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Waiver review: Quinn to start soon?

by Mike Harmon

Mike is a contributor for the FOXSports.com fantasy group. Read his blog for more analysis. Have a question or comment? Send them, and the best ones may appear in his show or column.

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Updated: September 26, 2008, 8:02 PM EDT
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Fantasy owners are hitting the waiver wire in a fashion similar to day traders at the height of the tech boom.

Why? We're constantly seeing the injury list grow, even on off days. Jeremy Shockey is down. Brian Westbrook joins the walking wounded from the top of our draft boards. Even rubber-armed Jon Kitna is on the injury list this week (knee).

In addition to the myriad injuries pervading our lineups, we hit the first of those pesky bye weeks in Week 4. This one is a big one, too. We won't have to worry about Matt Cassel's connection, or lack thereof, with Randy Moss and company. They're off. The Colts will get two weeks to lick their chops following their second home loss of the early going. Brother Eli and the Giants will rest after outlasting the Bengals in Week 3. Detroit, Seattle and Miami will also take a seat this weekend. Unfortunately, you can't try and ride the hot hand with Ronnie Brown this weekend.

Therefore, I'm scouring the waiver wire for this week's Fantasy Six-Packs . I'll forgo the analysis of J.T. O'Sullivan, John Carlson and Steve Slaton this week. O'Sullivan should have been claimed before last week's matchup against the Lions. His timing and connection with his receivers is improving snap-over-snap. Oh, and good things happen when you can run the ball, Mike Martz! Slaton is the last man standing in Houston. He excelled despite a tough matchup and should have been on rosters, at least occupying a bench slot. As for Carlson, he's been the only option in Seattle for several weeks. His value only rises with competent, experienced receivers around him.

In any event, let's start in Cleveland, where we might be talking about another "man named Brady" in short order.

Quarterbacks

1. Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns

Someone locked the storybook for the start of the 2008 season, as the "sleeper" favorite Cleveland Browns have started 0-3. The schedule certainly hasn't been of any help, penalties have been costly and his top wide receiver is dropping more passes than he's catching. Therefore, defenses are teeing off on Anderson and his banged-up offensive unit. Anderson has thrown five interceptions in the past two weeks and taken seven sacks. His quarterback rating against the Ravens was a miserable 22.9. The door has cracked open for Quinn to see time as early as Week 4. If Anderson struggles against the Bengals, look for the second-year pro to make an appearance. Mind you, the schedule doesn't get easier for the Browns anytime soon, but this squad needs a jumpstart. The Week 5 bye prior to a Monday night visit from the Giants could be the time to install him as the starter. Quinn is available in 98 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

2. Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills

Edwards started poorly against the Raiders, but finished well to lead the Bills to a comeback win in front of the home crowd. He's completed 67 percent of his pass attempts this season while throwing a touchdown pass in each game. Edwards has also turned the ball over three times with seven sacks. He appears to be growing each week, making better use of his check-down options. Edwards has a fabulous matchup for Week 4 against the hapless Rams and is available to be picked up in 40.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

3. Sage Rosenfels, Houston Texans

It might be premature to call for Rosenfels after just two games, but sleeper pick Matt Schaub is struggling mightily for the Texans. He has already thrown five interceptions (one touchdown), taken eight sacks and fumbled three times (losing one). Granted, he can't control the lapses on the offensive line, but Schaub needs to have better pocket presence and utilize receivers other than Andre Johnson. It doesn't get any easier against the Jaguars this weekend. Gary Kubiak faces a difficult decision, but getting Rosenfels into the mix might serve to jumpstart this start. Rosenfels is available in almost all of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues. Schaub owners should be ready to pounce.

4. Brian Griese, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Griese attempted 67 passes against the Bears. I'm still wrapping my head around that number. The Bears did not record a sack against him, although they did intercept him three times. I sincerely doubt that the Buccaneers pass on 80 percent of their snaps, as they did against Chicago. However, Griese has already chucked the ball downfield 98 times in two weeks. I suspect that Earnest Graham plays a larger role in the passing game going forward, but Griese has clearly found a solid option in Antonio Bryant (see the receivers section for more on him). Griese next faces the Packers, whose defense has been susceptible to big plays the past two weeks and will move forward without cornerback Al Harris. Griese is available to be claimed in 95.8 percent in FOXSports.com leagues.

5. Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions

Kitna reportedly sprained his right knee in the latest Detroit loss, putting him in jeopardy for Week 5 against Chicago. He's already thrown five interceptions to offset his five touchdown throws while absorbing 12 sacks. Orlovsky stands as the next in line, although Drew Stanton has recovered from his preseason injuries. Kitna's clearly struggled, but Matt Millen needs to get on the horn and find a few able-bodied linemen in a hurry. Orlovsky remains available in all but a handful of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

6. Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh Steelers

Leftwich nearly led the Steelers to a scoring drive late in Sunday's slugfest against the terrorizing Philadelphia defense. He completed 4-of-7 attempts for 60 yards and, of course, a sack. However, Leftwich demonstrated that he's capable of leading this squad and could be of help to fantasy owners should Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder become larger issue. Keep him on the radar. Leftwich is available to be claimed in virtually all FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Running backs

1. Correll Buckhalter, Philadelphia Eagles

Buckhalter performed well against the Steelers in relief of the injured Westbrook, racking up 87 total yards on 16 touches, including a receiving touchdown. Buckhalter moved well in space, and prospective owners have to be encouraged by his participation in the passing game (six receptions). It's a difficult matchup against Chicago, but this offense has been tremendously efficient through three weeks. Buckhalter is currently available in 96.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

2. Rudi Johnson, Detroit Lions

Rod Marinelli inserted the veteran Johnson early in Sunday's blowout loss to the 49ers, leaving rookie Kevin Smith on the sidelines. Johnson rumbled for 83 yards on 14 carries against the Niners, adding 48 yards on three receptions, including a 34-yard touchdown. The Lions will try to cure some of their ills during the Week 4 bye, but we'll be curious to watch the alignment for Week 5 against Chicago. The Buccaneers chose not to run often in Week 3 against the Bears, so I wouldn't necessarily expect a huge workload out of the gate. However, it's clear that Marinelli likes what he has in his veteran back. Johnson is available in 52.3 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

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3. Le'Ron McClain, Baltimore Ravens

It's a workload split in Baltimore for the foreseeable future, as John Harbaugh tries to take pressure off rookie Joe Flacco. And, while Willis McGahee demonstrated good explosion at the point of attach, bruising back McClain stands to assume a sizable role in the backfield. McClain carried the ball 16 times for 66 yards in Week 3 and plunged into the end zone twice. He's available in 85 percent of FOXSports.com leagues at the moment. That will change quickly, although McClain's new owners should be cautious about starting him against Pittsburgh.

4. Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals

Hightower isn't set to eclipse Edgerrin James anytime soon, as James ran well in two of the first three games this year. Edge rushed for 93 yards on 18 carries against the Redskins and still shows a good burst at the point of attack. However, Hightower's style and power forces you to do a double-take. He attacks the defense and demonstrates a power and speed combination that makes him a keeper. Hightower retains the goal-line "vulture" role for now, but he could see more work down the line. He's available in 70.8 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

5. T.J. Duckett, Seattle Seahawks

Do you dare jump back aboard the Duckett express? He rushed for 79 yards and two scores in the laugher over St. Louis. His role for Week 5 and beyond is undetermined, as the team hopes Maurice Morris will be ready to resume work alongside breakout star Julius Jones. I don't suspect Duckett posts such a large workload again (barring an injury), but the role of goal-line vulture remains a sizable one, particularly as the receivers return to work. Duckett is available in 93.6 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

6. Leon Washington, New York Jets

Here's your deep flier add prospect for the end of your bench. Washington's been on the radar for a couple years, and we're well aware of his prowess in the return game. He caught two passes for 20 yards in Week 3 against San Diego and has already caught eight passes this year. Thomas Jones is a durable back, so I don't expect him to see time there in the near future. However, the downfield passing game is still a work in progress, and that check-down option out of the backfield is potent. Sorry. I'm celebrating the under-sized tailbacks this week, so Washington gets onto the radar. He's available in 91.6 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Wide receivers

1. Brandon Lloyd, Chicago Bears

Lloyd has established himself as the No. 1 option for Kyle Orton in the Chicago passing game (did we think we'd write that?). Lloyd caught six passes for 124 yards with a touchdown as well as a two-point conversion in that bizarre overtime loss to the Buccaneers. He's caught 11 passes for 190 yards in the past two games. Lloyd and the Bears face a difficult test in Week 4 against Philadelphia. He's currently available to be claimed in 97.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

2. Chansi Stuckey, New York Jets

Stuckey isn't the sexiest option in the New York receiving corps, but clearly Brett Favre appreciates his ability to work into an open space in the red zone. The second-year receiver from Clemson scored for the third straight game in Monday's blowout loss to San Diego. Stuckey caught six passes for 42 yards in the shootout. He's available to be claimed in two-thirds of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

3. Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints

Meachem caught two passes for 86 yards in Week 3 and will undoubtedly see his role expand with David Patten slowed by a groin injury and Shockey on the shelf following surgery to repair a sports hernia. He's a deep ball threat who should receive more attention from Drew Brees in Week 4 against the 49ers secondary. Meachem is available in 91.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.

4. Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks

The cavalry is coming! Engram leads the charge of receiving options on the mend that should be available to Matt Hasselbeck in Week 5. The team's leading receiver in 2007 has been sidelined by a shoulder injury, but all signs point to Engram returning for the Week 5 tilt against the Giants. He established new career marks with 94 receptions and 1,147 receiving yards last season. He's available to be picked up in 55.1 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

5. Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bryant popped onto the radar in Week 1 when he was targeted nine times by Jeff Garcia. He leaps back into the consciousness of fantasy owners following his 10-reception, 138-yard performance against Chicago. Joey Galloway may be sidelined for another week with a sprained foot, and that portends to another sizable workload for Bryant against the Packers. He's available to be claimed in 97.6 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

6. Josh Reed, Buffalo Bills

Lee Evans commands attention downfield, and Roscoe Parrish has the big play explosiveness as a returner/receiver. However, Reed has become a strong check-down option for Trent Edwards and a solid pickup for owners in PPR leagues. He's already snagged 13 balls from Edwards, averaging 48.3 receiving yards per game. Check Reed out as a possible sleeper selection alongside Parrish for Week 4 against St. Louis. He's available in 97.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Tight ends

1. Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans

Scaife won't have the same role in the Tennessee offense that he might have with Vince Young under center. However, the injury to Justin Gage opens the door for Kerry Collins to take advantage of the size mismatch Scaife creates downfield. He caught three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 and should play a sizable role against the aggressive Vikings as a bailout option. Scaife is available in 79 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

2. Robert Royal, Buffalo Bills

Royal has been either a large part of the passing attack or non-existent through three games. He caught six passes in the opener, zero in Week 2 and four in Week 3. I would suspect that Royal posts another sizable effort this weekend against the Rams. The Bills received a wakeup call when the Raiders nearly came to Orchard Park and stole one. They won't sleep against the overmatched Rams this weekend. Royal is available in 84.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

3. Dustin Keller, New York Jets

Keller was the recipient of the first Favre touchdown as a Jets QB during the preseason. The rookie tight end got on the board for the first time in the regular season against the Chargers on Monday night. Keller caught four passes for 41 yards as the offense opened up in catch-up mode. His future role is still a question mark, but it's clear that the timing and rapport with the starting wideouts is a work in progress. That portends to a larger role for Keller. He's available in 92.7 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

4. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings

Shiancoe dropped an easy touchdown pass from Tarvaris Jackson in Week 2, a play that helped ship Jackson to the bench. He didn't let Gus Frerotte down this week, catching two passes for 38 yards, including a touchdown. Shiancoe is becoming a favorite red zone target, and given the dearth of receivers in Minnesota, could start seeing more targets. That is, if he keeps catching the easy ones. Shiancoe is available in 98.3 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

5. Billy Miller, New Orleans Saints

Miller is the last man standing in New Orleans following injuries to the other two top tight end options. He caught two passes for 41 yards in Week 3 against Denver and finished last season with catches in 12 straight games (six with three or more catches). Brees knows how to spread the ball around, so Miller could become a sneaky play for owners whose tight end production has been lacking (or those facing the pesky bye in Week 4). Miller is available in nearly all FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

6. Kevin Boss, New York Giants

He was quiet for two weeks, but Boss came alive in Week 3 against Cincinnati. He caught three passes for 51 yards, including a huge touchdown strike from Eli Manning. The Giants' Week 4 bye will allow Boss to stay in the waiver pool for another week. He's available in 84.3 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

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