Garbage Grab: Week 9

Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, RosterWatch.com

Things might look bleak for many fantasy teams at this point in the season, but now is not the time to shrink. It’s time you cut your losses with players who might have big names, but just aren’t cutting it on the field. Here are some seemingly underwhelming players who can help salvage the week and perhaps the rest of your season:

Taiwan Jones RB Raiders: Darren McFadden hasn’t practiced all week, and chances are someone else in your league already owns Michael Bush. Bush will get the bulk of carries if Run DMc doesn’t play, but Jones has big play potential, and can do significant damage with limited carries.

Joshua Cribbs WR Browns: Don’t look now but Cribbs is slowly but surely becoming the Browns’ best bet for fantasy points. He catches passes, returns kicks, and due to the injuries at running back for the Browns, we may see him play out of the backfield this week. The potential for Cribbs to go big is too great to ignore this week.

Jason Avant WR Eagles: Averaging almost sixty yards a game in an Eagles offenses that is only just starting to click, Avant is Vick’s perpetual safety valve. He’s probably not going to have huge games, but if you’re ok with your third or fourth receiver getting 6 points a week, he’s your guy. His matchup this week against Chicago should be exceptionally productive.

Brent Celek TE Eagles: Sticking with the Eagles, You have to like how Celek has come on recently, leading the team in targets the past two weeks. Resigned to a blocking role earlier in the season, Celek is starting to get more looks as the offensive line is playing better. Chicago is almost league lowest in defending tight ends, so you can expect good things in this week’s matchup.

Sam Bradford QB Rams: Make sure he’s playing first, but if Bradford gets the start against the Cardinals this week he should have an excellent outing against  30th ranked Arizona pass defense. With new toy WR Brandon Lloyd in the fold, and rookie playmaker WR Greg Salas being very efficient, Bradford has the potential to be a fantasy starter the rest of the season.

Oakland Raiders Defense: Honestly, any team facing the Broncos right now has a pretty good chance of putting up decent numbers. Toss in great kick returners, and you have a recipe for a good defensive outing.

Matt Cassel QB Chiefs: I know, I know. Every time Cassel starts to put up respectable numbers, he quickly turns back into a frog. Fortunately he’s up against a 27th ranked Miami pass defense this week, and has a bevy of potential targets in Dwayne Bowe, Jonathan Baldwin, and Steve Breaston. If Cassel can’t show up this week, there isn’t much elee you can do with him.

Donald Brown RB Colts: Delone Carter gets yards. Donald Brown gets touchdowns. As long as Addai is out, Brown is worth a flex start.

Greg Salas WR Rams: Could we have a Wes Welker Jr. in the makings in St. Louis? I’d be happy with even a poor man’s version of the deceptively quick receiver, and I think you’re getting that in Greg Salas. The tenacious slot man could pay dividends for the rest of the season, especially in ppr leagues.