NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy football team. The number listed in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent.
Maurice Morris, RB, Lions (99.9 percent)
Rookie runner Jahvid Best is clearly at less than 100 percent due to a nagging case of turf toe, and Kevin Smith is already out for the season. That puts Morris in line to see more work in the weeks to come. In fact, he could start against the Patriots on Thanksgiving Day. The veteran had four catches with 71 scrimmage yards against the Cowboys and has low-end flex value in deeper leagues, especially PPR formats.
Mike Goodson, RB, Panthers (92.6 percent)
Goodson, a one-time, fourth-string running back, has rushed for 100-plus yards in two straight games. That was a feat that neither DeAngelo Williams nor Jonathan Stewart could accomplish earlier this season. In 2009, both of them rushed for 1,100-plus yards. Am I missing something here? Regardless, Goodson has been the best offensive player in the Panthers offense and should be scooped up off the waiver wire in most formats.
Keiland Williams, RB, Redskins (91.6 percent)
If you own one Redskins running back, it should be Williams. Ryan Torain was out against the Titans with a problematic hamstring, and Clinton Portis left the contest after hurting his groin (again). In their absence, Williams caught six passes and totaled 95 scrimmage yards against a tough defense. Even if it's just for depth purposes or as a potential flex starter, Williams is worth a roster spot in most leagues right now.
Nate Burleson, WR, Lions (91.7 percent)
I've been talking about Burleson for weeks, but he's still a free agent in a ton of NFL.com leagues. That should change after Week 11, though, as he sliced and diced the Cowboys for seven catches, 97 yards and one touchdown. The veteran has now caught at least six passes in four of his last five games. He's also found the end zone four times since Week 5. Burleson will be a viable No. 3 fantasy wideout down the stretch.
Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins (98.5 percent)
If Brandon Marshall is unable to play this week due to a hamstring injury, Hartline would have sudden value in a lot of fantasy leagues. He seemed to have a nice rapport with Tyler Thigpen last Thursday night, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards in a loss to the Bears. Even if Chad Henne is able to return, Hartline would see more than his share of targets in the event that Marshall needs more time to heal.
Robert Meachem, WR, Saints (45.7 percent)
Meachem caught just two passes in Sunday's win blowout over the Seattle Seahawks, but two of them went for touchdowns. That's good enough to put him squarely back on the fantasy radar, especially with a game against the Cowboys next on the schedule. The Boys from Big D have been awful defending the pass all season, so Meachem has some value as a No. 3 fantasy option in larger leagues on Thanksgiving Day.
Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings (42.5 percent)
Rice, one of the top-scoring wide receivers in fantasy football last season, made his 2010 debut in Week 11 and posted three catches for 56 yards. More importantly, he saw a total of 10 targets against the Packers. Despite the fact that Brett Favre looks like he's aged about 10 years in the last 12 months, he's still going to look to Rice often down the stretch. If he's available, go out and pick him up for the remaining weeks.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers (40.2 percent)
Jackson, one of the top wide receivers in fantasy football just last season, is eligible to return to action in Week 12. While he hasn't played a single snap in the 2010 campaign, Jackson has remained in playing shape and could make an impact sooner than later. With so many injuries in the Chargers pass attack, the veteran wideout should play right away. He needs to be added in all fantasy leagues this week.
Kevin Boss, TE, Giants (89.9 percent)
Boss had a pretty weak stat line against the Eagles, but the loss of Hakeem Nicks in addition to the absence of Steve Smith will no doubt open more targets for the veteran tight end. Fantasy owners should also keep tabs on the trio of WRs Derek Hagan, Duke Calhoun and TE Travis Beckum, who could also play more of a role in the pass attack. Mario Manningham (19.9 percent) now needs to be owned in all leagues.
Browns defense (97.4 percent)
Fantasy owners who play the defensive matchups each week should take a chance on the Browns, who scored an impressive 22 fantasy points on NFL.com in Week 11. Next on the schedule is a date with the Carolina Panthers, who will be starting either Brian St. Pierre or Jimmy Clausen at the quarterback position (not exactly Dan Marino, huh?). That alone makes the Browns well worth a look as a one-week defensive option in all formats.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question for Michael on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section or send it to **AskFabiano@nfl.com**!
