Tuesday September 8, 2004 , 2004 Page updated at 5:40pm
FantasyFootball Grab Bag For Week 1
By: David Bachman
Fantasy Football Editor For WagerOnFootball.com

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INTRO

Anyone can see the value in drafting Priest Holmes, but it takes a discerning eye to distinguish the unheralded or unused players primed for breakout seasons. On the eve of the 2004 Season here are some lesser known names that we think you'll want stashed on your bench. Keep an eye on these guys. They turn fantasy teams into fantasy champions. Thanks Paul Tagliabue, for starting week one on a Thursday in Foxboro with the Indy triplets in town. Thanks Marshall Faulk, for playing the Cardinals on the opening Sunday. Thanks for the Cowboys D vs. Daunte Culpepper. Football’s back. Exhale. Let’s quit with the foreplay.

This is our waiver wire pick-ups column. The WagerOnFootball.com staff will scour the free agent pools in fantasy land for the best available talent every week. Availability, of course, depends on the league. We’re using 12 team, 15 roster spot leagues as the median, but we’ll look for roster candidates for leagues of all shapes and sizes. We planned on starting the column during the traditional first waiver period (next week), but couldn't wait. Grab the following before week one.

Jerramy Stevens, TE – SEA For teams that carry two tight ends, Stevens is an excellent pickup right now. He won the starting job over Itula Mili and has unlimited upside in Seattle’s offense. He was also the most consistent receiver Seattle had during the preseason.

Nate Burleson, WR – MIN We’ve touted Burleson for weeks, but we know he’s still available in many leagues. The new No. 2 opposite Randy Moss made great strides in his first offseason and is ready to contribute to the Viking explosive attack. Burleson’s week one match-up is also a home-run. He’ll line up opposite struggling Cowboys cornerback Pete Hunter, who almost lost his job this preseason with spotty play.

Greg Jones, RB – JAX It’s crazy to us that Jones is still going undrafted in some leagues. He’s backing up Fred Taylor and he’s a goal-line back. What’s not to love?

Sammy Morris, RB – MIA Morris won’t start, but he’ll likely split carries in Miami with Travis Minor and Leonard Henry to open the season. Sammy is certain to be the Dolphins favorite short-yardage option. We’re just worried all their “short-yardage” will be fourth-and-one at the forty, not first-and-goal at the two. While he isn’t likely to top 150 carries, Morris should be owned in most leagues, certainly any larger than 12 teams.

Tony Hollings, RB – HOU It saddens us, after our incessant hype, that Hollings is still available in so many leagues. The speed merchant had an up-and-down preseason, but Houston coaches will still give him 10+ touches a game to keep Domanick Davis fresh. That makes him one of the most attractive backup running backs in the league.

Robert Ferguson, WR – GB We thought Ferguson was too obvious a pick, then saw him available in over half the 12-team leagues out there. It looks like Ferguson will start and he continues to develop chemistry with Brett Favre. He busted a few long scores during the preseason despite his reputation as a “possession receiver.” If Javon Walker and Donald Driver are going early, we don’t see why Ferguson shouldn’t too.

Muhsin Muhammad, WR – CAR Muhsin Muhammad is the opposite of fantasy cool. How many other guys could post back-to-back 800 yard seasons, then gain 140 yards in the Super Bowl, and still go undrafted in many leagues? If you’re looking for a reserve wideout with a nice early season schedule (GB, KC, ATL), Muhammad is a solid grab.

Eric Parker, WR – SD Parker signed a two-year contract extension in July, and now earned the No. 1 receiver role in San Diego. The Chargers love the lightweight receiver, but he hasn’t stayed on the field long enough for us to tell if he’s any good. That said, any No. 1 receiver is worth grabbing in deep leagues.

Bobby Wade, WR – CHI Honestly, we wouldn’t recommend a single Bears receiver right now. There are too many questions to expect any week-to-week consistency. Still, David Terrell and Justin Gage are being drafted in nearly all leagues. Yet starter Bobby Wade is not. At the very least, keep an eye on the kid.

Bryant Johnson, WR – AZ Johnson is a risky grab with high upside who we’d recommend in deep leagues. The 2003 first-rounder is questionable for week one because of an ankle injury, but he should be on the field. Anquan Boldin is out for at least half the season and Johnson is likely to snag his stats. Expect the Cardinals to be trailing early and often this season, meaning coach Dennis Green will take to the air. He could be the next Jake Reed. Or he could be the next Josh Reed.

Josh Reed, WR – BUF This is a huge if, but IF Josh Reed starts over Lee Evans in Buffalo, you could do a lot worse at WR5 or WR6.

Eric Johnson, TE – SF Considering the 49ers receiver group, we bet Johnson or Kevan Barlow will lead the team in receptions this season. Johnson is going undrafted in most leagues, more proof that the position is enjoying a great year for depth.

Tim Rattay, QB – SF We list Rattay because he’s available and because of his nice early schedule. In the first six weeks of the season, the best secondary the 49ers will face is … the Saints? There are worse insurance policies for your fantasy bench.

Tim Brown, WR – TB Unless Brown is totally out of gas, coach Gruden will find a way to get him five catches a game. In leagues that award points for receptions, this graybeard is worth a roster spot.

Reno Mahe, QB – PHI The Eagles are a Brian Westbrook injury away from calling Reno 911. He’s worth a spot in deep leagues.

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As always folks check back for my Fantasy Football column tomorrow, and until then good luck with your Tuesday Night waiver wire pickups.

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