The fantasy football playoffs are one or two weeks away for most leagues, and waiver-wire pickups and injury backups at wide receiver could be a huge lift to your team heading down the stretch. Here are five players to plug into your lineup if you need help at the receiver position.
1. Chris Chambers, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are not in contention for the playoffs whatsoever, but with star wide receiver Dwayne Bowe suspended for four games, Chambers has been a nice fill-in.
In four games with the Chiefs, after being cut by the Chargers a month ago, Chambers has stepped up with 17 catches for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
The Chiefs will be trailing in plenty of their remaining games, so the passing game will be on full display.
Look for quarterback Matt Cassell to continue to target Chambers as the nine-year veteran has found a home in Kansas City and a comfort level with Cassell. Look for equal or better production the rest of the season.
2. Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings
Rice has been Brett Favre’s favorite target all season long, blowing up for 56 receptions, 964 yards and four touchdowns.
The Vikings are rolling, and Rice has been a huge part of the offense; he commands the deep ball and has averaged more than 10 yards per catch since Week 3.
In Week 10 against the Lions, Rice had a monster game with seven receptions for 201 yards and, not surprisingly, fantasy owners started picking him up.
With only 46 catches combined in his first two seasons, Rice is easily having the best season of his career with a little help from the ageless wonder, Favre.
3. Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts
With Peyton Manning at quarterback, any Colts offensive skill player might be worth a roster spot on your fantasy team.
Garcon is having a breakout season in part because the Colts lost their No. 2 wide receiver, Anthony Gonzales, to a knee injury.
Garcon, along with Austin Collie, has been a nice complement to star wide receiver Reggie Wayne, and with 37 receptions, 574 yards and four touchdowns, Garcon is a low-end No. 2 or No. 3 receiver and worth a start the rest of the way for the undefeated Colts.
4. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
I’m not talking about Mike Wallace from 60 Minutes, but rather Mike Wallace the rookie from Ole Miss, who is having a pretty impressive rookie season for the defending champions.
Wallace is arguably the fastest receiver in the NFL and out of nowhere has 28 receptions for 500 yards and three touchdowns.
With Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes ahead of him on the depth chart, Wallace is a solid No. 4 receiver in deeper leagues and is a legit injury replacement due to his speed.
5. Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans
The Titans have all of sudden won five straight games after an 0-6 start led by quarterback Vince Young, who might have found his go-to guy in Britt.
The rookie from Rutgers was a first-round pick who is having a solid season for a team that relies on star running back Chris Johnson.
Britt caught the game-winning touchdown pass Sunday against Arizona as time expired and easily had the best game of his rookie campaign with seven catches for 128 yards and the touchdown.
Britt’s 33 receptions, 521 yards and two touchdowns make him worth a bench spot on any team.
