THE WAIVER WIRE in NFL fantasy football is something of a crapshoot as you’re making decisions of the future of your franchise based, mostly, on the limited sample size of the previous weekend.
However, in The Wire, we hope to steer you right and look at not just previous production but the upcoming match-up.
Don’t blame us if it all goes horribly wrong though.
Quarterback
Pick Up – Colin Kaepernick
Kapernick is available in 84% of standard-scoring fantasy football leagues but the 49ers quarterback is well worth having a look at if you’re in bye week trouble. In his four games since becoming the San Francisco starter, CK7 has averaged 18.5 points, scoring more than 20 in his last two.
Worth a punt - Blake Bortles
Bortles is not a good player but he does score quite well in fantasy football, ranking 11th despite being, possibly, the worst quarterback in the league. He averages more than 18 points a game — most of which does come in garbage time — and this week faces the joint worst fantasy defence in the Detroit Lions.
Ignore – Carson Palmer
Palmer is available in about 15% of leagues but, if he’s on your roster or you need a QB, you’re better off looking elsewhere. Ranked 20th in fantasy, the Cardinals quarterback is struggling this year as Arizona adapt a new offensive game plan.
Running Back
Pick Up – Dion Lewis
Lewis is available in more than 50% of leagues but the Patriots running back is well worth a spot on your roster as he returns from injury to face fantasy football’s worst run defence. In just seven games in 2015, Lewis had 36 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns in addition to 49 rushes for 234 yards and two further scores.
Worth a punt - James Starks
The Packers offence is something of a mess at the moment but at least Starks is a recognised running back. He returned from injury last week to post 44 yards and a touchdown. The Green Bay man — available in more than 70% of leagues — has had a further week to improve his fitness and faces a Washington defence ranked 24th against the run.
Ignore - Jacquizz Rodgers
The Bucs appear to be done with Rodgers as their lead back, especially now Doug Martin has returned from hamstring injury.
Wide Receiver/Tight Ends
Pick Up – Cameron Brate
Any Gronk owners out there worried about his latest injury might want to look towards the Tampa Bay tight end who caught seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown last week. Available in 65% of leagues, he has a tough match-up in week 11 but is one to keep in mind if you’re in playoff contention.
Worth a punt - Vernon Davis
Davis is quietly having himself a decent season and has managed eight catches for nearly 160 yards in the past two weeks. He may still be the second choice TE on the team but, against an awful Packers defence, he could score big again this week and is available to pick up in nearly 80% of leagues.
Ignore -Sammie Coates
After going for 139 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets in week five, it looked like Coates was about to emerge as a star in Pittsburgh. However, in his last four games, he’s managed just one catch for five yards and no scores. Don’t be tempted by the match-up with the Cleveland Browns.
The42 Weekly Fantasy Update
Stephen Van Loon became our first repeat winner with a whopping 147 points in week 10 after also taking the prize way back in week one.
