Whether your 0-2 or 2-0 it's time to take a look at this week's waiver wire. With a heavy dose of players from the BCS conferences on the list, those of you that don't have access to a Tulsa or SMU quarterback can still make improvements. And if you're going to make a move, now is the best time to do it, as teams will soon be entering the conference portion of their season, where the competition tends to even out.
We'll only cover those that have a high rate of availability heading into the Saturday's action based on U-Sports leagues; after all it does us no good to tell you that Colt McCoy is off to a nice start and is worthy of a roster spot. Percent available is shown in parenthesis.
QB David Johnson, Tulsa (40% availability) - I was bit surprised to see that 40% of U-Sports leagues do not show Johnson on a roster. Maybe there was still some early season skepticism about job sharing, or maybe it is because he plays for a non-BCS school which skews the numbers; whatever the reason, if he is out there pick him up. Despite early-season concerns of split snaps, so far it has been Johnson's show and a Gus Malzahn tutored once quarterback once again leads the fantasy board.
QB Jevan Snead, Mississippi (60% availability) - Our love affair with Jevan Snead just escalated to a full-blown man crush. Snead picked apart a solid Wake Forest defense and nearly pulled off the upset on the road, giving us reason to believe he can handle a SEC schedule. Of course I dumped Snead hours before the Wake game in favor of Inoke Funaki.so what do I know?
QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State (30% availability) - Normally I wouldn't mention someone with only 30% availability, but I feel compelled to give Josh some love. Obviously we didn't give Josh his due in our preseason rankings. He's a senior with NFL size and arm. With the lack of a running game to lean on, Freeman has stepped up his game and he currently sits fourth amongst all quarterbacks in fantasy points. Josh has a bye in week three. After that Louisville and Louisiana-Lafayette are on deck.
QB Tyler Graunke, Hawaii - Our worst nightmare has come true; two games and all four quarterbacks have given it a go. The flavor of the day seems to be Graunke.
QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati (100% availability) - I'm not going to lie; I don't know much about Pike, other than he takes over Brian Kelly's offense. It is a system play and he's at minimum worth a pickup to see what happens. Also keep an eye on Chazz Anderson, a dual threat redshirt freshman that could step in if Pike struggles.
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QB Bo Levi Mitchell, SMU (54% availability) - While I'd love to give us a pat on the back for suggesting to start Mitchell against Texas State this week, I have to remind myself that we also recommended Inoke Funaki against Weber State. June Jones is committed to a quarterback (unlike his Hawaiian counterpart) and while we would be careful on where and when you start the youngster, he does have some decent matchups coming up in October.
QB Austin Davis, Southern Miss (87% availability) - A 66% completion percentage against Auburn is not too shabby for a redshirt freshman. Like Bo, you'll want to pick your spots.
QB Robert Griffin, Baylor (no data available) - True freshman starter with 4.5 speed. Like the three above, start him wisely but Griffin probably has the most ability of all of them.
QB Randall Cobb, Kentucky (no data available) - We are not quite sure what position the athletic Cobb ends up at just yet. He's dabbled in a little bit of everything so far. No matter where he grows roots, he has a bright future.
RB Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (39% availability) - As we said last week, Hunter is the one preseason sleeper running back that has exploded early on. Hunter was obviously a hot commodity on the waiver wire last week, but there still seems to be some availability in a few leagues.
RB Nicolas Grigsby, Arizona (42% availability) - Admittedly we weren't sold on Nic in the off-season. It was more of a system thing than a talent thing. Five touchdowns and 300+ yards rushing in two games go a long way in changing even the most stubborn of people.
RB Toby Gerhart, Stanford (68% availability) - Apparently most weren't sold on Gerhart's performance in week one against Oregon State as he is still showing a high percentage of availability. Another week and two touchdowns later and he's back on our list. The big fella should at least be good for a score a game.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State (no data available) - I think we've beaten this one to death. The kid is good.
RB Duane Bennett, Minnesota - There is still no telling what is going to happen with Minnesota's run game once they hit conference play. However, with Montana State and Florida Atlantic on deck, he should be a good start as a RB2/3 the next couple of weeks.
RB Mark Ingram, Alabama (78% availability) - No need to gush over Ingram anymore. We've done enough already. The only thing you need to know is the freshman is seeing carries early and often for the Tide. Is it too early for full-time fantasy duty? Maybe, but it would be wise to at least get him on your roster.
RB Sam McGuffie, Michigan (87% availability) - Like Ingram, McGuffie is quickly settling into the role of the main running back for the Wolverines. Again, it may be premature to call him a fulltime fantasy starter, and I fully expect Michael Shaw to remain involved. Grab and stash.
RB LeGarrette Blount, Oregon (65% availability) - We've said it a thousand times: Blount's value goes up and down depending on Jeremiah Johnson's health. Of course no one knew JJ would dislocate his shoulder in the first possession last week so odds are Blount was sitting on your bench. After all, I didn't even trust our 'prediction' that he would get on the board this week. It's tough to gauge the severity of JJ's dislocation right now. If it was a full dislocation, I doubt he will play versus Purdue no matter how good he thinks it feels. Speaking from experience, it not a pain thing, but a re-strengthening of the joint to avoid it happening again. If it was only a mild separation, he could be right back in the lineup. We'll know more on his status later in the week.
RB Shonn Greene, Iowa (79% availability) - On the list last week and he gave us no reason to leave him off this week.
RB Clifford Harris, Duke (100% availability) - I'm not going to make any bold predictions about a Duke running back, however Harris has been a solid fill in for the injured Re'quan Boyette (knee). Harris has Navy up next, which could make for a decent start.
WR Aldrick Robinson, SMU (56% availability) - I'm guessing this will be the last time we mention his name on the waiver report. Please grab him.
WR L.J. Castile, Houston (58% availability) - See above. Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards also look like potential pickups as well. Still no word on the return of Chris Gilbert.
WR Dexter McCluster, Mississippi (67% availability) - Every good quarterback needs a guy to throw to, and McCluster has quickly taken over Mike Wallace's role as that guy. While not as big, McCluster has speed to burn, and he will also get some carries, which equates to more touches and more opportunities to score.
WR Marshwan Gilyard, Cincinnati (85% availability) - I saw some things in the Natti's top wide receiver from last year Marcus Barnett that I didn't like, namely a personal foul penalty for slapping a Sooner defender. At the same time I saw some things from Gilyard that I did like, namely his speed on a game-tightening kickoff return for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Gilyard also tacked on seven catches for 119 yards. Is Grutza's broken leg a concern for the passing game as a whole? Somewhat, but head coach Brian Kelly will find a way to get it done through the air.
WR Ryan Wolfe, UNLV (65% availability) - Two weeks in and he's already matched his touchdown total from last year. More importantly we like the number of touches (nine) he's getting per game.
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma (100% availability) - Oklahoma is doing a good job of spreading the ball around. Last week it was Manual Johnson that we had on the waiver wire. This week it is Broyles that caught our eye. He and Sam Bradford got into a groove in the third quarter and the two were unstoppable. Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson are going to see plenty of balls thrown their way, and it is tough to say if Broyles will emerge from the pack, however we did hear rumblings during fall camp that Broyles was starting to come on. He's definitely one to watch.
WR B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State (89% availability) - B.J. had one called back against Cal and another slip through his fingertips early in the first quarter last week before it turned into the Javon Ringer show. Despite still looking for his first career TD, B.J. is a decent WR3 in your lineup. Plug him in when you have a hole. He's going to breakout eventually. It could be against Florida Atlantic as the message was sent to the running game and the offensive line last week, and there's no way Ringer gets 30+ carries again untill conference play.
TE D.J. Williams, Arkansas (71% availability) - We've either seen D.J.'s career effort or the beginning of a beautiful fantasy relationship between Williams and quarterback Casey Dick. Williams was Dick's favorite target in the second half.
TE Blaine Irby, Texas (86% availability) - Another week, another touchdown. The fact that Colt McCoy (75% completion percentage) looks to be back to 2006 form is reason enough to pickup Irby.
TE Jared Cook, South Carolina (79% availability) - Only one touchdown so far this year, but we are encouraged by his 10 catches in two games. The more you touch the ball the more chances you have to score and decent tight ends are hard to find.
TE Aaron Hernandez, Florida (81% availability) - With Cornelius Ingram out for the year, Hernandez has stepped in as the starter. Ultimately he'll have to fight for touches but he'll also be the beneficiary of defenses that are concentrating on the Gators' other weapons
