Every year around this time McDonalds launches their final grand tour of the McRib.  I still haven’t figured out why they don’t call it an annual event, rather than suggesting each year that it will go away forever.  I buy in to the hype once a year, usually on a day when I am in the mood for explosive diarrhea.  Every year I know the risks, but I still take the plunge hoping for some sort of reward.

There are fantasy football players who we approach with a similar thought process.  We know the risks associated with these players, yet we still partake.  This week’s waiver wire wonders includes several risky options who you might want to take a chance on, some of which might be more rewarding than the McRib.

QUARTERBACKS

Kurt Warner- Warner’s risks keep him on the wire in enough leagues to justify his almost weekly presence in this column. While he will turn the ball over several times, he also has the potential to put up exceptional numbers. AccuScore projects about 300 yards and two touchdowns this week against the Browns defense.

Jason Campbell – Campbell went his first eight games with six touchdown passes, and has matched that total in his last three games. The question is, which Campbell will you get? AccuScore projects Campbell to throw for 214 yards, with two touchdowns in 32 percent of simulations.

AJ Feeley – Feeley was a big surprise against the Patriots, but the question now is whether McNabb will return from injury this week. Monitor that situation. AccuScore projects Feeley would pass for 289 yards and 2.18 touchdowns in average simulations as the starter.

RUNNING BACKS

Kolby Smith – It was the Raiders that Smith torched this past week, so some credit has to be taken away there. That being said, Larry Johnson has yet to run for 150 yards this season, and only has three touchdowns on the year, which is something to be said for Smith. If he gets the start again this week, AccuScore projects 109 yards with a touchdown in 77 percent of simulations.

Adrian Peterson (CHI) – The other Adrian Peterson is finally taking over in Chicago. Although I’m more of a fan of Garrett Wolfe, I will include Peterson in this column for obvious reasons – he is a starting running back, and that has value even if you’re running for 2.6 yards a carry. AccuScore projects he will run for 84.7 yards, scoring in 51 percent of simulations.

Anyone in Denver – Travis Henry, Selvin Young, and Andre Hall are all banged up heading in to Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Henry faces a potential suspension, which further dims his chances of playing. Selvin Young will probably get the start, and is still un-owned in a third of leagues. If he can’t go, my pecking order is Andre Hall, Cecil Sapp, and then Mike Bell. That is about the same story in Denver, as Hall replaced Young, Sapp replaced Hall, and who knows if Mike Bell will ever get to play again. Uncertainty is the risk you take relying on Denver running backs. However, against Oakland’s poor run defense, the big risk could yield a big reward.

Patrick Cobbs – Ricky Williams is out for the year, Jesse Chatman has an injured neck and ankle, leaving Cobbs as the only healthy back in Miami. If Chatman can’t go this weekend, Cobbs makes a good sleeper start against the Jets.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Sidney Rice – Vikings receivers have been unreliable for the majority of the season. The exception is Rice, who has shown some promise as a deep threat. Rice has five games with 1-2 points, and three games with over ten points. AccuScore thinks it could be one of the better games this week, projecting 45 yards with a 49 percent chance of a touchdown against the Lions.

Kevin Walter – During the absence of Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub found a new receiver to throw to. With Johnson returning to some serious coverage, Walter emerges as a solid option. Since the fourth week of the season, Walter has fewer than five receptions only twice.

Craphonso Thorpe – Add this guy just to get a few laughs …

Anthony Gonzalez - This is the Colts receiver you want. Last Thursday showed that Gonzalez is a very solid option if Marvin Harrison can’t play. AccuScore even projects Gonzalez for 42 yards with Harrison playing, so he should be productive regardless.

TIGHT ENDS

Tony Scheffler – Scheffler averages four catches per week, and has three touchdowns in seven games. He is scoring in 26 percent of AccuScore simulations.

Alex Smith – Smith only averages around 26 yards a week, but put up 45 against the Saints last time around. AccuScore shows Smith scoring in 24 percent of simulations. It’s a risk that is worth taking if you are desperate at tight end.

DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS

Carolina – Last week isn’t going to stop me from picking against the 49ers offense. They still rank last in points scored, total yards, and third down conversions. I credit last week to the Kurt Warner turnovers, and the fact that Warner can’t get sacked for anything less than a loss of 10 yards. The Panthers are averaging 2.25 sacks, 1.06 fumbles recovered, and intercepting the ball in 94 percent of AccuScore simulations.

St Louis – Joey Harrington averages 160 yards passing on the road, with one touchdown and three interceptions this season. The Rams are intercepting the ball in 88 percent of AccuScore simulations, while averaging 2.73 sacks and 0.72 fumbles recovered.

Last Weeks All-Waiver Team

QB – Matt Schaub: 14 points
RB – Ryan Grant: 19
RB – Maurice Morris: 7
WR – Chris Henry: 4
WR – DJ Hackett: 4
TE – Donald Lee: 1
D/ST – Arizona: -4

Grand Total: 45 points