPC), 58 receptions, 458 receiving yards, 18 total TDs, and zero fumbles.
Now a hallowed tradition in Rotoworld's Waiver Wired series, Week 17 brings us the fourth annual waiver awards (for the past three years, click on "Archives" above). To better prepare for the 2011 season, it's fitting that we take a step back and examine the highlights of 2010. It's with that spirit that we bring you this year's award winners.
Readers seeking actual Waiver adds for this week should scroll to the last page of the article for an abbreviated list.
Editor's Note: Did your fantasy season end in Week 16? Check out Rotoworld's weekly fantasy football game, with cash prizes: at http://snapdraft.rotoworld.com/ Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who know matchups and value.
***
Quarterbacks
The "Waiver Wired MVP" Award, the "Successful Hype Train" Award, and the "Outhouse to the Penthouse" Award
All go to … Michael Vick, Eagles - Way back in Week 1, before the season started, Vick was recommended as the ideal roster stash because he was the player most likely to become a "weekly asset" if given the opportunity. By Week 2, it was clear that Vick had regained the electric playmaking ability so evident early in his career. I urged all quarterback-needy owners to eschew Brandon Jackson and "pounce on" a difference-making Vick instead.
How valuable has Vick been? Non-scientific evidence suggests the majority of his owners are in the Week 16 finals, perhaps still hanging on for Tuesday night's results. The numbers back it up, too. Vick's 29.7 fantasy points per week are 4.7 more than second-place Aaron Rodgers' 25.0. Even better, Vick has averaged an NFL-best 33.8 points over the past four weeks and 36.1 in the playoff Weeks of 14 and 15. The "experts" won't deviate from a running back at No. 1 overall next season, but it's going to be hard to pass on Vick. In 14 games to everyone else's 15, Vick and Kevin Kolb have combined for 408.5 fantasy points. The next closest is Rodgers is at 350.2. No fantasy position has been more valuable this season than Philly's quarterback.
The "Still Better Than Alex Smith" Award
Goes to … Shaun Hill, Lions - Something to keep in mind for your 2011 draft: Lions QBs have totaled 322.8 fantasy points this season, good for seventh in the league and ahead of Eli Manning, Matt Schaub, and Joe Flacco. The majority of those points come from Hill, who has topped 20 fantasy points in seven of the eight games he has started and finished. A mainstay on Waiver Wired this year, Hill made the list nine times -- including this week.
The "Hoisted with His Own Petard" Award
Goes to … Kyle Orton, Broncos - This award was originally named for Kurt Warner, who was widely available in Week 1 of a 2008 season in which he finished fourth in fantasy points. Warner carried fantasy owners all year only to stumble in the snow at Foxboro during the fantasy playoffs. Orton faced a similar fate in 2010, carrying fantasy teams as a QB1 after going undrafted in half of all CBSSports.com leagues. Once Orton's dream playoff scheduled rolled around, though, he faceplanted with his two worst games of the season in Weeks 13 and 14.
The "Chan Gailey Miracle Worker" Award
Goes to … Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills - Chan Gailey, the patron saint of mediocre mobile quarterbacks, once breathed fantasy life into the careers of Kordell Stewart, Jay Fiedler, and Tyler Thigpen. After Trent Edwards predictably struggled the first two weeks of the season, Gailey began tinkering with new toy Fitzpatrick in a spread offense. The results? Fitzpatrick finished as a top-12 quarterback the rest of the way while notching 23 touchdowns in what had been a defunct offense.
The "Billy Volek" Award
Goes to … Tim Tebow, Broncos - For lack of a better option. It's hallowed Rotoworld tradition that there must be a "Billy Volek" award winner even if this year's hot late-season waiver pickups have fallen flat during the fantasy playoffs. Owners with the foresight -- and onions -- to gamble on Tebow, meanwhile, have been rewarded with impressive performances in his first two starts. Tebow's 24.7 points in Week 15 were seventh in the league, as were his 28.1 points in Week 16.
Running Backs
The "Where Was His Hype Train?" Award
Goes to … Peyton Hillis, Browns - The Albino Rhino was a recommended pickup in Weeks 1 and 2, but who saw his second-place fantasy finish coming? Though he failed to score in the fantasy playoffs, Hillis piled up 13 touchdowns in the first 12 games of the season while finishing fourth among running backs with 60 receptions.
The "What Took So Long, Raheem" Award
Goes to … LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers - After seeing the Cadillac running on fumes early in the season, Blount made the waiver list four times from Weeks 4-8. Citing pass protection issues, the Bucs coaching staff held off on making the switch until mid-season. The rookie averaged 93.2 yards per game the rest of the way, leaving fantasy owners and Bucs fans wondering what could have been?
The "Saboteur Has Struck" Award
Goes to … Brandon Jackson, Packers - How many fantasy owners blew their waiver budget on Jackson when Ryan Grant went down for the season? Better yet, how many owners went for Jackson over Michael Vick and Peyton Hillis back in Week 2? While B-Jax managed to remain a flex option for much of the season, he ended up sabotaging the seasons of many a wide-eyed believer.
The "Voodoo Doll" Award
Goes to … Tashard Choice, Cowboys - I didn't even own Choice until the fantasy playoffs started, but it feels like I spent the entire season sticking pins into a Marion Barber voodoo doll. Arguably the best all-around back in Dallas the past three seasons, Choice made the waiver list seven times only to be foiled by Barber at every turn.
The "Biggest Tease" Award
Goes to … James Starks, Packers - The sixth-round rookie ended up all hype and no substance. Starks made the waiver list as a flier from Weeks 5-7 in anticipation of his activation from the PUP list. Finally returning late in the season, Starks re-emerged as a hot waiver pickup after an 18-carry performance in Week 13. After a disappointing follow-up performance, Starks spent the past two weeks as a healthy scratch.
The "Woodhead & Bernstein" Award - How about a hand for the Patriots backfield? BenJarvus Green-Ellis a/k/a "Lawfirm" or "Boston Legal" was freely available early in the season, as was Danny Woodhead after Kevin Faulk went down. The two undrafted backs have combined for 304 carries, 1,456 yards (4.8 YPC), 58 receptions, 458 receiving yards, 18 total TDs, and zero fumbles.
Wide Receivers
The "Missed the Boat" Award
Goes to ... Brandon Lloyd, Broncos - It's not that I ignored Lloyd early in the season. He made the waiver list, but I couldn't have whiffed harder in pointing out that he had always been an immature, unreliable, injury-prone tease. Lloyd responded by leading the NFL in receiving yards while placing second in receiver fantasy points.
The "I Put Moss on the Pine" Award
Goes to … Kenny Britt, Titans - Thanks in large part to Jeff Fisher's head-scratching decision to stick with Justin Gage as the starter, Britt was recommended as a waiver pickup four weeks in a row before breaking out for 225 yards and three TDs in Week 7. After a six-week hamstring injury, Britt re-emerged as a solid WR2 option in the fantasy playoffs.
The "Got Myself Paid" Award
Goes to ... Steve Johnson, Bills - After scoring four touchdowns in three straight games with low yardage totals early in the season, Johnson broke out for eight catches and 158 yards in Week 7. Bypassing Lee Evans as the team's No. 1 receiver, Johnson went on to finish ninth in fantasy points with a 77/1,001/10 line.
The "Better Late Than Never" Award
Goes to ... Mike Williams, Seahawks - The 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft finally made an impact at the NFL level after eating his way out of the league in 2008 and 2009. Though injuries and a lack of touchdowns kept Williams out of the Top-50 wide receivers, he did post three double-digit reception games to go with three 100-yard performances.
The "Could Have Been a Contender" Award
Goes to … Mark Clayton, Rams - Emerging as Sam Bradford's go-to receiver in September, Clayton averaged 10.5 fantasy points per week before going down with a season-ending knee injury. For perspective, that weekly average would have placed Clayton in the Top-15 at wide receiver.
The "PPR Goldmine" Award
Goes to … Davone Bess, Dolphins - Bess' 178.5 PPR-format points narrowly edged Mike Thomas' 169.8 and Danny Amendola's 169.0 among waiver pickups. Bess made the waiver list six times, Thomas eight times, and Amendola five times.
The "Plug 'n' Play" Award
Goes to … Seyi Ajirotutu, Chargers - In the information age, it's not often that a legitimately under-the-radar player emerges as a no-brainer matchup play. Tutu was recommended as a fill-in starter in Week 9 at Houston, and he responded by blowing up for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
The "Ain't a Patch on Collie's Arse" Award
Goes to … Blair White, Colts - With Austin Collie suffering through a string of concussions, White ended up making the waiver list five times as the Colts' slot receiver. Though White did manage a handful of touchdowns, he managed to top 50 yards just once all season.
The "Biggest Waste of a Column Lede" Award
Goes to … Demayrius Thomas, Broncos and Danario Alexander, Rams - Two talented rookies produced two of my favorite column titles with "Age of Demaryius" and "The Danario Scenario." Unfortunately, ill-timed injuries and unfamiliarity with the offense kept both players from making a significant impact on the fantasy scene. The 2011 season is a different story.
Tight Ends
The "No Dallas, No Problem" Award
Goes to … Jacob Tamme, Colts - While Jermichael Finley owners had to grin and bear his season-ending injury, Clark owners had the good fortune to plug in Tamme for the rest of the season. Clark and Tamme have combined for 97 receptions, 911 yards, and seven touchdowns. Their 133.2 fantasy points are third only to Jason Witten and Antonio Gates.
The "All He Does Is Catch Touchdowns" Award
Goes to … Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars - Consider Patriots rookie Rob Gronkowski (Week 13, 15) a very close second. After making this list three times in the first six weeks of the season, Lewis finished behind only Jason Witten and Antonio Gates in tight end fantasy points -- thanks in large part to his nine touchdowns. One of the best all-around talents at the position, Lewis should gain respect as a TE1 option in 2011 drafts.
The "Roster Yo-Yo" Award
Goes to … Ben Watson, Browns - Watson's career highs of 61 receptions and 696 yards are nothing to sneeze at, but it would be hard to find a less reliable waiver pickup. After breaking out with big games in Week 6, 10, and 13, Watson responded with a dud the following week.
The "It's About Friggin' Time" Award
Goes to ... Owen Daniels, Texans - Fully expected to start the season slowly after a third ACL surgery, Owens appeared to be turning the corner in Week 5 -- only to come down with a hamstring injury that took two months to shed. Owens was recommended as a waiver pickup five times, finally coming through with big games in Weeks 14 and 16.
I have admittedly suffered more than a few misses along the way as well, but hopefully we served you well with Waiver Wired this season -- if not with one of the award winners above, then with the honorably mentioned Josh Freeman, Ryan Torain, Mike Tolbert, Chris Ivory, Brian Westbrook, or Deion Branch. Seasons greetings, and we'll see you here at Waiver Wired next September. For a Cliff's Notes version of waiver options for this week, keep reading.
On to the waiver lists. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into Week 17.
QUARTERBACKS
Tim Tebow, Broncos - As mentioned above, Tebow has averaged 26.4 fantasy points in his first two starts. Sure it's a small sample size, but Michael Vick is the only QB in the league with a higher average on the season. While the Chargers have been stout all year, they have little to play for after surrendering Carson Palmer's best game of the season in Week 16.
Shaun Hill, Lions - Weather won't be a factor at Ford Field as the Lions take aim at their fourth straight victory to close out the season. A win over the Vikings pulls them out of the NFC North basement. Hill has been a lock for 20 fantasy points each start this year. Play him with confidence as a high-end QB2.
Stephen McGee, Cowboys - If Charlie Whitehurst can bring a third-rounder, can the Cowboys get the same for McGee? That will depend on McGee's performance against an Eagles defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. The Cowboys "hope" Jon Kitna (oblique) starts, but that seems unlikely at this point.
RUNNING BACKS
Dominic Rhodes, Colts - After leading the UFL in rushing with the Florida Tuskers, Rhodes led the Colts with 98 yards on 17 carries in Week 16. Yahoo's Mike Silver, who spent the weekend covering the Colts, believes Rhodes has "positioned himself as the team's go-to ball carrier from here on out." I suspect we'll see a "hot hand," three-headed monster approach in the season finale before Rhodes and Joseph Addai reprise their 2006 roles in the NFL playoffs. Rhodes isn't more than a flex option for Week 17.
Correll Buckhalter, Broncos - Buckhalter came off the bench for 42 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and caught another three passes for 50 yards when Knowshon Moreno went down in Week 16. Interim coach Eric Studesville said Monday that Moreno could have re-entered, but Buckhalter was "rolling." Buckhalter appears to have re-taken the backup reins from Lance Ball and could end up starting in the season finale.
John Kuhn, Packers - Kuhn has taken hold of the goal-line job with authority in back-to-back career games the past two weeks. After scoring two touchdowns each on the ground and through the air, he's a must-add in TD-heavy leagues.
Joe McKnight, Jets - Locked into the No. 6 seed in the AFC, the Jets have nothing on the line in Week 17. There's already talk of benching Mark Sanchez, and LaDainian Tomlinson should be rested as well. I can't guarantee that McKnight will see double-digit touches, but he's worth picking up in deeper leagues in case the situation gains clarity later in the week.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jason Hill, Jaguars - The former 49er started over Mike Sims-Walker, played nearly every snap, tied for the team lead with nine targets, and totaled 77 yards on four catches against the Redskins. Impending free agent Sims-Walker remains banged up, and the Jags want to see what they have in Hill. Expect him to draw a second straight start in a dream matchup against the Texans' burnable secondary in the season finale. If so, Hill is a legit WR3 option.
Danario Alexander, Rams - DX has burned fantasy owners before, and back on the scene as a boom-or-bust option in Week 17. Alexander was finally a big part of the game plan with the Rams going to three-wide and four-wide sets to counteract defensive coaches having "figured out" Sam Bradford. A difference-making talent, DX led the team with six catches and 99 yards against San Fran.
Jacoby Jones, Texans - With Andre Johnson out of the lineup, Jones finally made good on his wasted potential. With Champ Bailey tying up Kevin Walter, Jones led the Texans with five receptions and 115 yards on seven targets. He's only an option against the Jags if Johnson ends up sitting again.
Jerome Simpson / Andre Caldwell, Bengals - With Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco sidelined, the Bengals' passing game came to life against a Chargers defense going through the motions. Simpson, a mammoth draft bust to date, finally broke out with a 6/124/2 line while Caldwell posted a second-straight game between 85-90 yards. Simpson has the higher upside against the Ravens, with Caldwell as the more conservative play.
Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - Gaining Ben Roethlisberger's trust as a second playmaker in the passing game, Sanders has averaged 5.5 catches and 66 yards the past two weeks. He just missed a pair of scores against the Panthers in Week 16, too. As the Steelers' third receiver, he's only a fantasy option in deeper leagues.
TIGHT ENDS
Jared Cook, Titans - Due to coach Jeff Fisher's fetish with veteran mediocrity (see also: Collins, Kerry and Gage, Justin), Cook spent the season wasting away behind Bo Scaife. Finally given starter's snaps, he broke out with a string of impressive catches against the Chiefs on his way to 96 yards and a touchdown in Week 16. Play him with confidence as a low-end TE1 option at Indy in the finale.
Heath Miller, Steelers - Miller bounced back from a concussion with a season-high 73 yards on five catches against the Panthers. This week he faces the Browns, a defense allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Lions - Detroit's defense plays much better at home, and they host Joe Webb and the turnover prone Vikings in Week 17.
Falcons - After Monday night's loss, the Falcons are still playing for the NFC South title. A motivated Atlanta defense will host Jimmy Clausen in the finale.
Bills - This one hinges on the Jets' QB decision. If a washed-up Mark Brunell ends up starting, the Bills defense is a sneaky fantasy play.
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