Donnie Avery, Rams

A ton of injuries this week are going to force some previous Waiver Wonder players into the fantasy limelight.  I’m sure LeSean McCoy is long gone in most leagues but it should go without saying that Brian Westbrook owners should be looking elsewhere for help. I think the ownership of Ladell Betts should be rising since Clinton Portis will miss an indefinite amount of time with a concussion.  I would think the same goes for Ronnie Brown owners-- Ricky Williams gets a nice boost in his absence.  Larry Johnson’s release opens up a ton of opportunity for either Jamaal Charles or Kolby Smith.  Charles seems to be the obvious choice here (18 attempts for 103 yards and a TD on Sunday). Justin Fargas seems to be the go to guy for the Raiders but that could change from week to week.  Either way a ton of fantasy opportunity out there right now.

Previous weeks Wonders that still make for solid pickups and may still be available in your league: Jamaal Charles, Justin Fargas, Brandon Pettigrew, Ladell Betts

Jason Snelling - RB – Falcons

It’s a dark dreary day in Michael Turner Owernship Land.  Now before all of the Michael Turner owners start sending nasty emails let’s make sure you understand the nature of his injury.  He has a high ankle sprain.  I’ve scoured the internet to reaffirm the fact that this injury requires in general 2-3 weeks to recover from.  We are currently in Week 10.  This means best case scenario Turner is back on your fantasy squad for Week 13.  If I own him, I’m concerned.    There is a chance he returns for your fantasy playoffs in most formats but note that this can be a difficult injury to recover from quickly.  Enter Snelling. He’s fresh of a nice Sunday performance: 3 receptions for 32, 93 total yards and a touchdown.  Snelling started the year 3^rd on the Falcons running back depth chart.  He was behind annual disappointment Jerious Norwood and thus has had little time to get acquainted with the fantasy public.  Are you in a PPR league?  Snelling’s an especially gifted pass catching back averaging 2 receptions a game coupled with 18.9 YPG in receiving.  The Falcons upcoming schedule isn’t that great considering they’re at the Giants (who are coming off a bye) next week and who own the 13^th  best rushing defense.  However, Snelling should see decent numbers in two weeks time against the all around weak defense of the Buccaneers.  I’m figuring they’re will be a lot of people winning or losing a fantasy playoff berth because of Snelling.  Either way with Norwood ailing and Turner out, Snelling should be on every fantasy teams radar.

Justin Forsett – RB – Seahawks

Julius Jones is hurt.  He has a bruised lung and possibly a cracked rib.  What you don’t care?  Come on after all of that hype surrounding one of the top sleepers for 2009 you don’t care?  Yeah neither do I.  Forsett is the likely heir apparent to the running back throne in Seattle for Week 11 and judging by his performance after Jones left the game he’ll likely have fantasy owners everywhere clamoring for his services.  Forsett ran for 123 yards and scored a touchdown while catching 5 for additionally 26 yards.  The Seahawks are said to be ‘high on’ Forsett.  This bodes well for his future prospects especially given that Seattle has little hope of making the playoffs in 2009 anyway.  Let’s just say, I don’t expect Jones to be rushed back.  Regardless of this, Forsett is likely to be tested early and often as in the next 3 weeks he’ll face two of the leagues’ top 5 rushing defenses (Vikings next week, and in 3 weeks time the 49ers).  The treat in the schedule is Week 12’s matchup against the Rams, which like Snelling’s matchup against the Bucs will likely greatly affect many teams 2009 fantasy prospects.

Donnie Avery – WR – Rams

That’s right Donnie Avery.  Ok Avery has likely burned a few bridges with fantasy owners especially after completely falling off the map up until this past week.  Still, he should make for a decent pick up.  Ask yourself a couple of questions.  1) Is St. Louis good?  2) What is their schedule like?  Well, the first answer is easy.  No.  The Rams suck and they will continue to be behind in games meaning they will continue to pass the ball in garbage time.  Avery is a legit deep ball threat.  Also the Rams realistically have no other options given the rapid depletion of their wide receiver core to injuries over the past few weeks.  The second answer?  The Rams may have one of the top schedules against bad passing defenses down the stretch check it out with ranks: ARZ 30^th, SEA 22^nd, CHI 8^th and TEN 31^st.  Over the next 4 weeks, 3 juicy matchups.  I can’t see a lot of reasons not to be picking up Avery if you’re looking to roll the dice a bit especially after 4 receptions and two touchdowns against the Saints. 

Well stop reading already and get to the wire!