2012 Fantasy Football, Week 9 Waiver Wire: Jonathan Dwyer Is All Treats, No Tricks
Nick Foles (QB | Philadelphia Eagles | seven percent owned in Y!) If the Eagles’ brass actually gives Foles the nod on Sunday, he would be facing a Saints’ defense who surrenders the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (25.78/game). Although I don’t think this scenario is likely, Foles should be added in deeper leagues and two-quarterback leagues knowing the Eagles have a fairly friendly schedule — the 12th easiest — the rest of the way according to Football Outsiders.
Jonathan Dwyer ( RB | Pittsburgh Steelers | 46 percent owned in Y!) Dwyer should be the top add this week, especially for those in need of a running back. Although he hasn’t found the endzone yet, Dwyer has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last two weeks on 17 carries. For the year, the former Yellow Jacket is averaging 5.3 yards/carry and has scampered more than 30 yards on two occasions showing us that he does have that ability to “break out.” Finally, week 8 DVOA statistics indicate that the Steelers have the third easiest schedule from here on out. I’d use my number one claim on Dwyer — or about 50 percent of my FAAB — whether or not I needed a ball carrier. You can always flip him later to address the needs of your team.
Daniel Thomas ( RB | Miami Dolphins | 13 percent owned in Y!) Kevin briefly discussed Thomas in this week’s “Gold Mine,” so head over there to get the scoop.
Titus Young (WR | Detroit Lions | 25 percent owned in Y!) Once again, Kevin beat me to the punch on Young, so see what he has to say at the “Gold Mine.”
Cecil Shorts ( WR | Jacksonville Jaguars | 12 percent owned in Y!) Shorts has seen double-digit targets each of the past two weeks — 12 and 11 respectively — hauling in 12 of them for 185 yards and a score. Shorts sports the fourth best yards per route run of any receiver (2.70 yards per route run), landing him just behind Brandon Marshall, Percy Harvin and Danny Amendola. He could be a nice Halloween treat for owners in leagues with 12 or more teams, especially those of the PPR variety.
Chris Givens (WR | St. Louis Rams | 13 percent owned in Y!) The rookie from Wake Forest averages 2.14 yards per route run, landing him in the top 20 of all pass catchers in that category. Givens has posted gains of 50 yards or more in each of his last five games. While Danny Amendola returning after the bye could eat into some of Givens’ targets, it could also provide for a nice distraction allowing him to get more touches.
Miami (D/ST | 34 percent owned Y!) The Dolphins defense could be a nice option for owners who have the 49ers on a bye in week nine. The Fins are on a three game win streak (can’t believe I just said that) and have not allowed more than 14 points in any of those contests. They face the Colts, who, on average, yield just over seven points to opposing defenses.
Written by Alan Harrison for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Alan’s rants on Twitter @TheFantasyFix .