Quarterbacks
Michael Vick, Eagles - Back in the driver’s seat with Nick Foles (broken hand) out, Vick is back on the QB1 radar against a Giants defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Vick will be auditioning for the Jets, Bills, Cardinals, Jags, and Chiefs -- among others -- this week.
Brian Hoyer, Cardinals - Ryan Lindley has shattered the NFL record for pass attempts (171) in a season without a touchdown. The next-closest QB, Ken Dorsey, accrued just 91 attempts. As a result, Hoyer is expected to draw the start in the finale at San Francisco. He’s purely a desperation option in the deepest of leagues.
Colt McCoy, Browns - Brandon Weeden is a question mark for the finale versus the Steelers after sustaining a shoulder sprain last week. Like Hoyer, McCoy is a weak-armed passer only relevant in two-quarterback leagues.
Matt Leinart, Raiders - Cracked ribs and a bruised lung will keep Carson Palmer out at San Diego, leaving Leinart and Terrelle Pryor to handle the snaps. Leinart is an even shakier play than Hoyer or McCoy.
Running Backs
Montario Hardesty, Browns - Trent Richardson is nursing an ankle injury of unknown severity that may or may not keep him out of the season finale against an otherwise stout Steelers run defense that has nothing but pride for which to play. Hardesty has averaged a solid 4.6 YPC this season as a change-of-pace to Richardson. He’s merely a flex option if he draws the start.
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers - Suddenly out of coach Mike Tomlin’s doghouse, Mendenhall led the Steelers in rushing last week after taking over for a sideways-running Jonathan Dwyer. Mendy is a candidate to reclaim the starting job for the finale, as Dwyer has failed to seize a prime opportunity for this season and the future.
Ryan Grant, Packers - Grant finished fourth in fantasy points last week with Alex Green sidelined, but the Packers expect their lead back to return for the regular-season finale. Grant’s carries will be closer to 10 than 20 against the Vikings.
Lamar Miller, Dolphins - The third-round rookie is averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per on 46 rushes after piling up 73 yards on 10 totes last week. With Reggie Bush due to hit free agency, the Phins should give Miller a long look at New England in the finale.
La’Rod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals - Beanie Wells has apparently quit on the season after being banished to the bench for fumbling last week, telling reporters that his “days are numbered” in Arizona. It’s a sentiment unlikely to sit well with his coaches and teammates. LSH should be the primary back in a tough matchup with the 49ers.
Kahlil Bell, Bears - Matt Forte expects to suit up in a must-win game at Detroit, but he’s now injured the same ankle three times this season. If the injury ends up lingering, Bell would take over as the primary back. Bell closed out last season as fantasy’s No. 16 back over the final three weeks, topping 100 scrimmage yards in two of those games.
Peyton Hillis, Chiefs - Hillis produced just his second quality game in a Chiefs uniform last week, piling up 101 yards on 15 carries against an injury-depleted Colts defense. Don’t expect a repeat against a Broncos defense that is No. 1 in the league in run defense since Week 6.
Wide Receivers
Randy Moss, 49ers - Moss ascends to the starting lineup opposite Michael Crabtree with Mario Manningham out for the season. It would behoove the 49ers to get the veteran on track in Week 17 as a viable third weapon for the playoffs. Moss had topped 50 yards just once all season, so you’re banking on a touchdown if he’s in your starting lineup.
Greg Little, Browns - Outproducing Josh Gordon of late, Little is 23rd in fantasy points and 24th in receiving yards over the past three weeks. He’s a shaky WR3 option for Week 17 versus the Steelers.
Jordan Shipley, Jaguars - Shipley led Jacksonville with 82 yards on 10 targets and five receptions against the Pats last week. With Cecil Shorts on injured reserve, Shipley is a good bet for double-digit targets again at Tennessee.
Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - A strained hip leaves Mike Wallace’s status up in the air for the meaningless season finale versus the Browns. Should Wallace sit out, Sanders would likely pick up snaps. Keep in mind, however, that Sanders has been limited by a shoulder injury of his own.
Marvin Jones, Bengals - Jones is coming off season-highs in targets (7), catches (5) and receiving yards (65) versus the Steelers. He’s purely a deep-league option for Week 17 against the Ravens.
Tight Ends
Dorin Dickerson, Bills - The former Pitt star saw season-highs in targets (8), receptions (4), and yards (54) after Scott Chandler went down with an ACL tear last week. He faces a Jets defense allowing the 17th-most fantasy points to tight ends.
Lance Kendricks, Rams - The slow-footed Kendricks’ Week 16 stat line was inflated by an fluky 80-yard touchdown, but he’s still in the middle of the most productive stretch of his career. Although fourth in tight-end points over the past five weeks, Kendricks has a tough matchup at Seattle to close out the season.
Delanie Walker, 49ers - The Niners believe Vernon Davis’ “minor” concussion won’t keep him out of the season finale, but he still has to gain clearance from an independent neurologist. If Davis ends up sitting out, Walker is worth a look in deeper leagues. He’s No. 8 in fantasy points over the past three weeks.
Now a hallowed tradition in Rotoworld's Waiver Wired series, Week 17 brings us the sixth annual waiver awards (for the past few years, click on "Archives" above). To better prepare for the 2013 season, it's fitting that we take a step back and examine the highlights of 2012. 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.
The “Waiver Wired MVP” Award and the “Successful Hype Train” Award
Go to … Randall Cobb. Hyped as a must-own Dynasty asset throughout the offseason and anointed as “Percy Lite” back in Week 2, Cobb filled the void as Aaron Rodgers’ go-to receiver from Week 5 through Week 16. The versatile breakout star finished 15th in fantasy points throughout the season as well as in the fantasy playoffs. Cobb set the franchise record for most combined net yards in season with 2,342, surpassing Ahman Green’s 2,250 yards in 2003.
The “I Put Royster and Helu on the Pine” Award
Goes to … Alfred Morris. A legit rookie of the year candidate, Morris has a strong argument for MVP honors in shallow leagues after finishing sixth in fantasy points. In the leagues of most Rotoworld readers, however, Morris was drafted as a late-round flier -- thus unavailable on the early-season waiver wire. Already the franchise’s rookie rushing leader, Alf can break Clinton Portis’ single-season Redskins record with 103 yards versus the Cowboys this week.
The “Billy Volek” Award, the “Outhouse to the Penthouse” Award, and the “It’s About Friggin’ Time” Award
Go to … Knowshon Moreno. A healthy scratch for the majority of October and November, the former No. 12 overall pick averaged 27 touches per game while topping 100 yards from scrimmage in four of five starts in place of an injured Willis McGahee. Playing the best football of a disappointing career, Moreno finished fifth in fantasy points during the fantasy playoffs. It’s hallowed Rotoworld tradition that the Volek award goes to the player who came out of nowhere to carry fantasy owners to championships down the stretch.
The “Where Was His Hype Train?” Award
Goes to … Cecil Shorts. While Cobb saw plenty of early-season waiver hype and young breakout candidates such as Antonio Brown, Titus Young, and Denarius Moore were over-drafted, Shorts flew under the radar as Blaine Gabbert’s third or fourth target until Laurent Robinson sustained a series of concussions in October and November. Jacksonville’s best big-play threat in years, Shorts is 10th in fantasy points per over the last five weeks while finishing 18th on the season.
The “Better Late Than Never” Award
Goes to … Danario Alexander. First hyped in this space as a must-add waiver wire wonder back in October of 2010, “DX” was anointed by at least one scout as a “Calvin Johnson clone” after posting a monstrous 113/1,781/14 stat line at Mizzou in 2009. Nagging knee and hamstring injuries ravaged Alexander’s early career, leaving him free for the taking in October -- similar to Laurent Robinson’s 2011 breakout. Immediately surfacing as Philip Rivers’ go-to receiver, Alexander was a top-10 fantasy receiver in the second half of the season.
The “Plug ‘n’ Play” Award and the “Hoisted with His Own Petard” Award
Go to … Bryce Brown. Recommended as a strong plug ‘n’ play with LeSean McCoy out of the lineup in Weeks 12 and 13, Brown exploded for 372 yards and four touchdowns to carry fortunate owners into the fantasy playoffs. Once there, though, Brown followed the lead of fellow “Petard” winners Fred Davis (2011), Kyle Orton (2010), and Kurt Warner (2008) in leaving fantasy leaguers holding the bag.
The “Enjoy the Playoff Race from Over There, Smith” Award and the “Got Myself Paid” Award
Go to … Colin Kaepernick. After a QB controversy manufactured entirely by the media, Kaepernick “Wally Pipped” a concussed Alex Smith over the final two months. In the process, the strong-armed Randall Cunningham clone finally made the 49ers QB position fantasy relevant, finishing ninth in fantasy points over the final five weeks. Flirting with franchise QB status, Kaepernick will be a candidate for a lucrative contract extension in 2013.
The “Don’t Forget About Me” and “Still Better Than Matt Flynn” Award
Go to … Russell Wilson. After a slow start that had some fans and analysts stumping for Flynn in early October, Wilson finished the fantasy season with a flourish, ranking behind only Cam Newton, Tony Romo, and Tom Brady in the past five weeks. Rivaling the more ballyhooed Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck in the rookie of the year race, Wilson has placed seventh in passer rating (98.0) while joining Peyton Manning as the only rookies to pass for 25+ touchdowns. Nobody wants to face Wilson’s piping hot Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs.
The "Ain’t a Patch on Jones-Drew’s Arse” Award
Goes to … Rashad Jennings. After entering the 2012 season as one of the league’s most talented and productive backups, Jennings fell flat on his face as Jacksonville’s feature back when Maurice Jones-Drew went down with a late-October Lisfranc sprain. He managed to place in the top-20 fantasy backs just twice all season, finishing the season with a paltry 2.8 YPC average -- and 59th in fantasy points.
The “Voodoo Doll” Award
Goes to … David Wilson. Cognizant of the rookie’s explosive talent, owners spent the majority of the season sticking pins into the worn-down body parts of Ahmad Bradshaw and Andre Brown. Outside of a Week 14 record-breaking performance in return-yardage leagues, though, Wilson turned in a disappointing fantasy season while languishing on the bench due to pass protection and ball security concerns. He remains a Dynasty league gem.
The “Could Have Been a Contender” Award
Goes to … Andre Brown. After a 130-yard, 2-touchdown breakout game as a fill-in starter in Week 3, Brown produced a five-game scoring streak in Weeks 7-12 before going down with a broken fibula. With Ahmad Bradshaw banged up, Brown would have had a shot at RB2 value in the fantasy playoffs had he stayed healthy.
The “No McFadden, No Problem” Award
Goes to … Marcel Reece. Fantasy leaguers were split down the middle on Reece vs. Taiwan Jones when an underperforming Darren McFadden suffered a mid-season high-ankle sprain. Reece ended up topping 90 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive weeks, providing stable RB2 value to get desperate owners through the bye-week crunch while Jones remained persona non grata in Oakland.
The “Donald Brown, We Hardly Knew Ye” Award
Goes to … Vick Ballard. Brown entered the season as a trendy fantasy sleeper in some circles, only to be waylaid by injuries and disappointing production for the third time in four seasons. Ballard filled the void capably, offering low-upside but stable RB2/flex value from Week 7 through end of the fantasy playoffs. He finished the season a respectable 30th in fantasy points despite languishing on the bench in the first six weeks of the season.
The “Roster Yo-Yo” Award
Goes to … Ronnie Hillman. Drafted as a late-round flier in many leagues, the third-round rookie was subsequently dumped once it became obvious that Willis McGahee had a vice grip on the starting job. Bypassing Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball on the depth chart, Hillman ended up being a recommended waiver addition in five different weeks only to fall by the wayside due to pass protection and between-the-tackles concerns once McGahee was lost for the season.
The “Biggest Waste of a Column Lede” Award
Goes to … Austin Collie / Jahvid Best. With stretches of top-10 fantasy production earlier in their careers, the Concussion Brothers were deemed worthy of early-season waiver consideration at the bargain-basement price of a roster spot. The “Best Option” couldn’t find a doctor willing to clear him for football activity while Collie’s “Head Games” gave way to a ruptured patellar tendon. The end result was unfulfilled promised.
The “Biggest Tease” Award
Goes to … Kevin Ogletree / Brian Hartline. An in-demand waiver pickup after a career game of 8/114/2 in the season-opening upset win over the Giants, Dallas’ third receiver managed double digit fantasy points just one more time the rest of the way. Hartline “broke out” with his first career 1,000-yard season on the strength of a 12/253/1 overtime mirage in Week 4. Although he topped 100 yards in two other games, Hartline never again found the end zone, falling shy of reliable WR3 value.
The “All He Does Is Catch Touchdowns” Award
Goes to … James Jones. A fantasy tease beginning with his -1 yard performance as a fill-in starter versus the Bears in Week 2, Jones piled up six touchdowns in Weeks 4-6 and four more in the all-important Weeks 15-16. In between, he was a non-factor as an alleged WR3. Jones finished 16th in fantasy points thanks in large part to his NFL-leading 13 receiving scores.
The “Saboteur Has Struck” Award
Goes to … Titus Young. Typically awarded to an overhyped mediocrity such as Jackie Battle sabotaging the waiver priority of duped fantasy owners, this award goes to a player who actually subverted his own team’s chances of winning by intentionally lining up in the wrong place. Young’s knucklehead antics got him banished to injured reserve just as he was flirting with WR3 value opposite Calvin Johnson.
The “Rookies Can Catch, Too” Award
Goes to … T.Y. Hilton. The speedy third-round steal topped 100 yards in four games and scored in two others, good for a 30th-place fantasy finish -- 15 spots ahead of “starter” Donnie Avery. Hilton’s 750 receiving yards trail only Josh Gordon (766) and Justin Blackmon (786) among rookies.
The “Tale of Two Seasons” Award
Goes to … Dennis Pitta. A top-five tight end over the first three weeks, Pitta disappeared from the fantasy radar until the playoffs. Thanks to a monster 7/125/2 stat line against the Broncos in Week 15, Pitta topped all tight ends in fantasy points over Weeks 14-16. Despite the roller coaster act, Pitta still managed a seventh-place finish on the season.
The “Just Pick Him Up Already” and “Garbage-Time King” Award
Go to … Brandon Myers. Recommended as a waiver pick-up in seven different weeks, Myers was one of the few consistent fantasy tight ends until a late-season fade in the Raiders’ struggling offense. The garbage-time king ended up fourth in receptions, sixth in yards, and 11th in fantasy points at the position.
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, Nick Foles, Mikel Leshoure, Joique Bell, Jonathan Dwyer, Jackie Battle, Jacquizz Rodgers, La’Rod Stephens-Howling, Pierre Garcon, Danny Amendola, Josh Gordon, Kyle Rudolph, Martellus Bennett, and Greg Olsen. 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.
Quarterbacks
Michael Vick, Eagles - Back in the driver’s seat with Nick Foles (broken hand) out, Vick is back on the QB1 radar against a Giants defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Vick will be auditioning for the Jets, Bills, Cardinals, Jags, and Chiefs -- among others -- this week.
Brian Hoyer, Cardinals - Ryan Lindley has shattered the NFL record for pass attempts (171) in a season without a touchdown. The next-closest QB, Ken Dorsey, accrued just 91 attempts. As a result, Hoyer is expected to draw the start in the finale at San Francisco. He’s purely a desperation option in the deepest of leagues.
Colt McCoy, Browns - Brandon Weeden is a question mark for the finale versus the Steelers after sustaining a shoulder sprain last week. Like Hoyer, McCoy is a weak-armed passer only relevant in two-quarterback leagues.
Matt Leinart, Raiders - Cracked ribs and a bruised lung will keep Carson Palmer out at San Diego, leaving Leinart and Terrelle Pryor to handle the snaps. Leinart is an even shakier play than Hoyer or McCoy.
Running Backs
Montario Hardesty, Browns - Trent Richardson is nursing an ankle injury of unknown severity that may or may not keep him out of the season finale against an otherwise stout Steelers run defense that has nothing but pride for which to play. Hardesty has averaged a solid 4.6 YPC this season as a change-of-pace to Richardson. He’s merely a flex option if he draws the start.
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers - Suddenly out of coach Mike Tomlin’s doghouse, Mendenhall led the Steelers in rushing last week after taking over for a sideways-running Jonathan Dwyer. Mendy is a candidate to reclaim the starting job for the finale, as Dwyer has failed to seize a prime opportunity for this season and the future.
Ryan Grant, Packers - Grant finished fourth in fantasy points last week with Alex Green sidelined, but the Packers expect their lead back to return for the regular-season finale. Grant’s carries will be closer to 10 than 20 against the Vikings.
Lamar Miller, Dolphins - The third-round rookie is averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per on 46 rushes after piling up 73 yards on 10 totes last week. With Reggie Bush due to hit free agency, the Phins should give Miller a long look at New England in the finale.
La’Rod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals - Beanie Wells has apparently quit on the season after being banished to the bench for fumbling last week, telling reporters that his “days are numbered” in Arizona. It’s a sentiment unlikely to sit well with his coaches and teammates. LSH should be the primary back in a tough matchup with the 49ers.
Kahlil Bell, Bears - Matt Forte expects to suit up in a must-win game at Detroit, but he’s now injured the same ankle three times this season. If the injury ends up lingering, Bell would take over as the primary back. Bell closed out last season as fantasy’s No. 16 back over the final three weeks, topping 100 scrimmage yards in two of those games.
Peyton Hillis, Chiefs - Hillis produced just his second quality game in a Chiefs uniform last week, piling up 101 yards on 15 carries against an injury-depleted Colts defense. Don’t expect a repeat against a Broncos defense that is No. 1 in the league in run defense since Week 6.
Wide Receivers
Randy Moss, 49ers - Moss ascends to the starting lineup opposite Michael Crabtree with Mario Manningham out for the season. It would behoove the 49ers to get the veteran on track in Week 17 as a viable third weapon for the playoffs. Moss had topped 50 yards just once all season, so you’re banking on a touchdown if he’s in your starting lineup.
Greg Little, Browns - Outproducing Josh Gordon of late, Little is 23rd in fantasy points and 24th in receiving yards over the past three weeks. He’s a shaky WR3 option for Week 17 versus the Steelers.
Jordan Shipley, Jaguars - Shipley led Jacksonville with 82 yards on 10 targets and five receptions against the Pats last week. With Cecil Shorts on injured reserve, Shipley is a good bet for double-digit targets again at Tennessee.
Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - A strained hip leaves Mike Wallace’s status up in the air for the meaningless season finale versus the Browns. Should Wallace sit out, Sanders would likely pick up snaps. Keep in mind, however, that Sanders has been limited by a shoulder injury of his own.
Marvin Jones, Bengals - Jones is coming off season-highs in targets (7), catches (5) and receiving yards (65) versus the Steelers. He’s purely a deep-league option for Week 17 against the Ravens.
Tight Ends
Dorin Dickerson, Bills - The former Pitt star saw season-highs in targets (8), receptions (4), and yards (54) after Scott Chandler went down with an ACL tear last week. He faces a Jets defense allowing the 17th-most fantasy points to tight ends.
Lance Kendricks, Rams - The slow-footed Kendricks’ Week 16 stat line was inflated by an fluky 80-yard touchdown, but he’s still in the middle of the most productive stretch of his career. Although fourth in tight-end points over the past five weeks, Kendricks has a tough matchup at Seattle to close out the season.
Delanie Walker, 49ers - The Niners believe Vernon Davis’ “minor” concussion won’t keep him out of the season finale, but he still has to gain clearance from an independent neurologist. If Davis ends up sitting out, Walker is worth a look in deeper leagues. He’s No. 8 in fantasy points over the past three weeks.