Another week of football is in the books, which means of course another six passing touchdowns for Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger. What a two-week span it has been. Last week Roethlisberger became the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to have two 500+ yard passing games and this week he became the first quarterback to pass for 12 TDs in two games. We are living in a golden era of NFL history with so many sure-fire future NFL Hall of Fame inductees in Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning, all likely first-ballot inductees, plus Aaron Rodgers, and probably Andrew Luck someday when it is all said and done. On to the waiver advice we go.
First, at quarterback, Nick Foles was taken down hard to the ground and the end result is a cracked clavicle. Foles could be done for the year, or at least the next month. Mark Sanchez played very well in relief Sunday completing 15 of 22 passes with two touchdowns and he will be a high-priority add this week. Foles was the 14th-best fantasy quarterback on a per game basis coming into the week and there's no reason why Sanchez can't be as effective in his second chance at starting in the NFL in this offense. Sanchez signed a 1-year deal with Philadelphia so he is also playing for a bigger payday in 2015. Sanchez's first start as an Eagle will be this Monday against the Panthers.
Is it possible – could Adrian Peterson be reinstated? Who knows but he is worth the risk of adding that's for sure if you have roster space. Peterson is reportedly seeking a deal to plead guilty to a misdemeanor (he was charged with a felony), which could be finalized today. However, it's unknown if Peterson would be suspended from here or if the first eight games missed would be counted as time served, nor do we know if Minnesota would want to reactivate him this season (but they have recently softened their stance on him publicly).
At wide receiver, it is hard to believe that Josh Gordon (Cleveland) is available in 1 of 4 leagues still on waivers. Add him ASAP if he's available in your league. As a reminder, Gordon was the 2nd-best fantasy receiver last year. He is set to return in Week 12. Gordon has been at the team's facilities and in shape, ready to roll.
If you are desperate for a wide receiver, Corey Washington (N.Y. Giants) should see his role increased. Corey who? Washington went undrafted out of tiny Newberry College and looks to have slipped through the cracks a bit. He has tremendous size at 6-4, 212 lbs and with tremendous 4.5 type speed, plus the Giants need a third receiver with Victor Cruz out for the season. Washington was a star in pre-season hauling in four touchdown catches and finally got some playing time this week and scored in junk-time on Monday night. If you are the Giants, why not put him in the lineup in lieu of Preston Parker (who caught just 1 of 6 targets this week).
It's hard to trust any St. Louis Rams running backs, but Tre Mason looks like he is settling in as their primary back (Mason had 20 touches this week). He should, Mason is far more talented than Benny Cunningham or Zac Stacy. Mason is decisive and accelerates to top speed quickly, plays with a ton of heart and he has a nose for the end zone (although the Rams scoring chances won't be so great). Mason was the 2013 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and he broke Bo Jackson's single-season Auburn rushing record last year with 1,816 yards.
I mentioned Buffalo's Bryce Brown a few weeks back and he could have been dropped after having a 7-carry, 15-yard game in Week 8 and then with the Bills on a BYE last week. Fred Jackson though still will not be ready to go this week when the Bills face the Chiefs. Coming off the BYE week, Buffalo has had extra time to get Brown ready for an increased role. Brown is way more talented than Anthony Dixon. Even when Fred Jackson comes back, Brown should move into the role C.J. Spiller used to play.
Only two teams this year are running more than they are passing – Dallas is running it 50.4% of the time and Houston is running it 52.4% of the time. If Arian Foster (groin) has to miss any time, Alfred Blue would be a viable fantasy start in Week 11 when the Texans come out of their BYE.
I mentioned Charles Sims (Tampa Bay) last week. Although he didn't play Sunday, Sims was activated from Injured Reserve this past week and he should make his NFL debut this week. 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).
The Atlanta Falcons' season is in the dumps at 2-6. Why not see what Devonta Freeman can do in more of a full-time role? He is definitely worth adding if you have roster space and he's out on you waiver wire. I also think Antone Smith is due for one of those 4-touches with a super long touchdown type of a game if you are really desperate this week with six more teams on a BYE.
I mentioned this last week, but if you are in need of a spark a tight end take a look to make sure Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota) hasn't been cut and is on waivers in your league. Minnesota is on BYE next week but Rudolph is trending to return in Week 11.
Also at tight end, Mychal Riveria (Oakland) is worth a look, especially this coming week if you have Dwayne Allen, Antonio Gates, or Rob Gronkowski on a BYE. Rivera quietly has 15 receptions in the Raiders' last two games and he scored two 1-yard touchdowns this past Sunday. Rookie Derek Carr is going to continue to dump off to Rivera and the Raiders will quickly be in catch-up mode against Denver this week. Also, no team is passing at a higher rate in the NFL than the Raiders (67.2% of plays).
At defense, I have seen the Denver Broncos dropped in some leagues, and some may do so after the Patriots dropped 43 on them this week. Scoop them up. The Broncos are still a top fantasy defense option most weeks and they will get back to playing with a big lead this week at Oakland. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware remain one of the league's premier 1-2 combos at rushing the quarterback.
Other fantasy notes
It's hard to believe, but Mark Ingram this week became the first Saints' running back since Deuce McAllister in 1986 to have back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. Unfortunately, head coach Sean Payton has said Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson will share the running responsibilities with Ingram when they return. Regardless, Ingram is the top running back for the Saints and he will get plenty of work, including a ton of scoring chances in this offense which Ingram has been very effective at converting.
Michael Crabtree has seemingly turned into just another guy. Crabtree is still seeking his first 100-yard game this year, and he is on pace for misdemeanor 724-yard season.
Speaking of the 49ers, wow what an unbelievable loss it was this week – off the BYE, at home, the city celebrating a World Series win, and against the Rams who had just lost their best lineman and best wide receiver. This is why you steer clear of divisional rivalries in suicide pools.
Carson Palmer and the Cardinals are tearing it up. Palmer has thrown at least 2 TDs in every game he's played in this year (he had three this past week) and Palmer is unbeaten on the season at 5-0 (while the Cardinals move to an NFC-best 7-1). Now if he can just get one to Michael Floyd. Maybe this week, Floyd is well overdue.
Speaking of the Cardinals, it's hard to believe but if the NFL season ended today they would be your number one seed in the NFC (at 7-1). The Eagles would win the NFC East (no surprise there), the Detroit Lions would win the NFC North and join the Cardinals earning a first round BYE (Detroit is tied with Philadelphia at 6-2, but the Lions have the better winning percentage in the NFC), and the Saints would win the dreadful NFC South right now with a .500 winning percentage. The AFC right now is the toast of the NFL.
Want more fantasy coverage? Check out Fantasy Football Warehouse, where we start the week with the "Monday Morning Fantasy Jolt", Tuesday is "Hot off the Wire", Wednesday sees us covering the Fantasy Football Stock Market, rankings for the week come out Thursday, Friday is the release of the "Dream Team" for the week, Saturday has both "The Daily Space" and "Fantasy Futures and on the Bubble" and Sunday wraps up the week with our "Ask the Experts" article and an updated rookie profile after the some of the day's games. Good luck this week!
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Week 10 Fantasy Football moves to make now
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Posts
