Every year there are a slew questions that we ask ourselves when the Fantasy Football season comes to a close. Who was the biggest bust? Who was the best draft bargain? Who was the best rookie? Who was the best waiver wire pickup? Who was the comeback player of the year? Who will be next year’s number one pick? And finally, who was the MVP? So, we here at Last Word on Sports have created an award ceremony to declare the winner of each category. And without further ado, let’s GET IT ON!
The draft is a big part of making it to the playoffs, however injuries also have a way of playing a big part of winning championships. The ability to replace that injured player, the player with off field issues, or the player not performing on the field is also a major factor in who gets to the playoffs. So, that brings us to the best waiver wire pickups of 2014.
The staff here at LWOS has helped you find these players all season, hopefully you listened. If you did these players may well be the reason you won a championship this year.
Fantasy Football’s Best Waiver Wire Pickups
5) Delanie Walker, TEN TE- Walker put up career high fantasy numbers in his 8th year in the NFL. He was draft 160th average overall per rotowire numbers. However, he was on the waiver wire in most leagues until a week 2 game that he had 10 rec, 142 yards, and a TD. That made him a hot pick up going into week 3. He had some nice games after that week 2 gem, but never came close to matching that weeks numbers. Still a solid season for the vet and it lands him here as the #5 waiver wire pickup of 2014
4) Isaiah Crowell, CLE RB- Crowell started off the season as just a long shot handcuff to Ben Tate. He entered the season as the #3 back in the dog pound. To no one’s surprise Ben Tate got hurt week #1. Tate came back week 6 but slowly lost playing time till he was released in week 11. This allowed the Rookie Crowell to handle the ball at least 10 times in 8 games. This workload allowed him to find the endzone 8 times and made him the 24th ranked RB per ESPN through week 15. This made him a nice flex start many weeks and the #4 Waiver wire pickup of 2014.
3) Odell Beckham JR, NYG WR- The catch is what most will remember about ODB this year. However, fantasy owners that were able to steal him off the waiver wire after someone was too impatient to wait for him will remember 9 TDs through week 15 with 3 of them helping many win a playoff game last week. He will finish the year north of a thousand yards in at the most 12 games. Those in keeper leagues have a star on their hands and anyone that dropped him in those leagues should sell their ownership rights for next year. It was the year of the rookie wideouts and none may be as talented as ODB. That makes him the #3 waiver wire pickup of 2014.
2) C.J. Anderson, DEN RB- Was the biggest late season grab for fantasy football. The Broncos were committed to Montee Ball going into the season, as was I. Then he showed that he was the same guy he was last year when Knowshon Moreno stepped in to be the man. This year Ronnie Hillman stepped up and did a fine job until he was hurt week 10. Anderson stepped in with 90 yards in week 10. There was much speculation to who the Broncos would turn to week 11 and it was Anderson (although that was a rough week for the Broncos). Week 12 Manning turned and handed the ball to Anderson 27 times. That led to 109 carries and 4 TDs in a 4 week span. I am sure that run helped teams vault into the playoffs. That is why CJ Anderson is the #2 waiver wire pickup of 2014.
1) Justin Forsett, BAL RB- It is pointed out to me every time I make a bad call(see – Montee Ball), so excuse me if I take a moment a point out one I was right on. This is what I said in this Week 5 post…
Justin Forsett – ADP – UD, PPG rank T16 Forsett went undrafted in many leagues. The signs are murky in Baltimore. I believe in Forsett because he has been consistent each week. He is on pace for 1000 yards rushing. I know Peirce and Taliaferro are in the mix, however it seems that it is Forsett and either Pierce or Taliaferro. Forsett is only owed in 14% of leagues. He is worth a pickup in all leagues.
Yes, just 14% of leagues owed him prior to week 5. That was up from where he was drafted, or should I say not drafted. After week 5 Forsett had four 100 yard games along with 5 touchdowns. He became an easy start every week. Not bad for a breakout year from a 7 year vet. I find it funny that Ray Rice(all off field matters aside) had hit a wall last year in his 6th season. Yet Forsett with far less miles on him was finally able to put together a standout season. Just another reason to forget that Ray Rice guy! As of Week 15 he is the 8th ranked RB per ESPN, which makes him the easy #1 waiver wire pickup of 2014. He helped many teams get to the playoffs this year. He not only ran for a 1000 yards as I said he would in week 5, but he has 1128 yards with two games to play. Throw in 8 TDs and fantasy owners got an early christmas gift off the waiver wire.
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 07: Running back Justin Forsett #29 of the Baltimore Ravens runs for fourth quarter yardage against the Miami Dolphins during a game at Sun Life Stadium on December 7, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 28-13. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
