 |
| NFL Columns |
|
| Search |
|
|
|
|
| Draft Sim ID |
|
| Authored by Erick Arnold - 23rd September, 2010 - 11:44 pm
 Now that Week 2 is in the books, there are certainly players that have emerged as fantasy contributors. A few more injuries to some key players create openings for others. Here?s a short list of players that should be added without question in any league format.
- WR Mark Clayton
- WR DeMaryius Thomas
- TE Mercedes Lewis
- K Neil Rackers
- RB Mike Tolbert
- DEF New England
Below is a list of players for deeper league formats to keep your eye on in Week 3. Each player on this watch list has the potential to contribute at some point this season and some can even contribute this week. With bye weeks coming up, many of these players could fill in for your resting starters or be a one week wonder for a savvy GM.
Keep An Eye On
- QB Charlie Batch
With QB Dennis Dixon now on the shelf, Batch now has the keys to Steeler offense. Thus, he holds moderate fantasy value this week when the Steelers face the Buccaneers. His value has little to do with his own talent, it comes from the talent around him and the Steelers? opponent. WR Mike Wallace is arguably one of the most talented wide receivers in football and had a good rapport with Leftwich this preseason who is more of a downfield, traditional passer like Batch. Furthermore, do not be fooled by Tampa Bay?s record. The Yucks have barely beaten two of the worst teams in football in Cleveland and Carolina. Not to mention, the Steelers defense should create multiple turnovers against Tampa?s offense (or any offense for that matter) setting up Batch for some easy scoring opportunities. If you?re a QB Kevin Kolb, QB Brett Favre, or QB Joe Flacco owner that didn?t grab QB Michael Vick when you had the chance, this may not be a bad bandaid until your situation gets fixed one way or another.
- RB Chris Ivory
The preseason standout is currently nursing a sprained MCL but his return is possible for Week 4. The Saints are very big on Ivory given that they let go veteran RB Ladell Betts after the preseason to keep the rookie. If Deshawn Wynn or Ladell Betts fail to produce in the absence of the owner of the best 2010 Espy commercial in ?Reggae Bush?, Ivory is still the 3rd string running back for the high powered Saints offense. Thus, Ivory would be the back to add in a pinch especially seeing as how bye weeks are upon us.
- RB DeShawn Wynn
Fantasy veterans recognize this perennial backup from 2007 when Ryan Grant went down due to injury. With the recent injury to the Heisman hot potato RB Reggie Bush and rookie backup RB Chris Ivory, Wynn is next in line to share carries with Pierre Thomas. Let?s not get a head ourselves here however, Wynn is no Reggie Bush but his skill set does make him a decent change of pace to Thomas? hard running style. Given the obvious scoring power of the Super Bowl champions? offense, Wynn has an opportunity to overtake RB Chris Ivory on the depth chart if he flashes any of his 2007 productivity. Keep a keen eye on this situation to see if and how they incorporate their 4th string rock carrier.
- RB Jason Snelling
A name that won many fantasy owners championships last season, Snelling is back in the mix for the very same reasons. The oft-injured Falcons backup Jerious Norwood is out for the season leaving Snelling as the next in line to receive carries in a decent Falcons offense should the opportunity arise. This past Sunday Head Coach Mike Smith decided to rest the Falcons weekly playmaker, RB Michael Turner, leaving Snelling to score three touchdowns (Turner owners were pulling their hair out) and 140 yards. Due to this performance, don?t be surprised if Snelling finds himself more involved in this offense moving forward. Not to mention, the upside of Snelling is huge if Turner goes down with an injury as he did in 2009 or if his groin injury worsens. If you?ve got the bench space, Snelling would be worth adding, but if not be prepared to pull the trigger here soon.
- RB Larry Johnson
It?s very possible Johnson is not available in your league yet but watch for him to be dropped as quickly as a girl the morning after. Given his recent release from Washington, that leaves Johnson available to teams in need of a primary running back. It?s very possible that Johnson could get picked up by two high powered offenses in need of a running back in Green Bay or New Orleans. It?s certainly a gamble as these situations are far from guaranteed given that Green Bay could trade for Bills Marshawn Lynch and New Orleans could re-sign Betts. However, if either team decides to give the former fantasy darling an opportunity, this shrewd fantasy addition could reap ridiculously large benefits.
- RB Keiland Williams
With RB Larry Johnson now in search of a job, Williams becomes the backup running back in Washington. The reason the Redskins parted ways with both Larry Johnson and Willie Parker was because they couldn?t play special teams. Therefore, one would have to deduce that Williams can play special teams which is why he?s still employed. Whatever the reasons, Williams is the next in line behind a 30+ year old running back who has missed time to injury before leaving him with obvious upside. If you have the roster space, you might as well add him now until a better situation presents itself. If you don?t have the roster space or are in a ?pay-per-move? league, keep Williams? name to memory in case Portis goes down.
- TE Aaron Hernandez
For the second week in a row, Hernandez has shined on the field. At first glance 14 fantasy points isn?t saying much and any fantasy owner would desire more production from this position. However, take note that Hernandez has outscored such tight end heavyweights such as Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, Brent Celek, Zach Miller, and Jeremy Shockey. Additionally, Head Coach Bill Belichick has made it clear he is looking for a receiving threat from his tight end position. Why else would the Patriots draft two tight ends in this year?s draft. That being said, Hernandez has outperformed his counterparts statistically so this could be cause for more playing time. Any fantasy owner would love to have a producing tight end for New England?s offense. The only caveat is that Belichick has been known to stay mum on starters in position battles which can lead to the dreaded committee approach. Still, if Hernandez produces again in Week 3, you may have found your bye week tight end. Then again, if you have any of the aforementioned tight ends, I don?t see any reason to not add Hernandez just in case.
- Washington DEF
If the Redskins defense weren?t in the headlines for the wrong reasons people might actually notice how good they really are. DT Albert Haynseworth aside, the Redskins get to feast upon the defensive fantasy buffet that is the St. Louis Rams. LB Brian Orakpo is one of the game?s best pass rushers and pressure on a rookie QB is a recipe for turnovers. QB Sam Bradford isn?t playing as poorly as most rookie QB?s do but he certainly has made bad decisions and ill advised throws thus far. That all being said, don?t fall in love with the taste of this defense even after they put up huge numbers this week because they?re upcoming opponents all have good offenses. However, this is a nice plug-n-play this week and should be starting for your team unless you have Baltimore, New England, or Pittsburgh.
- Oakland DEF
The woeful Raiders are not a defense any fantasy owner should rely on for fantasy points on a weekly basis. Don?t take this the wrong way; if New England, Arizona or Washington?s defenses are available, then those are the better options to add this week. However, if those options aren?t available then the Raiders could be a sneaky plug-n-play for Week 3. The Raiders face a struggling Arizona offense that has scored a measly 24 points in two games. QB Derek Anderson turned the ball over three times in Week 2 and the offense as a whole struggled mightily. When Head Coach Tom Cable went to QB Bruce Gradkowski as their starter in the 3rd quarter last Sunday, the offense played motivated football?for the Raiders anyway. That being said, if the Raiders offense can merely give their defense a rest, there?s enough talent on the Raiders defense to make enough plays to get you some fantasy points. |
