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| Authored by Erick Arnold - 16th October, 2010 - 6:39 pm
 Fantasy hearts were broken this past week with TE Jermichael Finley going down to injury. However, there are still solid options out there which are listed here.
Furthermore, at first glance the free agent pool appears to be slim pickings for any defenses worth starting this week given that the majority of the terrible offenses are all on bye weeks (Carolina, Buffalo, Arizona). However, after digging deeper there are certainly defenses out there. For the RealGM readers who went with our Detroit DEF plug-n-play last week, congratulations on your win and don?t hesitate to go with this week?s sneaky defense play as well.
Replacing TE Jermichael Finley
Before Finley owners make a one-sided trade in a panic now that their coveted tight end is likely out for the season, check to see what tight ends are available on the free agent market. Even in deeper leagues there is still some talent available that can fill the void. Coincidentally, the tight ends to pick up are all names from our prior Watch Lists.
Granted, losing a fantasy stud like Finley isn?t ideal but the road ahead isn?t as bleak as one might think.
Here is a list of tight ends to pick up, in order of importance, and it is definitely recommended to grab at least two tight ends out of this list to ensure you receive production from the position.
- Brandon Pettigrew
With Calvin Johnson likely playing decoy this week, Pettigrew emerges as the primary deep receiver for Detroit?s offense. That being said, with Johnson lame it?s very possible that this could hinder Pettigrew?s ability to get open this week so don?t start him just yet. Moving past this week, Pettigrew has serious value long-term given that he already has 26 receptions this season which ranks first on the team. With Matthew Stafford likely returning in Week 8, that serves as an added bonus to an already talented receiver.
- Heath Miller
With the return of Ben Roethlisberger, Miller?s value skyrockets from fantasy dud to fantasy starter. Last season Miller ranked behind only Dallas Clark, Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, and Antonio Gates in targets with Roethlisberger at the helm. Thus, it?s safe to say that because Big Ben has returned that Miller will see his share of opportunities in the Steeler offense. It?s a tossup between Pettigrew and Miller but for those who like the proven track record, grab Miller before the production makes your competition wise to his presence.
- Aaron Hernandez
With the departure of future Hall of Famer Randy Moss, the time for New England?s young receivers to prove themselves is now. Hernandez has demonstrated that he can be a trusted receiving option in the Patriot offense even if Rob Gronkowski has vultured away precious goal line receptions from Hernandez thus far. The Patriot offense will change with Moss no longer on the team and Hernandez is definitely the tight end to choose from this offense. Fantasy owners know better than to sleep on the Patriots and this situation is no different.
- Marcedes Lewis
Lewis is the play to make this week if only for the reason he?s playing on Monday night. Smart fantasy owners always want the ?Monday night insurance policy? in having a player play the final game of the week. Digging further however, Lewis is tied for second in the NFL with five touchdown receptions. Granted his yardage needs some help but given his increased role in the Jacksonville offense, one could easily assume that the yards will come. The Jaguars commitment to the running game does hurt Lewis? value but against the right matchups Lewis can add some nice depth to your roster.
- Tony Moeaki
Moeaki shouldn?t be relied upon on a weekly basis due to the poor quarterback play of Matt Cassel. Still, in a pinch Moeaki could fill in nicely if the Chiefs find themselves in a divisional matchup against an opponent they?ve already faced this season. Moeaki has already demonstrated he?s got the talent to make brilliant catches (his one handed grab against the 49ers could be in the top 5 for catches of the year) and has 16 of them thus far. Monitor Cassel?s play and if it looks like Cassel is playing well, feel free to start Moeaki.
- Todd Heap
Once a fantasy darling, Heap?s fantasy production has struggled as of late. This season, his lack of production is directly correlated to the poor play of Joe Flacco. That being said, with last week?s offensive production from the Ravens run game, it could be a sign of better things to come. If that?s the case, Heap certainly has some value left. Especially against tough defensive matchups that Baltimore faces in the AFC North. Like Moeaki, starting Heap in a divisional game would be wisest but keep an eye on Baltimore?s offense moving forward to see how they use him (Rookie TE Ed Dickson made an appearance last week).
- DEF New York Giants
After the eleven sack performance against the Bears, it?s possible that the Giants defense is not available in your league. However, if they are then pick them up faster than you would a $100 dollar bill sitting on a curb. The Giants face the Detroit Lions this week who are coming off their first win this season in a rout against the Rams. Understandably there could be some hesitation to start a defense against an offense that produced 37 points (one TD came from a kickoff return but that counts in fantasy land) the prior week. However, the Lions will be missing their best receiver as Calvin Johnson is most likely sitting out this game or is playing very hurt. Johnson consistently draws double coverage from opposing defenses which frees up the other Lions receivers in pass routes. Without Johnson in the lineup, this Lions offense is entirely different. In the two games that Johnson missed, the Lions scored a total of ten points and couldn?t get 300 yards of offense in either game (184 yds in a shutout vs GB and 295 vs Rams).
Granted, the Lions didn?t have the elusive Jahvid Best last season, but with Best and the Lions running game struggling (Best has yet to eclipse the 100 yard rushing mark this season), Best is unlikely to be the deciding factor in this game.
Shaun Hill is tied for third in interceptions with seven and the Lions offense has averaged over two turnovers per game. Not to mention, the New York Giants defense is ranked first overall.
- DEF Atlanta
Admittedly, Atlanta?s defense may not be available in every league. However, if a fantasy owner is looking for a smooth plug-n-play and they?re available, Atlanta?s defense is not a bad play this week against Philly. Atlanta?s 10th ranked defense is playing top caliber football the past three games averaging three turnovers and two sacks in that same span. Philadelphia is coming off of a strong victory against the lowly 49ers where Kevin Kolb played an average game finishing with 253 yards and one touchdown. That being said, Kolb missed multiple wide open routes down the field to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Given that, you should expect the Falcons to make the necessary adjustments and play the Eagles within the ten yard radius Kolb tends to pass in. Atlanta has given up the fourth fewest points in the NFL and opposing QB?s average a measly 72.5 quarterback rating against them. Furthermore, the Falcons pass rush with DE John Abraham, DT Peria Jerry and the rest of their four-man rotation on the defensive line are exponentially better than San Francisco?s meaning they should reach Kolb often in this game. Especially considering that the Eagle?s offensive line has given up the second highest amount of sacks (19) this season. Given that their sack total is tied with the Arizona Cardinals and is only second to the Chicago Bears who gave up eleven in one game, that?s saying quite a bit. Feel free to plug-n-play the Atlanta defense with confidence this week if they?re available in your league.
- DEF Houston
If your league isn?t fortunate enough to have either of the aforementioned defenses or New Orleans or Chicago on the wire this week, Houston is sure to be there. The Texans defense has given up the fourth most points this season with the majority of it coming through the air. That being said, because the majority has come through the air is the very reason why Houston is a defense you can rely on against the Chiefs this week. The Chiefs, or should I say Matt Cassel, averages a pitiful 150 yards passing per game and are dead last in passing plays over twenty yards ? coincidentally the same statistic that the Texans are a leader in. The Chiefs must run the ball to be effective offensively but Houston averages less then 80 yards per game on the ground. Granted, Houston certainly has holes on their defense but if the Texans can get an early lead on the Chiefs at Reliant stadium this Sunday, the Chiefs will be forced to pass which is something they are not good at doing. Furthermore, that would give the talented DE Mario Williams the opportunity to forget about run integrity and rush Cassel with reckless abandon. Expect Houston to net at least ten fantasy points this week which is solid production any fantasy owner would be happy with.
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