Top Targets for 2011 Week 4

Not a lot of new faces on a slow week 3 but here are your best options….no Cam Newton is still not on the list

Quarterbacks

Not So Obvious/ Hail Mary:

Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins I have talked about Grossman as a Hail Mary previously, but he is continuing to be productive. I would still hope that you have a better option but in a pinch, he should get you a double digit positive score at the QB position

Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins – Henne has not yet and most likely will not grab big headlines for throwing 4 or 5 touchdowns in a game but he is a solid performer. With the exception of a tough game against a very good Houston Texans defense, Henne has averaged over 300yds a game and has more TDs than interceptions. The others I have mentioned in previous weeks are better options, but if you are desperate, Henne is probably available and won’t bury you. Plus he averages almost 40 yards per game on the ground and that always helps.

Running Backs

Head Smacker:

Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints – Sproles has been upgraded to a head smacker since last week because the guys just flat produces. 3rd down, kick returns, punt returns, whatever you want him to do he does it and smokes at it.

Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins – Thomas has emerged as the unquestioned feature back in Miami, He is getting the lion’s share of the carries and producing while Reggie Bush does the same thing for your fantasy team in Miami that he did in New Orleans….nothing

Hail Mary:

John Kuhn, Green Bay – Kuhn is not going to get you big yardage but his stat line this year is 3 carries for 2 touchdowns. That my friend is a goal line vulture. If you put all your eggs in the Jamal Charles basket and are in a 16 man league, Kuhn might have some value.

Wide Receivers:

Head Smacker

Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans – Washington was approaching “the man” status in Tennessee before week three but with Kenny Britt having health issues, his status is unquestioned. Since Hasselbeck has arrived in Tennessee, he has had immediate chemistry with Washington and Nate has always been one of those receiver you expect big things from and he never delivered…until now (think Brandon Lloyd until recently)

David Nelson, Buffalo BillsAnother upgrade from last week. Nelson continues to take advantage of the attention being paid to Steve Johnson. He added 6 catches and another 80+ yards to his stats this week. The best part is that he is STILL available in almost every league.

No So Obvious:

Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens Smith may seem like a headsmacker after a 3 td game, but don’t get too grabby with him. He was playing the Rams and he was facing their softest coverage because they were not expecting him to explode. (who was) Add to that, there are a lot of mouths to feed in Baltimore. He is worth a grab if you have room or need help, but the 2 WRs mentioned earlier are better picks. Remember, not all that glitters is gold.

Top Targets for 2011 week 3

We knew it would happen at some point and now it has…THE FIRST FANTASY CHANGING INJURY OF THE SEASON!!! Jamal Charles a top five pick in most leagues is out for the season with an ACL tear, now what?? Let’s find you some help. And no I am still not endorsing Cam Newton! Yes he cracked 400 yds again but he threw 3 picks and stand behind my assertion that he is more likely to throw a bunch of picks again than he is to throw for 400 yards again.

Quarterbacks

Headsmacker:

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills – Fitzpatrick showed once again this week that the Bills offense can put up numbers. If you are sitting with Eli Manning or Josh Freeman as your back up, or if you are waiting to hear about Mike Vick’s noggin, Fitzpatrick is a no brainer.

Not So Obvious:

Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans – Hasselbeck has always had a strong arm, his durability has always been the only concern. With a fresh start in Tennessee and a stud running back to take some of the pressure off, Hasselbeck has been very consistent and he might actually stay on the field with defenses focusing on CJ2K. He is a decent option if you need help.

Hail Mary:

Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders – Campbell has been playing very well in the first couple of the weeks and he is showing signs that his bench last year has helped him grow into the QB that the Raiders thought they were getting originally. The only reason I have him as a hail mary is because he plays for Oakland and historically Raider quarterbacks have never been good for fantasy teams.

Running Backs

Head Smacker:

Thomas Jones/Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs – As I mentioned earlier and I am sure you are aware, Jamal Charles is out for the season with an torn ACL. Word on the wire is that Thomas Jones will get the bulk of the work with McCluster taking on the role that Jamal Charles used to take when Thomas Jones was the featured back. They are both going to get work so they both have value.

Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos – If you have been listen to us at all, we have been talking about McGahee as the back up most likely to start since he landed in Denver. The word now is that Willis might get the nod regardless of Moreno’s health status. McGahee should be owned in most leagues.

No So Obvious:

Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints – Note to Reggie Bush, this is how you were supposed to play in the big easy! Sproles has been the spark plug of the Saints offense as of late and he will continue to produce with every opportunity he gets. Sproles was a thorn in the side of a lot of owners of San Diego running back owners for the last couple of seasons and this year he will drive Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram owners nuts.

Hail Mary:

LeRon McClain, Kansas City Chiefs – I know we have already talked about the situation in KC but there is an outside chance the McClain could emerge from the pile as the short yardage and goal line back for the Chiefs. If that happens, he could have some value in deep leagues.

Wide Receivers:

Head Smacker

Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints – Last week I was not sure who Brees was going to be looking to in Colston’s absence, it looks pretty apparent the Henderson is Drew’s first read. Grab him if you can.

Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers – Nelson was the superbowl hero last season and he is looking like one of Rodgers’ favorite targets this year too. Nelson looks should be owned in all leagues.

No So Obvious:

David Nelson, Buffalo Bills 14 catches 149 yards and a td in the first 2 weeks is a pretty solid stat line. With Roscoe Parrish on the IR, Lee Evans gone and Steve Johnson looking a little limpy at the end of the game last week, Nelson could gets a bunch of looks real soon. The best part is that he is available in almost every league.

Mike Sims-Walker, St. Louis Rams – The scores of the first 2 games don’t show it, but the Rams have been moving the ball well this season. Bradford has been slinging the ball at will and since they have been trailing he does it a lot. Sims-Walker is looking like his new favorite target. He gets open and has the talent to get some big YAC. Look for this chemistry to continue. Good option if you need help at wide receiver.
Hail Mary:

Fred Davis. Washington Redskins Davis a tight end, but he is putting up good numbers even if he was a wide receiver. 11 grabs for 191 yards and a td on the end of Rex Grossman’s suddenly golden arm is nothing to look past. Davis is a starter at tight end and is playing well enough o be considered a flex play in most leagues.

Top Targets for 2011 week 2

Everyone is going to tell you to grab Cam Newton, he seems like an obvious choice 422 yards is pretty impressive.  The problem is that Cam Newton is a rookie and although he looks very shiny, he is going to stumble…..alot.  If you are in a keeper league and you have room on your bench for a long term wait and see stash, he is an option, if not, let’s look at some real options.

 Quarterbacks

 Headsmacker:

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – Sanchez had a few flashes of brilliance last year but was inconsistent.  With another year under his belt, he should be far more dependable and best of all, he went undrafted in many league (probably yours too).  The Jets lost Braylon Edwards, but the added redzone specialist Plaxico Burress fresh off his vacation in the state pen.  If you need immediate QB help or just want insurance for bye weeks or injuries Sanchez is a solid snag.

 Not So Obvious:

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills – We talked about Fitzpatrick all last season and I am going to start this year beating the same drum.  Fitzpatrick is a super smart guy who reads defenses well and with Steve Johnson’s emergence and a legit WR1, he finally has someone to throw to.  The Bills were competitive in the majority of their games last season and much of that was due to the combination of Fitzpatrick and Johnson.  This is going to continue.  If you are one of the unfortunate victims of the Peyton Manning lie about your health-athon, Ryan is available and worthy. (no Peyton Manning but he will get you 15-20 points a game)

 Hail Mary:

Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins – As a previous owner of multiple running backs in a Mike Shanahan system, I have been infuriated by him more times than I can count, but Shanahan has actually been pretty good for fantasy quarterbacks. In fact, his system even made Brian Griese an legit fantasy starter.  Rex Grossman has always had the tools to be successful, but his first few seasons inChicago left him beat up and shell shocked. If he has shaken that off, he might actually find some comfort in the run happy, no pressure on the QB mike Shanahan offense.

 Running Backs

 Head Smacker:

Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers – Tolbert was probably drafted in your league…but if he wasn’t you are playing with a bunch of meatballs and you should win your league! Oh ya and pick him up.  If you look up goal line vulture in the dictionary, you will find Mike Tolbert’s smiling face…again, pick him up.

 No So Obvious:

Ben Tate, Houston Texans – If you are an Arian Foster owner, you should already have him, if you don’t, move quick.  Foster has a hammy problem and as we all know that is completely unpredictable so you may have to lean on Tate more than your want to.

 Cadillac Williams, St. Louis Rams – If you are a Steven Jackson owner, see the write up on Ben Tate above.   For everyone else, Cadillac was a stud inTampa before his knees blew up on him.  When he came back a couple of seasons ago, we sang his praises immediately and we were right.  He is still a serviceable back and as long asJackson is out, he will get points.

 James Starks, Green Bay Packers – If you listen to our podcast, you would already know that we think Starks is the best running back on the Packers depth chart.  He is going to outplay Grant and will be the starter before the season ends

 Hail Mary:

Ricky Williams, Baltimore – Ricky is only a Hail Mary because he is on the same team as Ray Rice.  As productive as he is, he would be a 50/50 timeshare on most teams.  This is not going to happen on the Ravens, but don’t be surprised if he wedges himself into a 60/40 split with ample shots at the goal line. 

 Wide Receivers:

Head Smacker

Devery Henderson/Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints – With Colsten hurt, any one of the Saints receivers could emerge as “the guy” so grab whoever you can.  The Saints put up big numbers through the air and will continue regardless of who is being thrown to.

 No So Obvious:

Michael Jenkins, Minnesota Vikings – The offense inMinnesota is going to run through Adrian Peterson, we know that. The next play maker on the team is Percy Harvin, we know that as well. The thing is, neither of those guys is really a wide receiver. The Vikes still have Bernard Berrian, but who cares?  The only real receiver that McNabb has to throw to is Michael Jenkins. Jenkins has had success in previous stops and he could see some consistent targets inMinnesota as well.

 Hail Mary:

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers – Cobb is a good option if you get points for return yardage, but even if you don’t, Rodgers loves to spread the ball around and as we saw this week, Cobb can get in the endzone.

 Jabar Gaffney, Washington Redskins –  In my first ever Hail Mary handcuff, I am including Jabar Gaffney.  If Rex Grossman is going to have success, so is Gaffney.  If you are in a really deep league….why not?

Top Targets for 2010 week 16

For this late Christmas Day edition I am actually ahead by being behind.  Breaking news has Maurice Jones Drew out for this Sunday’s tilt against the Redskins.  This is a good match up for MJD….if he were playing.  If you listen our podcast (available on iTunes, search for fantasydraftmaster) you always hand cuff your marquis guys, so you already have Rashad Jennings on your roster.  For anyone who dropped the ball, there are possibly some other options for you.  Obviously is Jennings is available, grab him and start him.  If he isn’t here are some other running back options that might be available.

Danny Woodhead, RB, New England Patriots – Danny continues to make the most out of limited opportunities playing behind Green-Ellis.  He seems to find ways to get in the endzone and that should continue with the Pats friendly matchup against the Bills this weekend.

Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts – The running back corps in indy has been banged up all season so it has been a revolving door.  Last week Brown had good production in the colts win over the Jags.  With the Raiders giving up more than 130 yards/game on the ground and the Colts fighting for their lives, Brown should play well again this week.

Toby Gerhart, RB, Minnesota Vikings – Peterson is questionable again this week and even though he says he wants to play, I cannot see the Vikings riding him too hard if at all in a game that doesn’t matter.  Gerhart should get the majority of the touches.

Other Strong Plays This Week:

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Blount has be great in recent weeks and there is not reason he will slow down against the shabby Seahawks. 

Any Receiver on the Saints – The Falcons have played a couple of terrible teams in the last two weeks but they have been known to give up yards through the air.  They are at home this week on Monday night and the could be leading which means the Drew and the crew will be airing it out early and often.

Poor Plays:

Eli Manning, RB, New Yorks Giants – This is for you Pretzel! The Packers have been vicious on opposing quarterbacks this season and this week will be no exception.  Add to that, Eli Manning threw 4 TDs last week, but he only threw 7 touchdowns in the five games leading up to last week combined.  This will be a tough week for Eli…he might actually cry.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears – Forte has been hit and miss all year and lately he has been losing touches to Chester Taylor.  There is no team in the league that gives running backs more difficulty than the New York Jets, if you have other options than Forte, use them.

Merry Christmas all and happy championship weekend!!!!!