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How to land waiver wire player of the year? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ppierce
- Start date
Wolfpacker
Footballguy
Both were drafted. You lose. Thanks for playing. Next.
rizzler
Footballguy
SEE if either is available.back to school. you lose. next.and since I believe either or, who are available on many waiver wires.. will be the WW POY
Last edited by a moderator:
Addai's Adidas
Footballguy
Lose in weeks 1, 2, and 3. On purpose.
Banger
Footballguy
that's an impossible question, if I or anyone knew the answer we'd win our leagues every year. There are so many variables and a good bit of luck involved. Some guys get the opportunity by moving up the depth chart (Austin), others as a result of injury (Harrison)...some grab the opportunity and excel while others are a couple week flash in the pan (Manningham). All you can do is do the research, position yourself well on the waiver wire, bidding process and get the guys in the best position to succeed and then cross your fingers that it works out.ppierce said:
Usually to get these guys, you need to get them before it's clear that they're a sure thing. Try to know in advance which players are one injury or benching away from drastically increased value...guys with talent who just need an opportunity. Particularly if they have a coach who doesn't tend to make players share roles.
fightingillini
Footballguy
It does take luck to sometimes land a player. But to reduce the luck factor, then you need to be proactive and be able to get a guy a week or two before he breaks out. You can do that by
1) keep up with each team's beat writers....they can give you the inside scoop on players and if situations change
2) watch preseason games and really look for talent in each player. Can this player produce if given the opportunity? When I mean produce, I mean can be be a FF starter? If yes, find the space for him if you can.
3) be able to cut ties with a player that's not likely to help you in the long run or has been a bust so far.
4) take kickers and defenses with late bye weeks.....so you don't have to burn a high WW priority on a one week fill in.
For leagues that have a bidding system, if a guy has a great game and will be a hot commodity, you need to look at how he acheived those stats, to see if that will be a one week wonder. Much of the time, you won't be able to tell, so you make a solid bid, pick him up and hope for the best. But you may be able to spot the Frisman Jacksons of the world where it was obvious that their big week was a fluke.
So it takes effort to do this.....but when you do and you get that WW gem, many times you will be rewarded with a title.
1) keep up with each team's beat writers....they can give you the inside scoop on players and if situations change
2) watch preseason games and really look for talent in each player. Can this player produce if given the opportunity? When I mean produce, I mean can be be a FF starter? If yes, find the space for him if you can.
3) be able to cut ties with a player that's not likely to help you in the long run or has been a bust so far.
4) take kickers and defenses with late bye weeks.....so you don't have to burn a high WW priority on a one week fill in.
For leagues that have a bidding system, if a guy has a great game and will be a hot commodity, you need to look at how he acheived those stats, to see if that will be a one week wonder. Much of the time, you won't be able to tell, so you make a solid bid, pick him up and hope for the best. But you may be able to spot the Frisman Jacksons of the world where it was obvious that their big week was a fluke.
So it takes effort to do this.....but when you do and you get that WW gem, many times you will be rewarded with a title.
SaintsInDome2006
Footballguy
Actually, I think the key is to identify them 2-3 weeks in advance and already have them on your squad when they go off.ppierce said:
Avery
Footballguy
Short of the injury "breakout" player which can happen anytime and is completely unpredictable, I tend to believe if there's a big "breakout" player he will come early like Boldin a few years ago.
I tend to spend a lot of my FA bidding bucks early and try to grab that guy. Worked for Boldin, worked for Cassel, not so much when I spent my bank on Massaquoi only to watch Austin breakout the shortly thereafter.
I tend to spend a lot of my FA bidding bucks early and try to grab that guy. Worked for Boldin, worked for Cassel, not so much when I spent my bank on Massaquoi only to watch Austin breakout the shortly thereafter.
Addai's Adidas
Footballguy
And then there's Frisman Jackson.
G-Money
Footballguy
LMAO.............Frisman Jackson!! What a stir he caused. Nice reference!!
Clifford
Footballguy
A lot of leagues simply go with a first-to-last WW priority based on the last person who used their WW priority. Thus, you can move up by passing on lesser players that people with higher priorities use wk1-3. Happens in my leagues all the time.A couple people mentioned "positioning themselves" on the WW. In my league, that would entail losing on purpose and not touching the WW for a couple weeks. Or is there some other loophole I am missing?
solorca
Footballguy
Same with me. I don't really have any great reason to be careful with waiver wire picks, because it is based on league standings each week anyway. I was sitting at #2 in the preseason, and would have loved to remain there...but it doesn't matter in my league. I ended up dropping Mike Thomas to get Michael Bush when someone dropped him though...so it worked out.A couple people mentioned "positioning themselves" on the WW. In my league, that would entail losing on purpose and not touching the WW for a couple weeks. Or is there some other loophole I am missing?
fightingillini
Footballguy
It means that, in leagues where you have WW priority not based on record, when you pick up a player, you go to the back of the line in priority.Personally, I hate leagues where WW priority is based on record. You can lose two close games but be the second highest scoring team (had bad luck), and then be able to pick up a gem on top. I think the best way to do the WW is a blind bidding with a cap, otherwise you randomly select a priority order and when you pick up a player, you go to the back of the line and work your way back up the priority ladder.A couple people mentioned "positioning themselves" on the WW. In my league, that would entail losing on purpose and not touching the WW for a couple weeks. Or is there some other loophole I am missing?
Waiver priority aside, I think there is a lot to be said for having free room on your bench. That lets you pick up a guy based on rumor and see if anything comes from it. I have a tendency to carry too many so-so players instead of having my studs and the rest are gambling spots. Falling in love with solid but unspectacular WR's does me in every year.
I see many surprise WR's show up early (due to earning a spot) in the year and surprise RB's later in the year (due to injury/replacement). A injury replacement for a starter that goes down in week 10 is well rested and can make a huge difference in the playoff run.
I see many surprise WR's show up early (due to earning a spot) in the year and surprise RB's later in the year (due to injury/replacement). A injury replacement for a starter that goes down in week 10 is well rested and can make a huge difference in the playoff run.
tombonneau
Footballguy
That's how I got Colston. I was reading the hype and picked him up before Week 1. Did the same thing with Mike Williams (SEA) a few weeks ago. Hopefully that one turns out just as well. 
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
There are several ways to land the WW pick of the year.
1. Trash Man
My favorite is the being the trash man. I go after other peoples waste. Last year, I picked up Hakeem Nicks off waivers when an owner got jumpy and gave up on him. Information is key. And to pick up the WW gold, you had to closely monitor team boards, team sites, and the shark pool and carefully but quickly have a plan to scoop up the waste off the WW.
2. Monitor depth charts
Lost in the stats of the box scores you read on Monday, you will find subtle indicators that certain players are moving up or are being used as the team’s 4th WR, or backup RB. You need to pay attention to nagging injuries of the starters and envision a scenario where the little used backup gets his shot. That’s how I was able to get J. Charles last year.
3. Don’t believe the hype
Every year, there is a bidding war for the week #1 WW stud, and so many are dumping a huge percentage of their WW dollars on the first sexy looking free agent. Usually, the first 3 weeks you’ll see a myriad of injuries that will cause a huge shakeup in what’s what in the fantasy landscape. Not an exact science, but I look at week’s 3 to 5 as my “sweet spot” for laying down WW dollars. By that time, you will get to pick up a potential WR #3 or RB #2, or a solid every-week flex play that will solidify your lineup. I try to have 60% of my budget spent by week 6, with only minor dollar pickups through the start of week 3.
Just my suggestions, but above all else…I am copying this from someone else’s sig, “information doesn’t have an expiration date”… or something like that. I couldn’t agree more.
1. Trash Man
My favorite is the being the trash man. I go after other peoples waste. Last year, I picked up Hakeem Nicks off waivers when an owner got jumpy and gave up on him. Information is key. And to pick up the WW gold, you had to closely monitor team boards, team sites, and the shark pool and carefully but quickly have a plan to scoop up the waste off the WW.
2. Monitor depth charts
Lost in the stats of the box scores you read on Monday, you will find subtle indicators that certain players are moving up or are being used as the team’s 4th WR, or backup RB. You need to pay attention to nagging injuries of the starters and envision a scenario where the little used backup gets his shot. That’s how I was able to get J. Charles last year.
3. Don’t believe the hype
Every year, there is a bidding war for the week #1 WW stud, and so many are dumping a huge percentage of their WW dollars on the first sexy looking free agent. Usually, the first 3 weeks you’ll see a myriad of injuries that will cause a huge shakeup in what’s what in the fantasy landscape. Not an exact science, but I look at week’s 3 to 5 as my “sweet spot” for laying down WW dollars. By that time, you will get to pick up a potential WR #3 or RB #2, or a solid every-week flex play that will solidify your lineup. I try to have 60% of my budget spent by week 6, with only minor dollar pickups through the start of week 3.
Just my suggestions, but above all else…I am copying this from someone else’s sig, “information doesn’t have an expiration date”… or something like that. I couldn’t agree more.
The Dynasty
Footballguy
Already got the waiver wire pickup of the year in my league. Snagged Foster off waivers as soon as Tate went down.
crnerblitz
Footballguy
There are many steps you can take to acieve success on the waiver wire.
The most importaint of which is to have two free roster spots at the end of your bench that your willing to churn. Parcells taught me that. Bill likes to churn his last 5 spots on his 53 man rosters. You can too!
Of secondary importance is to watch the damn games! By monday night you should have a very firm grasp of any outlier production from unknowns or the steady creep of stats and targets. With this insight in hand grab a bag of
and watch the nfl shortcuts.
Really there is no easy way to waiver wire success. You have to put in the effort to get lucky.
Us Hawks already know this.
The most importaint of which is to have two free roster spots at the end of your bench that your willing to churn. Parcells taught me that. Bill likes to churn his last 5 spots on his 53 man rosters. You can too!
Of secondary importance is to watch the damn games! By monday night you should have a very firm grasp of any outlier production from unknowns or the steady creep of stats and targets. With this insight in hand grab a bag of
and watch the nfl shortcuts.Really there is no easy way to waiver wire success. You have to put in the effort to get lucky.
Us Hawks already know this.
the_taint
Footballguy
Just be quick to act and be informed bottom line.For WR's you can look at target data, especially in new situations and see who in a those situation are getting substantial "looks" from their QB's. Eventually they will have to do something with those looks, or they will stop coming their way. But you may gain insight to situation that was not easily seen in the preseason games either because the starters only play for a few quarters here or there, or was simply not known heading into the season. For RB's, most of these are picked over on all WW's anyway. But you will have to monitor and have ability to act quick after injury. There are the players that do come out of nowhere, but more than likely they were on someones "deep" sleeper list in the preseason and these guys were drafted or will be scooped up quick. If not, pay attention to the weekly emails, and content on FBG's and other sites. If you are not a member, scour the boards. Most of the information is eventually regurgitated in some form here anyway. That should give you an idea.For QB's, just have to hit the jackpot through the draft usually. Or take a chance on a high upside guy that may go undrafted (Bradford in some leagues for example). Maybe if you acted quick on Anderson after Quinn getting cut or something along those lines .... But I don't think these guys are making a difference on your roster anyway unless you are in a start 2 QB league. Also, what Raiderfan mentions is a great idea too. Other people get impatient quickly. If you know the player is in the right situation to succeed, do not hesitate picking up another owners castoff. Being successful is as much about situation or opportunity to succeed as it is the player taking advantage of that opportunity.Same with me. I don't really have any great reason to be careful with waiver wire picks, because it is based on league standings each week anyway. I was sitting at #2 in the preseason, and would have loved to remain there...but it doesn't matter in my league. I ended up dropping Mike Thomas to get Michael Bush when someone dropped him though...so it worked out.A couple people mentioned "positioning themselves" on the WW. In my league, that would entail losing on purpose and not touching the WW for a couple weeks. Or is there some other loophole I am missing?
I am not sure I agree with this part. So you are saying keep 2 scrubs around on your roster which leaves 2 quality players in the free agent pook for someone else to snag?There are many steps you can take to acieve success on the waiver wire.
The most importaint of which is to have two free roster spots at the end of your bench that your willing to churn. Parcells taught me that. Bill likes to churn his last 5 spots on his 53 man rosters. You can too!
Of secondary importance is to watch the damn games! By monday night you should have a very firm grasp of any outlier production from unknowns or the steady creep of stats and targets. With this insight in hand grab a bag ofand watch the nfl shortcuts.
Really there is no easy way to waiver wire success. You have to put in the effort to get lucky.
Us Hawks already know this.
I like to keep a full roster of players I think someone else can use(as well as I can use), then if I see an opportunity that I think is better than my worst guy then I go for him. Sometimes it DOES make it harder to pull the trigger on a WW player but that is only because my needs are less through drafting/assembling a great team. Right now I would love to pick up Huggins but there simply isn't anybody on my team that I think isn't a better player/in a better position than him right now.
LittlePhatty
Footballguy
Pick up Rashad Jennings if available. Hang a "Mission Accomplished" wherever applicable.
Worm
slimy ninja
If you have blind bidding in your league, do NOT be afraid to spend a huge chunk of your yearly cash on a potential breakout player. If he turns out to be a stud, it could win you your league. If he ultimately turns out to be a 1-week wonder, it doesn't necessarily blow your season.
ponchsox
Footballguy
Good post. This is how I landed Sidney Rice last year which helped me win my league. I kept an eye on his stats and realized he could be emerging as Favre's go to guy- which he did. I usually wait a week or two before making a waiver move. We only have 8 moves all season which is usually plenty, but I don't like wasting it on an over-hyped player who has one good week.
dagwood
Footballguy
GroveDiesel
Footballguy
I think not being married to guys at the end of your roster is a huge part of this. To get the waiver wire steal, you have to be willing to make the move. And you have to be willing to jump quickly. If you think that you're going to wait one more week to see if some guy is the real deal, you're going to lose out.
My league is very WW friendly, no limit of claims, no limit of funds, none of that...did this on purpose to keep everyone interested. We also have a weekly waiver period, meaning that everyone gets re-ordered weekly based on record (worst to first). So with that said, we are very active on the waiver wire from the getgo. I understand what everyone is saying above about waiting for week 3-5 for the true studs to show themselves but in my personal experience, you need to jump on that guy as soon as you can. Yes I know about Frisman Jackson but my own experience of taking a chance on the 1st week FA's has landed me people like Boldin & Colston.
The chances of a waiver-wire hit would be better if you could wait a few weeks but you may not get that chance, so I would say stick your neck out sooner rather than later...or you could be sorry!
The chances of a waiver-wire hit would be better if you could wait a few weeks but you may not get that chance, so I would say stick your neck out sooner rather than later...or you could be sorry!
JamesTheScot
Footballguy
And that's the problem.You need go no further than to last year's Austin related postings to see otherwise knowledgeable people disagreeing in the preseason on whether he would do anything that year and then after his first big game as to whether or not he was a one and done flame-out or a genuine star in the making.There is no method. Sometimes you hit, sometimes you miss. The better owners hit more than the poorer owners over the long haul. That's it.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
increasing targets with young receivers is the surest sign. If out of the blue someone starts geting 7-10 targets for 2 weeks in a row, a trend is starting...
Banger
Footballguy
and likely a couple that aren't even on that list..consider Austin, Sims Walker, Harrison from last year. They weren't drafted on any team in leagues I played in and really weren't on the radars of fantasy owners for any impact last year.
Looks like the "throw a bunch of sh** against the wall and see what sticks" method is the best. You never know who the one week wonder will be vs. the WW player of the year will be.
I can't believe any MJD owners would have not drafted Rashard Jennings. But he's avail in mine and a lot of other leagues.
I can't believe any MJD owners would have not drafted Rashard Jennings. But he's avail in mine and a lot of other leagues.
bonesman
Footballguy
I think I spent over 60% of my BB cap on Eddie Royal last year when someone cut him around week 3.Past jewels of this strategy includeWelkerColstonSims-WalkerWarner
crnerblitz
Footballguy
I think you missed what I stated. I said have freed up roster spots. You should draft better in order to use your last two roster spots with which to speculate on real prospects not bye week fillers. If you were married to hakim nicks last year at the end of your bench and unwilling to let your man love go when the data and your eyes said Austin was a player a week before everyone else was asking "Who is this Austin Kid" then you missed out on Miles Austin. You kept Kevin Barlow instead of getting Frank Gore, you clung to who knows who when you could have had Earnest Graham, or Welker, or Knox.I am not sure I agree with this part. So you are saying keep 2 scrubs around on your roster which leaves 2 quality players in the free agent pook for someone else to snag?There are many steps you can take to acieve success on the waiver wire.
The most importaint of which is to have two free roster spots at the end of your bench that your willing to churn. Parcells taught me that. Bill likes to churn his last 5 spots on his 53 man rosters. You can too!
Of secondary importance is to watch the damn games! By monday night you should have a very firm grasp of any outlier production from unknowns or the steady creep of stats and targets. With this insight in hand grab a bag ofand watch the nfl shortcuts.
Really there is no easy way to waiver wire success. You have to put in the effort to get lucky.
Us Hawks already know this.I like to keep a full roster of players I think someone else can use(as well as I can use), then if I see an opportunity that I think is better than my worst guy then I go for him. Sometimes it DOES make it harder to pull the trigger on a WW player but that is only because my needs are less through drafting/assembling a great team. Right now I would love to pick up Huggins but there simply isn't anybody on my team that I think isn't a better player/in a better position than him right now.
chuckmorris
Footballguy
The only foolproof method requires two spins in the Delorean at 88 mph, but you run the risk of creating nasty side effects on the space-time continuum and the the starter often seems to be on the verge of going out, so you'd run the risk of missing all of the games. That's why I instead opt to simply watch a lot of games, and pull the trigger to exchange a marginal bench player that I'm unlikely to ever start for a player who is seeing an increasing number of touches and is making the most of them. That's how I managed to land Jamaal Charles last season, but you've got to be willing to pull the trigger and claim them before you (and the rest of your league) have seen too much of him, so there's always a bit of risk there. If the player you're dropping is a bench-sitter for you anyway though, the potential upside is worth taking a shot.
just_want_2_win
Footballguy
1. Listen to the hype
This is just to identify who could be worth grabbing.
2. Come here to the Shark Pool and visit the team's local news sites for insights
Here you will get great analysis and debate that will validate or negate the hype. Local sites and boards are helpful for this too. I found Forsett before anyone else by going on the Seattle boards to get news on Hass.
3. Look at stats
As mentioned, see if carries, targets, etc. are on the upswing for the WW guy and if anyone in front of them is experiencing a downtick in the same categories.
4. Watch for injuries
This is almost always what opens the door. Especially watch when the player blocking your guy is older or injury-prone.
5. Look for upside
You may have a guy or two on the end of your bench that are ok but don't have much upside. Consider dumping them for someone with upside.
6. Pull the trigger EARLY
If you wait for the guy to prove his worth, then you will either get in a bidding war or lose him on waivers unless you have the #1 position. If your team is doing well, jumping on early is crucial.
Through the years I've gotten everyone from Rueben Droughns to Marques Colston & Greg Jennings in the same year when decimated at WR to Arian Foster (last year) this way. There's been a few Ryan Torrains along the way, but for the most part I beat other owners to the punch.
This is just to identify who could be worth grabbing.
2. Come here to the Shark Pool and visit the team's local news sites for insights
Here you will get great analysis and debate that will validate or negate the hype. Local sites and boards are helpful for this too. I found Forsett before anyone else by going on the Seattle boards to get news on Hass.
3. Look at stats
As mentioned, see if carries, targets, etc. are on the upswing for the WW guy and if anyone in front of them is experiencing a downtick in the same categories.
4. Watch for injuries
This is almost always what opens the door. Especially watch when the player blocking your guy is older or injury-prone.
5. Look for upside
You may have a guy or two on the end of your bench that are ok but don't have much upside. Consider dumping them for someone with upside.
6. Pull the trigger EARLY
If you wait for the guy to prove his worth, then you will either get in a bidding war or lose him on waivers unless you have the #1 position. If your team is doing well, jumping on early is crucial.
Through the years I've gotten everyone from Rueben Droughns to Marques Colston & Greg Jennings in the same year when decimated at WR to Arian Foster (last year) this way. There's been a few Ryan Torrains along the way, but for the most part I beat other owners to the punch.
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