Waiver Wired | Week 12: Earnest Goes to . . . I.R.?

My weekly "Waiver Wired" column is up at Rotoworld for Week 12. Summary is below, but click here for the full article. Keep in mind this article is through Rotoworld and is intended for more shallow redraft leagues as opposed to a deeper roster Dynasty league.

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With apologies to Jim Varney's Ernest P. Worrell character, the waiver wired story of the week is Earnest Graham's season going up in smoke. You know what I mean, Vern?

Graham's ankle injury leaves Warrick Dunn as the clear starter in Tampa Bay and a probable fantasy RB2 the rest of the season. The news gets even better for Dunn: he goes into Detroit this week to face a tissue paper Lions defense that just gave up a franchise-record 264 rushing yards to the Panthers. That performance pushed the Lions past the Chiefs for the worst rushing defense in the NFL. In addition to his dream matchup this week, Dunn has a reasonable playoff schedule against the 17th ranked Panthers, 22nd ranked Falcons, and 14th ranked Chargers rush defenses in Weeks 14-16.

Here's how I see the rest of the Buccaneers backfield shaking out: Clifton Smith's three fumbles in three games won't endear him to coach Jon Gruden, so expect the undrafted rookie to play in a change of pace role at best. Cadillac Williams is probably at least one more week away from contributing anything to the offense. Even if he returns to game action by Week 13, he's not a great bet for a steady role down the stretch. The former Rookie of the Year won't be the same player he once was, so let someone else in your league get distracted by the hype. B.J. Askew is the favorite to take over short-yardage and goal-line duties, which makes him a decent flier in touchdown-heavy leagues. The upshot here is this: Warrick Dunn is the only back worth owning in typical 12-team leagues.

On to the waiver wire. Here is how I rank the likely targets at each position. Full writeups of each player are below.

RUNNINGBACKS
1. Warrick Dunn
2. Sammy Morris
3. Antonio Pittman
4. Pierre Thomas
5. Peyton Hillis
6. Selvin Young
7. Ahmad Bradshaw
8. J.J. Arrington
9. Cadillac Williams

QUARTERBACKS
1. Shaun Hill
2. Matt Hasselbeck
3. Joe Flacco
4. Kerry Collins
5. Daunte Culpepper
6. Ryan Fitzpatrick

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Mark Bradley
2. Deion Branch
3. Justin Gage
4. Brandon Jones
5. Jerry Porter
6. Michael Jenkins

TIGHT ENDS
1. Dustin Keller
2. Jerramy Stevens
3. Donald Lee

DEFENSES
1. Broncos
2. Browns