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 back
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
In case you didn’t get the memo last week, you need to grab Mendenhall immediately if by some small miracle he’s still actually a free agent in your league. The sophomore now has 284 yards and three touchdowns in two games as a starter since taking over for the injured Willie Parker, who simply doesn’t have the build to be an every-down back in the NFL. Even when Parker returns, Mendenhall should be No. 1 on the depth chart. Pittsburgh hosts Cleveland this week. Let the salivating commence.
Rating: 5
Jamal Lewis, Browns
Lewis was dropped in some fantasy circles – hey, even I was hating on him last week – but he tormented the Bills’ defense on Sunday to the tune of 31 carries for 117 yards. Maybe Lewis still has some gas left in the tank, but don’t bank on him using much this Sunday at Pittsburgh.
Rating: 3
Wide receiver
Miles Austin, Cowboys
A big day is one thing. But no one could have predicted that Austin would have the day he had against the Chiefs, racking up 10 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Given that Dallas has a plethora of weapons at its disposal, production like this from Austin – or any Cowboys player – will be rare. Grab Austin not with the intention of starting him; rather, try and pawn him off to a novice fantasy player who things Austin is the new “It” guy in the NFL. Dallas is on a bye week.
Rating: 3
Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
If defenses are going to continue to take DeSean Jackson out of the game, Maclin figures to be main beneficiary. Jackson had just one catch for one yard against Tampa Bay on Sunday, but Maclin had six for 142 yards and two touchdowns. He’s worth adding, but at this point shouldn’t be anything more than a WR4. But if you have a starting wideout on a bye this week, Maclin at Oakland isn’t a bad play at all.
Rating: 3.5
Austin Collie, Colts
The former BYU stud had eight catches for 97 yards and two scores against Tennessee Sunday night, and he now has three touchdowns in his past two games. This an add you’ll want to make, as Collie appears to be Indy’s primary possession receiver opposite Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. With Gonzalez’s return a few weeks away, try and trade Collie before his value dips. Indy is off this week.
Rating: 3
Quarterback
Kyle Orton, Broncos
Not only is Denver 5-0, but Orton had a huge day against the Patriots defense; the former Boilermaker was 35-of-48 passing for 330 yards and two touchdowns. It appears the Broncos – and Orton – may actually be for real. Denver hosts San Diego this weekend.
Rating: 3.5
Kicker
Jason Hanson, Lions
Hey, Detroit showed some fight against the Steelers this weekend. Might Culpepper be part of the solution for the Lions’ woes? Probably not, but an improved offense means more field goal attempts for Hanson, who was 2-of-3 on Sunday with two PATs. Detroit travels to Green Bay this weekend
Rating: 3.5
Defense
Cincinnati
The Bengals’ defense has performed solidly all season, and Sunday was no exception. Cincinnati may have allowed 14 points, but seven of them were on a Carson Palmer interception that Ed Reed took to the house. Cincinnati hosts a potentially explosive offense in Houston this week, but the Bengals are playing at home, and at 4-1, finally have some spring in their step.
Rating: 4 |
