Finally thought up a clever (read: cheesy) title for a weekly pick-ups column, Woo!
Since I’m already a week late let’s jump right in, starting with TEs. Hernandez went down, Fred Davis needs a road flare to catch RG3’s eye and Antonio Gates has already missed time. Here’s the guys I like.
Martellus Bennett, NYG: in week 2 Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks combined for 378 yards and 2 TDs and Bennett still had 77 yards and a TD. Long story short, the Giants are going to throw a lot and Bennett will continue to benefit from the extra attention Cruz and Nicks will see.
Dennis Pitta, BAL: Flacco is looking for him often, so this is a guy who’s especially valuable in PPR leagues. With Ed Dickson lurking, and questions about Flacco’s consistency you might be leery of him, but Pitta’s going to find himself open over the middle plenty with Torrey Smith pulling the safeties his way.
Kyle Rudolf, MIN, the numbers haven’t been huge just yet, but he’s one of Ponder’s favorite targets and he’ll get lots of red zone looks. Tough match-up with San Francisco in week 3, but he should continue to get solid production after that.
Scott Chandler, BUF: Best known as the TE who dominated week 1 last year the kind of dropped off the fantasy radar. Well he’s back with a TD in each of the first two weeks and some modest yardage (38 and 53 respectively) he had 6 TDs in 14 games last year, and should remain a top Red Zone target, and he’ll have some great weeks, but he’ll have some bad ones too.
Brandon Myers, OAK: He’s been a top target for QB Carson Palmer the first two games, and with Jacoby Ford missing from the slot he could continue to dominate the middle of the field. I think people are afraid to trust Myers because if Darren McFadden can get his groove back it will cut back Palmer’s attempts while simultaneously opening up the outside deep routes with opposing safeties cheating up to contain the run…until that happens Myers will keep producing.
Not much doing if you’re in the market for a running back. But I’ll put some handcuff updates here.
Andre Brown, NYG: took over after Bradshaw went down and could be a guy to target if Bradshaw can’t go next week.
Jackie Battle, SD: Good name to watch as he put up decent numbers in relief of Curtis Brinkley. If the Chargers hold Mathews out Battle might get the nod, if not he should at least get any goal line looks, so if you’re a Matthews owner who’s been trying to make due with ronnie Brown he’s worth a shot.
Daryl Richardson, STL: Now looks like the Steven Jackson handcuff over Isaiah Pead. Jackson left the Redskins game with a groin injury, so if you have Pead stashed on your bench you may want to make the swap.
Kendall Hunter, SF: Still the back-up to a seemingly unstoppable Frank Gore. Gore’s had 17 and 19 touches in weeks 1&2 he’ll likely stay in that 15-20 range most of the season, but Hunter is the one getting the touches Gore misses and he’ll carry the load if Gore misses any time.
Now, Wide Receiver is shaping up to be as deep as promised.
Brandon LaFell, CAR: Is looking good…ranted it’s so far been against two teams who’ve given up a lot of passing yards in both this year’s appearances (Bucs and Saints) but hey, Panthers play the Giants next week, so he should be good for at least one more week.
Andrew Hawkins, CIN: He was a trendy name especially for PPR players after an 8 catch 86 yard week 1. The follow up wasn’t quite so impressive with only 2 catches for 56 yards, but one of them was a TD scamper off a short pass. He’s a home run threat and a security blanket, he’s worth a roster spot especially with an Orakpo-less Washington and Miami next up on the schedule.
Donnie Avery, IND: The Colts will not be ahead in a lot of games. That means Andrew Luck will have to throw a lot and with Fleener and Allen needed to help block and defenses focused on Reggie Wayne look for Avery to continue making plays.
Brandon Gibson, STL: So, if you read my preseason stuff, you saw I had Brian Quick as a sleeper if he could with the Rams starting job…well as it turns out that job went to Gibson, and he doesn’t look willing to give it up. He’s got 50+ yards and a TD in two straight games. The Bears are next up on the schedule, and after the Packers game I’m nervous, and if Danny Amendola is still available in your league he’s the one you want, but Gibson’s performance makes him worthy of at least a look.
Dexter McCluster, KC: Mostly a PPR consideration as I don’t see him reaching the end zone often and his yardage alone won’t be enough most weeks, but Cassel likes him and Jon Baldwin hasn’t been nearly as involved in the pass attack as I’d hoped.
Brian Hartline, MIA: He needs to be mentioned after a 110 yard outing, but don’t get too excited. Hartline will continue to see plenty of targets, but the Raiders defense is bad. The Dolphins get the Jets in week 3 and Cardinals in week 4…I wouldn’t want him in my line up until at least week 9 against the Colts. (actually not a bad schedule the rest of the way after that)
Mohammed Massaquoi, CLE: With Buffalo up next on the schedule, I think he could be interesting if you need some one. He seems to have decent chemistry with Weeden and the Bills have shown you can throw on them.
Oh, and if you’ve been losing games by just a few points, you kicker may be to blame. Here’s the guys you should be looking at.
Justin Tucker, BAL: in just two weeks he’s got 7 PATs and 6 FGs, 5 of which have been from 40+ (two from 50+) and yet he’s owned in only 5% of NFL.com leagues. The opportunity is going to be there. (just for some perspective Tucker currently has outscored Jamaal Charles by 19 points through two weeks)
Greg Zuerlein, STL: Liked this guy since I heard him being talked up during the preseason. 6th round draft pick, the team loves him, and he’s got a strong leg. The Rams offense isn’t the high powered attack the Ravens have but with an improved defense and Sam Bradford playing well they’ll be in field goal range enough for young GZ (clubhouse nickname, not mine) to put up some solid fantasy numbers.
Blair Walsh, MIN: Another guy I got sold on after preseason. I heard the GM talking him up, and after his 16point week 1 I decided to drop Josh Scobee and give him a shot. Walsh outscored Scobee 10 to 1 (in fairness Walsh was against the Colts, while Scobee had the misfortune of playing the Texans D) point is Minnesota, like St. Louis should find itself in scoring position on enough drives to give their rookie ample opportunities.
Connor Barth, TB: like the 3 above he’s got double digit points in the first two weeks. The offense in Tampa should continue to provide Barth with opportunity and according to NFL.com he’s made 20 consecutive kicks dating back to last year (only 5 so far this year)
I’m going to add a D/ST here
Arizona Cardinals: Coming off a big win against the Patriots, they’ll be a trendy add, but they get the Eagles in week 3 and Dolphins week 4. They’re better than you think.
Bubblegum Backwash 