The 2012 NFL Season is just about to kick off, what better way to celebrate than with our first installment of the Waiver Wire Wonders!! This week, a special "pre-season" edition where we talk about players that did not get any love on draft day. Many leagues do offer a free agency period prior to the first regular season game, check your league rules and even if not, keep an eye on some of these players once the season begins.
As in year's past, this column will do its best to mention players that are available in most leagues. The players are ranked in four categories, with the Smokin' Hot category the most desirable, 'Solid Pickups' next, and so on down the list. Individual league rules and specific team needs are also a factor in determining which player(s) are best suited for addition to your team. Just as important as the player being added is the player to be released to make room. Be careful not to give up too early on a player, but in general, any time you can improve your roster, even the last player on your team, you do it.
Thanks to all those that have been faithful readers of the column, and a warm welcome to those seeing it for the first time. On to this week's Waiver Wire Wonders....
Smokin' Hot
RB Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh
With Rashard Mendenhall at least a month or two away and Isaac Redman nursing an ankle injury, the starting job by default to open the season falls to Dwyer. In the past, the Steelers have shown that they will have confidence in their starting back, look for Dwyer to get a significant amount of action to open up the season.
RB Evan Royster, Washington
Even prior to the release of the Redskins depth charts, which coming from a Mike Shanahan team we consider to be next to useless, Royster was going to end up making this list. In an uncertain backfield where Roy Helu hasn't set the world on fire, Tim Hightower was released, and Alfred Morris didn't play in the final pre-season game, we see Royster as getting the first opportunity to run with the starter's job in Washington.
WR Jerome Simpson, Minnesota
He'll be sitting out the first three games of the season, but come week four he will have an immediate impact as a starter for the Vikings. The speedster will be a welcome addition to the Minnesota passing attack, grab and stash him now.
Solid Pickups
WR Dexter McCluster, Kansas City
Most leagues are listing him as a wide out, and he has certainly performed like one this pre-season. The Chiefs will need to find a way...