The Best Laid Plans

The best laid plans of Tom Brady owners went horribly awry in the first quarter of the first game of the season. If yesterday's NFL Chat is any indication, Brady owners are going to dominate the waiver wire this week. Before you rush out to grab Matt Cassel in a flailing attempt at a season savior, a word of advice: go ahead and put in for Cassel, but work the email lines for a trade as your first line of defense.

Matt Cassel hasn't started a meaningful football game since high school, and he was inches away from getting chopped from the final 53-man roster a couple of weeks ago. As he's nobody's idea of a legit NFL starting quarterback, he shouldn't be yours either. But there are plenty of intriguing QB2s riding the pine on your fellow owners' benches. So instead of handing Cassel the keys to your franchise, try selling high on some of your Week 1 wonders and turn to more appetizing options:

a. Go the reliable veteran route by trading for Kurt Warner, Brett Favre, Jake Delhomme, or Jon Kitna. All are better bets for sustained fantasy success this season.

b. Buy low on high upside QB2s coming off of Week 1 letdowns, such as Matt Schaub, Derek Anderson, Marc Bulger, or David Garrard.

On to the waiver wire, where we'll see if we can strike gold again like we did last week with Chris Johnson, Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson, and Matt Jones. Here's how I rank the likely targets at each position this week. Full writeups of each player are below.

QUARTERBACKS

1. J.T. O'Sullivan
2. Trent Edwards
3. Matt Cassel
4. Kerry Collins
5. Damon Huard

RUNNING BACKS
1. Pierre Thomas
2. Steve Slaton
3. Sammy Morris
4. Felix Jones
5. Tim Hightower
6. Derrick Ward
7. Andre Hall/Michael Pittman
8. Kenny Watson
9. Justin Forsett

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. DeSean Jackson
2. Eddie Royal
3. Matt Jones
4. Bryant Johnson
5. Courtney Taylor
6. Hank Baskett
7. Logan Payne

TIGHT ENDS
1. Randy McMichael
2. Anthony Fasano
3. Donte Rosario
4. Bo Scaife

***

Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.

QUARTERBACKS

J.T. O'Sullivan, 49ers - I recommended grabbing O'Sullivan last week, and while his numbers were less than impressive on the surface, he actually fared well. In a game where the Cardinals dominated the time of possession battle, JTO completed 70 percent of his passes at almost 10 yards per attempt. Better games are in store.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Trent Edwards, Bills - Edwards isn't going to blow up for 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns, but he's a mature young quarterback in an improved offense. There's not a ton of upside, but he makes for a reliable low-end QB2.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Matt Cassel, Patriots - You know how I feel about Cassel: there are better options out there for the industrious fantasy owner. That said, as long as he has Randy Moss blazing down the sidelines, he's worth of a roll of the dice as a backup with a bit of upside in the Patriots offense. Don't assume he's your savior, but feel free to grab him for depth.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Kerry Collins, Titans - It's true that the Titans wide receivers can't get separation and have no extra gear to blow by defenders. It's also true that the group tends to perform much better when Collins replaces Vince Young.

Young is out two-to-four weeks with a sprained knee, but the more engrossing story is his "refusal" to enter the game at one point in the fourth quarter before his knee injury Sunday. Young said it was simply hamstring tightness, but there's more to this story than meets the eye. There's more of a chance than you might think that this is Collins' job for a good portion of the season.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Damon Huard, Chiefs - And the Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez, and Larry Johnson owners breathe a sigh of relief. The Chiefs are quite possibly the worst team in the NFL with Brodie Croyle under center, but Huard immediately injects legitimacy into a stagnant offense.

Even with a poor offensive line, Huard can find Gonzalez and Bowe enough to put up QB2 numbers for as long as Croyle is sidelined with a bum shoulder.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

RUNNING BACKS

Pierre Thomas, Saints - We advised grabbing Thomas last week as Reggie Bush's backfield partner while Deuce McAllister remains a shell of his former self. Bush stole the headlines with a fine all-around performance, so Thomas may still be flying under the radar.

Keep in mind, however, that it was Thomas who led the Saints in rushing yards Sunday. As long as he remains the No. 2 to Bush, he's worth owning in an explosive offense. He's awfully close to being worthy of a weekly flex play.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Steve Slaton, Texans - Slaton was recommended last week along with Chris Taylor, but Taylor didn't receive a single carry. Meanwhile, nominal starter Ahman Green came down with an ankle injury (shocking, I know) that has the team scrambling for depth. Slaton remains the best bet for carries in the short-term.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Sammy Morris, Patriots - Last week we talked about the "whims of Mike Shanahan" in the Andre Hall write-up, but the whims of Bill Belichick are just as strong. There has been no indication that Laurence Maroney will ever be a three-down back in New England, and Morris is the clear No. 2.

He led the team in rushing yards and garnered the lone ground game touchdown Sunday against the Chiefs. Morris should remain the goal-line back going forward.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Felix Jones, Cowboys - As a highly touted rookie, Jones is owned in most leagues. If you play a shallow league, be sure to grab him in case Marion Barber's ribs become a nagging issue. Most likely, Jones will continue to have a limited role, but his obvious explosiveness makes him an intriguing stash.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Tim Hightower, Cardinals - Another back we recommended last week, Hightower continues to work his way into the backfield picture for the Cardinals. In addition to short-yardage work, Hightower has already grabbed J.J. Arrington's third-down passing game role.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Derrick Ward, Giants - The backfield picture was hazy all preseason, but Week 1 showed us that Ward is the clear No. 2 to Jacobs. He's worth a handcuff with Jacobs' injury history, but there's a good possibility of splitting time with Ahmad Bradshaw under that scenario.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Andre Hall/Michael Pittman, Broncos - This backfield is a mess. Selvin Young was supposed to be the starter with Hall getting short-yardage and red zone work. Instead, Hall led the team in attempts while Pittman took over the short-yardage role. Pittman may be worth a look in TD-heavy scoring leagues, but Hall is the backup to own here.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Kenny Watson, Bengals - Chris Perry had a disappointing opener, but let's face it: the Ravens run defense is murderous. It doesn't get any easier with the Titans coming to town, and Watson is waiting in the wings should injury or poor play necessitate a larger role.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Justin Forsett, Seahawks - The destitute man's Maurice Jones-Drew had an impressive preseason and could carve out a role the next few weeks while Maurice Morris is out with a knee sprain.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Shaun Alexander/Cedric Benson, Free Agents - The NFL has moved on from Shaun Alexander, and so should you. Benson was in Houston for a look-see from the desperate Texans, but he remains a longshot at value. Bottom line: you're not likely to be kicking yourself later for failing to pick up either one of these backs.

Recommendation: Pass

WIDE RECEIVERS

DeSean Jackson, Eagles - Jackson was our No. 1 recommendation at receiver last week, so here's hoping you picked him up before he tortured Rams corner Tye Hill repeatedly in the opener. He should be at the top of your waiver options in PPR leagues and is worth adding in basic scoring leagues as well.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Eddie Royal, Broncos - Another receiver from last week's Waiver Wired, Royal exploded onto the scene on national TV Monday night. He's going to take a back seat to Brandon Marshall the rest of the season, but the talent and the faith of his quarterback and head coach were on full display.

Don't expect these blow-ups with regularity, but do expect a solid No. 2 receiver for the Broncos. Astute Tom Brady owners with Royal on their rosters will want to package the rookie after his sell-high performance for an upgrade at quarterback.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Matt Jones, Jaguars - After leading the team in receiving all pre-season, Jones was clearly the Jags best option in the opener as well. As the only receiver making a difference in Jacksonville, he could very well keep his starting job even when Jerry Porter returns. I may be a glutton for punishment, but I think Jones is the best bet to lead the Jags receivers in fantasy points this season.

Recommendation: Should be owned 12-team leagues

Bryant Johnson, 49ers - Rookie Josh Morgan stole the hype and veteran Isaac Bruce was the assumed favorite target, but Johnson may be the best bet to emerge as the Niners top fantasy receiver. Feel free to grab him as a No. 5 wide receiver if you have an opening.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Courtney Taylor, Seahawks - We hyped Taylor last week only to see him open with a disappointing performance against Buffalo. Nevertheless, attrition has taken its toll on the Seahawks receiving corps and has left Taylor as the last man standing for the No. 1 spot. There's no guarantee of success after Sunday's performance, but he gets an "A+" for opportunity

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Hank Baskett, Eagles - Baskett isn't going to be highly targeted, but his big play ability may be worth a roll of the dice for as long as Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis remain out.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Logan Payne, Seahawks - A Gregg Rosenthal and Seattle front office favorite, Payne may be battling backup quarterback Seneca Wallace for the Week 2 starting spot opposite Courtney Taylor. Payne is the better bet for a high catch total.

Dynasty leaguers may want to look Jordan Kent's way in hopes that the raw athlete catches lightning in a bottle while the veterans occupy the M.A.S.H. unit.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

TIGHT ENDS

Randy McMichael, Rams- It speaks well to McMichael's '08 value that he was able to haul in five passes for 77 yards in a game where the rest of the offense sputtered and fell flat. Offensive coordinator Al Saunders promised a prominent pass-catching role for his tight end, and he delivered.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Anthony Fasano, Dolphins - Fasano was featured here last week, but an eight-catch performance exceeded our expectations. Chad Pennington completed 26 passes Sunday with 12 of them going to tight ends, so it's safe to say Fasano will continue to be featured in Dan Henning's offense. The former second round draft pick makes for a high ceiling TE2 in PPR leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Donte Rosario, Panthers - Teams often talk about a backup player emerging during the preseason, but it's not often that the talk turns to action so quickly. The Panthers have been trying to tell us about Rosario and his emerging role in the offense, but fantasy owners remained skeptical.

He's a legit talent, so Dynasty leaguers especially should not chalk this up to a fluky performance. Keep an eye on his day-to-day foot sprain, but he's worth targeting as a TE2.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Bo Scaife, Titans - Despite newcomer Alge Crumpler's status as the starter, it was Scaife who led the Titans in receiving Sunday with 105 yards on six catches. Expect Crumpler to emerge and Week 1 to be Scaife's high water mark.

Recommendation: Pass

TEAM DEFENSE

Titans - The best defense I saw all day Sunday was Tennessee's. The Jags' normally dominant rushing game was overwhelmed with Albert Haynesworth & Co. storming the backfield on a regular basis. If the Titans went undrafted in your league, don't hesitate to add them; they're elite.

Bills - With Rosoe Parrish in the return game and an improved defense led by former Jags All-Pro Marcus Stroud, the Bills defense is worth a look if you accidentally fell for the Colts hype on draft day.

Eagles - The Eagles defense smothered the Rams all game, but they won't have it that easy every week. They do, however, have an explosive return man in DeSean Jackson.

Copyright Archive Sources
Contact Us