Have some fun with the waiver wire this week.
The traditional pattern of thinking always leads owners to add players coming off a big week and players heading into a favorable matchup. And that strategy works early on. It’s how you find the hidden gems of Stevan Ridley and Alfred Morris. It’s how you snag the surprising rookies. It’s how you build a championship-caliber roster. The waiver wire is valuable, and no one is questioning that.
But at this point, the free agents have gotten a bit stale. The game breakers are gone. The stars are taken. If you desperately need a player because of bye weeks, injuries or some other reason, then you desperately need to change your approach.
That’s why this week’s waiver recommendations will not come from statistics. They’ll come from the heart. And there is only one player worth getting.
I’ve wanted to recommend this player for weeks now, but conventional waiver wire thinking has held me back. I told myself, “No, he’s too inconsistent,” or, “No, he’s on a terrible team with a terrible quarterback. Don’t be a fool.” Any time I came close, I talked myself out of it.
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But not this week. I’m doing it. And I’m confident the injection of mojo this player brings to your team will lead you right to the top. Don’t doubt it. Fantasy football hardly ever makes sense anyway.
So, who is this game changer?
Cecil Shorts III (wide receiver, Jaguars, 3.4 percent owned in ESPN leagues) — Yes, it’s based solely on his name. Shorts has the best birth certificate in football, and it’s not even close. Seriously. Every time I see his name in a box score, I smile. Cecil. Shorts. The third. His first name peaked in 1902 and is less popular in 2012 than the name Atticus. His last name is clothing you wear on your legs. And he’s the third one in a long line of Cecil Shorts! We should consider ourselves lucky if we had the privilege of seeing a name like that on our roster. If available, pick up Atticus Pants III and enjoy the gift you’ve been given.
Jack is a senior in LAS. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JCassidy10.
