Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Now that the bye weeks are in play to go along with the constant injuries that are occurring, it’s even more vital to make sure your fantasy football roster is set for success. The worst thing possible is to play a player that’s a guaranteed goose egg because he’s on a bye or injured. To help ensure that doesn’t happen, the Bruno Boys are here to help. With our weekly waiver wire, we identify players who weren’t necessarily on the fantasy football radar at the beginning of the season, but are now relevant to fantasy owners. For this week’s suggestions on the guys that we feel are “Pick Them Up” worthy, just read on.

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 5 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

David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars)

It appears Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard may finally be returning to his 2007 form. In four games this season, Garrard has thrown for 941 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception. This past week against the Tennessee Titans, Garrard completed 73 percent of his passes for 323 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His play this season may also be a result of the emergence of Mike Sims-Walker at wide receiver. Jacksonville is not a high-powered offense and given how Garrard played last season, it’s too early to consider him as a starter for your fantasy team. But, he would make for a good backup in any size league.

RUNNING BACKS - PICK THEM UP

Tashard Choice (Dallas Cowboys)

Dallas Cowboys running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones are nursing injuries, which has opened the door for Tashard Choice. Barber did play against the Denver Broncos but Choice got more carries (14 to 11) and hauled in more receptions (5 to 2). Considering Barber is playing, even if it’s not in a full role, Choice has limited value. However, for teams that are desperate for a running back, especially in deep leagues, Choice is worth a look.

Jerome Harrison (Cleveland Browns)

With starting running back Jamal Lewis and third-string back James Davis both out with injuries, Jerome Harrison got the majority of the carries for the Cleveland Browns in their overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Harrison did well as he rushed 29 times for 121 yards and caught five passes for 31 yards. Given how poorly Lewis had played when he was in the lineup, it would behoove the Browns to keep Harrison involved in the offense. He’s worth a pickup in any size league.

Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall was benched last week after head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t like his preparation in the week leading up to the team’s loss to the Bengals. Mendenhall turned it around after that and got a lot of playing time in the Steelers’ win over the San Diego Chargers as he rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Willie Parker is hurt and given how well Mendenhall played in the win over the Chargers, look for the Steelers to keep him involved in the offense. He is good to be picked up in any size league.

Ricky Williams (Miami Dolphins)

Ronnie Brown is the guy for the Miami Dolphins, but now that quarterback Chad Pennington is out for the year, look for head coach Tony Sparano to get the running game going with Ricky Williams as well. This will help alleviate the pressure on quarterback Chad Henne, a second-year player out of Michigan who is still very green. Williams had 85 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He had just four less carries than Brown, so expect Williams to see at least 15 touches on the ball every game from here on out.