Week Seven Waiver Wire Pickups Oct 14, 2008 | More

Another exciting week in the NFL is in the books, as usual, it is time to turn to the waiver wire to see if we can find you some hidden gems.  There will be some changes at the quarterback position for a couple of teams, so those of you needing to get someone that will actually be playing to cover a bye week are in luck. 

A couple running backs went down this week, too, that also creates some waiver opportunities.  Woe to the owner of the stud running that does not already have his backup on the roster.  The owner of the team with the top waiver pick in your league is no doubt licking his chops looking to sponge some fantasy points off the wire. 

The tight end position continues to be a mystery.  Can we find more than two or three consistent players at that position?  Please?  I don't know about you, but I have dropped and picked up a tight end every week this season so far.  And I don't think I need to say here that it's been unsuccessful every week, too.  Ugh.  On to the waiver wonders...

Solid Pickups
RB Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis
I never like to hear these two phrases near each other, "should be ok" and "left after injuring a hamstring".  Not a good combination there.  Then again, that creates an opportunity for the next guy on the depth chart, and Rhodes certainly took advantage this week with a 73 yards and a TD performance.  Should So far, the Colts have been quiet about the possible return of Joseph Addai.  Should he miss any more time, Rhodes is more than capable of filling in and putting up good fantasy numbers. 

RB Michael Pittman, Denver
Could it be?  Someone from the Bronco stable is asserting himself...and Mike Shanahan is taking notice?  His 125 total yards this past week has surely earned himself the majority of the playing time - at least for this upcoming week.  I wouldn't hesitate to get him into your starting lineup next week either.  Ride him while you can. 

WR Kevin Walter, Houston
Though not available in any of the leagues that I am in, I see that Walter is available in many leagues that are run using myfantasyleague.com.  A strong effort his past week of four catches and nearly 100 years, this while Andre Johnson was collecting his 178 yards.  The Texans are going to be behind a lot, so they will be passing a lot (not to mention their sorry running game).  Walter is a solid option in the passing attack and should be owned in all leagues. 

On the Radar
QB Brad Johnson, Dallas
It sounds like Tony Romo is going to be out for at least a month, which translates into three games or so.  I don't like the way the Dallas offensive line is protecting the quarterback this season, so Brad Johnson may have to prepare his dancing shoes.  He certainly is not as mobile as Romo, but I would imagine the Cowboys will do everything they can to keep their backup standing.  Nothing great to be expected here, but Johnson is a capable NFL quarterback, at at least for this week he's got a decent start against a weak Rams defense. 

RB Tashard Choice, Dallas
A tough week for Dallas, Romo out, and Felix Jones out as well.  Jones is looking like he will also miss some time, at least a couple of weeks.  Marion Barber's load will increase, but look for Tashard Choice to see some of Felix Jones' action.  A shuffling of the runningback depth chart is always a reason to take a look, and those of you hurting for short term depth at RB could take a chance on Choice. 

WR Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis
Though Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne (and Dallas Clark) would be ahead of Gonzalez as far as seeing the ball goes, he has been winning the confidence of Peyton Manning late in games.  Four catches for only 33 yards last week isn't exactly lighting the world on fire.  If something should happen to Harrison or Wayne (not too far fetched), Gonzalez would step right in and be a viable fantasy starter. 

TE Vernon Davis, San Francisco
To say that this season has been a difficult one for the fantasy owner to figure out the TE situation, is really not enough.  On draft day, there were so many 'middle of the road' choices, but now, those choices have dried up.  You've even got a situation where Kellen Winslow is ill and can't play.  All the fantasy owner can do is to continue to play the merry-go-round with their backup TE, and this week, I'd go out and grab Vernon Davis.  Six catches and 75 yards this past week, take a chance and pray you might get some kind of consistency moving forward. 

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cincinnati
Another short term solution, reports are that Fitzpatrick will get another start for the Bengals.  His numbers last week were pumped up by his rushing touchdown, 152 passing yards, ick.  That said, he should be starting this week, so those of you hard up to fill in a bye can at least get something out of the position for week seven. 

Deep and/or Dynasty Only
QB Drew Stanton, Detroit
So the Lions were trying to trade Jon Kitna, knowing that his back was so bad that he wasn't going to be able to play any more this season...huh?  Detroit is a mess and it can't be long for them to reach down and thrown Stanton to the wolves.  If he does get on the field, he'll struggle, but with Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams, you'd think the Lions passing game would show some sign of life at some point this season.  Maybe.  And by the way, you can now give up on Jon Kitna.

WR Harry Douglas, Atlanta
Five catches for almost a hundred yards will get you noticed in this column, but for now Douglas lands in the Deep/Dynasty list.  He hadn't done anything to speak of up to this point, but for the dynasty leaguer looking to the future at WR, wouldn't be a bad idea to take a chance on the youngster. 

RB Shaun Alexander, Free Agent
And yes, we dig into the darkest of depths to close out this week's column with old friend Shaun Alexander.  You remember him, right?  Top 5 pick just a year ago on draft day, now out of the league, yup, same guy.  I'm hearing that the Redskins are looking for some depth now that Ladell Betts is going to miss some time.  Only those of you absolutely desperate need apply here.