Thursday, October 30, 2014

Week 9 fantasy football rankings


Below are Week 9 fantasy football rankings based on potential performance in this week's games for quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker and team defense.


Quarterback
1 Andrew Luck, Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants 
2 Peyton Manning, Denver at New England 
3 Tom Brady, New England vs. Denver 
4 Drew Brees, New Orleans at Carolina 
5 Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco vs. St. Louis 
6 Cam Newton, Carolina vs. New Orleans 
7 Nick Foles, Philadelphia at Houston 
8 Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore 
9 Philip Rivers, San Diego at Miami 
10 Russell Wilson, Seattle vs. Oakland 
11 Carson Palmer, Arizona at Dallas ...Palmer has now thrown 2 TDs in each of his four starts
12 Ryan Tannehill, Miami vs. San Diego 
13 Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants vs. Indianapolis 
14 Alex Smith, Kansas City vs. N.Y. Jets 
15 Michael Vick, N.Y. Jets at Kansas City ...Michael Vick is set to make his first start as a Jet this week - he added 69 yards rushing in three quarters last week so don't automatically dismiss some fantasy appeal here
16 Robert Griffin III, Washington at Minnesota ...RG3 is set to make his return
17 Andy Dalton, Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville 
18 Brandon Weeden, Dallas vs. Arizona ...Tony Romo (back) probably is out this week
19 Joe Flacco, Baltimore at Pittsburgh 
20 Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston vs. Philadelphia 


Running Back
1 Arian Foster, Houston vs. Philadelphia 
2 DeMarco Murray, Dallas vs. Arizona ...Murray is now on pace for 2,108 rushing yards which would set the all-time single season record just barely over Eric Dickerson (2,105)
3 Marshawn Lynch, Seattle vs. Oakland 
4 Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore ...Bell is on pace for 2,172 yards  
5 Ronnie Hillman, Denver at New England 
6 Jamaal Charles, Kansas City vs. N.Y. Jets 
7 Andre Ellington, Arizona at Dallas 
8 Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants ...Bradshaw makes his return to face his former team
9 LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia at Houston 
10 Mark Ingram, New Orleans at Carolina 
11 Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville ...This ranking assumes that Hill gets the start this week with Bernard (hip) either out or significantly limited
12 Shane Vereen, New England vs. Denver 
13 Lamar Miller, Miami vs. San Diego 
14 Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. St. Louis 
15 Branden Oliver, San Diego at Miami ...It's TBD if Ryan Mathews will return this week 
16 Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota vs. Washington 
17 Ben Tate, Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay 
18 Justin Forsett, Baltimore at Pittsburgh 
19 Alfred Morris, Washington at Minnesota 
20 Denard Robinson, Jacksonville at Cincinnati  ...Robinson has rushed for more than 100 yards in back-to-back contests
21 Trent Richardson, Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants ...Richardson (hamstring) needs to be monitored but should be able to return this week
22 Andre Williams, N.Y. Giants vs. Indianapolis 
23 Chris Ivory, N.Y. Jets at Kansas City 
24 Darren McFadden, Oakland at Seattle 
25 Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore at Pittsburgh 
26 Travaris Cadet, New Orleans at Carolina 
27 Darren Sproles, Philadelphia at Houston 
28 Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay at Cleveland ...Rainey (or Charles Sims if activated) should start this week with Doug Martin either out or limited
29 Jonas Gray, New England vs. Denver 
30 Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville ...Bernard (hip) could be limited and may be inactive this week; if Bernard starts move him up to around 12


Wide Receivers
1 Demaryius Thomas, Denver at New England 
2 Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore 
3 T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants 
4 Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia at Houston 
5 Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina vs. New Orleans 
6 Emmanuel Sanders, Denver at New England 
7 Dez Bryant, Dallas vs. Arizona 
8 Rueben Randle, N.Y. Giants vs. Indianapolis 
9 Mike Evans, Tampa Bay at Cleveland 
10 Mike Wallace, Miami vs. San Diego 
11 Steve Smith, Baltimore at Pittsburgh 
12 A.J. Green, Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville ...Green looks to (finally) make his return this week but he will need to be monitored up until kickoff
13 Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona at Dallas 
14 DeSean Jackson, Washington at Minnesota 
15 Andre Johnson, Houston vs. Philadelphia 
16 Brandin Cooks, New Orleans at Carolina 
17 Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville 
18 Anquan Boldin, San Francisco vs. St. Louis 
19 Michael Crabtree, San Francisco vs. St. Louis 
20 Brandon LaFell, New England vs. Denver 
21 Keenan Allen, San Diego at Miami 
22 Odell Beckham Jr. , N.Y. Giants vs. Indianapolis 
23 DeAndre Hopkins, Houston vs. Philadelphia 
24 Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay 
25 Pierre Garcon, Washington at Minnesota 
26 Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay at Cleveland 
27 Allen Robinson, Jacksonville at Cincinnati  
28 Michael Floyd, Arizona at Dallas 
29 Eric Decker, N.Y. Jets at Kansas City 
30 Doug Baldwin, Seattle vs. Oakland 
31 Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota vs. Washington 
32 Terrance Williams, Dallas vs. Arizona 
33 Marques Colston, New Orleans at Carolina 
34 Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City vs. N.Y. Jets 
35 John Brown, Arizona at Dallas 
36 Percy Harvin, N.Y. Jets at Kansas City 
37 Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants 
38 Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore 
39 Julian Edelman, New England vs. Denver 
40 Kenny Stills, New Orleans at Carolina 
41 Torrey Smith, Baltimore at Pittsburgh ...Smith needs to pass his concussion protocol testing but should be good to go this week
42 Wes Welker, Denver at New England ...Welker returning to New England has to be motivating
43 Malcom Floyd, San Diego at Miami 
44 Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia at Houston 
45 James Jones, Oakland at Seattle 
46 Greg Jennings, Minnesota vs. Washington 
47 Andre Holmes, Oakland at Seattle 
48 Jarvis Landry, Miami vs. San Diego 
49 Eddie Royal, San Diego at Miami 
50 Kenny Britt, St. Louis at San Francisco ...With the season-ending injury to Brian Quick, Britt in theory becomes the Rams #1 WR 


Tight End
1 Rob Gronkowski, New England vs. Denver 
2 Julius Thomas, Denver at New England 
3 Jimmy Graham, New Orleans at Carolina 
4 Greg Olsen, Carolina vs. New Orleans 
5 Travis Kelce, Kansas City vs. N.Y. Jets 
6 Antonio Gates, San Diego at Miami 
7 Larry Donnell, N.Y. Giants vs. Indianapolis 
8 Vernon Davis, San Francisco vs. St. Louis 
9 Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants 
10 Jason Witten, Dallas vs. Arizona 
11 Jordan Reed, Washington at Minnesota 
12 Zach Ertz, Philadelphia at Houston 
13 Heath Miller, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore 
14 Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville 
15 Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay at Cleveland 
16 Charles Clay, Miami vs. San Diego 
17 Jace Amaro, N.Y. Jets at Kansas City 
18 Crockett Gillmore, Baltimore at Pittsburgh ...With Owen Daniels out for the next few weeks, Gillmore is set to get the start
19 Clay Harbor, Jacksonville at Cincinnati  
20 Jared Cook, St. Louis at San Francisco 


Kicker
1 Steven Hauschka, Seattle vs. Oakland 
2 Phil Dawson, San Francisco vs. St. Louis 
3 Dan Bailey, Dallas vs. Arizona 
4 Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants 
5 Cody Parkey, Philadelphia at Houston 
6 Justin Tucker, Baltimore at Pittsburgh 
7 Stephen Gostkowski, New England vs. Denver 
8 Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona at Dallas 
9 Graham Gano, Carolina vs. New Orleans 
10 Shayne Graham, New Orleans at Carolina 
11 Caleb Sturgis, Miami vs. San Diego 
12 Cairo Santos, Kansas City vs. N.Y. Jets 
13 Mike Nugent, Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville 
14 Randy Bullock, Houston vs. Philadelphia 
15 Blair Walsh, Minnesota vs. Washington 
16 Billy Cundiff, Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay 
17 Nick Novak, San Diego at Miami 
18 Brandon McManus, Denver at New England 
19 Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore   


Defense
1 San Francisco DT, vs. St. Louis 
2 Seattle DT, vs. Oakland 
3 Kansas City DT, vs. N.Y. Jets 
4 Minnesota DT, vs. Washington 
5 Cleveland DT, vs. Tampa Bay 
6 Cincinnati DT, vs. Jacksonville 
7 Houston DT, vs. Philadelphia 
8 Pittsburgh DT, vs. Baltimore 
9 Philadelphia DT, at Houston 
10 Indianapolis DT, at N.Y. Giants 
11 Arizona DT, at Dallas 
12 Washington DT, at Minnesota 
13 San Diego DT, at Miami 
14 Miami DT, vs. San Diego 
15 Dallas DT, vs. Arizona 
16 New Orleans DT, at Carolina 
17 Baltimore DT, at Pittsburgh 
18 New York Jets DT, at Kansas City 
19 Tampa Bay DT, at Cleveland 
20 Carolina DT, vs. New Orleans 
   
For full Week 9 rankings, click here to access at Fantasy Football Warehouse.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Week 9 fantasy football moves to make now


An exciting story-line from Week 8 is the remarkable play of the 2014 rookie wide receiver class. I called this before the season, and this is going to be true in a landslide - we are watching the greatest rookie wide receiver class in "fantasy history" and it sure does look like the greatest receiver class ever at this pace. Sammy Watkins (Buffalo), Kelvin Benjamin (Carolina), Brandin Cooks (New Orleans) and Allen Robinson (Jacksonville) are all in the Top 25 among receivers this season, and several more rookie receivers made their mark this week. 

First up, and I mentioned him as a player to add last week, Donte Moncrief (Indianapolis) clearly made the most of his opportunity this week with Reggie Wayne out. Moncrief is likely your top waiver claim this week if he is still available after racking up 113 yards and a score on 7 receptions. Moncrief led the Colts in targets as well (12). Bear in mind that Reggie Wayne will be back soon, but Moncrief is too big of a play-maker for the Colts to not get on the field. Moncrief reminds me of Dez Bryant and Moncrief is a true “physical specimen”. For you Combine fans, Moncrief ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash this year (3rd-best among receivers), he also finished 3rd in the Vertical Jump among receivers (with a 39.5" jump) and Moncrief had the best Broad Jump of anyone at the Combine (an impressive 11'0"). 

The next rookie receiver, former Clemson and now Pittsburgh Steeler receiver Martavis Bryant looked mighty impressive Sunday catching two touchdowns, and he has three scores over the last two weeks. Bryant was considered raw coming out of college (he had just 34 receptions last year) but he is making a solid contribution with 12 targets over the last two weeks. Bryant gives Ben Roethlisberger something none of the team's other receivers can offer - size. Bryant may be a little hit or miss on any given week but he is clear-cut must add. 

Rounding up the rookie call-out, Arizona's John Brown is also a must add too if he's available. Brown has seen 6+ targets in four of his past five games and he should be more consistent as the season wears on (assuming Carson Palmer can stay healthy).

I mentioned Jonas Gray (New England) last week and he in fact looks to have locked down the power back role for New England with Stevan Ridely out for the season. Although Gray had 86 yards this week, he's still more of a low-end option at the end of the day who won't add to this total in the passing game. 

No Reggie Bush this week, no problem. Theo Riddick (Detroit) stepped in and collected 8 receptions. Bush will likely be back however after the Lions' Week 9 BYE week although Riddick still is worth adding in deeper leagues. 

In somewhat of a surprise move, Bernard Pierce was a healthy scratch this week as the Ravens fired up Lorenzo Taliaferro instead. Taliaferro got the call around the end-zone and delivered two scores. Especially in touchdown-heavy scoring formats, Taliaferro is worth adding. 

In St. Louis, Brian Quick will be out for the season leaving Kenny Britt to slide into the team’s #1 receiver role and Stedman Bailey will likely start on the other side. Bailey had his moments last year as a rookie and can add some depth as a potential flex. I mentioned Tavon Austin last week. Austin is still the top Rams' fantasy receiver to own. 

Take a look and make sure no one has cut tight end Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota). He should be back soon, maybe this week. 

Last - and anything but least - add running back Charles Sims (Tampa Bay). Sims is set to be reactivated from Injured Reserve this week. Doug Martin has under-whelmed and with a 1-6 record it is time for the Buccaneers to starting turning to the future. Sims draws Matt Forte comparisons and Sims in particular is an exceptional receiving running back (Sims averaged 10.4 yards per catch in college, an exceptionally high number for a running back, and on 142 receptions in college). 

Other fantasy notes 
It's pretty amazing - Ahmad Bradshaw (Indianapolis) is on pace for a cool 16 TDs. Bradshaw returns to face his former team the N.Y. Giants on Monday Night Football this coming week. 

Geno Smith has been benched (after yet three more interceptions - in the first quarter). Michael Vick (35) will make his first start as a Jet although at Arrowhead doesn't sound too inviting. 

Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh) simply didn't get enough love on fantasy draft day. Brown is currently the No. 1 fantasy receiver, and in a runaway. 

Mark Ingram (New Orleans) was finally unleashed this week with a career-best 24 carries and he responded with a lethal career-best 172 yards rushing. Perhaps head coach Sean Payton will finally let the former Heisman Trophy winner be a franchise back for the Saints. Ingram is in the final year of his contract and playing for a big payday down the stretch. 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Week 8 fantasy football rankings


Below are Week 8 fantasy football rankings based on potential performance in this week's games for quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker and team defense.

Quarterback
1 Peyton Manning, Denver vs. San Diego 
2 Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay at New Orleans 
3 Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. Green Bay 
4 Andrew Luck, Indianapolis at Pittsburgh 
5 Tony Romo, Dallas vs. Washington ...Romo has had multiple TDs passing in five straight games
6 Nick Foles, Philadelphia at Arizona ...Foles returns to Arizona, the state where he played college ball, off a BYE and the passing game is where to attack the Cardinals defense
7 Tom Brady, New England vs. Chicago 
8 Philip Rivers, San Diego at Denver 
9 Matthew Stafford, Detroit at Atlanta 
10 Russell Wilson, Seattle at Carolina ...Wilson became the first quarterback ever last week to throw for 300+ yards and run for 100+ in a game last week
11 Cam Newton, Carolina vs. Seattle 
12 Jay Cutler, Chicago at New England 
13 Ryan Tannehill, Miami at Jacksonville 
14 Carson Palmer, Arizona vs. Philadelphia ...Palmer faced the Eagles late last year and threw for 302 yards with 3 TDs
15 Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis ...The Colts allow the second fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks
16 Matt Ryan, Atlanta vs. Detroit ...Ryan struggles on the road (how about in London?) while Detroit allows the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks
17 Alex Smith, Kansas City vs. St. Louis ...St. Louis allows the second most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks
18 Joe Flacco, Baltimore at Cincinnati  
19 Kyle Orton, Buffalo at N.Y. Jets ...The Jets allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks
20 Andy Dalton, Cincinnati vs. Baltimore


Running Back
1 Matt Forte, Chicago at New England 
2 Arian Foster, Houston at Tennessee 
3 DeMarco Murray, Dallas vs. Washington ...Murray is on pace to finish the season with 2,087 rushing yards
4 Jamaal Charles, Kansas City vs. St. Louis 
5 Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis 
6 LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia at Arizona 
7 Shane Vereen, New England vs. Chicago 
8 Ronnie Hillman, Denver vs. San Diego 
9 Joique Bell, Detroit at Atlanta ...Joique Bell is easily the healthiest Detroit running back and gets a soft match-up (no teams allows more fantasy points to running backs than Atlanta)
10 Andre Ellington, Arizona vs. Philadelphia 
11 Lamar Miller, Miami at Jacksonville 
12 Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota at Tampa Bay ...Tampa allows the 4th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the NFL
13 Marshawn Lynch, Seattle at Carolina 
14 Ben Tate, Cleveland vs. Oakland 
15 Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis at Pittsburgh 
16 Branden Oliver, San Diego at Denver 
17 Eddie Lacy, Green Bay at New Orleans 
18 Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati vs. Baltimore ...Bernard has faced the Ravens three times and did little on the ground, although he has 19 receptions in those three games
19 Doug Martin, Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota 
20 Mark Ingram, New Orleans vs. Green Bay 
21 Trent Richardson, Indianapolis at Pittsburgh ...Richardson (hamstring) needs to be monitored
22 Alfred Morris, Washington at Dallas 
23 Tre Mason, St. Louis at Kansas City 
24 Chris Ivory, N.Y. Jets vs. Buffalo 
25 Darren McFadden, Oakland at Cleveland ...McFadden looks to be setting in as the Raiders' starting running back
26 Denard Robinson, Jacksonville vs. Miami ...Robinson got the start and performed well enough for sure to get another shot this week
27 Reggie Bush, Detroit at Atlanta ...Bush (ankle) says he will play but he may be a limited
28 Justin Forsett, Baltimore at Cincinnati  
29 Anthony Dixon, Buffalo at N.Y. Jets ...Dixon will join Bryce Brown as the new 1-2 tandem in Buffalo with Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller sidelined
30 Bishop Sankey, Tennessee vs. Houston


Wide Receivers
1 Dez Bryant, Dallas vs. Washington 
2 Jordy Nelson, Green Bay at New Orleans ...New Orleans allows the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers
3 Demaryius Thomas, Denver vs. San Diego ...Thomas has caught 26 passes for 521 yards and 5 TDs in his last three games
4 Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis ...You don't sit Antonio Brown, but Indianapolis is allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in the NFL
5 Randall Cobb, Green Bay at New Orleans 
6 Golden Tate, Detroit at Atlanta ...Tate is on pace for 109 reception, 1,483 yards
7 T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis at Pittsburgh 
8 Julio Jones, Atlanta vs. Detroit 
9 Alshon Jeffery, Chicago at New England ...Will Darrelle Revis be on Jeffery or Brandon Marshall?
10 Michael Floyd, Arizona vs. Philadelphia 
11 Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina vs. Seattle 
12 Mike Wallace, Miami at Jacksonville ...Wallace has scored a touchdown in 5 of 6 games
13 Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia at Arizona 
14 Brandon Marshall, Chicago at New England ...Marshall has finished under 50 yards in five of his last six games
15 Steve Smith, Baltimore at Cincinnati  
16 Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota 
17 Andre Johnson, Houston at Tennessee 
18 Emmanuel Sanders, Denver vs. San Diego 
19 Mike Evans, Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota ...Fresh off a BYE, great match-up - look for Evans to outperform
20 Sammy Watkins, Buffalo at N.Y. Jets 
21 Marques Colston, New Orleans vs. Green Bay 
22 DeAndre Hopkins, Houston at Tennessee 
23 Terrance Williams, Dallas vs. Washington 
24 Keenan Allen, San Diego at Denver 
25 Eric Decker, N.Y. Jets vs. Buffalo 
26 Doug Baldwin, Seattle at Carolina 
27 Pierre Garcon, Washington at Dallas ...Boom or bust - Garcon has four games over 13 PPR points, three games under 5 PPR points
28 Brandin Cooks, New Orleans vs. Green Bay 
29 Roddy White, Atlanta vs. Detroit 
30 A.J. Green, Cincinnati vs. Baltimore ...Green's status for Week 8 (toe) needs to be monitored
31 DeSean Jackson, Washington at Dallas ...Dallas is allowing the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in the NFL
32 Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. Philadelphia 
33 Julian Edelman, New England vs. Chicago 
34 Kenny Stills, New Orleans vs. Green Bay 
35 Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota at Tampa Bay ...If ever there was a week - Tampa allows the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers
36 Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati vs. Baltimore 
37 Brandon LaFell, New England vs. Chicago 
38 Wes Welker, Denver vs. San Diego 
39 Kendall Wright, Tennessee vs. Houston ...Oddly, Wright has been scoring in bunches this year (4), but has just 32 receptions
40 Torrey Smith, Baltimore at Cincinnati  
41 Allen Robinson, Jacksonville vs. Miami 
42 Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia at Arizona ...Coming off a BYE, I like Matthews to outperform some this week
43 Percy Harvin, N.Y. Jets vs. Buffalo ...Will be interesting, Harvin will make his N.Y. Jets debut although expect him to start slow as he learns the new offense
44 Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland vs. Oakland 
45 Justin Hunter, Tennessee vs. Houston ...Getting rookie QB Zach Mettenberger under center should help Hunter connect with some longer passes given Mettenberger's strong arm
46 Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City vs. St. Louis 
47 Malcom Floyd, San Diego at Denver 
48 Davante Adams, Green Bay at New Orleans 
49 James Jones, Oakland at Cleveland 
50 Brian Quick, St. Louis at Kansas City 



Tight End
1 Julius Thomas, Denver vs. San Diego 
2 Rob Gronkowski, New England vs. Chicago 
3 Greg Olsen, Carolina vs. Seattle ...Seattle is allowing the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in the NFL
4 Jimmy Graham, New Orleans vs. Green Bay 
5 Jordan Cameron, Cleveland vs. Oakland 
6 Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis at Pittsburgh 
7 Martellus Bennett, Chicago at New England 
8 Antonio Gates, San Diego at Denver 
9 Jordan Reed, Washington at Dallas ...Dallas is allowing the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in the NFL
10 Travis Kelce, Kansas City vs. St. Louis ...Kelce has scored in three of his last four games
11 Owen Daniels, Baltimore at Cincinnati  ...Cincinnati is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in the NFL
12 Delanie Walker, Tennessee vs. Houston 
13 Zach Ertz, Philadelphia at Arizona 
14 Jason Witten, Dallas vs. Washington 
15 Heath Miller, Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis 
16 Jace Amaro, N.Y. Jets vs. Buffalo 
17 Charles Clay, Miami at Jacksonville 
18 Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota 
19 Scott Chandler, Buffalo at N.Y. Jets 
20 Coby Fleener, Indianapolis at Pittsburgh 


Kicker
1 Stephen Gostkowski, New England vs. Chicago 
2 Dan Bailey, Dallas vs. Washington 
3 Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona vs. Philadelphia 
4 Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis at Pittsburgh 
5 Justin Tucker, Baltimore at Cincinnati  
6 Cody Parkey, Philadelphia at Arizona 
7 Nick Folk, N.Y. Jets vs. Buffalo 
8 Steven Hauschka, Seattle at Carolina 
9 Caleb Sturgis, Miami at Jacksonville 
10 Blair Walsh, Minnesota at Tampa Bay 
11 Mason Crosby, Green Bay at New Orleans 
12 Brandon McManus, Denver vs. San Diego 
13 Billy Cundiff, Cleveland vs. Oakland 
14 Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis at Kansas City 
15 Matt Prater, Detroit at Atlanta 
16 Graham Gano, Carolina vs. Seattle 
17 Mike Nugent, Cincinnati vs. Baltimore 
18 Ryan Succop, Tennessee vs. Houston 
19 Robbie Gould, Chicago at New England 
20 Dan Carpenter, Buffalo at N.Y. Jets   


Defense
1 New England DT, vs. Chicago 
2 Houston DT, at Tennessee ...The Houston defense will get to go against Zach Mettenberger in his first career start
3 Buffalo DT, at N.Y. Jets 
4 Minnesota DT, at Tampa Bay 
5 Detroit DT, at Atlanta 
6 Miami DT, at Jacksonville 
7 Cleveland DT, vs. Oakland 
8 New York Jets DT, vs. Buffalo 
9 Seattle DT, at Carolina 
10 Baltimore DT, at Cincinnati  
11 Kansas City DT, vs. St. Louis 
12 Tampa Bay DT, vs. Minnesota 
13 Indianapolis DT, at Pittsburgh 
14 Dallas DT, vs. Washington 
15 Arizona DT, vs. Philadelphia 
16 St. Louis DT, at Kansas City 
17 Tennessee DT, vs. Houston 
18 Cincinnati DT, vs. Baltimore 
19 Philadelphia DT, at Arizona 
20 Carolina DT, vs. Seattle 
   
For full Week 8 rankings, click here to access at Fantasy Football Warehouse.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Week 8 fantasy football moves to make now

Week 7 brought us some great, close games with dramatic endings, new injuries that will re-shape the fantasy football landscape, some familiar faces continuing to do extraordinary things, and a record-breaking clinic in Denver. Major congratulations to Peyton Manning who has set the all-time NFL record for most passing TDs in a career. When Manning is done, it's seems unlikely we will see that record touched in our lifetime. Like Jerry Rice on touchdowns scored, Manning will be in his own stratosphere where he's done. For me, I have been playing fantasy football for 25 years and not only cheered or jeered for all of Brett Favre's then record 508 TD passes but now all of Peyton Manning's 510. 

Before we even get into the action, the week started off with a bang as Percy Harvin was suddenly traded from Seattle to the N.Y. Jets. Despite a hefty price to acquire Harvin (including a 1st round pick) and paying him a ton of money (including a $12M signing bonus), the Seahawks has had enough. Doug Baldwin is a high-target free agent pickup if he's available. Baldwin was miscast as a perimeter receiver. He's much more comfortable in the slot and we saw this week with a 7-catch, 100+ yard game and a score. Rookie Paul Richardson also should be on the radar. Richardson quietly had 4 receptions this week and he should be a benefactor of more playing time with the Harvin trade. At Colorado in college, amazingly, Richardson average length of touchdown exceeded 40 yards on 21 scores. 

The Buffalo Bills came into the day with a tandem of starting running backs in one of the league's most run-centric offenses. What the Bills left with is a lot of uncertainty and the icing on the bitter cake for C.J. Spiller's disappointing season. The Bills lost both Fred Jackson (groin) and Spiller (broken collarbone) in a short span Sunday, and both were removed from the field on carts. Jackson will likely be out about a month while Spiller is done for the year.  Journeyman Anthony Dixon filled in and may start but Bryce Brown (4.6 yards per carry career average) has more upside (Brown had two straight games of 160+ rushing yards back in 2012). Both should be owned. 

Jacksonville continues to look for a spark to help their ground game and for a week they found one in former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson who darted through the Cleveland defense for 127 yards and a touchdown.  I don't personally expect this performance to be the norm, especially considering Jacksonville's upcoming schedule, but nonetheless Robinson made a big statement and is a also must add if you are looking for running back help. 

Jonas Gray looks to be New England’s #2 RB for now. He had just three carries last week but Brandon Bolden had zero, and Gray played on 12 snaps. It's hard to guess New England running back splits on any given week but if you are desperate Gray is worth a look with Stevan Ridely out for the season. 

The Rams backfield may finally becoming clearer as Tre Mason (St. Louis) looks to have taken the reigns. Mason got the start this week and played very well helping the Rams to defeat the Seahawks at home (averaging 4.7 yards per carry against Seattle). Mason touched the ball 18 times versus 7 for Benny Cunningham, while Zac Stazy didn't even log a carry. Mason has big-time upside and he should hands-down be the #1 waiver claim if he is available. Mason gets to top speed quickly and despite his size he has a nose for the endzone (Mason scored 24 times for Auburn last year and he broke Bo Jackson's single-season Auburn rushing record last year with 1,816 yards en route to being named 2013 SEC Offensive Player of the Year). 

Sticking with the Rams, Tavon Austin has been a major disappointment thus far in the NFL, especially as Austin was the first receiver selected in the 2013 NFL Draft as the 8th overall pick (who St. Louis traded up to get). Austin hasn't done a ton but he is getting consistent touches at least (including 8 carries the last two weeks). He's worth a deep roster stash. 

Donte Moncrief (Indianapolis) played more snaps than Hakeem Nicks this week (23-19), perhaps setting the stage for Moncrief to get more snaps in the second half of the season. Moncrief has a tremendous amount of upside and it looks as though Reggie Wayne will miss a few weeks. Definitely take a flier on Moncrief if he is available in your league. 

In Cleveland, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins collected his first-ever 100-yard game in the NFL. Hawkins remains a solid fantasy asset (although he has yet to score a touchdown this season). Josh Gordon shouldn't be on your waiver wire, and if he is on a roster in your league you may be able to acquire him from a team needing fantasy production now. Gordon is eligible to return Week 12. 

Robert Griffin III (Washington) is close to returning to the field from his dislocated ankle. Make sure he isn't on the waiver wire as he could be a nice boost and still has upside. RG3 was back on the practice last week and there is a chance he could return for this week's game against Dallas on Monday Night Football. Washington's offense remains littered with a lot of offensive weapons to make noise. 

I don't see Geno Smith (N.Y. Jets) as a fantasy starter, but he has to get a significant positive bump with the Percy Harvin trade. Smith does come off a game where he failed to turn the ball over for the first time this season, he's adding to the bottom line with some rushing yards (Smith is on pace for 318 yards rushing this season) and Smith now has a nice collection of pass-catchers in Harvin, Eric Decker and Jace Amaro.

If you're looking for a better tight end option, Gavin Escobar (Dallas) could offer some upside down the stretch. Escobar comes off a 2-touchdown game and now has three scores on the season (versus one score for Jason Witten). However, Escobar still is going to be a hit or miss in terms of workload as Escobar isn't likely to overtake Witten this season. It's may seem odd, but Witten doesn't really need to be owned right now. 

Other fantasy notes 
Also, major congratulations to DeMarco Murray who has run for 100+ yards in seven straight games to start the season, breaking a Jim Brown record that had lasted for 56 years.

Your scoring leader for the week was none other than Russell Wilson of the (surprise!) .500 Seattle Seahawks. Wilson overcame a slow start against a rejuvenated Rams front seven to throw for 313 yards and two touchdowns, while again rushing for over 100 yards (106) and another touchdown. The 300-yard passing and 100-yard rushing performance was the first in NFL history!

Ronnie Hillman (Denver) again looked excellent on the ground. I don't see any way Montee Ball gets his job back.

I have been talking about the uniquely gifted rookie receiver class of 2014 all off-season and this year. They are having tremendous impact. Sammy Watkins (Buffalo) and Odell Beckham Jr. (N.Y. Giants) both had two scores this week while Allen Robinson (Jacksonville) found the end zone for the first time in his career against the Browns. Robinson is averaging 8.3 targets per game since Week 2 has quickly become a solid low-end #3 starting fantasy receiver. 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Week 7 fantasy football rankings

Below are Week 7 fantasy football rankings based on potential performance in this week's games for quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker and team defense.


Quarterback
1 Andrew Luck, Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati 
2 Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay vs. Carolina 
3 Peyton Manning, Denver vs. San Francisco ...Manning needs just 3 TDs to set the NFL record for most passing TDs in a career (Brett Favre in lead at 508, Manning at 506)
4 Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. Kansas City 
5 Cam Newton, Carolina at Green Bay 
6 Jay Cutler, Chicago vs. Miami 
7 Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco at Denver 
8 Drew Brees, New Orleans at Detroit 
9 Matthew Stafford, Detroit vs. New Orleans ...Detroit offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi goes against his former Saints
10 Tony Romo, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants 
11 Matt Ryan, Atlanta at Baltimore ...Matt Ryan and the Falcons are now 0-3 on the road, travel to Baltimore this week
12 Joe Flacco, Baltimore vs. Atlanta 
13 Tom Brady, New England vs. N.Y. Jets 
14 Carson Palmer, Arizona at Oakland ..."Revenge game" - Palmer returns to Oakland
15 Russell Wilson, Seattle at St. Louis 
16 Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. Houston 
17 Andy Dalton, Cincinnati at Indianapolis 
18 Ryan Tannehill, Miami at Chicago 
19 Kirk Cousins, Washington vs. Tennessee 
20 Derek Carr, Oakland vs. Arizona  


Running Back
1 DeMarco Murray, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants ...Murray has now tied Jim Brown's NFL record opening the season with six straight 100-yard games
2 Matt Forte, Chicago vs. Miami 
3 Arian Foster, Houston at Pittsburgh 
4 Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati at Indianapolis 
5 Andre Ellington, Arizona at Oakland ...Carson Palmer targeted Ellington 9 times last week
6 Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh vs. Houston 
7 Jamaal Charles, Kansas City at San Diego 
8 Branden Oliver, San Diego vs. Kansas City 
9 Reggie Bush, Detroit vs. New Orleans ...Big "revenge match-up" - Bush faces his former Saints team
10 Justin Forsett, Baltimore vs. Atlanta ...Forsett is averaging an amazing 6.4 yards per carry this season
11 Lamar Miller, Miami at Chicago ...It's all Lamar Miller with Knowshon Moreno out for the season
12 Alfred Morris, Washington vs. Tennessee 
13 Marshawn Lynch, Seattle at St. Louis 
14 Ben Tate, Cleveland at Jacksonville 
15 Eddie Lacy, Green Bay vs. Carolina 
16 Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati 
17 Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota at Buffalo ...McKinnon looks to have taken over as starter, although Minnesota has said they want to give Matt Asiata more work than they did last week
18 Andre Williams, N.Y. Giants at Dallas 
19 Ronnie Hillman, Denver vs. San Francisco 
20 Joique Bell, Detroit vs. New Orleans 
21 Fred Jackson, Buffalo vs. Minnesota 
22 Shane Vereen, New England vs. N.Y. Jets ...With Stevan Ridley out for the season, will Vereen get more work?
23 Pierre Thomas, New Orleans at Detroit 
24 Frank Gore, San Francisco at Denver 
25 Bishop Sankey, Tennessee at Washington 
26 Trent Richardson, Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati 
27 Antone Smith, Atlanta at Baltimore 
28 Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland at Jacksonville 
29 Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati at Indianapolis 
30 Chris Ivory, N.Y. Jets at New England 


Wide Receivers
1 Brandon Marshall, Chicago vs. Miami ...Grudge match - Marshall gets to go against Miami this week
2 Jordy Nelson, Green Bay vs. Carolina 
3 Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh vs. Houston 
4 Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina at Green Bay ...Call it a hunch but Benjamin is due for a 2-TD game against banged up Green Bay secondary (assuming Benjamin passes his concussion protocal but it looks likely)
5 Julio Jones, Atlanta at Baltimore 
6 Demaryius Thomas, Denver vs. San Francisco 
7 Dez Bryant, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants 
8 Alshon Jeffery, Chicago vs. Miami 
9 Steve Smith, Baltimore vs. Atlanta 
10 Golden Tate, Detroit vs. New Orleans ...The Tate ranking is assuming Calvin Johnson is out again this week 
11 T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati 
12 Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati at Indianapolis 
13 Randall Cobb, Green Bay vs. Carolina 
14 DeSean Jackson, Washington vs. Tennessee 
15 Rueben Randle, N.Y. Giants at Dallas 
16 Brandin Cooks, New Orleans at Detroit 
17 Michael Floyd, Arizona at Oakland 
18 Emmanuel Sanders, Denver vs. San Francisco 
19 Mike Wallace, Miami at Chicago 
20 Andre Johnson, Houston at Pittsburgh 
21 Sammy Watkins, Buffalo vs. Minnesota 
22 Odell Beckham Jr. , N.Y. Giants at Dallas ...Beckham will take over for Victor Cruz (out for the year)
23 Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati 
24 Keenan Allen, San Diego vs. Kansas City 
25 Roddy White, Atlanta at Baltimore 
26 Terrance Williams, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants 
27 Marques Colston, New Orleans at Detroit 
28 Pierre Garcon, Washington vs. Tennessee 
29 Torrey Smith, Baltimore vs. Atlanta 
30 DeAndre Hopkins, Houston at Pittsburgh 
31 James Jones, Oakland vs. Arizona 
32 Julian Edelman, New England vs. N.Y. Jets 
33 Andre Holmes, Oakland vs. Arizona 
34 Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona at Oakland 
35 Michael Crabtree, San Francisco at Denver 
36 Anquan Boldin, San Francisco at Denver 
37 Justin Hunter, Tennessee at Washington 
38 Eric Decker, N.Y. Jets at New England 
39 Doug Baldwin, Seattle at St. Louis ...Baldwin should have a more prominent role with Percy Harvin traded
40 Davante Adams, Green Bay vs. Carolina 
41 Kendall Wright, Tennessee at Washington 
42 Allen Robinson, Jacksonville vs. Cleveland 
43 Wes Welker, Denver vs. San Francisco 
44 Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville vs. Cleveland 
45 Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland at Jacksonville 
46 Brandon LaFell, New England vs. N.Y. Jets 
47 Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City at San Diego 
48 Brian Quick, St. Louis vs. Seattle 
49 Markus Wheaton, Pittsburgh vs. Houston 
50 Robert Woods, Buffalo vs. Minnesota


Tight End
1 Julius Thomas, Denver vs. San Francisco ...Thomas is on pace to break Randy Moss' single-season record of 23 receiving TDs
2 Rob Gronkowski, New England vs. N.Y. Jets 
3 Jordan Cameron, Cleveland at Jacksonville 
4 Greg Olsen, Carolina at Green Bay 
5 Martellus Bennett, Chicago vs. Miami ...After scoring 4 TDs in the first three games, Bennett has gone three straight games without a TD
6 Jordan Reed, Washington vs. Tennessee 
7 Travis Kelce, Kansas City at San Diego 
8 Delanie Walker, Tennessee at Washington 
9 Antonio Gates, San Diego vs. Kansas City 
10 Jason Witten, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants ...Witten is on pace for a meager 637 yards receiving
11 Vernon Davis, San Francisco at Denver 
12 Jace Amaro, N.Y. Jets at New England ...Amaro comes into Week 7 comes off a 10-catch game
13 Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati 
14 Larry Donnell, N.Y. Giants at Dallas 
15 Heath Miller, Pittsburgh vs. Houston 
16 Clay Harbor, Jacksonville vs. Cleveland 
17 Owen Daniels, Baltimore vs. Atlanta 
18 Tim Wright, New England vs. N.Y. Jets 
19 Eric Ebron, Detroit vs. New Orleans 
20 Jared Cook, St. Louis vs. Seattle 


Kicker
1 Justin Tucker, Baltimore vs. Atlanta 
2 Stephen Gostkowski, New England vs. N.Y. Jets 
3 Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona at Oakland 
4 Dan Bailey, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants 
5 Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati 
6 Nick Novak, San Diego vs. Kansas City 
7 Steven Hauschka, Seattle at St. Louis 
8 Robbie Gould, Chicago vs. Miami 
9 Dan Carpenter, Buffalo vs. Minnesota 
10 Mason Crosby, Green Bay vs. Carolina 
11 Matt Prater, Detroit vs. New Orleans 
12 Billy Cundiff, Cleveland at Jacksonville 
13 Brandon McManus, Denver vs. San Francisco 
14 Graham Gano, Carolina at Green Bay 
15 Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh vs. Houston 
16 Matt Bryant, Atlanta at Baltimore 
17 Phil Dawson, San Francisco at Denver 
18 Caleb Sturgis, Miami at Chicago 
19 Blair Walsh, Minnesota at Buffalo 
20 Shayne Graham, New Orleans at Detroit  


Defense
1 Seattle DT, Seattle at St. Louis 
2 New England DT, New England vs. N.Y. Jets 
3 Cleveland DT, Cleveland at Jacksonville 
4 Buffalo DT, Buffalo vs. Minnesota 
5 Arizona DT, Arizona at Oakland 
6 Denver DT, Denver vs. San Francisco 
7 San Diego DT, San Diego vs. Kansas City 
8 Chicago DT, Chicago vs. Miami 
9 Houston DT, Houston at Pittsburgh 
10 Washington DT, Washington vs. Tennessee 
11 Baltimore DT, Baltimore vs. Atlanta 
12 Detroit DT, Detroit vs. New Orleans 
13 Minnesota DT, Minnesota at Buffalo 
14 Tennessee DT, Tennessee at Washington 
15 Dallas DT, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants 
16 Green Bay DT, Green Bay vs. Carolina 
17 New Orleans DT, New Orleans at Detroit 
18 Jacksonville DT, Jacksonville vs. Cleveland 
19 Pittsburgh DT, Pittsburgh vs. Houston 
20 Miami DT, Miami at Chicago 

  
For full Week 7 rankings, click here to access at Fantasy Football Warehouse...

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Week 7 fantasy football moves to make now


Last week I highlighted new running backs bursting onto the scene of major fantasy football relevance last week and that they did. This week, we have our first real big season-ending injuries as Victor Cruz and Stevan Ridley both go down for the season. Below are some of the top pickup options if available in your leagues. 

Branden Oliver (San Diego) draws his final spotlight here if he is still somehow available (he was only 78 percent owned in Yahoo leagues coming into the week). Oliver ignited for another 124 yards this past week. Going forward, I don't see much rationale why the Chargers would bench Oliver when Ryan Mathews comes back. Oliver is a big-time hold. 

Ronnie Hillman (Denver) got the start and left no question as to who is the main back for the Broncos this week. Hillman had 24 attempts to just 8 for Juwan Anderson (and C.J. Anderson didn’t get a touch). Hillman gets a tough draw this week against the 49ers but he will be hard to bench. 

Another week, another long, sudden Antone Smith touchdown for the Falcons - it's unreal. Smith is a Top 7 or so running back on the season depending on your rules, and he's touched the ball just 23 times. I recommend Smith a few weeks back and I will keep playing him as a flex in leagues until he stops scoring 50-yard touchdowns every week. 

I recommended getting Storm Johnson (Jacksonville) on the radar last Tuesday and he drew the start. Pretty uneventful as it turned out, just 21 yards on ten attempts (although he scored). Still, Johnson will probably start again this week.  

Is it time to "Feed the Crow" in Cleveland? Rookie Isaiah Crowell continues to look like he could be an elite running back and would be a good trade target. Crowell averages 5.4 yards per carry with 4 touchdowns on the season. This week, at Jacksonville, maybe they see what he can do with 15-20 carries (Crowell collected 77 yards on 11 carries this past week). It sure would be fun to see what he can do with a full workload.  

With Steven Ridley out for the year in New England, opportunity comes a-knocking for some running back. Perhaps Shane Vereen gets more involved, but I doubt it as he’s really disappointed on the season. I would put fliers out on Brandon Bolden and James White. Bolden will be the more popular pickup but give me White to have a chance to surprise here. 

New York Giant rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. became a must add last week after breaking out in his first game of action, and Beckham becomes an even whiter hot prospect this week with Victor Cruz (knee) now out for the year. Beckham instantly slides into the Victor Cruz slot for the Giants. 

Last week, Davante Adams (Green Bay) was spotlighted as a rookie who has not really busted out yet, but could on any given week - that has happened. Adams posted a career-best six receptions and 77 yards this past week. Adams is a legit fantasy option on any given week as a weapon for the Packers in the passing game, who play mainly in three wide receiver sets. 

Andre Holmes (Oakland) should be a high-priority target this week. Since the Raiders fired Dennis Allen as head coach, Holmes has been spotlighted in the offense and collected 3 TDs on 9 receptions over the last two games. 

It's hard to ignore the stats that ex-Panther Brandon LaFell (New England) put up this week, and delivering a few really nice plays. That's two out of three weeks that LaFell has hit for big fantasy production. He is probably going to be really unpredictable, but LaFell has some WR3 appeal.

If Carson Palmer (Arizona) was dropped in your leagues, he becomes an instant waiver-wire target. Palmer has on-going risk with the nerve damage that sidelined him, but Palmer has low-end QB1 potential on any given week if he’s starting.

Jimmy Graham (New Orleans) will be sidelined for a few weeks with a shoulder injury. Both Ben Watson and Josh Hill have some short-term value while Graham is sidelined. The Saints will also get Mark Ingram back this week and perhaps they get Kenny Stills more involved to help pick up the slack with Graham is out. 

Other fantasy notes 
Is DeMarco Murray (Dallas) one of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL? The statistics certainly would suggest it. Murray leaves Week 6 with 100-plus yards rushing in six straight games to the start season – only he and Jim Brown can say that. Murray goes for the NFL record Sunday. 

Julius Thomas (Denver) is on pace for a ridiculous 28.8 TDs this season, while Matt Forte (Chicago) is on pace for 123 receptions. 

Malcolm Floyd (San Diego) easily leads all receivers at 21.3 yards per completion (minimum 10 receptions). 

Steve Smith (Baltimore) continues his torrid pace (another touchdown, another 100-yard game) - Smith is on pace for a 93/1528/11 season. 

How about that Cam Newton (Carolina), who roared back onto the scene in a big way this week, finally dusting off his legs and putting together the highest single fantasy output of the week.  Cam remains a must start this week in an attractive and interesting match-up at Green Bay. Check back Thursday for Week 7 rankings! 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Week 6 fantasy football moves to make now


What a Week 6 with Peyton Manning setting personal bests, Tom Brady and the Patriots re-grouping and standing tall against Cincinnati on prime time, the Panthers pushing to 3-2 and alone atop the chaotic NFC South and new running backs bursting onto the scene of major fantasy football relevance. Let's start with the prime new running backs you will want to aggressively try to add in your waivers. 

First, welcome Branden Oliver (San Diego) who was the top fantasy running back this week. Especially if you are in need of a running back shot to the arm, I would say go all in with waiver dollars more or less to acquire Oliver. This kid is for real. I spotlighted him two weeks ago to pick up. The undrafted free agent out of Buffalo racked up 114 rushing yards off just 19 carries, caught four passes for 68 yards and scored two touchdowns this  week. Donald Brown went down with a concussion and Ryan Mathews is still out for a few more games. Oliver has drawn comparisons to Darren Sproles because he's short and wears the same number, but Oliver is more powerful than the former Charger.

Rashad Jennings was bound to suffer some sort of injury due to his workload and that happened Sunday, although Jennings avoided major injury (sprained MCL). He will be out a few weeks leaving Andre Williams to be the lead back in the meantime for the Giants, including a nice match-up this week at Philadelphia. Williams is a downhill runner with tremendous power and he can deliver punishment. Williams was the recipient of the 2013 Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back last year at Boston College with 2,177 rushing yards, the 5th-most in a season in FBS history. 

Montee Ball (Denver) was knocked out with a groin injury against the Cardinals, and fantasy GMs are probably glad they won't need to play him anytime soon. Ronnie Hillman will get the start and he is a priority add for this week as well. Hillman rushed for 64 yards after becoming the featured back this past week after Ball left the game. If nothing else, Hillman has a lot more speed and wiggle. C.J. Anderson was a healthy scratch this past week (mainly as he doesn't play special teams) but he will figure heavily as well and Anderson could end up as the starter down the road (and Anderson arguably has more upside). 

Another week, another long, sudden Antone Smith touchdown for the Falcons - I also spotlighted Smith two weeks ago for pick-up and will do so again this week. Smith now has four long touchdowns and he is one of the top fantasy running backs in any scoring format (especially touchdown-heavy formats of course), and despite the fact that he's touched the ball just 17 times! How does Atlanta not give this guy more work and just sees what happens at this point? It's unreal. Falcons' Head Coach Mike Smith did say after Sunday’s game that, "We need to have more plays designed for Antone."

Get Storm Johnson (Jacksonville) on your radar. Jacksonville needs all the offensive sparks it can get and Johnson was easily their best back this last week albeit on limited touches (27 yards rushing on four carries). Johnson runs hard and has a nice combination of vision and quick feet, and he also is solid out of the backfield as a receiver. As an added plus, Johnson was a teammate of Blake Bortles at the University of Central Florida. 

Zac Stazy (St. Louis) left the game against the Eagles in the third quarter with a calf injury and was immediately shut down for the rest of the game. Benny Cunningham filled in just fine collecting 71 total yards on ten touches and a rushing touchdown. Stacy however is not expected to miss Week 6 (but Cunningham remains a good addition). 

If you miss out on all those guys, George Winn could get the start in Detroit pending the status of Reggie Bush (ankle) and Joique Bell (concussion). Winn took his 11 carries for 48 yards against a tough Bills run defense on Sunday, although Bush is expected to be available for Week 6. 

Turning to other positions, New York Giant rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is a must add if available as well. Beckham has a ton of talent (he was the 12th pick in this year's NFL Draft), and it was just a matter of getting over a hamstring injury to show it. In his NFL debut this week against Atlanta, Beckham caught four passes for 44 yards and caught the game-winning touchdown. The rapport between Beckham and Eli Manning should only improve as they get more time together on the field. Beckham missed nearly all of the summer and the first four games with the hamstring issues.

Speaking of rookie wide receivers, one that has not really busted out yet, but certainly could on any given week is Davante Adams (Green Bay). Adams scored his first NFL touchdown on Thursday night. While he caught just 1 of 4 targets, it was a blowout in which Aaron Rodgers threw just 17 times. Adams has the #3 wide receiver job for Green Bay locked down and Adams is just one injury away to either Randall Cobb or Jordy Nelson from major fantasy production. 

It looks like it is time to start taking quarterback Austin Davis (St. Louis) a little more seriously. Davis turned in his second-straight 300-yard, 3-TD game on Sunday. He has good weapons and is slinging it. The only negative is the Rams have San Francisco and Seattle as their next two opponents. 

Tight ends Luke Willson (Seattle) and Tim Wright (New England) are your top two grabs at that position for the week. 

Other fantasy notes 
There were three note-worthy NFL accomplishments this week as well. 

In addition to throwing a career-best 477 yards this week, Peyton Manning collected his 500th, 501st, 502nd and 503rd career passing touchdowns. Only Manning and Brett Favre are in the 500-touchdown club. Favre currently leads the NFL record books at 508. Manning is going to demolish that record. 

Tom Brady re-grouped and led the Patriots to a nice win over the then-undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. Along the way, Brady passed the 50,000-yard plateau and is now at 50,232. Only six quarterbacks in NFL history can make that claim (Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Drew Brees, John Elway and now Brady). 

Wes Welker collected seven receptions this week giving him 854 for his career. With it, Welker passed Rod Smith and Welker is now the leader for most receptions by an undrafted player in NFL history. Welker hasn't really got going in his two games back, but he remains a solid start in this Bronco offense (13 receptions, 118 yards and no touchdowns in two games).