Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

The fantasy football playoffs are a great thing for a fantasy football owner. It’s the reason you pour over cheatsheets and rankings, analyze potential rookie sleepers, identify key players in their contract years, etc. Of course, now we’re entering week 14, and there isn’t a whole lot you can do about your team. However, some tweaking still can be done, which is why we’re here. As you prepare to play in the quarterfinals, semifinals or finals, depending on what type of league you’re in, we have provided a list of some players available in free agency that can help your team in the coming weeks. Some players are better suited for deep leagues, while others are good for any league. Of course, we’ll let you know what category the player falls in, so continue reading and find out who’s on the Week 14 Pick Them Up Waiver Wire Article.

Note: If you’re debating on who to drop to pick these guys up, you should be checking out the Bruno Boys’ article, Fantasy Football Week 14 Waiver Wire - Cut Them Loose, and see if anyone on your roster is a Bruno Boys’ recommendation to drop. And, remember you can always visit our FORUMS to get your questions answered about waiver wire candidates, players to drop or anything at all related to fantasy football.

QUARTERBACKS - PICK THEM UP

Bruce Gradkowski (Oakland Raiders)

OK, if you would’ve told us before the season that an Oakland Raiders’ quarterback would find himself in a Weekly Waiver Wire Article, we would’ve thought you were crazy. But, the change from JaMarcus Russell to Bruce Gradkowski has been a good one for the Raiders, who have won two of their last three games. Gradkowski has thrown for 691 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in those three games, and this past weekend in an upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he threw for 308 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. Looking at the schedule, Gradkowski has a very favorable match-up in week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, meaning he could be a viable fill in option for those owners dealing with injuries or the dreaded stud QB given the week off in preparation for the playoffs.

Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers)

San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback, Alex Smith, may have saved his career with the way he’s been playing this season. Since a poor performance against the Chicago Bears in week 10, Smith has thrown for 769 yards with seven touchdowns to just one interception in three games. He doesn’t look like the little scared quarterback he used to be. What has been working is that he’s established a good rapport with his young receivers, such as Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan, while also throwing the ball a lot to talented tight end Vernon Davis. Smith appears to be an improved player and with guys like Crabtree, Davis and Morgan to throw to, he should be able to finish the season strong.

RUNNING BACKS - PICK THEM UP

Correll Buckhalter (Denver Broncos)

Though the Denver Broncos have received some surprisingly good play from quarterback Kyle Orton, the strength of the team has been its running game with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter. Moreno is likely taken in your league already, but Buckhalter is still available in a majority of fantasy leagues. He shouldn’t be. This past weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, Buckhalter rushed for 113 yards on 12 carries. The Broncos’ back has now had double-digit carries in both of his last two games. For the rest of the season, expect Buckhalter to continue to receive about 15-20 touches a game, making him a good flex option in regular leagues.

Jerome Harrison (Cleveland Browns)

The Cleveland Browns’ offense has been so bad this season that at one point they were on pace to set an NFL record for fewest points scored. With Brady Quinn back as the starting quarterback, the Browns have taken some strides forward, and one player they will look to get the ball to more is running back Jerome Harrison, especially with Jamal Lewis now residing on the injured reserve list. In a week 13 loss to the San Diego Chargers, he only had 35 yards on 10 carries, but he also had seven receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Harrison is a guy the Browns love to throw screens to, which that makes him a good option in PPR leagues.

Leonard Weaver (Philadelphia Eagles)

The loss of starting running back Brian Westbrook was a big one for the Philadelphia Eagles, but they’ve been able to continue playing well without him. One reason why is fullback Leonard Weaver.This past weekend in the team’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, Weaver rushed five times for 37 yards and caught two passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Obviously, because of his limited touches, Weaver should only be considered in deeper leagues, but until Westbrook returns, and he may not return at all, Weaver should continue to get 5-10 touches a game.