Ratings
5 = He should start for your team
4 = He’s a viable starting option
3 = Pick him up
2 = Consider picking him up
1 = Don’t move yet, but keep him on your radar
Running backs
Jerome Harrison, Browns
Playing in place of an injured Jamal Lewis, Harrison rushed 29 times for 121 yards against the Bengals this past weekend; he also had five receptions for 31 yards. This may have been a changing-of-the-guard game for the Browns, as Lewis’ best days are clearly behind him. Harrison is a decent RB2 option at Buffalo this Sunday.
Rating: 4
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
The Illinois product was more than impressive Sunday night against the Chargers, carrying 29 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns. As long as Parker is out, Mendenhall, who recorded the first 100-yard game of his career, should be an incredibly strong RB2 play, especially this week at Detroit.
Rating: 5
Glen Coffee, 49ers
Coffee didn’t score a touchdown on Sunday, but he did combine for 106 yards. With Frank Gore expected to miss at least two more weeks, Coffee, who plays in a grind-it-out, run-first offense, is a solid RB2 option. San Fran hosts Atlanta this Sunday.
Rating: 4
Justin Fargas and Michael Bush, Raiders
Oakland incumbent Darren McFadden will miss to two four weeks due to a knee injury, thus opening the door for Fargas and Bush. It is unclear how the carries will be split, but you may not want to invest too much in either back. The Raiders are the fifth-worst running team in the NFL – averaging just 88.8 yards on the ground per game – their quarterback is completing less than 40 percent of his passes, and the offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in two weeks. Oh, and they play the Giants this weekend in New York.
Rating: 1
Wide receivers
Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns
After recording just two catches for 31 yards during the first three games of the season, Massaquoi shredded the Cincinnati secondary eight times for 148 yards in the Browns’ 23-20 overtime loss on Sunday. As long as Anderson is the quarterback, Massaquoi should have plenty of deep-ball opportunities.
Rating: 3.5
Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars
Sims-Walker had a team-high seven catches, 91 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee on Sunday. His big-play potential should be on display again this weekend in Seattle.
Rating: 4
Kenny Britt, Titans
Almost as impressive as Sims-Walker on Sunday was Britt, who hauled in seven catches for 105 yards against Jacksonville. The Titans lack a legit No. 1 receiver, but another game like this against Indianapolis on Sunday could make Britt just that.
Rating: 3
Steve Smith, Giants
He’s probably already on a roster, but if not, you’ll obviously want to pick Smith up after his 11-catch, 134-yard, two-touchdown day against Kansas City. I, however, expect inconsistency from him this season, especially now that Eli Manning is having foot trouble. Pick up Smith and test the trade waters, especially if he has a big day against Oakland.
Rating: 4.5
Austin Collie, Colts
The rookie was impressive against Seattle on Sunday, catching six balls for 65 yards and a touchdown. Wayne is obviously still Manning’s No. 1 target, and Pierre Garcon appears to be the deep threat, but Collie is becoming a solid possession receiver for Peyton Manning.
Rating: 2.5
Quarterbacks
Kyle Orton, Broncos
He may be buried on the bench in most leagues, but Orton is worth an add if he is still available, as he was 20-of-29 for 243 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas on Sunday. Wait and see how he plays against New England this weekend and act accordingly.
Rating: 3
David Garrard, Jaguars
Garrard entered the season as a largely underrated fantasy signal-caller; he finished as a top 10 quarterback in 2008. He took advantage of a depleted Titans’ secondary Sunday, throwing for a season-high 323 yards and tying a career high with three touchdown passes. Despite Garrard’s impressive performance, Jacksonville figures to remain a run-first offense (having Maurice Jones-Drew will do that for you), but the seventh-year man out of East Carolina is worthy of a roster spot – and this week, a starting spot against Seattle.
Rating: 4.5
Tight End
Heath Miller, Steelers
Don’t expect Miller to duplicate his performance against the Chargers anytime soon – eight catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns – but be sure to keep an eye on him. The Steelers love to throw to their tight ends off of play action in goal-line situations, which should arise early and often against Detroit this weekend.
Rating: 4
Kicker
Shaun Suisham, Redskins
If Suisham is still available in your league, you may want to pick him up. The Redskins’ offense is simply horrible, and if by some miracle it actually gets anywhere near the red zone, the drive will likely result in a field goal attempt, especially when Washington travels to Carolina this Sunday.
Rating: 4
Defense
San Francisco
Granted, it was against St. Louis, but anytime a defense and special teams can combine for three touchdowns in one game, that defense is worth an add. The 49ers host Atlanta this weekend.
Rating: 4 |
