GMC PROFESSIONAL GRADE - PICKUPS OF THE WEEK
This week, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy editor Brandon Funston looks at five intriguing fantasy football players likely to be available on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.
Solid Play Matchups don't get any better than this
David Carr #8 (QB) Houston Texans Carr is coming off one of his best performances of the season, putting up 295 passing yards and throwing for two TDs against Jacksonville in Week 16. Now he'll see his most opportune matchup, a road date with the San Francisco 49ers, a team that allows the most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Interestingly enough, Carr has never thrown for multiple TDs in back-to-back games, but it is hard to imagine him not breaking that streak this week. Both his top receivers, Andre Johnson and Corey Bradford, stepped it up last week with 100-yard games, and the team has scored 50 points in its past two games, so Carr comes into the game as Houston is clicking on offense more so than it has at any point earlier in the season. He's one of the best emergency options out there for Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer or Matt Hasselbeck owners looking for a waiver QB who will actually be on the field for the majority of the game in Week 17.
- ATT/COMP 19/29
- YDS 295
- AVG 10.2
- INT 1
- TD 2
Strong Play Could cement top spot on depth chart with strong finish
Frank Gore #21 (RB) San Francisco 49ers Gore is in the process of passing Kevan Barlow on the team's depth chart. The Miami (FL) rookie has combined for 29 carries, 147 yards and two TDs in the past two weeks, and added three catches for 57 yards in the Week 15 contest at Jacksonville. Barlow has been sidelined by a knee injury, and he was placed on injured reserve this week. With Barlow out, Gore will again be featured, and he'll have a cherry opportunity against a porous Houston run defense that ranks 30th in the league. If Gore plays, he's a very serviceable No. 2 fantasy back for the final week, and a solid Flex player.
- RUSH 10
- YDS 68
- AVG 6.8
- REC/YDS 0/0
- TD 2
Decent Play With expanded role, a TD in his near-future seems likely
Dominic Rhodes #33 (RB) Indianapolis Colts Only St. Louis has allowed more rushing TDs to RBs than Arizona. That bodes well for Rhodes this week, as the backup to Edgerrin James should see a dozen carries or more on Sunday against the Cardinals while James gets some rest before the playoffs. Rhodes has accrued just 35 total carries coming into this week, but he has managed to find pay dirt four times. With the likelihood that he'll be the featured back for 2-3 quarters in Week 17, Rhodes is a good bet to find the end zone, and he should do no worse than 50 rushing yards. His upside is worth gambling on for owners in a bind at running back.
- RUSH 5
- YDS -4
- AVG -0.8
- REC/YDS 6/27
- TD 0
Decent Play Might assume larger role against a generous foe
Chris Henry #15 (WR) Cincinnati Bengals Henry is second among rookies with six TDs. With 31 catches on the season, he's averaging a TD every five catches. If that rate holds up this weekend, Henry is almost assured to find pay dirt. Cincinnati is another one of those teams that doesn't have a lot left to play for. Henry has found some success as the team's No. 3 WR behind Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and his role should be enhanced this week as Johnson and Houshmandzadeh get some rest in the second half, if not earlier. Henry will face a Kansas City defense that has been tough against the run, but very soft against the pass. The Bengals should find success through the air, regardless of how much QB Carson Palmer plays. Backup Jon Kitna is very capable, throwing 26 TD passes in this offense as the starter in '03 before giving way to Palmer the following season. Be it Palmer or Kitna, they will have Henry in their sights often on Sunday.
- REC 1
- YDS 27
- AVG 27.0
- LNG 27
- TD 1
Viable Play Opportunity knocks as Colts coast to the playoffs
Troy Walters #86 (WR) Indianapolis Colts Walters has just nine catches this season, but eight of them came last week at Seattle. With Indianapolis locked in to the top playoff seed in the AFC, and with injuries to Brandon Stokley and Marvin Harrison, Walters saw, and will see in Week 17, his most extensive action of the season. At home this week, Indy will again rest its starters, and Walters will have the opportunity to face an Arizona defense that has allowed the seventh-most TDs to WRs (14). As a backup, Walters has worked regularly with backup QB Jim Sorgi in practice. That chemistry should bubble to the surface as both players will play for the majority of the game on Sunday. Walters is definitely worthy of a No. 3 fantasy WR spot for fantasy teams without the benefit of studs in their receiving corps.
- REC 8
- YDS 91
- AVG 11.4
- LNG 39
- TD 1