Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 13

QUARTERBACKS

Bruce Gradkowski, TB - Not Recommended. Gradkowski played the majority of the game Sunday in a win against WASH, completing 9 out of 19 passes for robust 106 yards and 0 TD's. Even if Garcia is out for the rest of the year, I wouldn't bother with him...

Gus Frerotte, STL - Not Recommended. Nothing more to say here...

Trent Edwards, BUF - Not Recommended. The J.P. Losman era may have officially ended in the blowout loss to JAX on Sunday, as Edwards has been named starting QB for this week's game against WAS. Edwards has thrown 1 TD and 5 INT's on the year, which tells you how much Dick Jauron loves Losman...
David Garrard, JAX- Highly Recommended. I discussed him at length in Friday's Start/Bench column, but if by some chance he is available in your league, snag him, as he is a perfect #2, and in some leagues, a borderline #1... Very consistent, and doesn't turn the ball over, which is more than you can say for many of the QB's regularly ranked ahead of him...
Trent Dilfer, SF - Not Recommended. Dilfer has actually had two decent games in a row, throwing for a total of 487 yards in his last two games. However, the best way to sum it up is the fact that in one game he had 0 TD's, 2 INT's, and 2 TD's, 0 INT's in the other. Unless you're in an ultra-deep league, there's no reason Dilfer should be on anyone's team...

A.J. Feeley, PHI - Not Recommended. Even though Feeley had a good game against the Pats Sunday night, Andy Reid is already on record saying that McNabb will remain the starter once he gets healthy, which may be this week. And if the Eagles another game or two, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kolb get some snaps in the last few games, as he will likely be the starting QB for Philly next year...

RUNNING BACKS

Aaron Stecker, NO - Not Recommended. With Bush dinged up a bit, and the game firmly in hand, Stecker led the Saints in carries Sunday. However, he didn't do much with them, rushing for just 42 yards on 13 carries (3.2 YPC), and a long of 9 yards. Even if Bush is limited again this week, the Saints have a tough matchup against TB, so Stecker wouldn't be expected to do much anyways...

Reuben Droughns, NYG - Not Recommended. Droughns got the start on Sunday with Jacobs and Ward both out with injuries, and although he faced a tough MINN defense, he didn't do much to move up the RB ladder in NY (he saved fantasy owners with the TD). If you take out his one decent game this year (Week 6 vs. ATL), Droughns has 132 yards on 53 carries this year, a pitiful 2.49 YPC. Even if both guys are out again this week, I'd only start Droughns if you absolutely had to...
Kolby Smith, KC - Highly Recommended. Smith has probably been claimed in most leagues already, and unless you have the #1 WW slot this week, he'll be gone before you have a chance to snag him. Huge game for the 1st year RB out of Louisville, although I wouldn't expect him to have another 150 yard game against SD this week. If LJ doesn't come back though, Smith has some great matchups for the fantasy playoffs: DEN, TENN (depending on Haynesworth), and DET...

Andre Hall, DEN - Recommended. A lot of "ifs" here, but if you are in a league in which you have the #1 WW spot and are in must-win mode, I'd actually recommend taking Hall over Smith, provided that he is going to start this week, which is far from a given. DEN has the fortune of playing the same horrendous OAK rush defense that Smith shredded on Sunday. It sounds like Selvin Young may get the start, but if Kolby is gone, it's worth the speculation to pick up Hall at this point if you're still in the hunt...

Adrian Peterson, CHI - Recommended. I dropped the other AP prior to the deadline for moves on Sunday for Andre Hall. I'm not kicking myself yet, but he does look like he'll see more carries the rest of the way. The Bears have some tough matchups upcoming (NYG, @WAS, @MINN), which is why I don't have him as being highly recommended (along with the fact that the QB is still Rex)... He should be owned in all leagues though...

Garrett Wolfe, CHI - Slightly Recommended. If you owned both Benson and Peterson, it makes sense to pick up Wolfe as Peterson's handcuff. If you don't own Peterson, it doesn't make sense to pick up Wolfe. Make sense?

Patrick Cobbs/Ricky Williams, MIA - Not Recommended. After last night's slopfest, you can't really get a gauge of how well either of these guys would play if one of them were handed the starting role with Chatman getting hurt. Since Williams got hurt as well, Cobbs may be the starter, but given how bad the Fins are, he probably won't get enough touches per game to be fantasy relevant...

WIDE RECEIVERS

Anthony Gonzalez, IND - Slightly Recommended. Gonzalez had his best game as a pro in the team’s win at Atlanta on Thanksgiving, hauling in six passes for a career-high 105 yards. The rookie wide receiver had missed the previous two games with a hand injury, but looked quick and explosive on Thursday. Marvin Harrison (knee) is expected back soon, possibly this week, so Gonzalez is only slightly recommended. Gonzalez is someone to keep an eye on down the stretch, though, especially in keeper leagues.

Greg Lewis, PHI - Not Recommended. Lewis caught four passes for a career-high 88 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in Sunday’s loss at New England. While Lewis had a nice game, there is nothing special about the five-year veteran - he is a fourth receiver at best. All you need to know about Lewis is that he’s played in 69 contests in his career and never had a 100-yard game. Unless Lewis goes on a tear for an extended period of time or you’re in a deep league, stay away from this one-week wonder.

Reche Caldwell, WAS - Not Recommended. Caldwell made his first catch of the season in Sunday’s loss at Tampa Bay, finishing with five receptions for 43 yards. Caldwell signed with Washington in September after the Patriots released him, but he has not seen the field much for the Redskins. With injuries to James Thrash and Antwaan Randle El, Caldwell finally got a chance to contribute on Sunday and had a couple of nice grabs. He is not recommended, however, because he is buried behind other players and is not that talented to begin with.

Ernest Wilford, JAC - Not Recommended. Wilford grabbed five passes for a season-high 60 yards in Sunday’s 36-14 in over Buffalo. Wilford has started 10 of 11 games this season and is a huge target at 6-4, but he still has not scored a touchdown on the year. Wilford is about the same size as his teammate Reggie Williams, but has slightly better hands and is more physical than Williams. However, Williams has somehow managed to score six touchdowns this season and has made a number of big plays despite being slow as molasses. David Garrard is a solid quarterback, but the Jaguars prefer to run the ball and control the clock so other than possibly Dennis Northcutt or Reggie Williams, there is no wide receiver worth owning in Jacksonville.

TIGHT ENDS

Desmond Clark, CHI - Slightly Recommended. Clark had only two receptions in Sunday’s overtime win against Denver, but he totaled 61 yards. His 39-yard catch in the extra period set up the game-deciding field goal by Robbie Gould, completing the come-from-behind victory for Chicago. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Greg Olsen had just one catch for 10 yards and dropped several passes. Clark is still the team’s starter and has a nice rapport with Rex Grossman so Clark has some value even though Olsen is more versatile and explosive. The veteran tight end was probably released in many leagues because of the emergence of Olsen so he could be available and makes a decent pickup, especially if you’re in a pinch or in a deeper league.