NFL Waiver Wire: Who's Got Next in Tampa?

Typically every week it's easy to identify good free agents, but this week was an exception. Outside of a few obvious quarterback injuries there weren't too many obvious players to highlight who already haven't been discussed here the last couple weeks. So if you're looking for someone you think was an obvious add this week, check out the archives and you'll probably find them mentioned in the last two weeks of columns.

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Ryan Fitzpatrick, TEN - Jake Locker is done for the season with a right foot injury, making Fitzpatrick the starter for the Titans. Prepare to watch games and have the announcers mention five times a game that he graduated from Harvard. Fitzpatrick looked decent in relief Sunday with an 8.0 YPA and two passing touchdowns. Fitzpatrick also will take off and use his legs when needed and had a rushing touchdown against the Jaguars. The bad news is that he already has unsuccessful campaigns in both Cincinnati and Buffalo, so there is limited upside. Still, he'll have value in deep and two-quarterback leagues. FAAB: $8-12

Josh McCown, CHI - Jay Cutler returned to the field Sunday after being out with a groin injury only to suffer an ankle injury that has him labeled as week-to-week. McCown has been fantastic in relief this season with a 7.7 YPA and a 4:0 TD:INT ratio. The only reason I'm not putting him ahead of Fitzpatrick is because Cutler could be back in 2-3 weeks whereas Jake Locker should be out for the season. Charles Tillman was placed on injured reserve for a team already decimated by injuries on the defensive side, which means McCown will throw plenty when he's under center. FAAB: $7-12

Scott Tolzien, GB - Tolzien was pressed into duty after Seneca Wallace left injured and held his own for someone who was just promoted from the practice squad this week. Tolzien has already been named the starter for the game this week against the Giants, and even if Wallace is healthy the Packers are better served seeing what they have in the former Wisconsin Badger. He has one of the better receiving corps in the league and will benefit from a full week of practice. FAAB: $6-10

Hail Mary

Brock Osweiler, DEN - All signs point to Peyton Manning being ready for the Broncos tilt against the undefeated Chiefs on Sunday. However, Manning aggravated an old ankle injury, and it's possible somewhere down the line he could miss time (as with every player). Osweiler, in his second season, is pegged as the "quarterback of the future" and would be in a great position if he ever draws a start this season given his four receiving options. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

RUNNING BACK

Brian Leonard, TB - It looked like Mike James was in for a consecutive monster game before a fractured ankle likely ended his season. Leonard by default became the main ballarrier with 20 rushes, though he only had 57 rushing yards. He's a solid receiver for a player his size (12 catches in his last three games) and likely will head a backfield committee that includes Bobby Rainey. The good news is he could be a volume back with the Buccaneers re-committing to the run. Oddly, though, despite almost 200 NFL carries he has yet to record a rushing touchdown, and Rainey had one Monday night. FAAB: $14-20

Secondary Targets

Mark Ingram, NO - If anyone recommended using Ingram in your Week 10 fantasy lineup, ask them what the Powerball numbers are going to be this week. Ingram probably had the surprising performance of the weekend with 14 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown. Ingram looked like a completely different player against the Cowboys and nothing like the player who hasn't averaged 4.0 yards in either of his first two seasons. Part of his performance can be credited to a shaky Dallas defense that had no solution for the New Orleans offense. It's tough to know what Ingram's role will be with the team, though, as Pierre Thomas should get the majority of the touches and Darren Sproles will be the main pass-catcher out of the backfield. Still, Khiry Robinson was inactive, so Ingram should see 5-10 touches per game and possibly more if it's a blowout. FAAB: $10-14

Bobby Rainey, TB - Rainey provided a nice spark Monday night after Mike James left the game. It could be his jersey number 43, but he looked similar to Darren Sproles on a 31-yard scamper to the goal line. He bounced from a couple of AFC North teams earlier this season until landing with Tampa Bay. The pride of Western Kentucky, Rainey should provide a nice complement to Brian Leonard as the lightning to his thunder. Expect Leonard to handle most of the workload but look for Rainey to get double-digit touches each game. FAAB: $8-12

Hail Mary

Jordan Todman, JAC - It was interesting to see Denard Robinson go into the game listed as the No. 2 running back over Todman. However, an early fumble by Robinson sent him to the bench until the fourth quarter. Todman managed to vulture a touchdown and might have leapfrogged Robinson. Maurice Jones-Drew will continue to carry a heavy workload, but if anything were to happen to him (he was banged up earlier this season) I'd back Todman to get more touches than Robinson. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Tavon Austin, STL - You have to love Twitter. While on a mini-vacation with my family Sunday afternoon I got blasted for telling an owner that it was safe to drop Austin. Heading into Sunday, Austin had averaged 2.1 catches and 14.8 receiving yards over his previous six games with no touchdowns. So I'm not sure what I was thinking giving the OK to drop him. His performance was impressive Sunday without question, but he only played 15 offensive snaps and had three targets. It's possible the Rams work to get him the ball more; I just can't get overly excited about the rest of the season until I see that happen. In a week short on targets as far as wide receivers go, he could be worth the add. FAAB: $6-8

Rishard Matthews, MIA - The Miami Dolphins made some excellent offensive adjustments Monday and almost erased an 15-0 deficit to come back and beat Tampa Bay. Part of the plan was to get away from the run and utilize Matthews with Darrelle Revis shadowing Mike Wallace. Matthews finished with 14 targets that he turned into 120 receiving yard on 11 catches. It's hard to imagine consistency from Matthews or any fantasy games coming even close to this breakout. That said, he occupies the spot filled by Brandon Gibson, who was turning into a red-zone threat (three TDs in his final two games). FAAB: $6-8

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Delanie Walker, TEN - Walker hauled in his fourth touchdown pass Sunday, scoring in the final minute as the Titans tried to come back against the Jaguars. Four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown is respectable production, but the number that stood out was his eight targets, tying a season high. Ryan Fitzpatrick turned Scott Chandler into a household name, so there's a chance Walker sees a spike in production with him as quarterback. FAAB: $4-8

DEFENSE

Houston Texans - If you're looking to stream a defense this week, target the Texans. Terrelle Pryor hasn't thrown a touchdown in his last three games, has a 1:8 TD:INT ratio over his last four games and is dealing with a knee issue. The Texans only recorded one sack against Carson Palmer but did record eight hits on him. They'll be in the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium, and at least one defensive score is a good possibility. FAAB: $4-8